J.McLaughlin Local Guides:

Palo Alto

Home to Stanford University and a Silicon Valley hub, Palo Alto is a charming town with a cosmopolitan appeal. You'll be able to appreciate the San Francisco Bay Area's invigorating natural views while immersing yourself in a luxe cultural scene. J.McLaughlin is located right in Town and Country Village (at 855 El Camino Real #35), a hacienda-style shopping center with lovely pedestrian walkways and gardens. Slip into your favorite breezy blouse and pack a light jacket — we'll take you to the most beautiful hills and cultural institutions in this guide to Palo Alto.

Just a short walk away from our store is the prestigious Stanford University. Get to know the Cardinal campus the moment you arrive in Palo Alto. Stroll around the stunning grounds full of Romanesque and Mission Revival architecture marked by archways and buff sandstones. Be sure to check out the exhibitions at the Cantor Arts Center, which is home to world-class works by artists such as Rodin. In fact, just outside the museum, you can admire the beautiful Rodin Sculpture Garden. If you're partial to a garden with standout foliage on the campus, stop by the Arizona Garden, a botanical wonder that features towering succulents and cacti. Feeling like a hike? Traverse the beautiful three-mile Stanford Dish Trail, which circles around a radio telescope managed by SRI International.

Just a ten-minute drive away from the university, the Baylands Nature Preserve is another Palo Alto natural gem — it has one of the largest tracts of undisturbed marshland in the Bay Area. A mixture of tidal and freshwater habitats, it's the perfect spot for birdwatching. The preserve is a major migratory stopover in the Pacific Flyway where you'll find species such as clapper rails and snowy egrets.

There are plenty of sites in Palo Alto for shopping and dining, including the Stanford Shopping Center and the Town and Country Village. J.McLaughlin resides proudly in the latter. You'll be able to pick up snacks near us at popular spots such as Gott's Roadside and Kara's Cupcakes. After getting your food fix, browse for your next favorite home goods at stores such as Sur La Table and Diptyque.

At the end of the day, take a break at spots such as the verdant Dinah's Garden Hotel or the luxurious Nobu Hotel Epiphany. Explore all the beautiful offerings at Stanford and the rest of Palo Alto in your best casual-chic #jmclook. From light coats for your campus style to performance fabric leggings for your hikes in the Bay, check out J.McLaughlin’s selection of sophisticated wardrobe essentials

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