Molly’s guidebook
North Palo Alto - University Ave
These are a few of our treasured restaurants! You can walk to University Ave, a 15 minute walk, or drive over to California Ave in southern Palo Alto.
This is an intimate cafe with delicious lattes and crepes. Open for breakfast and lunch only.
7 locals recommend
Bistro Maxine
548 Ramona StThis is an intimate cafe with delicious lattes and crepes. Open for breakfast and lunch only.
A relatively new favorite, so delicious and many, many people love this place. The lines can be long but it is worth if you have the time.
11 locals recommend
Ramen Nagi Palo Alto
541 Bryant StA relatively new favorite, so delicious and many, many people love this place. The lines can be long but it is worth if you have the time.
Traditional salads where you choose from 25+ items you would like to add and hot sandwich options.
29 locals recommend
Pluto's
482 University AveTraditional salads where you choose from 25+ items you would like to add and hot sandwich options.
Wonderful Greek food - $15 corkage fee a big plus if you'd like to bring your own bottle of wine. This is a popular place, reservations are highly recommended.
94 locals recommend
Evvia Estiatorio
420 Emerson StWonderful Greek food - $15 corkage fee a big plus if you'd like to bring your own bottle of wine. This is a popular place, reservations are highly recommended.
A personal favorite! The food here is self-described as a "multi-cultural pile-up of sorts finished with our contemporary approach." Reservations are recommended.
18 locals recommend
Bird Dog
420 Ramona StA personal favorite! The food here is self-described as a "multi-cultural pile-up of sorts finished with our contemporary approach." Reservations are recommended.
If you love Vietnamese and a good cocktail, this is your place. The Banh Mi Roti with Penang Curry Sauce is delicious. This restaurant has many wonderful dishes.
60 locals recommend
Tamarine Restaurant & Gallery
546 University AveIf you love Vietnamese and a good cocktail, this is your place. The Banh Mi Roti with Penang Curry Sauce is delicious. This restaurant has many wonderful dishes.
Specialty sustainable coffees & treats in an Italian-inspired, bi-level hangout with sidewalk seats.
36 locals recommend
Cafe Venetia
417 University AveSpecialty sustainable coffees & treats in an Italian-inspired, bi-level hangout with sidewalk seats.
Counter-service chain for ice cream sandwiches made with a choice of flavored cookies & toppings.
21 locals recommend
CREAM Palo Alto
440 University AveCounter-service chain for ice cream sandwiches made with a choice of flavored cookies & toppings.
Trendy cafe chain offering upscale coffee drinks & pastries, plus beans & brewing equipment.
373 locals recommend
Blue Bottle Coffee
315 Linden StTrendy cafe chain offering upscale coffee drinks & pastries, plus beans & brewing equipment.
"Great selection of sandwiches, juices, shakes and coffee. Good place to work with good music and lots of seats and places to charge your devices."
7 locals recommend
JOE & THE JUICE
303 2nd St"Great selection of sandwiches, juices, shakes and coffee. Good place to work with good music and lots of seats and places to charge your devices."
Berkeley-born chain featuring signature coffee, tea & blended drinks alongside baked goods.
55 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
899 Santa Cruz AveBerkeley-born chain featuring signature coffee, tea & blended drinks alongside baked goods.
Reposado
236 Hamilton Ave"Ceviche and Margaritas"
Saint Michael's Alley
140 Homer Ave"Nice staff, excellent food and wine."
Local Union 271
271 University Ave"Casual atmosphere, great food."
Palo Alto Creamery
566 Emerson St"Great for breakfast, but famous for their shakes and malts."
Bare Bowls
530 Emerson St"Healthy Bowls with top ratings for Gluten Free"
Curry Up Now
321 Hamilton Ave"Recommended for Gluten Free"
California Ave Eats!
California Ave, in south Palo Alto is a quick 10 minute drive. There are many restaurants, bagel shop, a market and some of the best coffee in Palo Alto.
California Avenue Farmer's Market
400 California AvenueWonderful Farmer's market on Sundays 9am-1pm.
Relaxed atmosphere in covered outdoor space behind California Ave shops. A nice place to share a cup of coffee and some pastries.
6 locals recommend
Backyard Brew
444 California AveRelaxed atmosphere in covered outdoor space behind California Ave shops. A nice place to share a cup of coffee and some pastries.
This coffee shop is hidden in a shoe store - if you love coffee, find it! Strong coffee with minimal syrup options but this bold cup will keep you going all day long.
17 locals recommend
ZombieRunner Coffee
344 California AveThis coffee shop is hidden in a shoe store - if you love coffee, find it! Strong coffee with minimal syrup options but this bold cup will keep you going all day long.
The best bagels in Palo Alto are found here in this kosher bagel shop.
22 locals recommend
Izzy's Brooklyn Bagels
477 California AveThe best bagels in Palo Alto are found here in this kosher bagel shop.
If you are heading out to dinner and want to BYOB Vin Vino offers a good selection of wines specializing in artisanal French, Italian and local wines. Or belly up to the bar for some wine tasting.
437 California Ave
Vin Vino Wine
437 California AveIf you are heading out to dinner and want to BYOB Vin Vino offers a good selection of wines specializing in artisanal French, Italian and local wines. Or belly up to the bar for some wine tasting.
437 California Ave
Natural Goods Store. Neighborhood market stocking farm-fresh produce, vitamins, eco-friendly body care, gifts & more.
17 locals recommend
Country Sun Natural Foods
440 California AveNatural Goods Store. Neighborhood market stocking farm-fresh produce, vitamins, eco-friendly body care, gifts & more.
Joanie's Cafe
405 California AveGreat for a slow breakfast. Can get crowded on weekends.
Terún
448 California AveGood Pizza, traditional pastas and great salads!
Markets
We have a few food markets in Palo Alto!
Small but convenient, this market is in the heart of Palo Alto making is very convenient for those last minute items.
341 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
4800 El Camino RealSmall but convenient, this market is in the heart of Palo Alto making is very convenient for those last minute items.
Organic produce and plenty of prepared foods, this market also offers bakery goods baked onsite! A little pricier than Trader Joes but with more to offer and parking is a bit easier.
16 locals recommend
THE MARKET at Edgewood
2170 W Bayshore RdOrganic produce and plenty of prepared foods, this market also offers bakery goods baked onsite! A little pricier than Trader Joes but with more to offer and parking is a bit easier.
Grocery chain with a variety of signature items, plus produce, dairy & more (most sell wine & beer). Conveniently located at Town and Country, so if you are going to T&C for a meal or shopping it is easy to stop by TJ's to pick up what you need.
84 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
855 El Camino RealGrocery chain with a variety of signature items, plus produce, dairy & more (most sell wine & beer). Conveniently located at Town and Country, so if you are going to T&C for a meal or shopping it is easy to stop by TJ's to pick up what you need.
Discount chain carrying brand-name groceries, plus items like gifts & toys (many sell beer & wine). Shopping here is hit or miss but you may find some fantastic deals on wine.
83 locals recommend
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
215 W Calaveras BlvdDiscount chain carrying brand-name groceries, plus items like gifts & toys (many sell beer & wine). Shopping here is hit or miss but you may find some fantastic deals on wine.
A 10 minute walk downtown, this bustling, quaint outdoor farmers' market offers a variety of farm fresh and organic produce from friendly vendors. Usually there is a live musical act to entertain the little ones. Opens 8am-noon starting the 2nd weekend in May thru Sept.
21 locals recommend
Downtown Palo Alto Farmer's Market
601-699 Gilman StA 10 minute walk downtown, this bustling, quaint outdoor farmers' market offers a variety of farm fresh and organic produce from friendly vendors. Usually there is a live musical act to entertain the little ones. Opens 8am-noon starting the 2nd weekend in May thru Sept.
Open 9am-1pm Sundays year round. This is a bit large than the University Ave Farmers' market. Enjoy the morning strolling down the street tasting samples of cheeses, fresh fruits, jams, chocolate and more.
27 locals recommend
California Avenue Farmer's Market
400 California AvenueOpen 9am-1pm Sundays year round. This is a bit large than the University Ave Farmers' market. Enjoy the morning strolling down the street tasting samples of cheeses, fresh fruits, jams, chocolate and more.
Hospital or Urgent Care options
If you need emergency services drive straight to the emergency room and valet park your car for free. You may ask for a wheelchair if needed at the ER entrance.
Pediatric Emergency Department: Stanford Hospital
900 Quarry Rd ExtIf you need emergency services drive straight to the emergency room and valet park your car for free. You may ask for a wheelchair if needed at the ER entrance.
Sutter Urgent Care - Palo Alto Center
795 El Camino RealStanford Express Care Palo Alto
211 Quarry RdPlease call ahead to see if they can help you with your needs.
Things to do and see
There are lots of places to visit in and near Palo Alto!
Classic & contemporary art museum with an outdoor sculpture garden featuring Rodin bronzes.
143 locals recommend
Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts
328 Lomita DrClassic & contemporary art museum with an outdoor sculpture garden featuring Rodin bronzes.
The global headquarters of Google, this campus encompasses offices, green space & recreation areas.
313 locals recommend
Googleplex
1600 Amphitheatre PkwyThe global headquarters of Google, this campus encompasses offices, green space & recreation areas.
Rural nature preserve features 24 miles of hiking trails, plus an education center & working farm.
168 locals recommend
Rancho San Antonio County Park
Rural nature preserve features 24 miles of hiking trails, plus an education center & working farm.
Interdenominational church with public tours featuring pipe organ, stained glass windows & mosaics.
And don't miss the landmark 285-ft. bell tower at Stanford, with an observation deck & Hoover memorabilia exhibits.
25 locals recommend
Memorial Church
450 Jane Stanford WayInterdenominational church with public tours featuring pipe organ, stained glass windows & mosaics.
And don't miss the landmark 285-ft. bell tower at Stanford, with an observation deck & Hoover memorabilia exhibits.
Every time Google release a new OS they adda new statue. Fun to walk around and check it out. This picture does not do it justice.
10 locals recommend
Google Android Lawn Statues
1981 Landings DrEvery time Google release a new OS they adda new statue. Fun to walk around and check it out. This picture does not do it justice.
Historical cacti garden with artful views & unusual plants on Stanford University grounds. Also the Stanford Mausoleum is nearby.
7 locals recommend
Stanford Arizona Garden
Historical cacti garden with artful views & unusual plants on Stanford University grounds. Also the Stanford Mausoleum is nearby.
Newly renovated, this little gem is packed with wonders for children and adults alike. View animals in the outdoor zoo or play games in the indoor section. Check the schedule as they are not open full time yet due to Covid.
33 locals recommend
Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
1451 Middlefield RoadNewly renovated, this little gem is packed with wonders for children and adults alike. View animals in the outdoor zoo or play games in the indoor section. Check the schedule as they are not open full time yet due to Covid.
Built in 1940, the Children's Library was the first freestanding library in the United States intended solely for children. The Children's Library serves children from birth through 5th grade in a fun and inviting garden setting. Computers are available for ages 11 and under. Check for story hour times for a special treat!
10 locals recommend
Children's Library
1276 Harriet StBuilt in 1940, the Children's Library was the first freestanding library in the United States intended solely for children. The Children's Library serves children from birth through 5th grade in a fun and inviting garden setting. Computers are available for ages 11 and under. Check for story hour times for a special treat!
Tours are offered twice a month, by registration only. If you can sign up and take advantage of this tour it is well worth it.
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory offers free public tours.
Tours last approximately 90 minutes and usually include a visit to the lab’s 2-mile-long linear accelerator, now driving the world’s brightest X-ray source.
Stanford Linear Accelerator
Sand Hill RoadTours are offered twice a month, by registration only. If you can sign up and take advantage of this tour it is well worth it.
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory offers free public tours.
Tours last approximately 90 minutes and usually include a visit to the lab’s 2-mile-long linear accelerator, now driving the world’s brightest X-ray source.
Computer History Museum
1401 N Shoreline BlvdGreat if you want to see the history of computing.
This is a beautiful historic house with large gardens to explore. Particularly wonderful when flowers are in season (Iris', tulips etc) There is a very nice gift shop with unique gifts too!
141 locals recommend
Filoli Historic House & Garden
86 Cañada RdThis is a beautiful historic house with large gardens to explore. Particularly wonderful when flowers are in season (Iris', tulips etc) There is a very nice gift shop with unique gifts too!
Traveler advice
Getting around
Caltrans is a quick and easy way to get around
http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/