Things To Do in Menlo Park, CA
Menlo Park, CA is a vibrant city of roughly 35,000 residents nestled on the San Francisco Peninsula in San Mateo County. Established in 1854 and named for its grand oaks, the city sits between the bay’s tidal marshes and the rolling foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Menlo Park blends entrepreneurial energy—home to venture capital firms and Silicon Valley innovators—with small‑town charm. Its downtown along Santa Cruz Avenue features tree‑lined sidewalks, historic storefronts, boutiques, and farm‑to‑table eateries. A network of parks and open spaces—from Bayfront trails to shaded neighborhood greenbelts—provides abundant outdoor recreation. The Civic Center complex hosts City Hall, the main library, and Burgess Park, while community events such as the year‑round farmers’ market, outdoor concerts in Memorial Park, and educational programs at local museums foster civic engagement.
Allied Arts Guild
75 Arbor Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Located in Menlo Park, CA, Allied Arts Guild is a 3.5‑acre oasis of creativity and philanthropy founded in 1928. Designed in Spanish Colonial Revival style, the complex features interconnected courtyards, terraced gardens, fountains, and mosaic‑adorned archways. Artist studios and galleries showcase pottery, textiles, leatherwork, and fine art, while the on‑site Café Wisteria offers shaded tables beneath wisteria vines for light fare and pastries. The Guild supports Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital through its auxiliary, funding pediatric programs and research.
Bedwell Bayfront Park
1600 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Bedwell Bayfront Park located in Menlo Park, CA, preserves 160 acres of shoreline and grassland at the edge of the San Francisco Bay. A 2.3‑mile perimeter trail circles tidal marshes and seasonal ponds, offering sweeping vistas of the Dumbarton Bridge and distant foothills. Interior pathways string through wildflower meadows, oak woodlands, and riparian corridors that host herons, snowy plovers, and migratory songbirds. Fishing platforms invite catch‑and‑release anglers, while elevated viewing decks provide prime bird‑watching opportunities.
Burgess Park
701 Laurel St, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Located in Menlo Park, CA, Burgess Park spans 9.3 acres adjacent to the Civic Center. Acquired in 1948 from a former hospital site, it features lighted baseball and softball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, and a children’s playground equipped with inclusive play structures. The park’s centerpiece, Burgess Park Pool, offers six‑lane lap swimming, a lesson pool, and a shallow wading area under towering oaks. Shaded picnic lawns and group barbecue sites host birthdays and community gatherings. A central walking path connects sports facilities to City Hall and the library, reinforcing the park’s role as a civic hub.
Flood Park
215 Bay Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Flood Park in Menlo Park, CA, covers 21 acres of level terrain beside San Francisquito Creek. As the oldest county park east of Skyline Boulevard, it has served residents since the 1930s. The park boasts lighted tennis courts, volleyball and pétanque courts, horseshoe pits, and multiuse fields for softball and lacrosse. A large picnic grove and woodland trails under mature oaks invite leisurely strolls, while a modern playground and pump track engage children and cyclists. Recent upgrades improved accessibility and modernized sports fields, preserving the park’s historic character.
Onetta Harris Community Center
100 Terminal Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Located in Menlo Park, CA, Onetta Harris Community Center anchors the Belle Haven Community Campus. Completed in 2024 and named for local activist Onetta Harris, the facility houses fitness studios, art rooms, childcare spaces, and multipurpose halls designed for inclusive programming. Shared with the Senior Center, Youth Center, and public library, the campus fosters intergenerational engagement. Amenities include a commercial‑grade kitchen for community meals, a tech lab, and flexible event spaces.
Menlo Park Library
800 Alma St, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Menlo Park Library at Alma Street is the city’s main branch and a hub for lifelong learning. Open seven days a week, this 54,000‑square‑foot facility offers over two million physical and digital items, including books, e‑resources, and multicultural collections. Dedicated areas for children, teens, and adults host storytimes, homework clubs, and maker programs in 3D‑printing and digital media labs. Meeting rooms support civic groups and business workshops, while public computers and free Wi‑Fi ensure digital inclusion. Regular events—author talks, cultural celebrations, and tech tutorials—engage diverse audiences. Adjacent public art and plaza spaces accommodate pop‑up markets and community gatherings.
Menlo Park Farmers Market
Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Menlo Park Farmers Market takes place every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Chestnut Street. Operated by the Live Oak Lions Club since 1992, the market features over 30 vendors offering California‑grown and organic produce, artisanal cheeses, pasture‑raised eggs, seasonal flowers, and freshly caught seafood. Live folk and jazz performances provide a festive atmosphere, while community tables highlight local nonprofits and artisans. Monthly knife‑sharpening services and cooking demos engage visitors. Net proceeds support community programs and food‑insecure neighbors through surplus produce donations.
Nealon Park
800 Middle Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Nealon Park is a nine‑acre neighborhood green space named after James J. Nealon. The park’s centerpiece is an all‑abilities playground featuring ramps, sensory panels, specialized swings, and nature‑inspired climbing structures that welcome children of all abilities. Surrounding lawns and shaded picnic groves host family gatherings and community events. Sports amenities include lighted tennis courts, a basketball half‑court, and open fields adaptable for soccer and frisbee. A fenced dog area provides off‑leash exercise, while walking paths beneath mature oaks offer a tranquil respite. On‑site restrooms and accessible parking enhance convenience.
MenloPark Historical Association &Museum
800 Alma St, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Located in Menlo Park, CA, the Menlo Park Historical Association & Museum preserves and interprets the city’s rich heritage. Housed in the restored St. Patrick’s Church, the museum’s galleries display artifacts, photographs, and manuscripts chronicling Ohlone settlements, 19th‑century railroad origins, and Silicon Valley’s rise. Rotating exhibits explore early Irish immigration, Victorian architecture, and pioneering technological innovations. The association hosts guided walking tours, lecture series, and school outreach programs to make history accessible to all ages.
Stanford Hills Park
2400 Branner Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
Located in Menlo Park, CA, Stanford Hills Park is a serene 3.11‑acre open space perched above Branner Drive, just south of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The park’s gently undulating lawns and groves of native oaks create a multi‑use landscape perfect for picnicking, kite‑flying, and casual ball games. A network of winding paved paths and natural‑surface trails invites walkers, runners, and roller skaters to explore shaded ridges and sun‑dappled clearings overlooking the Bay. Benches and picnic tables are strategically placed to capture vistas of both the Santa Cruz Mountains and the cityscape below.