Restaurants in Downtown PA: From the hotels, you can walk to Palo Alto’s “downtown” strip (University Avenue). Six blocks of University Ave and surrounding streets are lined with restaurants, cafes, and stores. Our Favorite Cafes: Philz (on Forest & High) Coupa (on Ramona or Lytton) Verve (on University & High) Casual Breakfast or Lunch: Coupa Cafe (on Ramona) Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill Crepevine Peninsula Creamery Local Union 271 Pizzeria Delfina Ramen Nagi Sanchos Taqueria The Patio Bar and Grill More Fancy Lunch (perhaps for after the ceremony; make reservations): Ettan Evvia Tamarine St. Michael’s Alley (on Homer & High) Things to do in and around PA: Stanford Main Quad (can walk from hotels) Hewlett Packard Garage (birthplace of Silicon Valley) (can walk from hotels) Computer History Museum in Mountain View
Note it could be chilly, and the water is definitely cold! Near Half Moon Bay (45-60 minutes from Palo Alto) -Gray Whale Beach (can be difficult to access but it's worth it!) -Montara Beach -San Gregorio State Beach In San Francisco (60 minutes from Palo Alto) -Baker Beach (Downtown San Francisco- great view of the bay!) -Chrissy Field (great views of GG Bridge) North of San Francisco (north of Golden Gate Bridge)(75-90 minutes from Palo Alto)(near Muir Woods) -Muir Beach
*Most sites in SF are 45-60 minutes from Palo Alto Alcatraz (reservations required fairly well in advance) Sightseeing cruise on the Bay (We’ve enjoyed the Golden Gate Bay Cruise offered by Red & White Cruises) Cable Car Museum (If you’re riding the cable cars, stop at the Cable Car Museum to see the amazing mechanics of how this system works) Ferry Building Marin Headlands viewpoints (just across GG Bridge; head up the mountain for amazing views of SF and the ocean) Biking the Golden Gate Bridge (If you have some time, head to Sausalito across the bay for a small beach town feel with great shops, views, and eats!) Muir Woods (stunning redwoods; reservations required; about ½ hour north of SF, across GG Bridge) *To see amazing redwood groves nearer to Palo Alto, see the “Purisima Creek hike” in our Best Hikes section
In Palo Alto (for a nice nearby walk or run with good views) -Palo Alto Baylands (flat trails with Bay Views; no shade) -Stanford “Dish” (paved very hilly loop with bay, mountain, and even San Francisco views on clear days)(a rigorous 1-hour walk or strenuous run) In the Mountains between Palo Alto and Coast -Purisima Creek (Enter at Higgins trailhead 1 hour from PA) *DO NOT use the Skyline entrance (on CA-35) In San Francisco (these are 45-60 minutes from Palo Alto; car necessary) -Twin Peaks -Golden Gate Bridge -Golden Gate Park -Lands End North of San Francisco (These 1.25+ hours from Palo Alto; car necessary) -Muir Woods Trail -Dipsea Trail -Alamere Falls