stanford university The Stanford University campus is one of the largest and most beautiful in the country and deserves a visit regardless of the reason for your stay in the Palo Alto area. Guided one-hour walking tours leave every day at 11 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. from the Stanford Visitor Center, 295 Galvez St. (at Campus Drive); 650-723-2560 — Visitor Information Services; visitorinformation.stanford.edu.
If you are short on time, the formal and most dramatic entrance is from Palm Drive, which approaches the Oval, the Main Quadrangle and Memorial Church from the east and downtown Palo Alto. The Quad is the academic center of the university, with various departments having their classrooms and offices throughout the perimeter. The non-denominational Memorial Church (450 Serra Mall; 650-723-1762; www.stanford.edu/group/religiouslife/memchu.html) is generally open each week day. Visitors may explore the art and architecture Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Services, events and weddings can make access on weekends difficult, but a weekly ecumenical worship featuring choir and organ music is held each Sunday at 10 a.m. and open to the public. For a great view of the entire campus and Palo Alto, take the elevator up to the top of 285-foot tall Hoover Tower, the university’s most visible landmark and just a short walk from the Quad. Admission to the tower observation deck (daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed during academic recess) is $2 for adults, $1 for children and seniors. The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace (650-723-1754), at the corner of Serra and Galvez streets, offers free exhibits on President Herbert Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry Hoover. An exhibit called “Art and History: Treasures from the Hoover Library and Archives” opened in April in the Herbert Hoover Memorial Exhibit Pavilion, adjacent to Hoover Tower and will run until December 20. The exhibit showcases art from the Hoover Library and archives, such as political cartoons, posters and drawings. (Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.). www.hoover.org Art and architecture Art lovers will find many great Stanford resources, but be sure and visit the Cantor Arts Center (see page 8) and the adjacent Rodin Sculpture Garden, with the largest collection of Rodin bronzes outside Paris. The Cantor, which offers free admission, is a popular cultural resource for the entire region. While on campus, don’t miss the Stanford Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden (Santa Teresa Street, off Campus Drive West), near Roble Hall, or pick up an Outdoor Art Tour, leaving from the Main Quad, near the top of the Oval.
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Veronica Weber
Learn more about Stanford’s history, architecture, landmarks and art by downloading a Podcast Tour at www.stanford.edu/dept/visitorinfo.
A bicyclist passes by Hoover Tower while riding along Serra Mall at Stanford.
Architecture fans may try to visit Hanna House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, based on a hexagonal module. Reservations are required, for those 12 years and older for tours offered the first and third Sunday, three tours beginning at 11 a.m., and on the second and fourth Saturday, three tours beginning at 11 a.m. Cost is $10 plus $5 parking fee. Call 650-725-8352 or visit hannahousetours.stanford.edu. Sports Stanford’s intercollegiate athletic program is the toprated in the nation, and visitors can usually choose from among multiple sports events every weekend when school is in session. For up-to-date information see the Stanford Athletics website (www.gostanford. com), call 800-STANFORD (800-782-6367) or visit PA Sports Online (www.PAsportsonline.com). Stanford athletics venues are all located at the eastern side of the campus, a short walk from Town & Country Village at the corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road. Parking Pay parking is available daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., either in coin-metered spaces ($1.50 per hour) or Pay and Display lots. Machines at lots accept credit cards, cash or coins. Visitor day permits can be purchased for $12 at 340 Bonair Siding, Stanford. The two closest lots to 295 Galvez St., a starting point for campus tours, are on the corner of Galvez Street and Nelson Road, and Galvez Street and Memorial Way. Other lots are scattered around the periphery of campus. Call 650-723-9362. Stanford’s gateway website www.stanford.edu provides detailed information on the university and links to help visitors and prospective students.