Palo Alto in March

March is when Palo Alto starts to shake off winter. Showers still pass through, but they come less often and leave behind sparkling, washed-clean days. The hills are at their deepest green, blossoms line the streets and the first poppies open in the sunny grasslands of the foothills. Daylight saving time arrives mid-month. Suddenly there is time for a walk at the bay after work.

On campus, March is the end of Stanford's winter quarter. Finals take over the middle of the month, followed by a quiet week between quarters. This guide covers the weather, what is in season, events with published dates, the school calendars and the best day trips and outdoor plans for March 2027. Our weather guide has the full year for comparison.

March weather

The figures are NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Palo Alto weather station (USC00046646), the same source as our weather page.

Expect a mix. Early March can still feel like winter, with a storm or two and chilly mornings in the low 40s. By late March, many afternoons reach the upper 60s and a sunny weekend can feel like May. Rain totals drop by about a third from February. Frost is rare.

Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 14, 2027. After that, sunset moves past 7 p.m., which opens up evening walks and bike rides. For short-range forecasts, use the National Weather Service Bay Area office.

What is in season

The first wildflowers

Wildflower season starts in March and builds through April. Look for California poppies, lupine and other early bloomers on sunny, grassy slopes. Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is the easiest place in town to find them. Its open meadows are also home to western bluebirds. Higher up on the ridge, preserves along Skyline Boulevard tend to peak a little later. Our hiking guide lists the best spots.

Green hills and blossoms

The foothills hold their green through March. In a wet year they glow. Flowering fruit trees and magnolias bloom in the older neighborhoods. Spring color also arrives at Filoli in Woodside, where tulips and other bulbs come into bloom late in the month.

Birds on the move

Spring migration begins at the Baylands. The big winter duck flocks thin out as birds head north, while shorebirds in breeding plumage pass through on their way to Arctic nesting grounds. Resident species such as black-necked stilts and avocets start pairing up.

Farmers market produce

The first spring crops appear: asparagus, peas, artichokes, spring onions and, toward the end of the month, the first strawberries. Citrus is winding down but still easy to find. See our farmers markets guide for the Saturday and Sunday markets.

Events in March 2027

• Stanford Live. The published season includes 300 Paintings by Sam Kissajukian in The Studio from March 3 to 6, cellist Jaemin Han on March 10, Stanley Clarke and Hiromi with the PUBLIQuartet on March 13 at Bing Concert Hall and Camille A. Brown and Dancers on March 17 at Memorial Auditorium. See the 2026 to 2027 season.
• Lantern Festival and Nowruz. In 2026 the city listed a free Lantern Festival Fair at the Mitchell Park Community Center on March 1 and the Palo Alto City Library listed a Nowruz celebration for the Persian new year, which falls around the spring equinox. Dates for 2027 had not been posted in October 2026. Check the city calendar in February.
• Easter. Easter Sunday is March 28, 2027. Many restaurants offer brunch that day and the Winter Lodge is closed.
• Skating. Public sessions continue at the Winter Lodge until April 11, 2027.
• Baseball. Stanford's home baseball games at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond make a relaxed spring outing. Schedules are on the Stanford Athletics site.

Holidays and school calendars

March has more calendar shifts than most months. Dates come from Stanford's academic calendar and the PAUSD 2026 to 2027 calendar.

Stanford does not publish a named spring break, but the nine days from March 20 to 28 work as one. Many students leave and campus quiets down. Stanford's winter visit programs for prospective students run until March 26. Spring programs start March 29. PAUSD families get a four-day weekend from March 13 to 16, while the district's full spring break comes later, from April 5 to 9.

What to pack

• A light rain shell. Showers are shorter now, but you will likely see at least one.
• Layers. A T-shirt and sweater for the afternoon, plus a warmer jacket for evenings in the mid 40s.
• Hiking shoes with grip. Trails can stay muddy in shady spots well into the month.
• Sunscreen and a hat. The spring sun is stronger than the cool air suggests.
• Binoculars if you plan to see birds at the bay or bluebirds in the foothills.

Hotel demand and booking tips

Demand in March follows two calendars at once. Business travel is steady through the month and conferences elsewhere in the region add pressure. Nvidia's GTC developer conference, for example, has been held in San Jose in March in recent years and fills hotels across the South Bay. On the other side, the break between Stanford quarters in late March can bring softer rates near campus, since fewer academic visitors are in town.

1. Check for big San Jose or San Francisco conferences on your dates before you book. They push prices up across the Peninsula.
2. Look at late March, after Stanford finals, for quieter weekdays near campus.
3. Easter weekend brings family travel. Book early if your visit overlaps March 26 to 28.
4. Families visiting during a spring break may find a rental with a kitchen more comfortable than two hotel rooms.

When your dates are set, compare Palo Alto hotels for March or browse family rentals for spring break.

Day trips for March

• Filoli. The gardens in Woodside begin their spring bloom. Filoli posts a What's Blooming page and uses timed tickets, so reserve ahead. See our Filoli guide.
• Monterey and Carmel. Gray whales pass through Monterey Bay in winter and spring. Whale watching boats leave from Old Fisherman's Wharf. Our Monterey and Carmel guide covers the aquarium and Point Lobos.
• Half Moon Bay and Año Nuevo. March is the last month of Año Nuevo's guided elephant seal walks, which run December 15 to March 31. Walks cost $7 plus a $3.99 booking fee and can be booked up to 56 days ahead through ReserveCalifornia. In February 2026 an H5N1 bird flu outbreak cancelled the rest of that season's walks, so see our Año Nuevo guide and check the park's page for notices. Our Half Moon Bay guide covers the coast on the way. If you would rather not drive, you can book a coast or wine country tour.

Outdoor activities for March

• Wildflower walks. Try the Bowl Loop at Pearson-Arastradero for an easy start, then climb toward Vista Point for views.
• Evening walks after March 14. With sunset after 7 p.m., the Baylands boardwalk and levees make a good end to the day. The preserve closes at sunset.
• The Dish loop. Green hills and clear air make March one of the best months for the views from the top.
• Bike rides. Palo Alto's bike boulevards and the Bay Trail are comfortable in mild spring weather.
• Last chance to skate. The Winter Lodge season ends April 11.

If you only have a weekend

Saturday

Pick up breakfast at the downtown farmers market on Gilman Street. Spend the late morning on campus, starting at the Main Quad and the Cantor Arts Center. Our self-guided campus walk links the highlights. In the afternoon, drive to Pearson-Arastradero for wildflowers and bluebirds. End with dinner downtown or a concert at Bing.

Sunday

Drive up Interstate 280 to Filoli for the morning bloom, then lunch in Woodside. On the way back, stop at the California Avenue farmers market if you are back before 1 p.m., or walk the Dish loop in the late afternoon light. A long spring evening at the Baylands closes the weekend.

For peak wildflowers and drier weather, read Palo Alto in April. For the wettest month and early blossoms, see Palo Alto in February.

Frequently asked questions