Things to Do
Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market
8 min walk Every Saturday 8am-12pm on Gilman St Great selection of restaurants and shops.
Stanford Campus
15 minute walk Though not as nearly great as UC Berkeley, where Jordan and Nick attended, this sterile palm tree lined campus should do in a pinch. There is also shopping at Stanford Shopping Center. https://visit.stanford.edu/explore-campus/
Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
26 min walk, 5 min drive With indoor science exhibits and outdoor zoo, the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo is a place where children and their caregivers come to learn, explore, play, discover, and get curious about science and nature.
Allied Arts Guild
30min walk, 6 min drive "Allied Arts Guild is a beautiful and historic garden oasis, home to unique shops, artists' studios, and Café Wisteria. Since 1929, Allied Arts Guild has provided an inspiring environment for working artists, beautiful gardens and shops for visitors, and support for critically ill children at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. Open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm."
Baylands Nature Preserve
4 mi, 10 min drive Marsh area for an easy walk and wildlife watching https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/community-services/parks-and-open-space/baylands/baylands-map.pdf
Computer History Museum
7 mi, 15 min drive A museum about the history of computers and impact on human experience. A safe place to nerd out.
Shoreline Lake Boathouse
8mi, 18 min drive Another marsh area with a lake for boating. A great place for watching people flexing on their first dates.
Huddart Park
10 mi, 20 min drive, $6 parking For a nice hike in the redwood trees. Recommended trails: Redwood Nature trail, Bay tree trail Please note that most trails have elevation changes. Bring sturdy hiking shoes. To learn more about redwood trees, https://www.nps.gov/redw/learn/nature/about-the-trees.htm https://www.savetheredwoods.org/redwoods/
Methuselah Tree (Sequoia sempervirens)
14 mi, 30 min drive. Take a scenic drive up La Honda (84) and along Skyline (35) to see this enormous redwood tree. Tree hugs are not required, but recommended. You will be passing right by the wedding venue, the Mountain Terrace, on your way. There are many other trails in the area. https://www.bigoldtreeonskyline.com/
Venice State Beach
23 miles, 40 min drive. One of many beaches at Half Moon Bay. Other notable stops include J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Mori Point, Pedro Point, the town of Pescadero, and Año Nuevo State Park
Berkeley / Oakland
40 mi, 1 hr drive, toll crossing Explore the East Bay! Highlights: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley gourmet ghetto, downtown Berkeley/Oakland, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
San Francisco (Car ed.)
35 mi, 50 mins by car. Bring a warm layer. Do not leave any items visible in the parked car. Come explore our neighborhood (Inner Richmond)! Highlights: - Golden Gate Park: Cal Academy of Sciences, De Young Museum, Stow Lake, Conservatory of Flowers, Botanical Garden, Bison Paddock, etc - Ocean Beach - Urban hiking at Lands End trails, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge - Twin Peaks for panoramic view of the city - 16th Avenue Tiled Steps - Plenthora of restaurants along Irving and Clement St - Fort Funston on the drive back
San Francisco (Train ed.)
1 hour by train - see "travel" section for more info. Brinrg a warm layer. From the San Francisco CalTrain station, head northeast and walk along the perimeter of San Francisco on Embarcedero. Highlights: Rincon Park, Ferry building, Exploratorium, Museum of Modern Arts, China Town, Cable Car Museum, Coit Tower, Pier 39 (Sea Lion), Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz (ferry ticket), etc
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
43 mi, 1 hour drive. On weekends, leave in the morning. Take a hike in the old redwood grove. The park is located near Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
44mi, 1 hr drive. On weekends, leave in the morning. An amusement park by the beach. A great place for young children and adults still young at heart.
Monterey Bay
90 mi, 1.5 hrs drive. Easy to stay overnight and make day-trip to Big Sur Highlights: Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17 Mile Drive, Carmel-by-the-sea, wildlife kayaking at Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation Area
Big Sur
95-130 mi, 2 hr drive. Camping, glamping, and hotels/airbnb's near Monterey. Quintessential California coastline. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a must-see. Other recommendations: Garrapata SP, Bixby Bridge, Soberanes Point, Pfiffer Big Sur SP, Partington Cove, McWay Falls, and Elephant Seal Vista Point Please check the Hwy 1 road conditions. https://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/highway_conditions.html
Sonoma/Napa Valley
80-110 mi, 2 hour drive, toll crossing. Take a self guided tour around the wine country. Our favorite vineyards include Alexander Valley, Hanna, and Dry Creek. You can also find companies to take you around the vineyards for wine tasting. If you are in Sonoma, you can also swim and relax in Russian River nearby.
Point Reyes National Seashore
95mi, 2.5 hrs drive, toll crossing. A beautiful outdoor wilderness. A great place to see seals and sea lions.
Yosemite National Park
190 mi, 4 hr drive. One of the greatest National Parks. Advanced reservation required for overnight stay, but day permit is no longer required (entry fee still applies). Lodging within the park requires advanced planning. Yosemite Lodge can be booked with extremely limited availability. Please feel free to reach out to us for planning help.
California Road Trip
Travel the California coast on Hwy 1. Click on the link to see suggested stops.