By Tanveer Mann, Senior reporter for Metro.co.uk
Tuesday 19 Jun 2018 8:00 am
Blink and you might just drive straight through Palo Alto, but look closely and this part of Silicon Valley is also the future.
The most luxurious out of the 39 cities that make up San Franciscos Bay Area, its become the go to for tech geeks, social media founders and engineers looking for the next big idea.
The heart of Provence: Where to stay during this year's Tour de France
And its obvious why – Palo Alto is home to some of the worlds most powerful tech companies, including Facebook, Apple, Uber, Tesla, Google and Linkedin.
But its not all tech, hoodies and start-ups. As well as being the perfect place to release your inner geek, its a great destination if youre after a relaxing summer break.
Here are the top 10 things to do:
Take a tour of Googles incredible HQ
You cant visit Silicon Valley without visiting Googles HQ.
Advertisement
Advertisement
With more resemblance to a kids theme park than the heart of one of the most successful tech companies out there, its unlike any office youve ever seen. And the best thing is, visitors can explore it for free.
Stop by the quirky visitors centre, where all the latest Google products are on offer, and the Android park, where youll find giant Androids in the shape of sweet treats.
You can also cycle through the campus on a Google bike, a la Vince Vaughn and Jared Stern in The Internship.
Stop by Stanford University
Palo Alto is home to Stanford University, one of the worlds top universities.
Founded in 1885, it is renowned for being the place where the worlds first successful heart-lung transplant took place, the computer mouse made its debut and digital music was born.
The campus sprawls across more than 3,200ha (or over 8,000 acres), making it one of the largest campuses in the US.
Stop by the university bookstore, the Tresidder Memorial Union, the Stanford Memorial Church in the Quad or the Rodin Sculpture Garden.
A must-visit is the universitys Cantor Arts Center, which has an enviable art collection as well as stunning architecture.
Check out Apples spaceship-shaped HQ
Apples new HQ, Apple Park, is just round the corner.
Although you cant actually go inside the multi-billion-dollar campus, the visitors centre is worth a visit as it is designed in a similar style to the main campus.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Here, youre able to explore Apple Park using a 3D model of the campus that is brought to life using augmented reality technology.
You can also buy loads of swanky Apple merchandise, as well as books about the history and rise of Apple.
But be aware that it is pricey – a simple Apple Tee sets you back $40 (£30).
Visit the Computer History Museum
Whether youre interested in computers or not, the Computer History Museum has something for everyone.
Check out the earliest computers ever built, play some vintage electronic games, learn about hacker culture and explore the birth of the internet.
The museum features the first Apple computer ever made and showcases the remarkable story of Colossus, an electronic code-breaking device developed by British maths whizzes and engineers, which helped win World War II.
You can visit the museum for just $17 (£13) or buy the super geek package for $30 (£22.50), where you get access plus a T-shirt and a punch card (or punched card, a card thats perforated according to code and was once used to program computers).
Test-drive a Tesla
Not in the market for an electric car? You might change your mind after test-driving one for free.
All you have to do is schedule a test drive at any of the Tesla stores – and then get ready for an unforgettable experience.
Advertisement
I was lucky enough to give this a go and even took one onto the motorway.
The car is extremely fast, its got Google maps on the display for navigations, and it even brakes for you when you take your foot off the gas.
Pretty impressive stuff.
Take a pic by the Facebook Like sign
Like Apple, you cant actually enter Facebooks HQ.
But social media addicts still flock in their thousands to the Facebook Like sign, which sits at the entrance to the Menlo Park campus.
Of course, if youre lucky enough to know someone at Facebook, youll be able to get a visitors pass and go inside.
Food, food and more food
Palo Altos food scene is very understated but its the heart of where a lot of Silicon Valleys innovation actually begins.
Walk down University Avenue and youll often see business meetings taking place in the most laid-back environments.
One of my favourite spots was The Sea by Alexanders Steakhouse – its super swanky (and pricey) but they have a substantial tasting menu where you get to try a bit of everything: Id recommend the pina colada candy floss.
Or if youre after something more relaxed, head to Sliderbar for delicious burgers, or The Melt in Stanford Mall, which has a menu entirely centred around melted cheese.
Advertisement
The HP Garage: The birth of Silicon Valley
The HP Garage is a private museum where the company Hewlett-Packard (HP) was founded.
The garage, which sits on a quiet street in Palo Altos Professorville district, is often considered to be the birthplace of Silicon Valley and, for that reason, is listed on the National Register Of Historic Places.
Although the owner of the property does not allow public access, its worth going purely to take a picture of the symbolic plaque that sits outside.
Window shop at the luxurious Stanford Mall
Near the university is the posh Stanford Shopping Center, which features the likes of Armani Exchange and Stella McCartney, among others.
It also has valet parking, electric vehicle charging stations and great restaurants.
Spend the day at Filoli
Had enough of all that tech stuff? Then spend the day at Filoli, a 43-room country house set in 16 acres of formal gardens, located in Woodside, California.
Recognised as one of the best private, formal botanical gardens, its open to the public and is best to visit in the spring or summer, when the flowers are in bloom.
The name comes from the acronym from previous owner William Bourns motto: Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.
It makes for a great Sunday drive from the Bay area, as theres often lots going on there, such as art exhibitions and classes.
Where to stay in Palo Alto and how to get there
If youre visiting Palo Alto and you dont have a car, its best to stay around University Avenue as everything is within walking distance from there.
I stayed at the Garden Court Hotel, which is centrally located and has an Italian feel to it.
As you walk into the courtyard and take in the stunning terrace, you can immediately see why it has been named the best hotel in Palo Alto for 15 years.
To make it even better, some of the deluxe rooms have their own balconies, which open inwards to the courtyard.
Rooms for two adults start from $300 (£226) at the weekends and anywhere from $500-$900 (£376-£678) per night during the week.
Palo Alto is easy to get as youve got the choice of two main airports that you can fly into.
Theres San Francisco International Airport, which has more frequent flights, and Oakland Airport, which has less frequent but cheaper flights.
You can then either book a pick up, such as Pure Luxury Transportation, or catch an Uber for about $46 (£35) one way.
Trains are available from Oakland Airport and are definitely the cheaper option, but this requires quite a few changes and takes 1 hour 49 minutes.
If youre flying San Franscisco airport, then Caltrain is your best bet – within 20 minutes, youll be ready to start your Silicon Valley adventure.
Main picture: Jonathan Clark/Getty
MORE: 13 reasons why Vanuatu should be your next holiday destination
MORE: Visit Bronte country: 11 reasons to take a short break in Haworth in West Yorkshire
MORE: Why you should go to Gocek on Turkeys Dalaman coast this summer
Advertisement
Advertisement
