42nd Annual ARSC Conference (Palo Alto, California, March 26-29, 2008)
Palo Alto Events & Places of Interest
Palo Alto lies in the very heart of Silicon Valley. In fact, “Silicon Valley” was actually born in 1938 in a little garage on Addison Avenue where Bill Hewlett and David Packard started a research lab and manufacturing facility. Since that time, many high tech firms have been drawn to the city, due in part to its proximity to Stanford University and convenient location between San Francisco and San Jose. If you are interested in technology, you won’t want to miss a visit to the Computer History Museum in neighboring Mountain View, home to the world’s largest collection of computing-related artifacts. The more athletically inclined may wish to bike or hike through one of Silicon Valley’s many natural preserve areas. If you have a car, you may also wish to visit the 654 acre Filoli estate in nearby Woodside or drive over to Half Moon Bay.
Downtown Palo Alto is a lively mix of restaurants, coffee houses and shops. Free shuttle buses operate between the Stanford campus and the downtown area, and provide easy access to connecting buses and trains serving the entire Bay area, including the San Jose and San Francisco airports. There are many interesting places to visit, including the 2.3 acre Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden and estate, the nationally recognized Palo Alto Art Center, and the historic Professorville neighborhood. The Stanford Theater, built in 1925 and beautifully restored by David Packard, shows classic films from Hollywood’s Golden Age. We hope to schedule optional evening film screenings at the Stanford Theater on Thursday and/or Friday evening—watch the conference website for updates. Visitor’s information can be found at Destination Palo Alto.
All conference sessions will be held on the Stanford University campus, which encompasses over 8,000 acres stretching from the rural foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains to downtown Palo Alto. While not attending sessions, you may wish to tour the Cantor Center for the Visual Arts, stroll through the Rodin Sculpture Garden, or simply walk around and enjoy Stanford’s distinctive sandstone and tile architecture. Check the Stanford University’s Visitor’s Guide for specific information on campus attractions and events.
