Walking Through Palo Alto: Every Street Tells a Story
When a friend came to visit, I decided to show them Palo Alto the best way possible—on foot.
In just three hours, we discovered that Palo Alto is much more than the heart of Silicon Valley. It is a city filled with history, architecture, public art, and innovation.
Our walk began with breakfast at Nobu Palo Alto, where we admired the peaceful Japanese garden and murals inspired by California’s redwood forests. It was a fitting introduction to a city where global vision meets local beauty.
Next, we stopped at Facebook’s early office on Emerson Street. It’s inspiring to stand where one of the world’s most influential companies began. Like many successful startups, its story started right here in Palo Alto.
As we walked downtown, we enjoyed the murals by local artist Greg Brown. My favorite is on Lytton Avenue, where an inspector tips his hat. Hidden on the hat is a tiny bird that I searched for over many years before finally spotting it. Palo Alto continues to teach me something new every time I walk its streets.
We also visited the historic Main Post Office mural on Hamilton Ave – a boy fishing and admired the architecture of Birge Clark, whose buildings helped define Palo Alto’s character.
Our final stop was the Palo Alto Museum, a building once known as Palo Alto’s first medical clinic and now dedicated to preserving the city’s rich history. The Juliana Lee Foundation is proud to have supported this community treasure.
By the end of our walk, my visitors realized that Palo Alto offers much more than technology companies. Every street tells a story through its art, architecture, and history.
Sometimes the best way to discover a city is simply to slow down and walk.
Explore Palo Alto on Foot