Palo Alto
A surprising mix of corporate offices, chain stores and restaurants puts Palo Alto downtown as number one on our list. With over 100 stores and restaurants, you can find practically any cuisine, snack or coffee shop on University Avenue. Outdoor seating is undeniably a little narrow, but each restaurant and shop is decorated aesthetically, creating unique atmospheres and cute Instagram photo spots. It does, however, have an oddly high amount of decorative rug stores (of which I’ve never seen anyone inside).
Navigating University Avenue can be a pain due to its constant bustling and limited parking availability (most spots have a two-hour parking limit, which I discovered after receiving a parking ticket). There are always cars zooming around, tiny dogs skittering at your feet and boba-enjoying kids blocking the sidewalk. Luckily, there are sweet old neighborhoods directly adjacent to University — with big houses and sprawling oak trees — making for perfect afternoon strolls after brunch and a shopping trip.
Downtown Palo Alto also boasts some of the most premium study spots in the Midpeninsula. Despite the busyness, each spot—my favorites are Verve and Kenz Coffee Bar—has a uniquely charming atmosphere. Yet my favorite part of University Avenue are the nights when the theater’s retro lights turn on, and people bustle around excitedly with their loved ones in the night air. Whether it’s day or night, the truth is, you can never go wrong with Palo Alto Downtown.
Our Recommendations: Verve, Coupa Cafe, Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant, Salt & Straw, Bell’s Books, Phở Hà Nội, Blue Bottle Coffee, Tamarine, Kenz Coffee Bar
Los Altos
Coming in at number two on our list, Los Altos downtown boasts less variety than Palo Alto’s. Its streets are littered with restaurants, with your odd toy store or tailor shop randomly thrown into the mix (although I will say, Nancy’s Tailor is the place to go for all your hemming needs). Although it finds its weak point in store variation, both Main Street and State Street are lined with almost every cuisine you could ever want: Indian, Mediterranean, Georgian, Japanese, and so on. If you’re in the mood for high quality food, Los Altos Downtown is a great spot to grab a meal and a quick treat afterwards (Little Sky Bakery is one of my personal favorites).
However, just like our hallowed number one, finding parking can be challenging. The streets are relatively narrow, outdoor seating options jutting into the roads. To its credit, the downtown has numerous parking lots and good street parking, but it’s almost always full at all times of the day.
Unlike the other downtowns on this list, Los Altos doesn’t have much to do: the fun ends at the arcade gate of HyperSpace, one of the only places that promotes an activity, rather than eating or shopping.
As a Los Altos native, many of my childhood memories center in the downtown: caroling as a Girl Scout, attending the holiday parade and scouring through bookstores. Although it has its faults, Los Altos downtown is still a solid place to spend your time, earning it the number two spot.
Our Recommendations: State Street Market, Manresa Bread, Linden Tree Books, HyperSpace, Sumika, Sweet Diplomacy, Tacos Al Vapor Michoacán
Mountain View
With even more challenging parking conditions and broken traffic lights, Mountain View downtown gets placed at number three on our list. Admittedly, it has a diverse range of food options and quirky stores — Therapy is chock-full of little souvenirs and charming gifts, for example — lining Castro Street.
In line with all the other downtowns, parking is not for the faint-hearted. I can recall many times where I’ve had to squeeze into parallel parking, almost grazing neighboring cars in the process . Although there is a fair share of parking lots (the CVS lot is always a good option), you’ll often find yourself driving around aimlessly because they’re often full.
Ultimately, with its crowded nature, Mountain View downtown pales in comparison to our top two; I’d much rather spend my day in Palo Alto or Los Altos.
Our Recommendations: East West Bookshop, Udon Mugizo, Dana Street Roasting Company, Mediterranean Grill House, Bloomsgiving
California Avenue
California Avenue is a comfort spot for some (me), but an “elderly” street for others (Sreyas). To be fair, we did visit on a Monday morning, so it was understandably quiet. It is home to some of the best family-owned restaurants, the occasional yoga and pilates studio and a surprising number of optometrists. Truthfully, the restaurants here are some of my favorites, but there are only so many restaurants (only 29) that you can visit. And yes, the mini golf section is overpriced and inactive.
The street being permanently car-free is a definite perk — featuring giant versions of household games like Connect 4 and chess and generous outdoor seating. California Avenue comes alive at night, with local musicians performing on street corners and enhancing the vibrant atmosphere. The only downside is the parking—it’s tight and difficult to navigate, making it a real challenge to find a spot.
I love California Avenue. I really do. But its atmosphere pales in comparison to the vibrant and larger downtowns across the peninsula, putting it in last place.
Our Recommendations: Zareens, Backyard Brew, Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels, Terun, Gamelandia, MJ Sushi
