Day Trip: A day in Palo Alto with YO sculpture photo ops, sushi and more

You don’t have to head for a tourist destination to enjoy a little day trip fun, not when there are places like Palo Alto in our own backyard. Here are three great places to shop, ramble and marvel.

Stroll the farmers markets

With two farmers markets to choose from, it pays to hit the road early and often with tote bags in tow. You’ll find live music, fresh flowers and delicious bites at Palo Alto’s downtown market, which is open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays on Gilman Street between Hamilton and Forest avenues. Don’t miss the Wise Sons, Full Belly Farm, Pan-o-Rama Bakery, U’muke Coffee and Sam’s Adventure Snacks booths here.

If a Sunday drive is more your jam, head for the California Avenue farmers market which takes over that thoroughfare from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The street itself boasts fun shopfronts, such as Izzy’s Bagels and Country Sun Natural Foods. The market, which is hosted by the Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association, offers up fare from San Francisco’s Craftsman and Wolves, Fifth Crow Farm, Zaida’s Kitchen, The Midwife and the Baker and more.

Find details on the downtown market at www.pafarmersmarket.org and the California market at https://uvfm.org/palo-alto-sundays.

Go arty at Stanford

The Stanford campus is a gem, from the palm tree-lined approach to the gilded facade of Stanford Memorial Church. But the Cantor Arts Center offers some spectacular sights. Book your free time slot ahead of time to meander through the indoor collection, but be sure to explore the outdoor areas, too.

Pose for a selfie at the giant yellow YO — or OY, depending on your perspective — sculpture by Brooklyn-based artist Deborah Kass near the museum steps. And don’t miss the museum’s Rodin Sculpture Garden, which features a large assemblage of the legendary French sculptor’s work, including the dramatic Gates of Hell. This is the biggest collection of Rodin bronzes outside Paris, so it’s kind of a big deal.

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Find details at https://museum.stanford.edu.

Grab a bite

Downtown Palo Alto brims with local eateries, from Bevri, which showcases the cuisine of Georgia, the country, to outposts of famous Bay Area spots including Verve Coffee, Salt & Straw ice cream, Tacolicious, Pizzeria Delfina, Blue Bottle Coffee, Pizza My Heart and Oren’s Hummus.