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 seven days a week at 11 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. from the Stanford Visitors Center located on the corner of Campus Dr. and Galvez St. (at 295 Galvez)

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 is generally open each week day. 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.

Art lovers will find many great Stanford resources, but be sure and visit the Cantor Arts Center and the adjacent Rodin Sculpture Garden. The Cantor, which offers free admission, is a popular cultural resource for the entire region. The Rodin Sculpture Garden is the largest collection of Rodin bronzes outside Paris.

Stanford's intercollegiate athletic program is the top-rated 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 or PA Sports Online.

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.

Stanford's gateway website provides detailed information on the university and links to help visitors and prospective students.