The Best of Palo Alto: Live Like a Local.

As the beating heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is home to some of the brightest and most ambitious minds in the world from Stanford University to venture capitalist firms, and tech giants like Google, Tesla, and Meta. 

In the middle of Palo Alto, you’ll find Cowper Apartments – the best place to stay for an immersive experience. Whether you’re a business traveler, a Stanford University associate, or a patient or family member seeking treatment at Stanford Medical, Cowper Apartments is the ideal location for an extended or even a brief stay.

In this guide, we’ll share the city’s best kept secrets. From charming coffee shops and cozy bookstores to incredible restaurants and hiking trails, all within easy reach from Cowper Apartments.

Downtown Palo Alto

Less than half a mile from Cowper Apartments is downtown Palo Alto. These tree-lined streets are packed with vibrant boutiques and world-class restaurants. If you’re looking to soak up as much of Palo Alto’s youthful and innovative culture as you can, here are our picks of local hotspots that are often overlooked by tourists.

Coupa Cafe 

• Address: 538 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
• Hours: Open daily 7 AM-8 PM 
• Distance from us: 0.4 miles 

Coupa Cafe is a family owned business that serves coffee and  Venezuelan arepas known for their fun vibe and quick service. The longer you stay here, the better your odds are of overhearing the discussions about technology that have made Silicon Valley famous. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, Coupa Cafe is a great place to set up and stay a while to catch up with friends, study, or work remotely. 

Coupa Cafe

Bell’s Books 

• Address: 536 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
• Hours: Open daily 11 AM-5 PM, Friday 11 AM-8 PM
• Distance from us: 0.5 miles 

Bell’s Books has been around since 1935 and offers an eclectic collection of new, used, and rare books. You’ll find all kinds of books here ranging from Moroccan leather bound sets of Charles Dickens’ works to signed limited editions from Jack London. As you browse through both floors of shelves, you’ll find books covering all kinds of interesting genres, including: 

• Art & architecture
• Cookbooks 
• Vintage technical books 
• Military science 
• Transportation 
• Religion 
• Natural history 
• And much, much more

Bell’s Books enjoys a loyal customer base that includes Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel laureates, senators, movie stars, and three generations of Palo Alto locals. 

Bell’s Books

Bird Dog 

• Address: 420 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 5:30-9:30 PM 
• Distance from us: 0.6 miles 

Chef Robbie Wilson has brought the food scene in Palo Alto to new heights. Bird Dog serves incredible contemporary American cuisine with a Japanese twist, forgoing pomp or ceremony in favor of simple yet life-changing flavor. 

With its warm and friendly ambiance, Bird Dog invites their guests to savor every moment, making it a perfect place for those seeking unforgettable dining experiences during their time in Palo Alto. 

Bird Dog Menu 

Palo Alto’s Best Trails 

Just a few minutes beyond Palo Alto’s downtown and Stanford’s prestigious campus lie the Santa Cruz Mountains. The trails here are full of breathtaking views, waterfalls, and lush forests that can be explored year round. After living or working in Palo Alto’s energetic atmosphere, a day spent exploring these trails is sure to do you a lot of good – mind, body, and soul. 

Los Trancos Trail to Fern Loop Trail 

• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Length: 7.3 miles
• Distance from us: 8.5 miles

The Los Trancos Trail loops through the Foothills Nature Preserve and is a very popular trail for hiking and running. Although most of the trail is shaded as it winds its way through the forest, those that make it to the top will be rewarded with spectacular views of Silicon Valley. On clear days, you can even see the San Francisco skyline in the distance. 

Los Trancos Trail to Fern Loop Trail map  

Chamise, Toyon, and Fern Loop

• Difficulty: Easy 
• Length: 3.8 miles 
• Distance from us: 8.7 miles 

This easy trail will lead you to Arbolejo Overlook and along the shores of Boronda Lake, giving you plenty of opportunities to take great photos. With plenty of restrooms, picnic tables, and benches lining the trail, this loop is a great place for a peaceful stroll where you can soak in the peace and quiet. 

Chamise, Toyon, and Fern Loop map

Cowper Apartments is Close to Everything 

Nestled in the heart of Palo Alto, Cowper Apartments presents an unparalleled advantage in location and proximity to the city’s prime destinations. We are just a stone’s throw away from the best that downtown Palo Alto has to offer, as well as within walking distance to some of Silicon Valley’s most iconic landmarks. 

Cowper Apartments is located just two miles from Sanford Medical and only a mile from Stanford’s main campus. If Stanford University or Stanford Medical brings you to Palo Alto, Cowper Apartments is the best place you can stay. 

Navigating Palo Alto 

From hassle-free parking options at Cowper Apartments to Palo Alto’s distinction as a gold-level bicycle-friendly community, getting around Palo Alto is a breeze. Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the city’s transportation options available to you. 

Caltrain Schedule 

Caltrain provides commuter rail services all along the San Francisco Peninsula. Using Caltrain, it’s easy to get from San Francisco or San Jose to Palo Alto. The Trip Planner feature on Caltrain’s website makes it easy to get anywhere in the Bay Area. 

Caltrain Trip Planner 

Marguerite Shuttle

The Marguerite Shuttle can trace its roots back to the 1880’s when Stanford students could catch a ride on a 12-person buggy to class. Today, the horse and buggy has been replaced by an extensive system of buses that are free to ride. 

Marguerite Shuttle  

Walking and Biking Routes 

Since the 1980s, the city of Palo Alto has been developing and perfecting people-friendly paths throughout the city. Take a look at the Palo Alto Bicycle Map to find the route that works best for you. 

Palo Alto Bicycle Map

Stay at Cowper Apartments

From the lively energy of downtown to the peaceful solitude of the Santa Cruz mountains, Palo Alto gets better the longer you stay here. With Cowper Apartments as your base, you’ll not only be immersed in the heart of it all, but you’ll enjoy the convenience of seamless exploration. 

If you’re staying by yourself or if you’ve got the entire family in tow, we have a wide range of clean and comfortable accommodations that will fit your needs. From cozy studios to spacious two bedroom apartments, there’s no better place to make your home away from home near Stanford than Cowper Apartments. 

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