Local news in Palo Alto, CA
Fresh stories, upcoming events and community deals — updated every week. Scan, skim, and stay in the loop.
TrendingFamily Drops Lawsuit Against PAUSD Over Student AI Cheating Allegation
A local family has dismissed their court complaint against the Palo Alto Unified School District after moving their child to a new campus.
CommunityJudge Denies Challenge to Palo Alto School Board Candidate Ballot Title
A Santa Clara County judge ruled that Linda Henigin can keep her chosen ballot designation for the upcoming Palo Alto school board election.
CommunityLegal Precedents Present Hurdles for Proposed Palo Alto RV Bans
Palo Alto officials are reviewing regional court rulings as neighborhood debates continue over how to regulate lived-in vehicles parked on public roads.
Palo Alto School District Adds Automated Sushi Makers to Kitchens
Palo Alto Unified School District used state grant funding to purchase two automated sushi rolling machines to serve popular cafeteria meals.
Public SafetyPolice Investigate Fatal Assault Outside East Palo Alto Market
East Palo Alto police arrested a suspect following a physical confrontation on University Avenue that resulted in a man's death.
Palo Alto Narrows Grade Separation Focus to Charleston Road
Facing multibillion-dollar cost estimates, Palo Alto leaders are preparing to prioritize grade separation at Charleston Road over other Caltrain crossings.
Palo Alto Reaches $8 Million Settlement Over Public Safety Building
The City of Palo Alto has finalized an $8 million settlement with Swinerton Builders to resolve construction disputes at its new Public Safety Building.
CommunityPalo Alto Commission Rejects Proposed El Dorado Bike Tunnel
City planners voted unanimously to pause plans for an El Dorado Avenue bike tunnel after neighborhood pushback over street width and property concerns.
Bay Area's First Living Levee Celebrated at Palo Alto Baylands
Palo Alto leaders and regional partners opened the Bay Area's first nature-based horizontal levee along the Baylands shoreline to buffer rising sea levels and filter treated wastewater.
CommunityPalo Alto Link Prepares for Final Run as Riders Face Transit Gaps
Riders expressed concern over losing mobility options as the city on-demand transit pilot nears its October shutdown.
Public SafetyTwo Dead in Multi-Vehicle Crash at East Palo Alto Intersection
A morning collision involving seven vehicles near Bay Road and University Avenue left two people dead and several others injured.
Coming up in Palo Alto
Scare Faire and Costume Swap
Sat Oct 10 · 1-3 PM
Museum of American Heritage · 351 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Transition Palo Alto and MOAH co-host an eco-friendly Halloween swap featuring games, student activities, and craft stations. Neighbors can bring clean costumes and decorations to exchange for something new to wear.
Free, donations appreciated
Slow Down with Mindfulness Meditation
Sat Oct 10 · 10:15-10:45 AM
Palo Alto Art Center · 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
A 30-minute seated meditation held inside the Palo Alto Art Center galleries, co-presented by the Palo Alto Library. The morning session welcomes both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Free, no registration required
Bike Palo Alto 2026
Sun Oct 4 · 1-3 PM
Fairmeadow Elementary School · 500 E Meadow Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94306
An annual family-friendly cycling event providing customized route maps to explore Palo Alto bike bridges, quiet streets, and trails. Participants can stop at community booths for bike maintenance tips and local cycling information.
Free, advance registration recommended
THINKFUND: The Art of Zines Workshop
Sun Oct 4 · 1-3:30 PM
Mitchell Park Community Center · 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Teens explore collage techniques, image transfers, and manual booklet binding to publish handmade zines. The session concludes with an informal publication swap among attendees.
Free, open to ages 11-18
Clean Air, Healthy Homes
Sat Oct 3 · 1-3 PM
Mitchell Park Community Center · 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
In recognition of California Clean Air Day, the City and 350 Silicon Valley host an interactive session on indoor air quality and electric appliances. Residents can discover local rebates and practical home decarbonization programs.
Free
Pancakes In The Park!
Sat Oct 3 · 9-11 AM
Rinconada Park · 777 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Local police, fire, and emergency services personnel fire up the griddle to serve free pancakes to the community. Families can view emergency vehicles up close and participate in outdoor activities.
Free
Master Gardeners Workshop: Container Gardening for All Reasons
Sun Sep 20 · 1:30-2:30 PM
Rinconada Library · 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County present practical techniques for selecting, planting, and maintaining thriving container gardens. The session covers soil mixes, irrigation, and plant selections for patio spaces.
Free
Palo Alto Airport Day 2026
Sun Sep 20 · 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Palo Alto Airport · 1925 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Annual community airport open house featuring aircraft displays, open cockpits, and formation flyovers. Attendees can meet local pilots and learn about aviation education opportunities.
free
8th Annual Palo Alto Community Health Fair
Sat Sep 19 · 11 AM-2 PM
Mitchell Park Community Center · 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Doctors and health experts from Stanford Medicine and Sutter Health lead presentations and one-on-one conversations covering food as medicine, teen mental health, and healthy aging. Regional nonprofits will share family wellness resources and activities.
Free (RSVP requested)
Coastal Cleanup Day 2026
Sat Sep 19 · 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Matadero Creek at Renzel Trailhead · 2837 E Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Volunteers gather along local creeks and nature trails to clean up litter before it reaches San Francisco Bay. The city supplies trash grabbers, buckets, and protective gloves.
free / RSVP / supplies provided
CATS - The Musical Hot Dog Show (Sensory Friendly & ASL)
Thu Sep 17 · 6-7 PM
Palo Alto Children's Theatre · 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301
An outdoor youth theatre staging of Cats Junior featuring modified lighting and sound cues for sensory-sensitive audience members along with ASL interpretation. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or low-backed lawn seating.
Tickets required (RSVP for ASL seating)
Lecture: Find Your Medium
Wed Sep 16 · 4:30-5:30 PM
Palo Alto Art Center · 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Sculptor and Cubberley Artist-in-Residence Shannon Wright explores how shifting materials and artistic processes can open new directions in creative practice. The talk also looks at how artists navigate unexpected outcomes and experimentation.
Free
Wild Color: Community Mural Workshops at Cubberley
Sun Sep 13 · 11 AM-2 PM
Cubberley Community Center · 4000 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Join artist Zoe Caron for a collaborative hands-on painting session to help complete a large-scale public mural using a guided paint-by-numbers process. No prior art experience is necessary, and painting supplies are provided.
Free
Compost Workshop
Sat Sep 12 · 10 AM-12 PM
Lucie Stern Community Center · 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Learn how to turn yard trimmings and kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost to improve garden soil and retain moisture. Palo Alto residents who attend can receive a free compost or worm bin while supplies last.
Free (pre-registration requested)
Avenidas Art and Photography Gallery Opening
Fri Sep 11 · 3:00-4:30 PM
Avenidas · 450 Bryant St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Celebrate original paintings, drawings, and photographs created by local community members and art students. Guests can tour the galleries and meet the contributing artists.
free / RSVP
California Avenue Public Art Tour
Thu Sep 10 · 5:00-6:00 PM
California Avenue Commercial District · 477 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Join a guided walking tour highlighting public sculptures and murals along California Avenue. The route concludes at the newly unveiled mural by Phillip Hua with the artist in attendance.
free
Horizontal Levee Pilot Project Completion Celebration
Thu Sep 10 · 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Project Site · 2470 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Celebrate the completion of the living levee shoreline protection pilot project in the Baylands. The gathering features a ribbon cutting ceremony, inaugural trail walk, and light refreshments.
free
San Francisco Opera Guild Preview
Wed Sep 9 · 2:00-3:30 PM
Palo Alto Art Center · 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Professor Mary Ann Smart presents an illustrated lecture and preview of the San Francisco Opera production of Simon Boccanegra. Attendees can learn about the history, score, and background of the work.
free
Community deals in Palo Alto
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