The Top 10 Things To Do And See In Menlo Park California

Right in the heart of Silicon Valley, the little town of Menlo Park is picking up some buzz as a Bay Area hotspot for people of all ages. Check out Culture Trip’s roundup of adventuresome attractions.

1. Facebook Headquarters

Park, School

Facebook Headquarters

Whether you ‘like’ it or not, Facebook has pretty much taken over the world and all of our social lives just within the past few years, and it all started in the small city of Menlo Park. An iconic Silicon Valley site and hometown success, the original Facebook Headquarters is a must-see if you’re visiting the Peninsula. Snap a pic next to the big thumbs-up and be THAT person on your high school friends’ news feeds.

Facebook Headquarters, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA, USA

Facebook Headquarters © LPS.1/Wikimedia Commons

2. Café Borrone

Park

Café Borrone

Looking for a cute brunch spot? Check out Café Borrone. Just across the street from Downtown Menlo Park, Café Borrone is a great spot to catch up with old friends or just grab a quick bite to eat on your lunch break. If you can snag a table outside on the plaza, you’re golden. Friendly staff and longtime ‘regulars’ at the café make a warm peaceful environment out of this Menlo Park hotspot.

Café Borrone, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA, USA, +1 650 327 0830

Café Borrone © Jennifer Wang

3. Kepler’s Books

Bookstore, Park

Kepler’s Books

Dating back to 1955, this independent bookstore is a local landmark. Due to the decline of sales at bookstores in general, Kepler’s found itself in the same situation as many bookstores and had been forced to close in 2005. Thousands of loyal customers and local community members responded with demonstrations on the plaza and, within weeks, Kepler’s was back! With several events happening all the time, it isn’t uncommon to see well-known authors at a signing. Local celebs like Betsy Franco [James Franco’s mom] and even James himself have also been known to stop at Kepler’s.

Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA, USA

Kepler’s Books © Jennifer Wang

5. Left Bank

Park

Left Bank

This one is for all you foodies out there. Left Bank is a casual yet upscale French brasserie located right at the front of Downtown Menlo Park. The popular eatery specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with an ever-changing menu of dishes inspired by southern France. With a gorgeous main dining room and outdoor patio seating options, Left Bank is perfect for a casual drink and some appetizers with friends, or for a romantic date night.

Left Bank, 635 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, USA, +1 650 473 6543

Mediterranean-inspired meal at The Left Bank | © Neeta Lind/Flickr

6. The Refuge

Park

The Refuge

If fancy food isn’t your thing, try The Refuge. A popular nighttime spot, ask anyone from around town and you’ll be told the same thing: you absolutely have to try the pastrami! If sandwiches don’t appeal to you, no worries. Regulars will tell you that they come for the food, but stay for the atmosphere. They have burgers and all kinds of delicious feel-good food with the ambience of a small-town dive bar.

The Refuge, 1143 Crane Street, Menlo Park, CA, USA, +1 650 319 8197

Reuben from The Refuge | © Jun Seita/Flickr

7. Sharon Park

Park

Sharon Park

With such amazing weather in the Bay Area, sometimes you just want to be outside to soak in all in. Just before the Stanford Hills, Sharon Park is a hidden oasis and a well-kept local secret. Just off of Sand Hill Road and tucked behind some trees, the park is centered around a gorgeous peaceful lake with grassy areas ideal for an afternoon picnic. A popular spot among folks with kids, the park has a small playground for the youngsters and a quiet gazebo on the lake for Mom and Dad.

Sharon Park, 1100 Monte Rosa Drive, Menlo Park, CA, USA

Sharon Park © Jennifer Wang

8. The Guild

Movie Theater, Park, Theater

The Guild

Dating back to 1926, The Guild is a historic local theater that will transport you back in time. Popular mostly with an older crowd, this movie theater has been getting a lot of buzz recently among twenty-somethings. The retro little theater is also a really fun place to meet new people with similar interests at different shows. There are a lot of screenings of cult favorites like Rocky Horror Picture Show as well as indie and foreign films which make for fun date nights and a great place to hang out with old friends.

The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA, USA

The Guild © Jennifer Wang

9. The Dutch Goose

Building, Park, School

The Dutch Goose

If you’re new in town or want to grab a drink with co-workers, The Dutch Goose is your premier destination. Inside, you’ll find a classic bar scene with your basic burgers-and-fries kind of menu to go with the ice cold beers on tap. It isn’t the menu people come for, though. Besides the usual TVs, there are some cool old-school arcade games that remind you that this hangout has been around since the 1960s. Behind the building, there is a heated patio area where everyone hangs out and mingles. It’s like a backyard BBQ with a hundred new friends.

The Dutch Goose, 3567 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA, USA, +1 650 854 3245

The Dutch Goose © Jennifer Wang

10. Driving Through Atherton

Park

Driving Through Atherton

Just past the city limits of Menlo Park, there is a little town called Atherton. If it sounds familiar, it might be because it was named the richest zip code in the entire country in the year 2015. Gorgeous mansions and beautiful estates line the streets of this posh little suburban town. Driving through Atherton, you’ll see the reality that is the thriving tech movement when you pass the homes of several noted Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and moguls.

Atherton, CA, USA

Lindenwood Gates in Atherton © Jennifer Wang

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.