Palo Alto, California
Photography courtesy Thomas Fogarty Winery & Vineyards
We asked Cecilie Nguyen, front office manager at Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto, to gather the savviest sightseeing suggestions she could find—not just her own but also those of other local connoisseurs, including some she works with every day at the Hotel. Home to Stanford University and a prime location for technology companies, Palo Alto also offers a small-town atmosphere with big-city amenities. Vintage architecture, fine dining and shopping, and a vibrant arts scene are all part of the local scene.
Local Wineries
The Santa Cruz Mountains give Napa Valley healthy competition by boasting a number of fine wineries. Among them, Thomas Fogarty Winery & Vineyards produces single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Merlots and Cabernets, and Ridge Vineyards has an impressive Zinfandel collection and a classy Monte Bello. Both offer amazing views as well. Sample many local wines at downtown Palo Alto’s Vino Locale, a restaurant dedicated to locally produced wines (with tastings) and food.
Shopping Spree
Cielo and Blu, two sister boutiques next door to each other on collegiate University Avenue, have a selection of hip, fashionable clothing for women. Guys: Head for Zegna at the nearby, beautifully landscaped Stanford Shopping Center to get your suits lined with outrageous fabrics. Find all things authentically French for bed, bath and table at très elegant (and wonderfully fragrant) Yves Delorme in Menlo Park.
Night on the Town
Melt Lounge offers plenty of space for private events, a VIP bottle service, everything from Top 40 to mashups to hip hop, and a heady see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Nola captures the fun-loving Big Easy vibe with colourful décor and its signature Hurricane (a killer rum-and-fruit juice concoction). For late-night dancing, check out B4Twelve.
Exceptional Restaurants
For chi-chi French cuisine in a cosy bistro ambiance, head to Palo Alto’s Café Brioche; try the house-made duck confit or succulent coquilles Saint-Jacques—or if you’re in the mood for authentic French crêpes and a bowl of café au lait, you’ll want Bistro Maxine (one dish pictured) downtown. In nearby bucolic Woodside, The Village Pub features fresh, local ingredients like Niman Ranch organic beef and Cowgirl Creamery artisan cheeses, a great wine list and special pub fare. Stanford students and other locals hang out at Cafe Borrone in Menlo Park, with its sunny terrace and delectable array of coffees, sandwiches and pastries.
