12 Best Things To Do In Stanford, California

1. Enjoy contemporary and modern artwork at Anderson Collection at Stanford University

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Anderson Collection houses an astounding collection of contemporary and modern American art. Enjoy the magnificent artworks made by American artists throughout the decades starting in 1941 going all the way up to the current year. The museum also holds various programs and events that aim to spread awareness and gain an appreciation for the various art pieces that the museum has collected over the years.

To top it all off, you don’t need to pay a single dime if you want to go in and see the various artworks inside!

Anderson Collection at Stanford University

Address: 314 Lomita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305, United States

Website: Anderson Collection at Stanford University

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

2. See Stanford Art Gallery's various art pieces

Stanford Art Gallery is a 1900-square-feet (176-square-meter) teaching gallery at Stanford University that showcases high-quality exhibits made by Ph.D. candidates in Art History and 2nd-year Art Practice MFA students of the university. This gallery forms part of the Department of Art & Art History’s programs, curricula, and research. The gallery also hosts events including artist talks and art lecture series. Do note that the gallery requires a Stanford ID to enter as it is currently open only to Stanford affiliates.

Stanford Art Gallery

Address: 419 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, United States

Website: Stanford Art Gallery

3. Check out Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts

Art lovers, this one is for you to enjoy and explore. With 5,000 years of art and full of beautiful exhibitions and programs for all ages, this first stop provides you with an outstanding cultural experience. Therefore, if you have some free time and like to do something unique, take a look at Cantor Center and appreciate some of these amazing works and visual arts that they have to offer.

Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts

Address: 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5060

Website: Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts

Opening hours: Fri - Mon & Wed: 11am - 5pm; Thu: 11am - 8pm (closed on Tue)

Price: Free

4. Take a look at Rodin Sculpture Garden

An open-air exhibit of a few sculptures by Rodin, so think of it as a place to go for some relaxation or reflection. The garden itself invites everyone for a visit to simply watch some of Rodin’s magnificent sculptures like the famous “Gates of Hell”. There is also space for you to do a picnic if you want, as well as a nice café in the museum, so make sure you check this one out.

Rodin Sculpture Garden

Address: 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305-5060

Website: Rodin Sculpture Garden

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free entry

5. Visit the amazing Arizona Garden

Located in Stanford Univesity, this historical garden in the process of renovation and preservation houses over 500 species of succulents and cacti from all over the globe. Whether you are a nature enthusiast or just looking for a place to chill, you have to visit this one. This off-the-beaten-path garden is ideal for you to spend your day in a different way, breath some fresh air, and walk around enjoying the peace and tranquility.

Arizona Garden

Address: 415 Broadway, 3rd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063

Website: Arizona Garden

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free entry

6. Watch a game at Stanford Stadium

Football has been played at the site of Stanford Stadium for some decades now. This historical place hosted important events such as Olympic Soccer matches back in 1984, Super Bowl in 1985, men’s and women’s World Cup in 1994 and 1999, and this is just a few of them. Drop by for good, see the stadium from the inside, and feel the vibe of the place on the day of a game, you will not regret this experience.

Stanford Stadium

Address: 625 Nelson Road, Stanford, CA 94305

Website: Stanford Stadium

Opening hours: 1.5 hours prior to kickoffon game days (closed all other days)

Price: From 100 USD

7. Hike Stanford Dish Trail

After some sightseeing in Stanford, you also deserve a break from life itself. Its time for you to put some comfortable shoes on because you are going on an adventure. Whether you are a runner or just like to hike for fun, this is the best place for you to do it. Super relaxing and surrounded by nature, what more could you want? The area is named after the large radio telescope that cannot be missed! So the fun part here is that, as you walk by, you must visit it!

Stanford Dish Trail

Website: Stanford Dish

Opening hours: 6.30am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free entry

8. Walk around Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden

As you step through this one, you will most likely feel an incredible tribal vibe coming from the Sculpture Garden. This beautiful work was created by a group of Papua New Guinea artists who visited the campus back in 1994. The garden contains wood and stone carvings of all kinds of things, be it people, animals, or even mythical creatures; an impressive and interesting collection, just standing there waiting for you to explore it.

Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden

Address: 476 Lomita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305

Website: Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free entry

9. Swing by The Stanford Clock Tower

Although it was originally housed in Memorial Church, today, the clock tower remains the most complete mechanical clock on display in the Bay Area. As you can see, the building is relatively new, but the actual clock mechanism dates back to 1901. The Stanford Clock Tower, like many things on the campus, is a nice place to stop by for a bit and appreciate the engineering of the structure.

Stanford Clock Tower

Address: Stanford, CA 94305

Website: Stanford Clock Tower

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free entry

10. Say a prayer at the Memorial Church

Standing at the center of the campus, it is considered the University’s architectural crown jewel. According to history, this church was built by Jane Stanford in memory of her husband Leland Stanford. This is a beautiful church with stained glass windows, impressive architecture, nice art on the facade, and marvelous architecture and sculpture on the inside. Along with your visit, don’t forget to look up in the balcony at the back. You will witness a magnificent pipe organ.

Memorial Church

Address: 450 Jane Stanford Way, Bldg 500, Stanford, CA 94305

Website: Memorial Church

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sun: 11:30am - 3:30pm (closed on Sat)

Price: Free

11. Marvel at the views from Hoover Tower

This 285-feet (86.9 meters) tower was built in 1941 to celebrate the University’s 50th anniversary. While visiting the observation platform, you can expect some magnificent views on a clear and sunny day around the San Francisco Bay Area. While you are up there, you will have a guide to show you around and share interesting facts about the place. Also, please don’t forget to admire the carillon with 48 bells, its amazing and chimes beautifully for special university events.

Hoover Tower

Address: 550 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305

Website: Hoover Tower

Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 4 USD

12. Walk around Stanford Oval

Stanford Oval was originally a sunken water hole and it was planted as a lawn in the University’s early years. I bet you didn’t know this one. Today the Oval is considered to be the initial and official visual entrance to the Stanford University campus. It is a nice place to just simply enjoy peace and quiet, relax, walk around, or even do a small picnic with a few friends.

Stanford Oval

Address: 20 Palm Dr, Stanford, CA 94305

Website: Stanford Oval

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Its time for you to visit Stanford

As you drive through the beautiful coast of California, make sure you stop along the way at Stanford and try to visit these 10 beautiful attractions. Considered a vibrant and cultural city with a great atmosphere that will make you want to just walk around and see everything she has to offer. So have fun while indulging in this adventure whether you are with your family or with your friends.