Located within walking distance of Stanford University, the Stanford First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serves the University community as well as any interested visitors. The Stanford Latter-day Saint Student Association is a University-based organization affiliated with the Church.
The Church offers several services, including a recreational room that holds a full basketball court. Various events and dances can be held there as well.
The second story of the Church contains meeting rooms for a wide range of functions.
In addition to support of the community, First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto is heavily involved in social change and improvement. The church shares the premises—including classrooms, a music room, day care, a library, a nursery and a memorial garden—with a variety of local causes and non-profit organizations. First Presbyterian is also LGBT friendly. The inside of the chapel is beautifully decorated with plants.
Camp Unalayee, "Place of Friends", is a backpacking and wilderness camp for girls and boys ages 10 through 17 located in Northern California's Trinity Alps wilderness. The camp maintains accreditation with the American Camping Association (ACA), and has been trusted by families for more than 50 years. Campers live, play and hike together in a program designed for children to learn new skills, build self-confidence and foster self-sufficiency. They also offer a counselor-in-training program for older campers.
Macarthur Park is located near the Stanford school and Stanford shopping center. It has open fields as well as picnic tables and play areas. Call the number provided for more information.
Come out and see one of Palo Alto's beautiful city parks. Mitchell Park has it all, from a swimming pool to softball diamonds and tennis courts. When you need to get outside you will find Mitchell Park offers so much. Plenty of parking is available, as are tons of shade from trees that surround the park. Dogs are welcome, so grab your frisbee and enjoy.
Chabad of Palo Alto offers family programs and daily services where all are welcome without membership required, in a warm friendly enviroment. Youth programs include Youth Zone, where children aged five to 11 learn the joy of giving, and the Bat Mitzvah Club for girls, 11 and 12. There's also a Mommie and Me class, where moms can spend time with their babies (6 to 18 months), and socialize with other Jewish moms. Classes are listed on its Web site, including ongoing classes for adults.
Etz Chayim combines Reform, Conservative and numerous other Jewish traditions into a unified approach that emphasizes spirituality, lifelong learning, service, and fostering a warm, inclusive community.
Rabbi Ari Cartun leads services in Hebrew and English for a congregation of more than 300 households. Services are held Fridays and Saturdays and attract a diverse population of Jews from varying socioeconomic background, ages and sexual orientations.
The congregation is independent and liberal, and the egalitarian structure means women have all the same rights and privileges as men.
The Palo Alto Family YMCA runs a number of programs for members of the entire family. Its main focus is the cultivation of a bright, healthy and growing youth community. The center runs a variety of educational and fitness programs throughout the year. A list of programs, schedule and enrollment fees is available on its website.
Trinity Lutheran Church of Palo Alto is nestled in a park setting on Middlefield Road offering services throughout the week. Pastor Stewart D. Crown conducts service at 8:15 am and 11am every Sunday. The church offers classes and has events scheduled, so stop by and check it out.
Rev. Dr. Samuel Toung leads the congregation at Central Chinese Christian Church. It offers services in Cantonese, Mandarin and English and maintains a Chinese website. There is also a list of services and calendar of events on the site.
