B & Z's Guidebook for Palo Alto
Food Scene
State of Mind Slice House
Chef Chu's
1067 N San Antonio RdSelf-order, but plenty of seating in this casual Mexican restaurant.
6 locals recommend
Taqueria El Grullense M & G
3636 El Camino RealSelf-order, but plenty of seating in this casual Mexican restaurant.
Da Sichuan Bistro
3781 El Camino RealPossibly the spicier side of Chinese, depending on your palate sensitivity.
A great hidden treasure for breakfast. Walk (30 minutes) or ride the cruiser bike.
7 locals recommend
Dinah's Poolside Restaurant
4261 El Camino RealA great hidden treasure for breakfast. Walk (30 minutes) or ride the cruiser bike.
So Gong Dong Tofu House
4127 El Camino RealLocal Chinese place. Nothing fancy for sure. Also good for takeout. 15 minute walk.
11 locals recommend
Hong Kong Restaurant
3691 El Camino RealLocal Chinese place. Nothing fancy for sure. Also good for takeout. 15 minute walk.
Standard Mexican fare and good margaritas. The nachos are one of our favorites there, but be sure not to count the calories.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/celias-mexican-restaurant-palo-alto
Celia's
3740 El Camino RealStandard Mexican fare and good margaritas. The nachos are one of our favorites there, but be sure not to count the calories.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/celias-mexican-restaurant-palo-alto
Huge sushi rolls. Most takeout, but a few tables to sit at inside.
23 locals recommend
Sushirrito - Palo Alto
448 University AveHuge sushi rolls. Most takeout, but a few tables to sit at inside.
Traditional Japanese restaurant that's been a neighborhood staple for decades. You can even order online and have it delivered. Not inexpensive like downtown's casual Sushirrito.
26 locals recommend
Fuki Sushi
4119 El Camino RealTraditional Japanese restaurant that's been a neighborhood staple for decades. You can even order online and have it delivered. Not inexpensive like downtown's casual Sushirrito.
Zareen's
365 California AveHappy Donuts
3916 El Camino RealOpen 24 hours. Try a cronut hole!
Lotus Thai Bistro
425 California AveArts & Culture
Stanford University
450 Serra MallAwesome sound! Beautiful setting! Top rate materials, all seats are so close and view is good. Great for spoken word, jazz, classical, synthesized, opera, etc. Same acoustic architect as Disney concert hall. Hosts special events indoor and outdoor in spring and summer.
19 locals recommend
Bing Concert Hall
327 Lasuen StAwesome sound! Beautiful setting! Top rate materials, all seats are so close and view is good. Great for spoken word, jazz, classical, synthesized, opera, etc. Same acoustic architect as Disney concert hall. Hosts special events indoor and outdoor in spring and summer.
What's better than a world-class collection of accessible contemporary art, much of it local? One that's totally free.
Thanks to the generosity of the Anderson family and Stanford University, there really is no charge to come in and see this amazing collection housed in a gorgeously designed, purpose-built space. Recognizable names like Diebenkorn, Rothko, Still, Pollock, and de Kooning are represented here, and there's also a sizeable section devoted to California artists and art movements.
Much of the collection is relatable, and helpful descriptions on the walls, as well as insights from tours and docents, provide added context.
27 locals recommend
Anderson Collection
314 Lomita DrWhat's better than a world-class collection of accessible contemporary art, much of it local? One that's totally free.
Thanks to the generosity of the Anderson family and Stanford University, there really is no charge to come in and see this amazing collection housed in a gorgeously designed, purpose-built space. Recognizable names like Diebenkorn, Rothko, Still, Pollock, and de Kooning are represented here, and there's also a sizeable section devoted to California artists and art movements.
Much of the collection is relatable, and helpful descriptions on the walls, as well as insights from tours and docents, provide added context.
An impressive and eclectic museum -- where you can spend a day exploring many diverse collections -- ranging from Egyptian - to Modern - to Native American - to specialty shows (like Russian Revolutionary art) to an extraordinary selection of Rodin sculptures located both inside the museum and outside in the Rodin sculpture garden.
Free admission, but parking is only free on weekends and after 4pm.
143 locals recommend
Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts
328 Lomita DrAn impressive and eclectic museum -- where you can spend a day exploring many diverse collections -- ranging from Egyptian - to Modern - to Native American - to specialty shows (like Russian Revolutionary art) to an extraordinary selection of Rodin sculptures located both inside the museum and outside in the Rodin sculpture garden.
Free admission, but parking is only free on weekends and after 4pm.
Computer History Museum
1401 N Shoreline BlvdDrinks & Nightlife
The Tap Room
233 University AveWell known, but we haven't been there.
The Patio @ Rudy's
Parks & Nature
Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center
2775 Embarcadero RdOne of the best playgrounds around! Magical Bridge playground has shaded area with benches/tables/seats for the parents while watching the kids play on a fun structure.
Roller slide, steep slide, regular slide, artificial grass, cardboard pieces to slide down on - plus a lot of the spinning contraptions and swings. Kids really have a blast here.
Library is nearby, too, for a nicer bathroom or place to decompress and read.
22 locals recommend
Mitchell Park
600 E Meadow DrOne of the best playgrounds around! Magical Bridge playground has shaded area with benches/tables/seats for the parents while watching the kids play on a fun structure.
Roller slide, steep slide, regular slide, artificial grass, cardboard pieces to slide down on - plus a lot of the spinning contraptions and swings. Kids really have a blast here.
Library is nearby, too, for a nicer bathroom or place to decompress and read.
Stanford Dish
400 Reservoir RdA bit over 3 miles and somewhat hilly. The best hike in town!
Foothills Park Nature Interpretive Center
Essentials
Mollie Stone's Markets
164 California AveWalgreens
1905 W El Camino RealErnie's Liquor
3870 El Camino Real In case you want to buy CA Lottery Tickets along with beer, wine and spirits.
Getting Around
California Avenue Caltrain Station
101 California AveHertz
2601 El Camino RealShopping
A wonderful mall that is great for relaxing and window shopping. This outdoor mall is decorated with gorgeous flowers, and features a collection of high end stores like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Louis Vuitton. However, they also have shops like Bath and Body Works, Urban Outfitters, Victoria Secret, and Banana Republic. Stanford Shopping Center is very clean, the garden is well kept, and there is security around almost every store. For the chilly months they feature a warm fire to stand by, and during the holidays they have photo-ops with characters. They have decent parking and a great food selection like the Lobster Shack Xpress and Go Fish!
526 locals recommend
Stanford Shopping Center
660 Stanford Shopping CenterA wonderful mall that is great for relaxing and window shopping. This outdoor mall is decorated with gorgeous flowers, and features a collection of high end stores like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Louis Vuitton. However, they also have shops like Bath and Body Works, Urban Outfitters, Victoria Secret, and Banana Republic. Stanford Shopping Center is very clean, the garden is well kept, and there is security around almost every store. For the chilly months they feature a warm fire to stand by, and during the holidays they have photo-ops with characters. They have decent parking and a great food selection like the Lobster Shack Xpress and Go Fish!
Small shops, bakeries and food. Sushi House is a down-to-earth Japanese restaurant. Check this link to see if Town & Country Village is more than a cup of green tea for you:
http://www.tandcvillage.com
64 locals recommend
Town & Country Village
855 El Camino Real Small shops, bakeries and food. Sushi House is a down-to-earth Japanese restaurant. Check this link to see if Town & Country Village is more than a cup of green tea for you:
http://www.tandcvillage.com
We call this "our downtown." Small shops and a variety of restaurants.
21 locals recommend
California Avenue
California AvenueWe call this "our downtown." Small shops and a variety of restaurants.