Palo Alto in spring

Spring in Palo Alto arrives early and moves fast. The first poppies open on sunny slopes in March, the rain tapers off through April and by late May the foothills have started to turn the color of straw. In between come three of the most pleasant months of the year for walking, hiking and eating outside. The days lengthen quickly once daylight saving time begins on March 14, 2027.

This guide takes the season as a whole. Our month pages for March, April and May list every event and date in detail. Here the focus is on how the weather changes across the season, when the wildflowers are worth the drive, how Stanford's spring quarter shapes the town and how to pack for days that swing 25 degrees. Event dates are given only where organizers have published them.

Spring weather by the numbers

NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Palo Alto station show spring as a steady climb from winter to summer. The same figures appear on our weather guide.

Three patterns stand out. First, rain drops sharply. March still brings real storms, sometimes several days in a row. April averages under an inch and May less than half an inch. Second, the daily swing stays wide. A May morning can start near 50°F and reach the mid 70s by mid-afternoon. Third, the wind changes. As the inland valleys warm up, a breeze starts blowing in off the bay most afternoons, which keeps the Baylands cooler and gustier than downtown.

Spring weather varies a lot from year to year. A wet March can soak the trails for days, while a dry one feels like early summer. A late warm spell can push April afternoons into the 80s. For the week of your trip, use the National Weather Service Bay Area office forecast rather than the averages.

Wildflowers and green hills

The foothills are at their greenest from February into April. Wildflowers follow the green. The bloom usually starts in March, peaks in April and fades through May as the grasses dry. How strong it is depends on the winter. A wet winter followed by warm spring days tends to produce the best displays.

Where to look

• Close to town. The open meadows at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve are the easiest place in Palo Alto to find poppies and lupine. Western bluebirds nest there in spring too.
• On the ridge. Russian Ridge, at Skyline Boulevard and Page Mill Road, is the best known local display. It tends to peak a little later than the lowlands because it sits higher and cooler.
• On serpentine soil. Edgewood Park in Redwood City has free docent-led walks on weekends from early March to late May.

Our wildflowers guide lists what blooms when and how to tell the common species apart. The main rule is simple: stay on the trail and leave every flower where it grows.

Gardens in town

Gardens peak alongside the hills. Gamble Garden on Waverley Street is free and open during daylight hours. Its spring tour of private gardens usually falls in late April. Filoli in Woodside is famous for tulips and other spring bulbs and uses timed tickets, which can sell out on spring weekends. Older neighborhoods such as Professorville and Old Palo Alto fill with magnolias, fruit blossoms and wisteria from March.

Stanford's spring calendar

Spring quarter is the busiest stretch of the year on campus. Dates below come from Stanford's 2026 to 2027 academic calendar and the event pages our month guides cite.

What it means for visitors

Expect more families around the Main Quad and the visitor center through April, when many admitted students make a last visit before the national May 1 reply date. Our prospective student guide explains Stanford's visit programs. The Stanford Powwow, which Stanford's student newspaper has called the largest student-run powwow in the country, draws dancers, drum groups and vendors over Mother's Day weekend. Stanford Live fills Bing Concert Hall with a busy spring season and spring evenings at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond are a relaxed way to see college baseball.

The one quiet window is the nine days between quarters in late March. If you want an empty campus with spring weather, that week is the time to come.

Spring traditions in town

• May Fete Children's Parade. The city's oldest tradition, held since 1924, usually takes over University Avenue on a Saturday in early May. The 2027 date had not been announced in October 2026. See our May Fete guide.
• Thursday Live on Cal Ave. The city's free evening street parties on California Avenue start in May and run one Thursday a month into September.
• Last skate of the season. The Winter Lodge closes for the year after public skating on Sunday, April 11, 2027.
• Easter. Easter falls on Sunday, March 28, 2027, during Stanford's break between quarters.

At the farmers markets

Spring is the season of change at both city markets, which run year-round on Saturday mornings downtown and Sunday mornings on California Avenue. March brings asparagus, peas, artichokes and spring onions while citrus winds down. April is strawberry season. By May the first cherries and apricots appear, along with fava beans and tender greens. Our farmers markets guide has hours and locations.

What to pack

Spring packing is about layers more than anything else.

1. A light jacket or fleece for mornings in the 40s and evenings that cool fast after sunset.
2. A packable rain shell, essential in March and handy in early April.
3. Short sleeves for afternoons, especially in May.
4. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Wildflower trails are open and sunny and the spring sun is strong.
5. A windbreaker for the Baylands or the ridge, where afternoon wind picks up.
6. Shoes that can handle mud if you hike in March after a storm.
7. Allergy medicine if you react to pollen. Grass and tree pollen run high from March to May.

Which spring month to choose

Hotels and booking

Spring is one of the busier seasons for Palo Alto hotels. Spring quarter brings academic visitors, admitted students arrive with their parents and business travel runs at full strength on weekdays. Weekends around Admit Weekend, the Powwow and garden events can fill quickly. Book refundable rates early, then compare again a few weeks out. When you are ready, compare Palo Alto hotels for spring. If Palo Alto is full, towns along Caltrain such as Menlo Park, Mountain View and Redwood City are a short ride away.

Frequently asked questions