Palo Alto, CA Summary

In recent years, Palo Alto, home of high-brow Stanford University, has become somewhat a social center for Silicon Valley’s nouveaux riches, as evidenced by the trendy cafés and chic new restaurants that have popped up along its main drag, University Avenue. The town doesn’t offer a lot in terms of sights other than Spanish colonial homes, but it’s a great place for a lazy stroll and a gourmet meal. Wash down a California-style Greek dish from Evvia, 420 Emerson St (tel 650/326-0983), or a heaping plate of Cajun-influenced food from _ Nola_, 535 Ramona St (tel 650/328-2722), with a microbrewed beer from the Gordon Biersch Brewery, 640 Emerson St (tel 650/323-7723), or a latte from Caffe Verona, 236 Hamilton Ave (tel 650/326-9942). The old-style malt and burger joint, The Peninsula Creamery, Hamilton and Emerson streets (tel 650/323-3131), is a favorite with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. _ MacArthur Park_, 27 University Ave (tel 650/321-9990), is a great barbecue restaurant with more than two hundred wines on offer. Surprisingly affordable rooms are available at the Cardinal Hotel, 235 Hamilton Ave (tel 650/323-5101, ; $50-200).