Palo Alto, California
Local Culture
The Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, tucked away in a quiet and beautiful garden setting, houses unique shops and artists’ studios. Beloved independent bookstore Kepler’s in Menlo Park is where local bibliophiles have been getting their book fix for half a century.
Get Outdoors
The Palo Alto area has plenty of opportunities for recreation. For prime birdwatching, stroll through the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge or the Baylands Preserve. Mess about with boats to your heart’s content at Shoreline Lake Aquatic Center and Café, a magnet for watersports lovers, offering kayaking, canoeing and sailing. Nearby Portola Valley is horseback-riding heaven. Ask the Concierge for other suggestions.
Family Fun
Down the coast, the state-of-the-art Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must. Be sure to scope out the sea otters, the million-gallon Outer Bay exhibit, the sexy seahorses and the jellyfish exhibition. Nearby, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk offers kid-oriented activities, including carnival rides, mini-golf and laser tag—not to mention a sandy beach and the Pacific Ocean.
Spa Time
Bliss out with a head-to-toe massage at the Spa at Four Seasons, including foot and scalp treatment. A variety of fragrant oils rejuvenate your skin—and your spirits.
