Palo Alto’s claim to fame is as the home of Stanford University and tech millionaires. I like to consider it a quaint city with a lot to offer if you know where to look. Stanford is of course a must-visit for first timers, architecture geeks, and photographers – but there’s a lot more than that. Over the last year I’ve collected the most Instagrammable places in Palo Alto, California and am super excited to share them today! As I discover more, I’ll be adding to the list.
Most Instagrammable Places in Palo Alto, California
1 ) Palo Alto Art Center
This installation is located outside the Palo Alto Art Center. The “Double Take” sculpture by Patrick Dougherty is made of willow and you can pop in and out of them. It’s very reminiscent of being in a curated forest.
2 ) Blue Bottle (University Ave)
Blue Bottle on University Ave. is not only the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee and get some work done, it’s one of the most instagrammable places in Palo Alto. Take a peek inside too, the floors are perfect for a coffee/shoefie situation!
3 ) Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts
When I cam across the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts on Instagram, I almost couldn’t believe that a place like this could exist in the USA! It felt very European. Not only that, it’s actually located on the Stanford campus! This small collection of art makes for a great photo op. But don’t forget to actually walk around and enjoy the ever-changing exhibits.
Entrance is free, but check out their hours and how to get there here.
4 ) Stanford Shopping Center
Stanford Shopping Center is the main luxury mall in Palo Alto, and is home to all sorts of little photo corners. Pop into Anthropologie, take a photo by the tree (at Christmas time) or just roam around and see what inspires you. There’s also a Sprinkles Cupcakes with an adorable pink wall (which is another of my favorite spots when I want to stop in for a sweet treat).
5 ) Stanford University
You can’t talk about the most instagrammable places in Palo Alto without talking about Stanford University. Technically spots #3 and #6 are also on campus. The main campus features a beautiful church, palm trees, and corridors of Spanish style architecture. I would spend a couple hours walking around to see what you find!
6 ) Arizona Cactus Garden (at Stanford University)
The Arizona Cactus Garden is actually a completely hidden gem of a spot in Palo Alto. I remember when I first discovered it after really going into the depths of Google, and everyone couldn’t believe that this spot existed in Northern California! I actually got so many questions about it that I created a blog post, which you can find here with all the info you need to visit.
7 ) Mademoiselle Collete
Ahh… Mademoiselle Collette… What a sweet reminder of France. The main location is in Menlo Park, which in my opinion has the most photo ops. They also have a location off of University Avenue, and another is opening in Redwood City.When you visit the Menlo Park location, make sure you check out the back patio it’s a little hidden!
8 ) Michaela’s Flower Shop
Pick up some flowers at Michaela’s Flower Shop, but don’t forget to check out their back alley door. It’s bright pink and total Southern California vibes!
9 ) Susie Cakes
Susie Cakes (technically in Menlo Park) gives me all sorts of vintage vibes. You can sit outside on their red chairs with this cool backdrop and enjoy a little treat.
10 ) Babka by Ayelet
Ayelet serves babka cakes that are classic and comforting, like the decor of this bakery. Be sure to go early, since some of the flavors sell out!
That’s my round up of the most instagrammable places in Palo Alto, California! Stay tuned as I add more spots to this list!
