Welcome to Southern Peninsula
The heart of Silicon Valley
The Southern Peninsula is California's tech-focused brain pool. Some of the biggest tech companies in the world are found in this area. However, there is a lot more to the Southern Peninsula than just work. This part of the Bay Area is a little less hustle and bustle, and more suburban with green spaces. The region is rich with historic sites and offers plenty of outdoor activities.
What to Love
- Full of natural beauty
- The most advanced tech hub in the world
- Full of smart and ambitious people
- Quirky public art installations
- One of the sunniest cities in the US
- Ambitious infrastructure projects to make the area more friendly to bicyclist and pedestrians
Local Lifestyle
The Southern Peninsula has one of the most educated populations in the US. According to NerdWallet, Palo Alto is the fifth most educated city in the country. But the locals haven't lost touch with what is truly important: family. The area is full of highly-rated schools and enriching activities. There are plenty of parks and green spaces to get out and about.
Dining, Entertainment, Shopping
One of the best restaurants in the area is
Chez TJ. This French-style eatery was awarded a Michelin star.
If you're craving Mexican cuisine, it's tough to beat
La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana. But don't let its casual environment fool you. This is considered one of the most sophisticated Mexican restaurants in the area and may earn a Michelin star in the near future.
While the Southern Peninsula has no shortage of farm-to-table restaurants,
Flea Street may be the best. The 46-year-old restaurant prides itself on serving Northern Californian Cuisine. All ingredients are locally sourced, and the menu changes with the seasons.
If you're looking for a full day of fun,
Downtown Palo Alto is an excellent choice. There is no set boundary for the downtown area, but most would consider the area between Alma and Webster Streets to Lyton and Forest Avenues to be the heart of Palo Alto. In the area, you will find tons of outdoor cafes, art galleries, and restaurants.
Downtown San Carlos is also worth a mention. Within it, you will find museums, historic neighborhoods, a breathtaking botanic garden, and plenty of microbreweries.
Things to Do
Sharon Park is an excellent place to escape the hustle and bustle. Located southwest of Stanford, Sharon park is a great place to walk the dogs, practice mindfulness, and enjoy the sounds of nature.
For an even greater outdoor experience, we recommend
Baylands Nature Preserve. It is a marshy preserve with 15 miles of established trails for walking, running, biking, and bird watching.
Of course, no recommendation list of the Southern Peninsula would be complete without the
Computer History Museum. The museum covers the early days of Silicon Valley and the internet. There is also an onsite venue that regularly hosts lectures from public intellectuals.
Lastly, we recommend visiting
Redwood City at least once. The city has a peculiar motto: "Climate Best by Government Test." While we don't doubt Redwood City's wonderful climate, some neighboring cities may argue who actually has the best climate.
Schools
As the Southern Peninsula is made up of several different cities, there is no single unifying school district. However, most cities in the area have excellent public schools.
- Herbert Hoover Elementary School. Grades K-5. A+ Grade from Niche.
- Fairmeadow Elementary School. Grades K-5. 9/10 score from Great Schools.
- Oak Knoll Elementary School. Grades K-5. 9/10 score from Great Schools.
- Encina School. Grades 62-12. College preparatory school.
- Palo Alto High School. Grades 9-12. Ranked 34th best high school in California by US News & World Report.
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