What to do in Palo Alto, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

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Palo Alto Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Palo Alto has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Palo Alto is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Palo Alto to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Palo Alto Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Palo Alto.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Palo Alto attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

CA $177
per traveller
80% of travellers recommend
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience
Private Walking Tour in Stanford University

Stanford University Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

CA $7
per traveller
Stanford University Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Lower Antelope Canyon 1

San Francisco to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon 4 Day Tour

CA $1,304
per adult
San Francisco to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon 4 Day Tour
Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley

Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley

CA $254
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley
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Recommended things to do in Palo Alto

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What to do in Palo Alto

Stay near popular Palo Alto attractions

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Stanford University

8.8/10 (4,609 reviews)
Enjoy the collegiate vibe around Stanford University, a top university in Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
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Where to stay in Palo Alto

Find the best Palo Alto areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Palo Alto
Learn more about Palo Alto
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University South

While visiting University South, you might make a stop by sights like Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market and Stanford Theatre.
An aerial view of a city with a mix of modern and historic buildings, a central intersection, and surrounding greenery.

Downtown North

Though Downtown North might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Stanford Shopping Center and Stanford Theatre.
A winding road through a green landscape with a prominent tower and a cityscape in the distance.

Crescent Park

Crescent Park might not have many top sights, but Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo and Palo Alto Art Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Midtown

While Midtown might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Palo Alto Art Center and Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.
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Old Palo Alto

Old Palo Alto might not have many top sights, but Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo and Palo Alto Art Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Palo Alto

Brilliant sunset in local Arastradero Park. Hiking trails up and down hills lined with eucalyptus trees.

Menlo Park

A town with a mountain range in the background.

Mountain View

A modern multi-story building with red and white accents, located at a street corner with visible street signs and parked cars.

Redwood City

A long-span suspension bridge at night with illuminated cables, spanning a wide river.

Los Altos

A tree-lined path with a fence on either side, leading towards a sunset.

Portola Valley

Frequently asked questions

Is Palo Alto worth visiting?
Whether you want to experience the local charm and cultural hotspots or sample unique foods and explore the outdoors, there are plenty of things to do in Palo Alto.
How do I spend a day in Palo Alto?
Start your adventures with a visit to Golfland USA and Los Altos History Museum. Then, explore other areas of Palo Alto for a bite to eat and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Palo Alto?
Shoreline Amphitheatre is one of the top tourist attractions in Palo Alto and deserves a spot on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Palo Alto?
Three days will be enough time to check out many city attractions, like Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View Centre for the Performing Arts and Los Altos History Museum. The average stay in Palo Alto is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your escape, San Francisco isn't far away.
Is Palo Alto a walkable city?
With popular neighbourhoods and top attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Palo Alto is a good destination to discover on foot. Enjoy wandering between Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo and Shoreline Park. Then take a stroll through Ventura, located 2 kilometres from the centre, and Barron Park, which is roughly 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Palo Alto with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or thrill-loving teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities sets the tone for a great escape. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Palo Alto with kids.
What to do in Palo Alto for adults?
There are loads of things to do in Palo Alto, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Computer History Museum or NASA Ames Research.
Are there free things to do in Palo Alto?
One of the top ways to learn about free things to do in Palo Alto is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without reaching into your pocket. Los Altos History Museum is one sight that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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