Welcome to Palo Alto, the home of Stanford University, tech giants like HP, PARC, and Tesla Motors, and a number of unique boutique shopping centers. Visitors interested in the history of tech will be enthralled by the Stanford Dish Radio telescope and the HP Garage attraction. Bring the family and explore Palo Alto’s many arts centers, museums, and unique dining establishments. Plus, outdoor adventurers will love the kid-friendly hiking trails, marshland nature preserves, and other famous Bay Area landmarks. Here’s how to turn your next family trip to Palo Alto into an unforgettable journey.
The top family-friendly attractions in Palo Alto include aquariums, history museums, and the state of the art Apple Campus. Begin your trip with these activities for kids in Palo Alto:
Venture to Fisherman’s Wharf for discounted admission to Aquarium of the Bay
Explore the history of modern computer at the Computer History Museum
Ride the trains at Sonoma TrailTown Railroad
Drive to nearby Cupertino to tour the Infinite Loop building at the new Apple Campus
Rent a paddleboard and explore the open waters at El Granada
Parents will love cruising by the big tech companies in Palo Alto, some true Silicon Valley landmarks, while the kids will enjoy the many interactive exhibits. For kid-friendly activities that delights all ages, try the following:
See a live performance at Stanford Theatre, where you can experience Hollywood’s golden age
Swim, kayak, and camp out at Shoreline Lake
Explore a deeply shaded redwood forest when you visit Portola Redwoods State Park
Watch local performers live out their dreams onstage for the community at Palo Alto Players
Take an Instagram-worthy photo with the Google Android Lawn Statues in Mountain View
Bring a whole group to Palo Alto for the ultimate California experience. Explore a nature preserve or visit an interactive museum. Try these kid-approved group activities in the city:
Bring the group to Russian Ridge Preserve to see raptors, red-tailed hawks, and golden eagles
Hike the Los Trancos Trail at Foothills Park, often called a nature lover’s paradise
At Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, attend the Flapjacks & Railroad Tracks Pancake Breakfast
Learn about the history of autonomous vehicles at the Computer History Museum
Celebrate sweets with cones from Scoop Microcreamery
See whether your kids are gifted with the same tech-genius as Steve Jobs at any of the history museums in Palo Alto. Otherwise, the zoo and art museums are good places to start. Here are the best educational activities for kids in Palo Alto:
At Junior Museum & Zoo, explore historic animal exhibits
Visit the Museum of American Heritage, discover inventions that shaped the United States
Head to the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, explore ancient artworks
Discover fascinating local history at the Palo Alto History Museum
See firsthand how far computing has evolved at The HP Garage, where the first HP computer was built
Dance those wiggles away or learn your favorite guitar rift at any number of musical and performing arts classes in the city. Try the following creative experiences in Palo Alto for kids:
Take a kids-friendly hip hop class at Existence Thru Art
Hone your acting skills during a hands-on acting class at the Children’s Theater
Try ballet, jazz, hip hop, or tap dance lessons at dance connection
At Create it Ceramics and Glass Studio, paint your own pottery
Twirl your way to highly disciplined ballet technique at Luna Dance Studio
Though the weather in Palo Alto is temperate year-round, cloudy days can happen. Don’t let the grey get you down. Instead, explore these exciting indoor attractions with the kids:
At Winchester Mystery House, take a tour of Sarah Winchester’s peculiar mansion
See one of the oldest board games in history at Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
Explore space at NASA’s Ames Visitor Center
Perfect your swing at the indoor miniature golf inside Subpar
Allow the kids to learn and play inside Wund3rkid play space
