Where is Palo Alto, California, U.S.

Where is Palo Alto, California Located in the United States? - Palo Alto is a city located in the Santa Clara County in California, United States. Palo Alto lies between 37.4419 Degrees North latitudes and -122.143 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California.

Palo Alto Map, California, USA

About Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California

Palo Alto is located in Santa Clara County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the northern part of the state in the state of the United States within the northwestern portion of Silicon Valley along the San Francisco Peninsula. The city was incorporated in 1894 and was named after a historic coastal redwood tree known as “El Palo Alto,” and it developed from an agricultural settlement into a global center for technology, research, and education.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Palo Alto is 68,572 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 2,600 people per square mile.

Area and Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Palo Alto covers a total area of approximately 25.8 square miles (about 66.8 square kilometers), including about 23.9 square miles (61.9 square kilometers) of land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Palo Alto is situated north of Mountain View and south of Menlo Park, positioned between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the western shore of San Francisco Bay. The city features tree-lined residential neighborhoods, business districts, and protected baylands. U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280 provide major transportation routes connecting Palo Alto to San Jose, San Francisco, and other Bay Area communities.

Attractions and Recreation

Palo Alto offers parks, cultural institutions, and research centers that support recreation and tourism. Popular destinations include the Stanford University campus, the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, and the downtown University Avenue district. The city hosts community events and cultural programs that reflect its role as a center of innovation and higher education.

Transportation

Palo Alto is served by U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280, offering convenient highway access throughout the Bay Area. Public transportation includes Caltrain commuter rail service and regional bus connections linking the city to surrounding communities. The nearest major airport is San Jose Mineta International Airport, located approximately 15 miles to the southeast.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Palo Alto City Website.

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Palo Alto City Facts

Distance from Palo Alto City, CA to Nearby Cities

• Menlo Park, CA – 3 miles (5 km)
• East Palo Alto, CA – 2 miles (3 km)
• Mountain View, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
• Los Altos, CA – 4 miles (6 km)
• Sunnyvale, CA – 10 miles (16 km)
• Redwood City, CA – 8 miles (13 km)
• Santa Clara, CA – 12 miles (19 km)
• San Jose, CA – 18 miles (29 km)
• Cupertino, CA – 12 miles (19 km)
• Fremont, CA – 18 miles (29 km)
• Union City, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
• Hayward, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
• San Mateo, CA – 15 miles (24 km)
• Burlingame, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
• Milpitas, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
• Oakland, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
• Berkeley, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• San Francisco, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• Campbell, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
• Los Gatos, CA – 25 miles (40 km)

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