9 Best Things To Do Around Palo Alto: Unique and Outdoorsy

Most people know Palo Alto as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. If you’re visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, Palo Alto is one of the best places to stop by for a day trip from San Francisco with many unique and outdoorsy things to do.

Ever since we moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, we’ve been trying to do some outdoorsy or fun things during the weekends. Most of time we would be hiking and visiting scenic spots around Palo Alto, because it’s such a great place with lots of diversity in landscape and scenery.

Palo Alto has many amazing outdoor spaces as it is surrounded by the Santa Cruz Mountains, the bay, and a short drive away from the coast. You can also easily find coastal redwood trees here. In fact, Palo Alto was named after El Palo Alto, a tall California redwood tree that was discovered during a historic expedition.

There’s so much to do in the San Francisco Bay Area, and you don’t necessarily need to drive for hours if you’re short on time. Let’s dive into the best things you can do in Palo Alto!

What are the best things to do around Palo Alto?

1. Hike the Stanford Dish Loop

The Stanford Dish is one of the most accessible outdoor spaces in Palo Alto. You can hike along the Dish Loop, and the trail features panoramic views of the Stanford campus, the Santa Clara Valley, and the surrounding landscapes. Of course, you will also see the famous Stanford Dish overlooking the bay.

It’s a favorite among both locals and visitors, offering not only a great workout but also a unique opportunity to go outdoors while exploring the heart of Silicon Valley. When we went hiking there, we were amazed by a pair of mothers on the trail with strollers! We also passed by a few joggers and people walking their dogs.

Location: Palo Alto, near Stanford University

Highlights: Panoramic views of the Stanford campus, the Santa Clara Valley, and beyond

Trail distance and duration: 3.7 miles (6.0 km), 2 hours via Dish Loop Trail

Terrain: Paved and gravel paths

Directions and parking:

• Start the hike from Stanford Dish Hiking Trailhead.
• Parking is available at Stanford Dish Parking.

2. Go to the summit of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

For a hike that promises breathtaking panoramic views from its summit, Windy Hill Open Space Preserve is a must-visit destination.

Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this preserve offers a variety of trails for hikers of all levels. The best trail is the Windy Hill Loop that takes you to the summit, and through the serene forest on your way back down. Throughout the trail, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping vistas of the bay.

If you don’t want to hike for long, you can also drive up to the top of the ridge via Skyline Boulevard. From there, you go on a shorter walk to Windy Hill Summit via the Anniversary Trail. Windy Hill Summit is also a great spot for sunset as you get to look out to both sides of the hill.

Location: Portola Valley, 9 miles from Palo Alto

Highlights: Panoramic views from Windy Hill Summit, especially at sunset

Trail distance and duration: 6.4 miles (10.3 km), 3.5 to 4 hours via Windy Hill Loop

Terrain: Mix of forested and open landscapes

Directions and parking:

• Start the hike from Alpine Trail (Trailhead).
• Parking is available at (37.364396, -122.215191) or on the roadside along Willowbrook Drive.

3. Birdwatch at Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve

The Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve is a paradise for birdwatching all year round. This diverse and thriving ecosystem in the marshland supports a wide array of bird species including migratory birds that are stopping by. You’ll hear all kinds of chirping and bird sounds there, and it’s very calming.

The Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center is open to visitors on the weekends where you can learn about the marshland. The boardwalk and surrounding paths around it is also perfect for walks, especially at sunset where you get to see the baylands illuminated by the evening glow of the sun.

Fall and spring are the best times to spot migratory birds, while winter brings higher tides that are also known as king tides. No matter when you go, you’ll get to enjoy the serenity of this marshland as you walk along the various paths and boardwalks. If you don’t want to walk, you can even sit in your car and admire the view from the parking lot.

Location: Palo Alto, along the San Francisco Bay

Highlights: Diverse bird species, wetlands and boardwalks

Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretative Center Hours: 12pm to 3pm (Saturday), 10am to 3pm (Sunday)

Terrain: Flat, suitable for easy walks

Directions and parking:

• Start your exploration from Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center
• Parking is available nearby at (37.459004, -122.105235) and at several other places – Sailing station, Duck Lake, Byxbee Park, etc.

4. Stroll through Elizabeth Gamble Garden

Nestled in the heart of Palo Alto, the Elizabeth Gamble Garden is a tranquil place that is open to the public. It invites visitors to unwind and enjoy the beautiful landscaped gardens.

You can stroll along various sections of the garden and enjoy the serene atmosphere. These include the Rose Garden, Wisteria Garden, and Fruit Orchard. One of the highlights within the garden is the historic Gamble House, a charming and well-preserved home that you can tour during weekday mornings.

There are seasonal activities held here as well, including the Winter Festival and the Gamble Garden Spring Tour. This is the perfect place to find nature within the heart of Palo Alto, and the good news is that admission is free.

Location: Old Palo Alto, tucked away in a residential area

Highlights: Beautiful garden pathways, historic Gamble House

Garden hours: Open every day during daylight

House hours: 9am to 2pm (Monday to Friday)

Directions and parking:

• The main entrance for Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden is at (37.439989, -122.148900) along Waverley Street, and a one-way street takes you to the main parking lot.
• More parking is available at (37°26’24.1″N 122°08’51.2″W) along Churchill Avenue.

5. Hike at El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve

El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve is a hidden treasure for hikers and is just a short drive from Palo Alto. It offers a dense forest experience with an extensive network of trails that wind through a variety of landscapes. On a foggy morning, you will feel like this place brings you to another world as you’re surrounded by moss-covered trees.

The trail I recommend is the combination of Tafoni, Resolution and Fir Trail. As the name suggests, you will get to see Tafoni rock along this trail, which is a unique formation that resulted from years of weather erosion. My favourite part of the trail is the vista point that looks out to the Pacific Ocean, which also makes a great place for picnics.

You can also check out a Redwood tree that is more than 1,800 years old, called a Methuselah Tree, that is easily accessed from the road. I’ve written a more detailed post about our time at El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve in this article.

Location: Woodside, 15 miles from Palo Alto

Highlights: Dense forest with diverse hiking trails

Trail distance and duration: 4.9 miles (7.9 km), 2.5 to 3 hours via Tafoni, Resolution and Fir Trail

Terrain: Redwood and evergreen forest dirt trails

Directions and parking:

• Start the hike from (37.412116, -122.306916).
• Parking is available at Skeggs Point parking lot for the hike.
• To see Methuselah Tree, park along the roadside near Sierra Morena Trail Access point.

6. Hike at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

Rancho San Antonio is a popular hiking spot for locals in the area because of its proximity to the residential areas and is easy to get to. There are a variety of trails here with different types of landscapes and views.

We hiked the Coyote, Upper High Meadow, and Stephen E Arbors trail the last time which took around 4 hours. There are a couple of vista points overlooking the bay along this trail, often with benches for you to rest at. As you hike further with higher elevation, you’ll likely see fewer crowds. It was a pleasant and scenic route, and we managed to spot some deer too.

Alternatively, consider a shorter version of that trail and visit the Deer Hollow Farm. It is a 160 year-old farm where you can learn about the history and view the farm animals. Note that they are open from 8am to 4pm, though they are closed on Mondays, and have shorter hours on Wednesday (8am to 1pm).

Location: Cupertino, 13 miles from Palo Alto

Highlights: Diverse trails that wind through the hills and opportunities to spot local wildlife

Trail distance and duration: 2.8 miles (4.5 km), 1.5 hours via Deer Hollow Farm Trail Loop

Terrain: Gentle dirt paths

Directions and parking:

• Start the loop from Deer Hollow Farm Trailhead.
• Parking is available at Parking lot 1 for 3+ pax carpool, Parking lots 2 to 6 for everyone else. We’ve previously parked at (37°19’57.8″N 122°05’14.6″W).

7. Visit the HP Garage

The HP Garage, often referred to as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley”, is a historic site where Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard founded Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1939. While you can’t enter the garage, you can take a look at it from the street and learn about its significance in the history of technology.

I love that the story is about how 2 students achieved such great results just by following their professor’s encouragement to start their own local companies instead of joining established companies in other states. Hopefully you will be encouraged by a visit to this humble garage, just like I was.

Location: 367 Addison Ave, Palo Alto

Highlights: Learning about the story and significance of this humble garage

Directions and parking: Street side parking in a residential area

8. Join an event and explore Google Visitor Experience

The Google Visitor Experience is a new addition to the Google campus and has been welcoming visitors since 2023. It is located in the Gradient Canopy office, where you can find a cafe, Google Store, Huddle space for community events, and a pop-up shop for local crafts.

Outside, you can explore the plaza and check out the various art installations. The art style has been put together by the Burning Man Project in collaboration with the Mountain View community. Why not grab one of the colourful Google bicycles and go on a hunt for these art installations? There are more than 10 of them!

Location: 2000 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

Highlights: Art installations, cafe, and community events

Opening hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 9am to 6pm
• Sunday: 10am to 5pm
• May have special holiday hours

Directions and parking:

• Shoreline Amphitheater Parking Lot C
• Alta Garage

9. Dine under the trees at Rossotti’s Alpine Inn

If you’re looking for a great casual hangout spot, the Rossetti’s Alpine Inn is a lovely restored tavern to visit. It is popular among locals in Palo Alto, especially for those who have been hiking nearby and can come to the outdoor beer garden for a drink.

They serve American traditional cuisine, such as pizzas and burgers with nice and big portion sizes. Do note that this place gets really busy on the weekends, so do account for the time you’ll need to wait for a spot.

You may be able to jump a few spots ahead of the line if you carpool with 3 other people. Since parking spots are limited, you can also consider taking an uber there or even cycling there from Palo Alto.

Location: 3915 Alpine Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028

Highlights: Rustic outdoor dining with proximity to hiking trails

Opening hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30am – 9:00pm
• Friday: 11:30am – 10:00pm
• Saturday: 11:00am – 10:00pm
• Sunday: 11:00am – 9:00pm
• May be closed on year end holidays

Directions and parking:

• The entrance is along Arastradero Road.
• There are parking spots just outside the restaurant, which you will see as you enter. This is approximately at (37.382140, -122.194086).

Additional tips for visiting Palo Alto and beyond

• You can book an Uber or Lyft to get around. Alternatively, rent a car for the day via Turo or Zipcar. Here are more tips on renting a car in California.
• Most of the outdoor spaces close 30 minutes after sunset, so make sure to finish your hike before then.
• Do use the restrooms before going on your hikes, as there are likely no toilets along some of the further routes.
• Early morning hikes are usually better than mid-day as you get to enjoy cooler weather and less harsh sun. Another popular hike you can drive to is Mission Peak.
• Bring more water than you think you’ll need. Some snacks will also go a long way. We recently switched to a hiking backpack even for short hikes because they’re much better suited for bringing all these supplies.
• Download offline maps and bring a portable charger in case you get lost and need to rely on your phone.
• It’s normal for the hiking areas’ parking to be full on the weekend, you just need to wait around a little bit for a spot.
• The residential part of Palo Alto may not always have a dedicated parking area, so you will have to look for parking spaces along the roadside.

Have you visited any of these places before? Let me know if there are other places in Palo Alto that should be included in this list. You can also connect with me on Instagram.

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• 5 Fun San Francisco Day Trips You Need To Take
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