Museums, Galleries & Public Art Near Stanford
A comprehensive guide to 40+ museums, galleries, sculpture gardens, and public art installations across the San Francisco Peninsula — from Stanford's free world-class art campus to the grand Filoli estate, the Computer History Museum, and dozens of hidden gems in between. Most are free or low-cost, and many are just minutes from your rental.
Stanford University — a world-class art campus, entirely free
Back to top ↑Stanford's art resources rival those of major metropolitan museums. The Washington Post ranked it among the five best college art museums in the U.S., and every venue on campus is free and open to the public.
Cantor Arts Center
328 Lomita Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
Stanford's premier art museum houses over 40,000 works spanning 5,000 years across 24 galleries in 130,000 square feet. The crown jewel: 199 works by Auguste Rodin — the largest Rodin collection at any American museum — with roughly 100 sculptures on permanent display. Additional strengths include African art, Asian and Oceanian art, ancient Mediterranean works, Eadweard Muybridge photographs, and the Andy Warhol Photography Archive.
Anderson Collection at Stanford University
314 Lomita Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
Adjacent to the Cantor, this 15,000-square-foot museum opened in 2014 to house 121 modern and contemporary American masterworks — Jackson Pollock's Lucifer, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Richard Diebenkorn, Agnes Martin, Wayne Thiebaud, Louise Nevelson, Frank Stella, and Nick Cave. Designed by Ennead Architects. Start upstairs with the documentary film about the Anderson family's collecting journey.
Rodin Sculpture Garden
Adjacent to Cantor Arts Center, Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford
A stunning one-acre outdoor garden with 20 monumental Rodin bronzes set among cypress trees and gravel paths modeled after Paris's Bagatelle Gardens. Major works include The Gates of Hell (one of only six castings — a massive 6-meter bronze with 180 individual figures from Dante's Inferno), The Walking Man, Adam, Eve, and The Three Shades. Open 24 hours, 365 days a year. Free docent tours on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden
Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden Free
476 Lomita Drive (corner of Santa Teresa Street), Stanford, CA 94305
A true hidden gem. In 1994, 10 artists from Papua New Guinea's Sepik River region spent four months on campus carving wood and stone into depictions of myths, legends, and creation stories. The wooded grove now contains 40+ carved posts, freestanding figures, and garamut slit drums. After seeing Rodin's works nearby, artist Teddy Balangu reportedly said of The Thinker: "This is nothing. We can do better than that." Free docent tours on the 4th Sunday of each month. The entrance at Santa Teresa and Lomita near Roble Hall can be hard to find — allow 30–45 minutes.
Stanford Memorial Church
Stanford Memorial Church Free
450 Jane Stanford Way (Main Quad), Stanford
Stanford's architectural crown jewel, built 1899–1903 in Romanesque form with Byzantine details. Features extraordinary Venetian mosaics virtually everywhere — including the largest exterior mosaic in the country at the time (80 by 30 feet) — plus 20 major stained glass windows by Frederick Lamb. The interior includes a mosaic reproduction of Cosimo Roselli's Last Supper from the Sistine Chapel and five pipe organs. Mon–Thu 9am–4pm; Fri 9am–1pm. Docent tours every Friday at 11am.
Outdoor public art across campus
Stanford's public art program encompasses 85+ outdoor works spanning three centuries, viewable at all hours, completely free. Highlights include:
Standout outdoor works
Stone River by Andy Goldsworthy — an undulating sandstone wall from stone salvaged from earthquake-damaged Stanford buildings. The Falcon by Alexander Calder (1963) near Green Library. David Byrne bike racks — whimsical artistic bicycle racks along Lomita Drive. Tree of 40 Fruit by Sam Van Aken — a single tree grafted to grow 40 varieties of stone fruit. The Burghers of Calais by Rodin in Memorial Court. Six thematic self-guided art walks available via the Stanford Mobile app. Outdoor Sculpture Walk docent tours run 1st and 4th Sundays, 2–3:30pm (free).
Stanford Art Gallery Free
419 Lasuen Mall, Stanford
Rotating exhibitions of student, faculty, and guest artist work. Mon–Fri noon–5pm during active exhibitions.
Palo Alto & Menlo Park
Back to top ↑Palo Alto Art Center Free
1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
A nationally acclaimed city-run visual arts center presenting ~12 exhibitions annually focusing on contemporary fine art, craft, design, and new media. Includes a Gallery Shop selling works by Bay Area artists. Annual highlights include the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch (fall) and Clay & Glass Festival. Serves 150,000+ visitors per year. Tue–Sat 10am–5pm. Free.
The Foster Museum Free
940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA 94303
One of the area's best-kept secrets. A single-artist museum dedicated to the large-scale plein air watercolors of British artist-explorer Tony Foster, painted on location in some of the world's most remote wilderness. A free audio tour narrated by the artist provides deep context. Visitors routinely call it a top-five museum experience. Tue–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat–Sun noon–4pm. Located in an industrial area — don't be put off by the surroundings.
Museum of American Heritage (MOAH) Free
351 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Charmingly quirky museum dedicated to mechanical and electrical technology from the 1750s to the 1950s, housed in the historic 1907 Williams House. Features an early 20th-century general store replica, a 1940s radio repair shop, and a functioning letterpress print shop. The annual BayLUG LEGO Holiday Show (Nov–Jan) is extremely popular. Fri–Sun 11am–4pm. Free (LEGO show may charge $4). Great for kids.
Downtown Palo Alto galleries
Downtown Palo Alto hosts a revived First Friday Art Walk (launched June 2025) with several notable galleries:
Bryant Street Gallery
532 Bryant St, Palo Alto
Contemporary art since 2002 in a white, airy space with high ceilings.
Qualia Contemporary Art
229 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto
Established and emerging artists. Tue–Thu 11am–6pm, Fri–Sat 11am–7pm.
Pamela Walsh Gallery
540 Ramona St, Palo Alto
Fine art with knowledgeable owner who provides acquisition counseling.
Pacific Art League
668 Ramona St, Palo Alto
Community art organization with gallery and classes since 1921.
Allied Arts Guild
Allied Arts Guild Free
75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
An enchanting 3.5-acre complex of artist studios, artisan shops, and gardens founded in 1929. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture features adobe-like walls, hand-formed clay roof tiles, ornamental ironwork, and the famous Blue Garden designed by Thomas Church. Nearly 20 working artisans with retail studios. Café Wisteria offers lunch in a garden setting (Tue–Sat 11am–2pm, reservations recommended). Mon–Sat 10am–5pm. Benefits Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford.
Menlo Park galleries & public art
Elevate Art Menlo Park — Downtown Public Art Walk Free
An all-volunteer nonprofit building a public art walk through downtown Menlo Park, commissioning contemporary artworks installed on exterior walls of local businesses. An online map enables self-guided tours. Viewable anytime.
Atherton Fine Art
700 El Camino Real #165, Menlo Park
Modern and contemporary works.
SENSE Fine Art
Downtown Menlo Park
Investment-grade contemporary art.
Palo Alto public art highlights
Palo Alto operates an active 1% for art program. The annual Code:ART Festival (typically October) transforms downtown with free interactive light installations. California Avenue functions as an "Avenue of the Arts" with 14+ public art pieces. Other highlights include the Pole Field earthwork at Byxbee Park, stainless steel owl sculptures at Mitchell Park Library, and painted utility boxes citywide.
Mid-Peninsula — Redwood City, San Carlos, Woodside & Belmont
Back to top ↑Filoli Historic House & Garden
86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA 94062
One of the finest remaining early 20th-century country estates in America. A National Trust for Historic Preservation site with a 54,000-square-foot Georgian revival mansion (built 1915–1917), 16 acres of English Renaissance gardens with 150+ rose varieties, a 6.8-acre orchard, and a nature preserve with 8 miles of hiking trails. The name derives from owner William Bourn II's credo: "FIght, LOve, LIve." Features rotating art exhibits, seasonal events, and a giant troll sculpture by Thomas Dambo in the redwoods.
San Mateo County History Museum
2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063
Housed in the magnificent 1910 San Mateo County Courthouse (National Register of Historic Places). Centerpiece: the largest stained glass dome in a public building on the entire West Coast. Interactive exhibits span from the Ohlone through Silicon Valley. Lower level houses Encore Books (30,000 used books, Saturdays). Tue–Sun 10am–4pm. Adults $6; Seniors/Students $4; Under 5 free. Free on first Fridays. Steps from Redwood City Caltrain.
Hiller Aviation Museum
601 Skyway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070
A 53,000-square-foot museum with 40+ historically significant aircraft. Highlights include a Boeing 747 cockpit visitors can sit in, a Navy jet cockpit, the Flight Sim Zone, and interactive STEM exhibits developed with NASA. Daily 10am–5pm. Adults ~$22; Youth (4–17) ~$14; Active military free. Eligible for Discover & Go library discounts. Extremely family-friendly.
Center for Creativity at the Historic Hotel Sequoia
800 Main Street, Redwood City, CA 94063
San Mateo County's newest arts hub, opened May 2025 inside the historic 1912 Hotel Sequoia. Features six gallery spaces including the Sequoia Gallery (curated exhibitions in the ornate rotunda), the Phone Booth Gallery, and the Restroom Gallery. Art classes, live events, and exhibitions. Check website for current hours. Generally free.
Art Bias (Studio 114 Gallery) Free
1700 Industrial Road, San Carlos, CA 94070
The largest artist studio center on the Peninsula — 56 artists under one roof working in painting, photography, calligraphy, book arts, weaving, and mosaics. Voted Best Art Gallery 2024 & 2025. Mon–Fri 9am–4pm. First Sundays Open Studios: noon–4pm — meet all 56 artists, see their workspaces, and purchase directly. Free.
Redwood City public art
Named one of the best places to see public art by the New York Times in 2017. Highlights include Damon Belanger's 20 "Shadow Art" pieces — trompe l'oeil paintings on bike racks and benches throughout downtown (kids love the scavenger-hunt quality). The Art Kiosk on Courthouse Square presents rotating contemporary art. The Flora from Fauna mural series by Jane Kim celebrates the city's history as the "Chrysanthemum Capital of the World." Allow 1–2 hours for a self-guided walking tour.
Woodside Store Historic Site Free
3300 Tripp Road, Woodside, CA 94062
The Peninsula's original country store, built entirely of redwood in 1854. Served as store, post office, bank, library, stagecoach stop, and dentist's office. Tue & Thu 10am–4pm; Sat–Sun noon–4pm. Combine with a hike in adjacent Huddart or Wunderlich parks.
Museum of San Carlos History Free
533 Laurel St, San Carlos
Occupies the original 1923 firehouse with local history exhibits and an antique full-size fire engine. Saturdays only, 1–4pm.
North Peninsula — San Mateo, Burlingame & beyond
Back to top ↑CuriOdyssey
1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401
A combined science museum and zoo featuring nearly 100 rescued native California animals (bobcats, river otters, golden eagles) and 50+ interactive hands-on exhibits designed for children ages 2–10. Includes a four-level Redwood Hall playground and accessible Magical Bridge playground. Daily 10am–5pm. Adults ~$26; Children ~$22; Under 18 months free. Plus $6 vehicle entrance fee. Free via Museums for All (EBT/SNAP/WIC). Watch animal feedings: otter at 12:30pm, bobcat at ~1pm.
SFO Museum Free
San Francisco International Airport, San Bruno, CA 94128
The first and only AAM-accredited museum in an airport, with 25+ galleries and 20–30 rotating exhibitions annually. Also features 165+ permanent public artworks including Ned Kahn's "Wind Portal" (200,000 mirrored disks) and Janet Echelman's ceiling installation. Pre-security galleries viewable without a boarding pass. Aviation Museum & Library: daily 10am–4:30pm. Free.
San Mateo Japanese Garden Free
50 East 5th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401 (inside Central Park)
Designed by Nagao Sakurai, former Imperial Palace landscape architect in Tokyo, opened 1966. Features a pagoda, shinden shrine, teahouse, waterfall, koi pond with bridges. Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat–Sun 11am–4pm. Note: May be temporarily closed for construction — check city website before visiting. Visit in late winter/early spring for cherry blossoms.
Seal Point Park Kinetic Sculpture Garden Free
1901 J Hart Clinton Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401
This former landfill turned bayfront park features kinetic wind/sound sculptures that produce pipe-organ-like tones when the afternoon bay breeze blows. Includes spinning metal sculptures, a large echo chamber atop the hill, and a Wind Wheel casting prismatic rainbows. Connects to the Bay Trail. Daily 8am to dusk. Best experienced on a breezy afternoon. Stunning 360° Bay views from the hilltop. Free parking.
Andra Norris Gallery Free
311 Lorton Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010
Museum-quality contemporary art, ~10 exhibitions/year. Tue–Fri 11am–6pm; Sat 10am–6pm; Sun noon–6pm.
Studio Shop Gallery Free
Downtown Burlingame
One of California's oldest continuously operating art galleries, established in 1915.
Millbrae Train Museum Free
108 California Dr, Millbrae
Restored 1907 Southern Pacific Railroad depot with a 1941 Pullman sleeping car from the "City of San Francisco" Streamliner. Sat only 10am–2pm. Great for train enthusiasts and kids.
Daly City History Guild Museum Free
6351 Mission St, Daly City
Historic 1920 art deco library building. Covers Ohlone history to a WWII blimp crash. Sat noon–3pm.
South Peninsula — Mountain View, Sunnyvale & Cupertino
Back to top ↑Computer History Museum
1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, CA 94043
A world-class museum tracing 2,000+ years of computing history from the abacus to AI. The signature exhibit "Revolution" spans the Apollo Guidance Computer, the first Apple computer, a fully restored IBM 1401 mainframe, an AI/chatbot exhibit, and an interactive Ameca humanoid robot. Wed–Sun 10am–5pm. Adults ~$17.50; Youth (10–17) ~$12.50; Under 9 free. Allow 2–4 hours. Free parking. Excellent on-site café.
Google Visitor Experience Free
2000 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, CA 94043
Google's first public destination features six major outdoor art installations facilitated by Burning Man Project — including "Halo" (a prismatic light pavilion), "Curious" (a giant grizzly covered in 160,000+ pennies), and "Quantum Meditation II" (a figure that virtually disappears from certain angles). Inside: Google Store with exclusive merch, café, and community event space. Mon–Sat 9am–6pm; Sun 10am–5pm. Download the Visitor Experience Guide app. Free parking at Shoreline Amphitheatre Lot C.
Apple Park Visitor Center & Mirage Sculpture Free
10600 N. Tantau Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014
A striking Foster + Partners building with an augmented reality experience exploring Apple Park's design, exclusive Apple Park merch, and a Roof Terrace with views. Adjacent in the olive grove: Mirage by Katie Paterson — a monumental sculpture of 400+ cast-glass pillars made from sand collected across 58 deserts worldwide. By day the glass shimmers; at night it glows from below. Mon–Sat 10am–7pm; Sun 11am–6pm.
NASA Ames Exploration Center Free
Moffett Field (via Moffett Blvd/NASA Pkwy off US-101), Mountain View
Free visitor center with a Mercury-Redstone 1A capsule, a real moon rock, a Martian meteorite, a mock space station walk-through, and a 14-foot immersive theater. Tue–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat–Sun noon–4pm. Photo ID required at Moffett Field gates (REAL ID or passport). The nearby Moffett Field Historical Society Museum (Wed–Sat 10am–3pm, ~$10) features aviation history and an F/A-18A Hornet.
Los Altos History Museum Free
51 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA 94022
Set amid one of the few remaining apricot orchards in Santa Clara Valley. Interactive exhibits trace the region's transformation to Silicon Valley. Adjacent restored 1905 farmhouse. Thu–Sun noon–4pm.
Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum Free
570 E. Remington Dr, Sunnyvale
Local history in a replica ranch house, with a 60-foot mural and a preserved 10-acre apricot orchard. Sun, Tue & Thu noon–4pm.
Gallery 9 Free
143 Main St, Los Altos
Artist cooperative since 1970. Tue–Sat 11am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm.
Viewpoints Gallery Free
315 State St, Los Altos
15 local artists, since 1972. Mon–Sat 11am–5pm; Sun 11am–3pm.
Euphrat Museum of Art & California History Center Free
De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014
Two venues on one campus: the Euphrat Museum presents community-focused exhibitions with notable works by modernist Agnes Pelton. The California History Center occupies the 1895 Le Petit Trianon mansion (National Register of Historic Places), originally a wine-producing estate. Both: Tue–Thu during exhibitions. Free.
Tech campus art open to the public
Back to top ↑The Peninsula's tech giants have made significant contributions to the public art landscape. Google's Visitor Experience in Mountain View (detailed above) is the most visitor-friendly, with six major outdoor installations and free parking. Apple's Mirage sculpture in Cupertino is a globally significant artwork.
Meta's public-access contributions in Menlo Park include the 2.2-acre Meta Park with public art, a dramatic 1,026-foot pedestrian bridge designed by Frank Gehry connecting to Bedwell Bayfront Park and the Bay Trail, and a large façade mural by Bay Area artist Alexandra Bowman. Note that Meta's interior campus is not open to the general public — only Meta Park and the Gehry bridge are publicly accessible.
The nearby Android Lawn Statues (Charleston Rd & Huff Ave, Mountain View) — large foam statues representing Android version codenames from Cupcake through Android 10 — are publicly accessible for photos.
San Francisco day trips — the highlights
Back to top ↑For guests willing to make the 30–45 minute drive (or Caltrain + transit) to San Francisco, these are the essential museums:
SFMOMA
151 Third St, San Francisco
One of the largest modern art museums in the U.S. — seven floors, 33,000+ works. 45,000 sq ft of galleries always free. Adults $30; under 18 free. Closed Wed.
de Young Museum
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
SF's most-visited art museum. Adults ~$20; under 17 free. Free first Tuesday and every Saturday for Bay Area residents. Free panoramic views from the Hamon Tower.
California Academy of Sciences
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Combined aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum under one living roof by Renzo Piano. Adults $49–55.
Legion of Honor
Lincoln Park, San Francisco
Beaux-Arts museum with 6,000 years of art including 70+ Rodin works and Golden Gate Bridge views. Same pricing and free days as de Young.
Exploratorium
Pier 15, Embarcadero, SF
700+ hands-on exhibits of science, art, and perception on the waterfront. Adults $39.95. Thursday After Dark (18+) half price.
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St, San Francisco
18,000+ works spanning 6,000 years. Adults ~$20; under 17 free. Free first Sunday of every month.
Walt Disney Family Museum
104 Montgomery St, the Presidio, SF
Interactive galleries on Walt Disney's life. 200+ video screens and a spectacular Disneyland model. Adults ~$25. Thu–Sun only.
Cable Car Museum Free
1201 Mason St, San Francisco
Free museum and functioning powerhouse — watch massive underground cable wheels in operation.
San Jose day trips — the highlights
Back to top ↑About 20–30 minutes south, San Jose offers several distinctive museums:
San Jose Museum of Art
110 S. Market St, San Jose
Contemporary and modern art in a restored 1892 Romanesque sandstone building. Adults $20; under 17, students, and teachers free. Thu–Sun.
The Tech Interactive
201 S. Market St, San Jose
Family-friendly STEM center in a blue-domed building with interactive exhibits and an IMAX dome. Adults ~$36.
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
1660 Park Ave, San Jose
The largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on display in western North America — real mummies, a full-scale replica tomb, and six acres of Egyptian Revival architecture. Adults ~$12. Fri–Sun.
History San José
1650 Senter Rd, San Jose
14-acre outdoor history park with 32 buildings, a working trolley, and a 115-foot Pacific Hotel. Adults ~$10.
Practical tips for visitors
Back to top ↑First Fridays and free days: San Mateo County History Museum offers free first Fridays. Art Bias opens all 56 studios the first Sunday. Palo Alto's First Friday Art Walk covers downtown galleries. The de Young and Legion of Honor are free on the first Tuesday and every Saturday for Bay Area residents.
Parking at Stanford: Contactless via ParkMobile app. No enforcement on weekends in visitor/hourly spaces. Free after 4pm (except near the Oval). The free Marguerite Shuttle runs from Palo Alto Caltrain station.
Moffett Field access: Both NASA Ames and the Moffett Field Museum require photo ID (REAL ID or passport) at the gate. Plan accordingly.
Rainy-day picks: Computer History Museum, Cantor Arts Center, Hiller Aviation Museum, and SFMOMA are all excellent indoor options requiring 2+ hours each.
For kids: CuriOdyssey (ages 2–10), Hiller Aviation Museum (all ages), Computer History Museum (ages 8+), NASA Ames (all ages), Filoli (all ages with storytime and trolls), and the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (young children) are the strongest family picks.
All addresses, hours, and admission prices were researched and cross-referenced in February 2026. Museums occasionally update hours or pricing, so a quick check of their website before visiting is always wise.
Frequently asked questions
Back to top ↑Are Stanford's museums free?
Yes — the Cantor Arts Center, Anderson Collection, Rodin Sculpture Garden, Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden, Stanford Art Gallery, and all outdoor public art on the Stanford campus are completely free. No reservations required.
What is the best free museum near Stanford?
The Cantor Arts Center is the standout — over 40,000 works including 199 Rodin sculptures, the largest collection at any American museum. Combined with the adjacent Anderson Collection (Pollock, Rothko, de Kooning) and the Rodin Sculpture Garden, it's a world-class free museum experience rivaling many paid institutions.
What museums are good for kids on the Peninsula?
Top picks: CuriOdyssey in San Mateo (science museum and zoo, ages 2–10), Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos (cockpits and flight simulators), Computer History Museum in Mountain View (ages 8+), NASA Ames in Mountain View (free, all ages), and Filoli in Woodside (gardens, giant trolls, storytime). The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo is great for younger children.
Is there free parking at Stanford museums?
Parking at Stanford is contactless via the ParkMobile app. There is no enforcement on weekends in visitor and hourly spaces, making weekend visits effectively free. Parking is also free after 4pm on weekdays (except near the Oval). The free Marguerite Shuttle runs from Palo Alto Caltrain station to campus.
Can I get free museum passes from the library?
Yes — San Mateo County Library cardholders can access free or discounted passes to dozens of Bay Area museums through the Discover & Go program at smcl.org/museum-passes, including the California Academy of Sciences, de Young, Exploratorium, CuriOdyssey, Hiller Aviation Museum, and more.
What's the best rainy-day activity near Stanford?
The Cantor Arts Center (free, 2+ hours), Computer History Museum in Mountain View (~$17.50, 2–4 hours), Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos (~$22, 90 min+), and SFMOMA in San Francisco ($30 or free galleries, 2–4 hours) are all excellent indoor options that can easily fill a rainy afternoon.