There’s no doubt that Palo Alto has had an impressive run as a tech incubator. The innovative community nurtured Facebook, Apple, Google, Logitech, Intuit, Pinterest, and PayPal to early success – and that’s just to name a few. But that’s not all this historic charter city has to offer.
Established in 1855 alongside Stanford University in the south-eastern section of the San Francisco Peninsula, Palo Alto (“Tall Stick”) got its name from a coastal redwood tree – an absolute behemoth of a tree. How fitting that the hearty region would come serve as a pillar of strength, wisdom, and regeneration for modern technology.
Palo Alto devotes one-third of its land to open space, parks, and preserves, leaving just over 17-square-miles for its 67,178 residents and their occasionally lavish residences. Architectural styles range from charming historic homes to bespoke luxury properties customized with cutting-edge technology.
If you find yourself needing a break from screen time, check out Arastradero Preserve. Its rolling savanna grassland hills, evergreen forests, and winding trails will snap you back to present – just make sure to be on the lookout for wildlife. Deer, bobcats, coyotes, snakes, and mountain lions all call the preserve home. Foothill Park is another beautiful space with a number of significant natural habitats – and San Francisco Bay is always a short stroll away!
Palo Alto’s convenient location also allows easy access to the Menlo Park’s metropolitan options, and San Francisco is just 35 miles away.