LensCrafters

About LensCrafters on University Avenue

LensCrafters is a national optical chain that sells eyeglasses, sunglasses and contact lenses and offers eye exams. Its Palo Alto store is at 270 University Avenue, downtown. According to the trade publication Vision Monday, LensCrafters opened this store on July 1, 2022 as the brand's fourth flagship, after two in New York City and one in San Francisco. LensCrafters is part of EssilorLuxottica.

Vision Monday reported that the company designed the Palo Alto flagship with Silicon Valley's tech crowd in mind. The store was built with high-resolution digital screens and LED walls showing eyewear and campaigns. The opening announcement also described interactive applications on iPads and touch screens that simulate the effects of different prescription lenses.

Frames, lenses and brands

The store carries prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses and contact lenses. The LensCrafters website highlights brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Versace, Coach, Michael Kors and Prada. Vision Monday reported that the flagship would offer an expanded selection of designer styles and a dedicated display for Ray-Ban Stories, the Ray-Ban smart glasses. It also said customers could customize Ray-Ban and Oakley frames.

For lenses, the opening announcement pointed to lens design and technology by Essilor. The LensCrafters website explains its lens options, including a blue-violet light filter. It also offers a frame advisor, an eyewear glossary and a style guide if you want help choosing before your visit. Stock and featured brands change, so ask the store if you are after a particular frame.

Eye exams

The store page invites customers to book an eye exam for themselves and their family through a Schedule Now link. You can also call the store at 650-798-0612. LensCrafters' legal pages include an independent doctor's notice, so ask when you book which eye doctor will see you and how the exam is billed. This listing gives no medical advice. For a sudden change in vision, an eye injury or eye pain, seek medical care right away. Call 911 in an emergency.

Try-on tools and services

The flagship was set up around digital shopping tools. Vision Monday described Virtual Mirror technology, which lets customers try on frames virtually through LensCrafters' Smart Shopper interactive tool. The LensCrafters website also lists:

• Instructions for measuring your pupillary distance (PD)
• Two-day delivery on eligible orders
• Purchase Care protection for eyewear
• Nuance Audio glasses
• Order status tracking online

Who it suits

The downtown store suits a few kinds of visits. People who work or live near University Avenue can book an exam and pick up glasses without driving to a mall. Shoppers who like to compare many designer frames in one place get a wide brand selection. Anyone curious about smart glasses can see the Ray-Ban display the flagship was built around. Families can book exams for several people through the same scheduling link.

If you only need sunglasses, Sunglass Hut runs a store at Stanford Shopping Center.

Insurance and ways to pay

LensCrafters says insurance is accepted online and in store. Its savings pages cover using FSA and HSA funds, paying with CareCredit and discounts for AAA and AARP members and UNiDAYS students. Promotions change often, so check the store page or ask at the counter. Bring your insurance card and your current glasses or prescription to your visit. If you wear contact lenses, bring the boxes or packaging so staff can see your current brand and fit.

Visiting tips

• Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., as listed by the store.
• Parking: Downtown has public garages and time-limited street parking. Our parking guide explains the options.
• Make a day of it: The store is on the main shopping street. See our downtown guide and University Avenue shopping guide for nearby shops and cafes.
• Coming by train: Downtown is close to the Palo Alto Caltrain station. Our Caltrain guide covers fares and schedules.

Location and getting there

LensCrafters is at 270 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.

The Palo Alto Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.

What is nearby

• Salt & Straw, bakery or dessert shop, under 0.1 mi
• KEEN Garage, store, under 0.1 mi
• Arnoldi Jewelers, store, under 0.1 mi
• De Novo, store, under 0.1 mi
• Fidelity Investments Palo Alto, service business, under 0.1 mi
• University Avenue, under 0.1 mi
• Cogswell Plaza, under 0.1 mi
• Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi

Other health and medical nearby: Warby Parker (under 0.1 mi); Lee Optometrics (under 0.1 mi); CVS Pharmacy University Avenue (under 0.1 mi); Peninsula Optical (0.1 mi). Browse the full health and medical list.

Before you go

• Call ahead to confirm the practice accepts your insurance and is taking new patients.
• Bring a photo ID, your insurance card and a list of current medications to a first visit.
• For emergencies call 911. Stanford Hospital's emergency department is the closest major emergency room for most of Palo Alto.

About this listing

Checked October 30, 2026 against LensCrafters 270 University Avenue store page; Vision Monday: LensCrafters opens fourth flagship in Palo Alto (July 2022). How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions