Palo Alto Tourist Attractions
Santa Clara County
Location and origin
The town of Palo Alto lies 29mi/47km south of San Francisco on the U.S. 101. The Spanish name means "tall tree" and can be traced back to a centuries-old redwood tree (the Spaniards named it "palo colorade"), under which the Spanish governor camped with his expedition when they were searching for San Francisco Bay.
The trunk of the tree is still there, by the San Francisquito brook, at the junction of Palo Alto Avenue and Camino Real. A century later Governor Leland Stanford revived the name by calling his ranch (where Stanford University now stands) Palo Alto. This name was also used when the town was founded in 1892. A year later a railway station of the Southern Pacific Railroad was built here; by absorbing other districts the town then extended as far as the bay of San Francisco. The part which reached as far as the Santa Cruz Mountains, however, was intentionally not built on.
Hewlett-Packard
Thanks especially to the university, Palo Alto has become an important home of the American electronics industry, with numerous small firms having been set up by university graduates. The biggest company established here is Hewlett-Packard. Its premises cover such a large area that it is as big as a town, with 25 car-parks, a large swimming-pool and a municipal golf-course.
Stanford University began in 1891 with less than 600 students and today is attended by some 15,000.
Barbie Hall of Fame (closed)
ATTRACTION HAS CLOSED. MATTEL HAS PURCHASED THE COLLECTION.
The Barbie Hall of Fame in Palo Alto is a wonderland of the female dolls. Fans of her buddy Ken will not be disappointed.
Address:
545 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301-1710, United States
Junior Museum and Zoo
One of the oldest children's museums in California, founded in 1934, the Junior Museum and Zoo in Palo Alto features children's exhibits, science classes and a zoo with animal demonstrations.
Address:
1451 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301-3351, United States
Opening hours:
10am-5pm; Sun: 1pm-4pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (Jan 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, Nov), Christmas - Christian (Dec 25)
Useful tips: Donations accepted.
Hanna House
Hanna House, also known as Honeycomb House, is a hexagonal residence in Palo Alto, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Address:
3145 Porter Drive, Los Trancos, Bldg. F, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
Entrance fee in USD:
$10.00
Useful tips: Tours are offered by appointment only on the 1st and 3rd Sunday and the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Children under 12 are not allowed on the tour.
Lucie Stern Theater
The Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto is the home of the West Bay Opera, with performances from October through June.
Address:
1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301-3397, United States
Museum of American Heritage
The Museum of American Heritage in Palo Alto has displays of antique technological devices such as crystal radios and old turntables.
Address:
Box 1731, Palo Alto, CA 94302-1731, United States
Opening hours:
11am-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Palo Alto Cultural Center
The Palo Alto Cultural Center was originally a town hall. The galleries and art studio are open daily, along with the auditorium and sculpture garden.
Address:
1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303-2909, United States
Opening hours:
10am-5pm; Sun: 1pm-5pm; Thu: 10am-10pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (Jan 1), American Independance Day (Jul 4), Christmas - Christian (Dec 25)
Useful tips: Donations accepted. Also open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7-10:00pm.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Stanford University
