Stanford University campus is on of the most beautiful university campuses in America but I like to bring visitors here not just for the unique architecture of its buildings but for the variety of things you can see and do here. This can be a great one day family road trip itinerary for a weekend or “stay-cation”. You can find the full map of the campus HERE. Please, note that some parts of campus are closed to vehicles traffic. You can walk or ride a bicycle in those parts of campus and many families actually bring kids on campus for safe enjoyable bicycle rides.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 1
Start your Stanford University Campus Tour with the Stanford Dish hike. It is a 3.7 miles loop hike named after a radio telescope located right there on the hill. The views from this trail are amazing thanks to almost 500 ft gained elevation – on a good day you could see as far as East Bay. In spring it is a good place to see a variety of California wild flowers. You can access the hike from Alpine Rd or Junipero Serra Blvd.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 2
New Guinea Sculpture Garden (476 Lomita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305). It is a nice garden in the West part of the campus with authentic Papa New Guinea sculptures carved out of stone and wood nestled among eucalyptus trees. FREE.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 3
Labyrinth at Windhover Contemplative Center (which is located right next to the Stop #2). Research suggests that intentionally walking in a circular pattern can enhance direction in your life – the rhythm and simplicity of following a clear path can quiet your mind, help you find balance, pray, facilitate meditation, insight and celebration.FREE.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 4
Windhover Contemplative Center. The Center is Stanford’s spiritual and meditative refuge. Typically you won’t be able to access the Center without the Stanford ID card. But on Saturdays at 11 am the University organizes FREE public tours, which include information about the concept behind the physical structure and an in-depth look at the Windhover series by Nathan Oliveira featured in the building.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 5
Memorial Church. Memorial Church is the heart of Stanford. Built by the widow of Leland Stanford to commemorate her late husband it became one of the most recognizable buildings in California. Absolutely beautiful inside and out it is a must stop on this tour. If you only have time to see just 1 thing on campus, this should be it. FREE. If you plan your visit on Friday, check the Church’s website for free guided tour schedule which is very informative and educational.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 6
Hoover Tower. Hoover tower is a bell tower right next to the Memorial Church and main quad. The tower houses archives and a library but the purpose of your visit should be getting to the top for the breathtaking panoramic view of the entire campus. Fee – $4 pp.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 7
Rodin Sculptures. When you walk East from Memorial Church to Cantor Arts Center you will pass through a courtyard with Rodin sculptures, more sculptures are located right next to the Art Center.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 8
Cantor Arts Center. The Center is a great FREE destination for art lovers.It contains over 38,000 artworks in permanent collection but also at any given time the Center presents a number of temporary exhibitions. For instance, here you can find interesting pieces from African and Asian collection as well as Stanford family collection.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 9
Anderson Collection. Anderson Collection building is adjacent to Cantor. It displays modern and contemporary art collection donated to Stanford by Anderson family. Different art movements are represented here including include Bay Area Abstraction, Bay Area Figuration, California Light & Space, Color Field Painting, Contemporary Painting, Funk, Hard-Edge Painting, New York School, and Post-Minimalism. FREE.
Stanford University Campus Tour Stop 10
The Arizona Garden is a historical garden located on the south side of the mausoleum off of Quarry Road between Campus Drive and Arboretum Road. The garden, also known as the Cactus Garden. The best time to visit the garden is in January-February when the cacti are in bloom. FREE.
P.S. One of the most unique buildings on campus is the new Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital opened in December 2017. I hope you will never see the inside of the building. What I mean by that is that I hope your children are never sick to a point where a treatment is required at this sophisticated medical facility. However, I was privileged and honored to attend a pre-opening tour of the hospital and it completely took my breath away and I would like to share some of my experience with you. The whole design and architecture of the building follows 3 main themes: nature, California and sustainability. Each floor is dedicated to 1 California natural habitat and all decorations and design features are reflective of that habitat. There are educational murals on the walls so that children can study the habitats and find animals and birds indicated below the murals (as in Hidden Pictures game). The outdoor space has a playground and a garden that follows the nature theme too.
If you found this Stanford University Campus tour itinerary useful, please do me a little favor and share this trip with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their travel plans. 🙂
