Explore Palo Alto
Things to Do in Palo Alto
Stanford University
One of the world's most respected institutions of higher learning, Stanford University sits on an impressive 8,000-acre campus in Palo Alto, California. Known for its top-tier teaching and research, Stanford is also home to a phenomenal medical center, which includes a superior children's hospital.
The school also features talented athletic teams in a wide array of men's and women's sports. Tours of the Stanford campus are available along with exceptional museums that are open to the public.
Stanford University
- Attraction Details
Address
450 Serra Mall,
Stanford, California, 94305
Distance from Hotel: 5.2 Miles from Hotel Phone
Website
- More Details
One of the world's most respected institutions of higher learning, Stanford University sits on an impressive 8,000-acre campus in Palo Alto, California. Known for its top-tier teaching and research, Stanford is also home to a phenomenal medical center, which includes a superior children's hospital.
The school also features talented athletic teams in a wide array of men's and women's sports. Tours of the Stanford campus are available along with exceptional museums that are open to the public.
- Activities
- Tours
- Museums
- Lectures
- Sporting events
- Concerts
- Before you go
Stanford Cardinal Events
Catch many exciting Stanford Cardinal sporting events throughout the year, including football, basketball and baseball.
Stanford Live
Stanford is renowned for presenting exceptional performing arts programs, such as Stanford Live, which features top-name artists like the Kronos Quartet and Glenn Kotche.
- FAQs
How far away is Stanford University from the hotel?
Stanford University is approximately 2 miles from the Creekside Inn.
What are the directions to Stanford University?
Head southeast on El Camino Real toward Matadero Avenue. Make a U-turn at Matadero Avenue. Turn left onto Quarry Road then turn right onto Welch Road. Make the next left and the university will be on the right. There is also a complimentary car service provided by the Creekside Inn that will take you to campus if scheduled.
Stanford Shopping Center
Anchored by classic department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Macy's, Stanford Shopping Center features over 140 retailers, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Kate Spade, J. Crew and Tommy Bahama. Restaurants range from California Pizza Kitchen and Max's Opera Café to P.F. Chang's China Bistro and Chipotle Mexican Grill.
What's more, the upscale Palo Alto mall boasts gardens, sculptures and fountains along with an eclectic European-style street market.
Stanford Shopping Center
- Attraction Details
Address
660 Stanford Shopping Center,
Palo Alto, California, 94304
Distance from Hotel: 3.4 Miles from Hotel Phone
- Hours of Operation
- Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Prices
Admission is free
- Events
Summer jazz series
- Activities
- Shopping
- Dining
- Concerts
- Before you go
Dining
Plenty of restaurants are ready to serve you at the Stanford Shopping Center, including Chipotle Mexican Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Max's Opera Caf, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, and Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill.
- FAQs
How far away is Stanford Shopping Center from the hotel?
The Stanford Shopping Center is located 2.5 miles from the Creekside Inn. Complimentary Creekside Inn transportation will take you to and from the shopping center if scheduled. Pick up and drop off location will be at Bloomingdales.
How many stores are located in this center?
There are more than 140 retail stores at the Stanford Shopping Center.
University Avenue
Delight in a multitude of marvelous shopping, dining and entertainment options on University Avenue in Palo Alto, California.
Delicious meals can be had at restaurants like Joya, Palermo, and Pluto's. For after-dinner drinks and hanging out with friends, check out Old Pro and Lavanda Restaurant & Wine Bar. University Avenue is also home to such fun events as the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts and World Music Day.
University Avenue
- Attraction Details
Address
1139 University Ave,
Palo Alto, California, 94301
Distance from Hotel: 4.1 Miles from Hotel - Hours
Varies by store
- Prices
N/A
- Events
- Palo Alto Festival of the Arts
- World Music Day
- Activities
- Shopping
- Dining
- Movies
- Galleries
- Before you go
Dining
Enticing restaurants on University Avenue in Palo Alto range from Joya and Palermo to Pluto's and Cheesecake Factory.
Nightlife
Enticing restaurants on University Avenue in Palo Alto range from Joya and Palermo to Pluto's and Cheesecake Factory.
- FAQs
What are the directions to University Avenue?
Head north on El Camino Real. Take El Camino to the University Avenue exit toward Caltrain Station/Stanford/Downtown/Palo Alto. Keep left at the fork in the road and follow signs for CA-82 N. Turn right onto University Avenue
Where is the best place to park on University Avenue?
There is metered parking all along University Avenue, plus you can also park in several lots.
Stanford Dish
Stanford Dish
- Attraction Details
Address
Stanford Dish, 400 Reservoir Rd,
Stanford, California, 94305
Distance from Hotel: 5.1 Miles from Hotel Phone
Website
- Hours
- January: 6:30 am - 4:45 pm
- March: 6:00 am - 6:30 pm
- September: 6:30 am - 7:00 pm
- November - December: 6:30 am - 5:00 pm
- February: 6:30 am - 5:30 pm
- April - August: 6:00 am - 7:30 pm
- October: 6:30 am - 6:00 pm
The schedule is adjusted monthly to closely match sunrise and sunset.
- Events/Activties
Academic programs
The Dish itself is a radio telescope that is still in use. Other research and teaching programs also use the dish area.
Environmental Restoration
Stanford's Conservation Biology Program is directing a program of environmental restoration in the dish area, which includes use of native grasses and other plants.
Habitat Conservation
Portions of the dish area will be devoted to special efforts to enhance habitat for the California tiger salamander, including the development of new breeding ponds.
Recreation
The Dish is a popular recreational area for hiking and jogging and is open to the public from approximately sunrise to sunset throughout the year.
- Before you go
Getting There
Catch many exciting Stanford Cardinal sporting events throughout the year, including football, basketball and baseball. o There are three gated entrances. Most visitors use the Stanford Ave. gate, located where Stanford Ave. intersects with Junipero Serra Blvd. Parking is allowed on Stanford Ave., but be sure not to park on the side streets where Stanford residential parking permits are required or you'll be ticketed. The Gerona gate is near Campus Dr. and Lake Lagunita, but there is no parking. The Alpine gate is near Interstate 280 on Alpine Rd. at Piers Lane. The trail from the Alpine gate intersects with the main loop trail near the big dish and adds about a mile and a half to the full loop.
Filoli
We invite you to visit Filoli, one of the finest remaining country estates of the early 20th century, located just 15 miles north of Palo Alto.
Enjoy the 16-acre formal Garden, explore the historic House, take a nature hike, view an art exhibit, or pursue its educational opportunities.
Filoli
- Attraction Details
Address
86 Cañada Rd,
Woodside, California, 94062
Distance from Hotel: 15.2 Miles from Hotel Phone
Website
- Details Open: Tuesday - Sunday
- Events Filoli offers a wonderful array of fundraising events and programs throughout the year planned especially for our guests. These include the beloved Mother's Day Flower Show, Jazz at Filoli, Holiday Traditions and our always-popular monthly Afternoon Teas. Additionally, the Gallery at Filoli will present an interesting array of art and decorative art exhibits in 2016.
- Activities
- The Garden
- The House
- The Nature Preserve
- Collections
- Before you go Filoli is a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation and stewardship of the cultural traditions and natural history of this country estate for public education and enjoyment. Admission to Filoli allows visitors to explore the historic House and Garden at their leisure. Self-guided booklets and docents are available to answer questions. A 15-minute video on the history of Filoli runs continuously in the Visitor and Education Center.
- FAQs
When is the ticket office open?
The Filoli Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm to answer your questions or to take your reservation.
Can I bring my dog?
Only leashed service dogs are allowed on the grounds of Filoli. No other animals are permitted.
Can I bring food or water?
With the exception of bottled water, food and beverages cannot be brought onto the Filoli grounds. Picnics are not allowed.
Cantor Arts Center & Rodin Sculpture Garden
Cantor Arts Center & Rodin Sculpture Garden
- Attraction Details
Address
328 Lomita Dr,
Stanford, California, 94305
Distance from Hotel: 3.5 Miles from Hotel Phone
Website
- Hours
- Wednesday to Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Rodin Sculpture Garden is open 24/7
- Prices Free
- Events
- Lectures
- Rodin by Moonlight
- Activities
- Exhibits
- Tours
- Bookshop
- Café
- Before you go
Parking
Parking at the Cantor Arts Center is free after 4 p.m. and all day on weekends.
Rodin Collection
The Cantor Arts Center houses the largest collection of Rodin bronze sculptures outside of the city of Paris, including his signature piece, "The Thinker."
- FAQs
Is the admission free?
Yes, admission to the Cantor Arts Center is free.
Frank Lloyd Wright Hanna House
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1936, Hanna House was the home of Stanford University professor Paul Hanna and his wife Jean, who were early childhood education specialists. Both the home and its stylish gardens are open to the public for tours.
The Hannas lived in the house until 1975, after which they donated it to Stanford University. Four university provosts lived there until it was severely damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. In 1999, it was given an extreme makeover and reopened for tours.
Frank Lloyd Wright Hanna House
- Attraction Details
Address
737 Frenchmans Rd,
Stanford, California, 94305
Distance from Hotel: 6.5 Miles from Hotel Phone
- Hours 11:00 a.m. until the last tour
- Prices $10 per person; $5 per car
- Activities House tours
- Before you go
Hours of Operation
Tours take place beginning at 11 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sunday and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. There are three tours per day.
Age Restrictions
Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to take the tour.
- FAQs
Do I need to make a reservation?
Yes, reservations are required.
What is the admission cost?
There is a $10 admission fee per person and a $5 parking fee per car.
Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden
- Attraction Details
Address
1431 Waverley St,
Palo Alto, California, 94301
Distance from Hotel: 3.0 Miles from Hotel Phone
Website
- Hours
- Garden Hours Open every day during daylight hours.Garden is disabled accessible.
- Home, library and office hours Weekdays 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Events
- Classes
- Festivals
- Private Events
- Tours
- Before you go There are so many ways to enjoy Gamble Garden—from the big moments to the small. It's a place to share a first kiss - as well as the first kiss of married life. Children see the magic of growing plants, and would-be gardeners of all stripes learn from our Master Gardeners and horticultural reference library. Plan a visit with the whole family, or just take your lunch break in the Garden to get back a few moments of the day.
Shoreline Amphitheatre
Shoreline Amphitheatre
- Attraction Details
Address
One Amphitheatre Pkwy,
Mountain View, California, 94043
Distance from Hotel: 6.4 Miles from Hotel Phone
- Details Open year round Please check website for on-going concert/event calendar
- Events
- Music
- Festivals
- Private Events
- Tours
- Before you go Shoreline Amphitheater is located less than 4 miles from the Creekside Inn (Palo Alto), approx. 15 miles from downtown San Jose, CA and 40 miles from downtown San Francisco. Unfortunately, due to concert traffic, we are unable to provide our shuttle service to and from Shoreline Amphitheater. Thank you for your understanding!
- Parking Please call Shoreline Amphitheater at 6509-674-040 for detailed parking information
- Is there a pool at Creekside Inn? Yes, a heated outdoor pool is available at Creekside Inn.
Learn More for Is there a pool at Creekside Inn? - Is there a fitness center in Creekside Inn? Yes, you can access the 24/7 fitness center at Creekside Inn.
Learn More for Is there a fitness center in Creekside Inn? - What is the check-in and check-out time at Creekside Inn? The check-in time at Creekside Inn is 3:00 pm or later, and the check-out time is 12:00 pm.
Learn More for What is the check-in and check-out time at Creekside Inn?