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Best Places to Visit in Palo Alto

overhead view of standford university

The seat of Stanford University, Palo Alto is home to many major tech companies — and that’s not all. It also has a lively downtown, plenty of open spaces, and a growing art scene. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to go for a little fun.

  1. Stanford University
    This university certainly deserves its reputation as one of the country’s top campuses, and it’s one of the oldest as well. Stanford might be better known for research and technology, but there is much history to see here as well, including the grand old Memorial Church, built in the Romanesque Revival style.

    There’s also the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve where diverse flora and fauna are on display, as well as the 285-foot Hoover Tower. The sprawling, tree-shaded university grounds are likewise worth exploring.

  2. Cantor Arts Center
    Featuring over 5000 years of history and art evolution across many collections, the Cantor Arts Center is the perfect place for those looking to soak up culture. Standing in stark contrast to the relatively modern feel of Palo Alto, the Center is housed in an elegant Neoclassical building.

    Not limited to any one genre, style, or era, it features art from the world over, including modern and contemporary art styles. Check out visiting exhibitions, art-related film screenings, and more. Admission to the center is free.

  3. Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
    As the name suggests, this garden is named after the Gamble family of Procter & Gamble fame. When Elizabeth Frances Gamble passed on, the residence and its beautiful gardens were bequeathed to the city.

    The property includes 2.5 acres of land, featuring colorful and diverse flower gardens, a herbarium, an allee and several other walkways that invite visitors to wander around, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy nature. We suggest you take the tour of the historic Main House, which is a beautiful throwback to the early 20th century. After you’ve soaked in the history and natural beauty of the place, stop by for tea and snacks at the tea house.

  4. Stanford Shopping Center
    One of the unique charms of this shopping plaza is its open-air design. There are popular stores like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Macy’s just to name a few. On top of that, there are many culinary delights to be savored. We always point people towards California Pizza Kitchen, PF Chang’s, and The Melt. The center offers a unique shopping experience that you wouldn’t want to miss.

There is much to be enjoyed in Palo Alto and the rest of Silicon Valley—it’s one of the reasons this is such a great place to live. If you’re interested in finding the perfect balance between high tech and nature, we can point you towards great real estate opportunities in the area. Call us today at 650.489.6251 or message us via davidandsunny(at)compass(dotted)com and we’ll be more than happy to help you.

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