Welcome to Palo Alto
The innovative tech hub of Silicon Valley.
Bordered by
Menlo Park and Mountain View and situated 35 miles outside of San Francisco, Palo Alto is the tech hub of Silicon Valley. The town is also a short commute away from San Jose. As one of the more populated regions in Santa Clara County, it has been designed to feature a broad mix of businesses, residential neighborhoods, many parks, and natural spaces, and a lively downtown.
Palo Alto, CA has been nicknamed the "Birthplace of Silicon Valley"—and for good reason. It’s home to tech companies such as Tesla, HP, and VMware. Its actual name comes from a close redwood tree that is believed to be over 250 years old.
Those searching for almost any style of Palo Alto homes for sale from single-family homes, to modern, French provincial homes, bungalows, and beyond will love the square footage that many of Palo Alto's homes have to offer. The current average home value, as it pertains to Palo Alto real estate, sits around $3.1 million. Talk to a Palo Alto real estate agent, like Kalena Masching to learn more about any potential open houses and real estate in the Bay Area.
What to Love
- Home to the world’s biggest tech companies and Stanford University
- The ideal city for bicyclists
- An impressive number of city parks, dining, shopping, and schools
- A variety of charming Palo Alto homes on the market
People & Lifestyle - Living in Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto is on the cutting edge of technology, arts, and culture. The overall feel of this city is high-end and full of progress and innovation. Even with the heavy tech influence, Palo Alto has a surprising number of green spaces and parks to satisfy your outdoor recreation needs.
Residents are continuously working to improve their homes and love Palo Alto's real estate landscape due to the highly-ranked schools in the area (including Stanford University), close proximity to major tech companies, and the many shopping and dining opportunities throughout the city.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping in Palo Alto
From luxury retailers to premier cuisine, planning a fun day or night out in Palo Alto is easy to do. There’s little reason to leave the area when looking for a good time.
Need to run errands? Locally-owned stores such as Jacquie’s Sew & Sew (which provides alterations and custom sewing) and Midtown Shoe Repair (offering shoe and luggage repair) make it easy to find top-quality service. If you have your sights set on a leisurely day of shopping, explore high-end destinations such as Ruti Palo Alto, Anthropologie, Patagonia, and Joie.
Ready to dine on delectable eats? Palo Alto’s dining scene is on-point. Locals love the international fare of eateries such as
Indochine,
Palo Alto Sol (which has sister restaurants in nearby Mountain View and Redwood City), and
La Bodeguita Del Medio (Cuban fare and cocktails). If you’re in search of small plates and an exceptional glass of wine (or two), Vino Locale is the area’s must-visit, highly-rated wine bar.
Things to Do in Palo Alto
The fun doesn’t stop here! Throughout the year, Palo Alto, CA features an impressive number of festivals, events, and attractions. Whether you’re looking to spend time with family or friends, you won’t have any trouble finding things to do in this community.
Palo Alto’s many annual events include the World Music Day Festival, May Fete Parade, and the foodie-favorite Palo Alto Chili Cookoff. In the fall, enjoy the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch. During the winter, get in the holiday spirit with Christmas Tree Lane (a favorite with residents).
Year-round, take in the stunning views of the woodlands and streams at Foothills Park. This park also contains miles of well-maintained trails, making it ideal for avid hikers. Another notable attraction is the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, located on the San Francisco Bay.
Art enthusiasts will love touring the Cantor Arts Center, which features 24 galleries of stunning artwork and multiple outdoor gardens. Finally, get a firsthand look at where HP began by taking a Hewlett Packard Garage tour.
Schools
Palo Alto, CA is home to many highly-ranked schools. According to GreatSchools.org, top educational opportunities include:
