Palo Alto Attractions

Paramount 's Great America Theme Park - Paramount’s Great America is Northern California’s ultimate family theme park with exciting rides, shows, concerts, characters, and beautiful sights on Eagles Flight.. The world's tallest double-decker carousel greets you as you enter California's largest entertainment destination, which also features live stage productions, and the only place in the Bay Area where kids can play with their favorite Nickelodeon TV characters. Open: March - October. Visit www.pgathrills.com

Raging Waters – Raging Waters in San Jose is the world’s greatest water adventure with maximum thrills, water rides, attractions, shops and food. Ride the waves in the 350,000 gallon Wave Pool, barrel down 500 feet of splashy twists and high-bank turns plunging into a pool below on the Barracuda Blaster, explore waterfalls, rings, ropes and slides in the Activity Pool, enjoy a relaxing journey through streams and waterfalls on the Lazy River, and many other exciting water adventures. Visit www.rwsplash.com.

Bonfante Gardens - For families looking for a more natural day of fun, explore Bonfante Gardens - a one-of-a-kind combination of four unique gardens and amusement rides with the mid-20th century history and agricultural roots of Santa Clara Valley. For hours of operation, call (408) 840-7100.

Winchester Mystery House - Beautiful, yet bizarre, the Winchester Mystery House is an amazing tour for both adults and children. Sarah L. Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, lived in this unfinished house during its perpetual construction. Built in 1884, it occupied the lives of carpenters and craftsmen until her death 38 years later. Visit www.winchestermysteryhouse.com.

Shoreline Amphitheater - Experience California’s largest and most amazing outdoor concert facility featuring the latest technical, visual, and sound systems. Shoreline's featured artists are showcased in an award-winning, state-of-the-art concert space which delivers an amazing sonic experience. For a list of Shoreline events, visit www.shoreline-amd.com.

Elizabeth F. Gamble House and Gardens – Located in Palo Alto, this Colonial Georgian house built in 1902 is set on a 2.3-acre estate. Bequeathed by Elizabeth F. Gamble to the city of Palo Alto, it’s now a non-profit community horticultural foundation, featuring formal and working gardens. Call (650) 329-1356 for information.

Moffett Field – Originally the Naval Air Station’s home base for the Navy dirigible U.S.S. Macon, Moffett Field is home to NASA Ames Research Center. Moffett Field’s two runways, three aircraft hangars, and 3.5 million square feet of facilities is now a shared federal facility known as Moffett Federal Airfield. Look out for 2006 AirExpo schedules/dates at www.airshownetwork.com.

Filoli Gardens - A geometric garden of terraces, paths, pools, lawns, shrubs, trees, and ornamental flower beds, Filoli Gardens is nestled in the foothills of the Coastal Range on the San Francisco Peninsula. Admission fees include self-guided tours, guided tours and nature hikes. For information, call (650) 364-2880.

Golden Gate Bridge - The orange towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, the best-loved symbol of San Francisco, are visible from every high point in the city. The bridge, which spans 4,200 ft, had taken only 52 months to design and build when it was opened in 1937. Some quarter of a million people turned up for a sunrise party to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 1987; the winds were strong and the bridge buckled, but fortunately did not break.

San Francisco - You will be captivated by the extraordinary charm and character of San Francisco and its many communities – Pacific Heights, Richmond District, South of Market, Nob Hill, North Beach, The Marina, Mission District, Haight-Ashbury, the East Bay communities, and many eclectic neighborhoods. San Francisco offers a diversity of arts, attractions, nightclubs, museums, art galleries, restaurants, festivals, entertainment and sightseeing tours.

Hoover Tower - This 285-foot landmark offers views of Stanford University, the foothills and the Santa Clara Valley. The Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover rooms contain documents and memorabilia from the Hoovers' lives and travels. Call (650) 723-2053. Herbert Hoover Memorial Exhibit Pavilion, located next to Hoover Tower, has changing exhibits. The Pavilion is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (650) 723.3563.

Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC ) - Stanford University has operated this 426-acre facility since 1962, including a two mile-long linear accelerator, for the U.S. Department of Energy. For tours, call (650) 926.2204. The SLAC Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  [Top]

Palo Alto Arts, Entertainment & Theater

Palo Alto Players - The Peninsula’s oldest theatre company, the Palo Alto Players has been producing quality live theatre in Palo Alto since 1931. Based at the Lucie Stern Theater, built in 1933, the Palo Alto Players produces seasons of comedy, drama, classics and musicals from September to June. To order tickets, call (650) 329-0891 or visit www.paplayers.org/tickets.

West Bay Opera - Housed in Palo Alto's Lucie Stern Theatre, West Bay Opera is the second oldest opera company in California. For tickets and information, call (650) 424-9999.

The Palo Alto Children’s Theater - From its inception in 1932, the prestigious Palo Alto Children's Theatre has provided innovative programming for young people of the community and teaches them the value of performing arts.

Pacific Art League - Since 1921, the Pacific Arts League has been a gathering place and source of inspiration and instruction in fine arts. Its mission is to promote the understanding, appreciation and creation of art to enrich our lives, communities and society. Visit www.pacificartleague.org.

Stanford Lively Arts - In its 36th year at Stanford University, Stanford Lively Arts invites audiences to explore classical and world music, dance, and spoken word performances by world-famous artists and astounding newcomers.

Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts – The renovated, expanded and reopened Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts at Stanford includes the historic Museum building, a new 42,000-square-foot wing, collections and special exhibitions on view in 24 galleries, an enhanced Rodin Sculpture Garden and other new outdoor sculpture garden areas. Call (650) 723-4177.

Palo Alto Art Center - A nationally recognized visual arts center presenting approximately 12 exhibitions annually, the Palo Alto Art Center focuses on a wide range of concepts, contemporary fine art, craft, design and new art forms. Hours: Tue. - Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tue. –Thur. 7-10 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m. Gallery hours: Thursday, 7-9 p.m. Call 329-2366 or email: artcenter@cityofpaloalto.org.

Palo Alto Festival of the Arts - This high-art community event in late August attracts 100,000 people every year from throughout the West Coast. Now in its 23 rd year, the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts takes place on tree-lined University Avenue in beautiful downtown Palo Alto. For information, visit www.mlaproductions.com.  [Top]

Bay Area, California Museums

Museum of American Heritage - Experience a visual exploration of technology's past in Palo Alto. MOAH features rotating exhibits as well as permanent displays, including a kitchen of the early 20th century, a doctor's examining room, early 20th-century general store, a print shop of the 1920s-'30s, a radio shop of the '40s, and historic gardens. Admission is free. Hours: Fri - Sun 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. For reservations, call (650) 321-1004 or send email to: mail@moah.org.

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo - Fun and learning go together for children and their families in the displays and mini-zoo of the Palo Alto Junior Museum. This unique Palo Alto zoo houses raccoons, bobcats, ferrets, tortoises, geese and lots of snakes. The museum emphasizes hands-on, interactive exhibits. Hours: Tue. – Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun 1-4 p.m.Phone:(650) 329-2111; Email:rachel.meyer@cityofpaloalto.org.

Tech Museum of Innovation - With interactive exhibits and activities, and exciting programs about technologies that affect our daily lives, The Tech is focused on how technology works and is changing the way we work, live, play and learn. Visit www.thetech.org.

Intel Museum - At the Intel Museum, visitors enter the micro-miniature world of computer chips as they learn how they are designed, manufactured and placed into thousands of products in our everyday world. The Intel Museum has 3,500 square feet of interactive exhibits that appeal to both children and adults. It is designed as a self-guided experience, but guided tours may be arranged in advance for groups. Visit www.intel.com/intel/intelis/museum.

Santa Clara Historic Museum - Housed in the Headen-Inman house, the Santa Clara Historic Museum features historic artifacts and photos related to the history of Santa Clara. For information, call (408) 248-2789.

San Jose Museum of Art - The leading institution dedicated to visual culture in Silicon Valley, the San Jose Museum of Art is a community anchor, ensuring artistic excellence and access for an extraordinarily diverse populace. Museum Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 11a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call (408) 271-6840.  [Top]

Palo Alto Conventions & Events

Moscone Convention Center - San Francisco's premier meeting and exhibition facility, the Moscone Convention Center features 2 million square feet of building area, including 700,000 square feet of exhibit space, up to 106 meeting rooms, and 123,000 square feet of pre-function lobbies. For a schedule of events, visit www.moscone.com.

Santa Clara Convention Center – Located south of San Francisco in Silicon Valley, the Santa Clara Convention Center is one of the most modern, well-equipped convention centers in the US. A schedule of upcoming events , floor plans of the meeting rooms and ballrooms, and listings of their services are available at www.santaclara.org.

San Jose McEnery Convention Center - Framed by a 125-foot abstract tile mural, the San Jose McEnery Convention Center encompasses over 425,000 square feet of function and event space. Designed for convenience and versatility, it offers 143,000 square feet of column-free prime exhibit space, an elegant 22,000 square foot ballroom, up to 30 meeting rooms capable of seating up to 2,400 theater-style, and can accommodate banquets up to 5,000 people. [Top]

Palo Alto Parks

Palo Alto Wetlands - Palo Alto offers awesome open spaces for recreation and wildlife habitat preservation. The Baylands Nature Preserve, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, and Foothills Park include 4,000 acres supporting most of the Peninsula's major plant and animal communities and threatened and endangered species. For information, call 650 329-2506.

Foothills Park - Bounded by Portola Valley, Los Altos Hills, The Pearson-Arastradero Preserve and Los Trancos Open Space, the 1,400-acre Foothills Park is a nature lover's paradise.  [Top]

Golf Courses & Clubs in Bay Area, California

Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club - One of the most prestigious private clubs in country, Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club is nestled in the foothills between San Francisco and San Jose.. Visit www.pahgcc.com.

Palo Alto Golf Course - The Palo Alto Golf Course, located east of Highway 101 in Palo Alto, consists of a renovated 18-hole championship course, a lighted driving range, a full-service restaurant/bar, a stocked golf shop, a practice putting green, golf carts with canopy tops, and banquet facilities. For information, call the Palo Alto Golf Club at (650) 856-0881 or the Palo Alto Clubhouse Restaurant at (650) 856-0999.

Shoreline Golf Links - Located adjacent to San Francisco Bay in the City of Mountain View, California, Shoreline Golf Links is an 18-hole, championship-level golf course. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the course challenges golfers with numerous bunkers and doglegs. For reservations and information, call (650) 969-2041.

Stanford University Golf Course - Located in the foothills above the Stanford University Campus, the golf course is consistently rated one of the finest courses in the world. In 1998, the golf course was rated 91st in the country by Golf Week Magazine and in 1993 was rated 88th in the world by Golf Magazine. For more information, visit www.stanfordgolfcourse.com.

Northern California Wineries  

Sonoma County Wineries and Wine Tours – Just one hour north of Palo Alto and San Francisco, home to vineyards, redwood groves, and the wild Sonoma coast, Sonoma County features beautiful regions, award-winning wineries and wine-tasting tours, and gourmet food. Visit www.sonoma.com.

Napa Valley Wineries – The charming vineyards and wineries of Napa Valley offer excellent vine varieties, delightful wine-tasting tours and sightseeing excursions, tasting rooms, spas, shops and fun wine festivals. Visit www.napavalley/wineries.com.

Napa Valley Wine Train – One of the world’s most enchanting rail experiences – a 3 hour scenic adventure through the heart of the Napa Valley Wine Country. Reservations: ( 707) 253-2111 or (800) 427-4124. www.winetrain.com

Fogarty Winery - Thomas Fogarty Winery invites you to experience "the flavors of the fruit" from its beautiful mountain winery located west of Palo Alto and Stanford University. Perched on scenic Skyline Boulevard, the hilltop setting has a stunning view of the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit www.fogartywinery.com.

Byington Vineyard & Winery - Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains with weeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Byington provides the perfect setting for sipping wines or celebrating special occasions. The manicured grounds of the Byington estate and its Italianate stone winery chateau create a striking backdrop for any occasion. Whether dreaming of an enchanted wine country wedding or planning a corporate retreat, visit www.byington.com.  [Top]

Universities in the California Bay Area

Stanford University - Stanford University is one of the world’s most elite academic institutions. Built in 1891, Stanford University covers 8,180 beautiful acres around the Quad, a complex of classrooms and offices in early-California style with the renovated Stanford Memorial Church at its center. Visit www.stanford.edu.

Stanford University Library - Stanford University boasts a number of unique campus libraries, including the Art & Architecture Library, the Auxiliary Library and the Biology Library. For a list of Stanford’s libraries, visit www.stanford.edu/home/libraries/.

U.C. Berkeley – U.C. Berkeley is the oldest of the University of California campuses and serves as the flagship of California's public university system. Berkeley ’s fundamental missions are teaching, research and public service. National rankings consistently place Berkeley's undergraduate and graduate programs among the top in the country. For admissions, visit www.berkeley.edu.

Santa Clara University - Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University is California's oldest institution of higher learning. SCU is a private, Jesuit university with 4,643 undergraduate and 3,417 graduate students. Built upon a 152-year-old Catholic and Jesuit tradition, SCU’s academic program helps students develop a foundation in ethics and justice.

San Jose State University - Established in 1857, San José State University is the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast. San José State consists of eight colleges and offers 69 bachelor's degrees with 81 concentrations and 65 master's degrees with 29 concentrations, specialized and certificate programs.  [Top]

Palo Alto , CA Shopping

Stanford Shopping Center – The Stanford Shopping Center isthe Bay Area’s premier shopping and dining destination. Experience the Center’s European Street Market where the scents of gourmet coffees, fresh flowers and international cuisine fill the air. For the ultimate ending to a relaxing day, visit Stanford Shopping Center’s LaBelle Day Spa and Salon or stroll through the award-winning gardens. Visit www.stanfordshop.com.

California Avenue - California Avenue has transformed itself into Palo Alto's premiere gathering place of public art. California’s “Avenue of the Arts,” California Avenie is a unique art, shopping and business district with excellent cafés, restaurants, bakeries, and equisite art and sculpture, including “Tall Tree,” and “Body of Urban Myth.”

Santana Row - Santana Row is the South Bay's premier living, shopping and entertainment destination – a vibrant community of luxurious apartments, distinctive condominiums, 66 exciting shops, pampering spas, and a full-service hotel. Visit www.santanarow.com.

Great Mall Of The Bay Area - TheGreat Mall is Northern California’s largest enclosed outlet mall, featuring 185 outlet stores and venues. This incredible shopping and entertainment experience includes nine full-service restaurants, an international food court, an entertainment complex, a 20-plex theater, events, and a unique circular racetrack design that allows you to visit every store on a single level, without backtracking. For information, visit www.greatmallbayarea.com.

San Francisco / Bay Area Sports

San Francisco Giants – Catch Giant fever! Spend a day enjoying America's favorite pastime with the defending National League West champions . For tickets, call BASS Tickets at (408) 998-BASS, or order online at www.sfgiants.com.

San Jose Sharks – The exciting San Jose Sharks play 41 season games. Having taken San Jose by storm, the game of hockey and the hometown team combine for the ultimate powerplay. Join Sharkie, the team mascot, and the rest of the Sharks franchise for a hot day on ice! For ticket and schedules, call (408) 999-5757 or order at www.sj-sharks.com  [Top]