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About Palo Alto Eyeworks
Palo Alto Eyeworks is a small, independent optical shop on California Avenue, a few blocks from the Caltrain station of the same name. The business says it has been serving the Palo Alto community since 1992. It is not part of a chain. The shop focuses on eyeglasses and contact lenses, with the owner fitting frames and lenses himself.
That owner is Robert Martinez, whom the shop describes as a registered optician. According to the business, he began his career in 1972 at Jenkel Davidson Optical, where he completed a five-year optical education program. He later earned an optical certification from the American Board of Opticians. The shop also notes that he spent about four years teaching basic optics and finishing lab skills at the Bryman campus in San Francisco. All told, the business says he has worked in optics in the Bay Area for more than 50 years.
Eyewear and services
The shop's own pages center on eyewear rather than medical care. It sells eyeglasses, both frames and lenses. It also sells contact lenses. It also lists frame repairs and a virtual frame selection tool on its website. The business says it stocks frames for a range of budgets along with current lens technology.
A few product lines get their own mention on the site:
- Silhouette frames.
- evil eye sport eyewear, which the shop describes as high-performance eyewear made in Austria that can take a prescription.
- Avulux, a light-filtering lens line.
- BluTech blue light filtering lenses.
Rimless eyewear is a particular focus. The shop says its owner has mastered cosmetic eyewear fitting and can customize rimless frames to suit the wearer. The home page also describes "complete and comprehensive eyecare for the whole family." If you need an eye exam rather than glasses or contacts, call first to ask how the shop handles exams and prescriptions.
How the shop approaches a fitting
Palo Alto Eyeworks explains its process in simple terms. Staff look at the shape of your face, your skin tone and how you spend your day before suggesting frames. The goal, in the shop's words, is "finding the perfect eyewear for you, the customer." The business also says it will explain new lens and frame products and review your prescription with you.
This kind of fitting takes a little time. Bring your current prescription if you have one, plus your existing glasses, so the optician can compare them. If you wear glasses for a specific task, such as long hours at a screen or cycling, mention it. The shop's sport and screen lens lines are aimed at those uses.
Appointments and hours
You can request an appointment through a form on the shop's website or by phone. The website's office hours page lists the shop as open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Weekday hours make it a better fit for a lunch break or a day off than a weekend errand.
The website does not say which vision insurance plans the shop accepts. If you plan to use vision benefits or a flexible spending account, call before your visit to ask. The same goes for repairs: describe the problem on the phone so you know whether to drop the frames off or wait.
Tips for visiting
The shop sits on California Avenue, the main street of the California Avenue business district. The California Avenue Caltrain station is a short walk away, which helps if you are coming from San Francisco or San Jose without a car. If you are driving, the district has city lots and street parking with posted time limits. Our California Avenue neighborhood guide covers the area in more detail.
Plan on spending some time if you are choosing new frames, since custom work and rimless finishing can mean a return visit to pick up your glasses. While you wait, the street has cafes and restaurants. The California Avenue farmers market runs on Sundays, when the shop itself is closed. Nearby, Palo Alto Vision is an optometry practice on the same street.
Location and getting there
Palo Alto Eyeworks is at 461 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 0.3 miles away. That is roughly a 7 minute walk.
Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).
Hours
| Monday to Friday | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.
What is nearby
- Christian Science Reading Room, shop, under 0.1 mi
- La Bodeguita Del Medio, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- Kali Greek Kitchen, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
- Izzy's Brooklyn Bagels, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- Namaste, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- College Terrace Library, 0.2 mi
- Bowden Park, 0.4 mi
- Peers Park, 0.4 mi
Other health and medical nearby: California Avenue Optometry (under 0.1 mi); Select Physical Therapy (under 0.1 mi); Endodontic Associates of Palo Alto (0.1 mi); Blue Turtle Dental (0.2 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 29, 2026 against Palo Alto Eyeworks official website; About us page; Office hours page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Palo Alto Eyeworks in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto Eyeworks is at 461 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 0.3 miles away.
Who runs Palo Alto Eyeworks?
The shop is owned by Robert Martinez, whom the business lists as a registered optician. He began his career in 1972 and holds an optical certification from the American Board of Opticians.
Do I need an appointment at Palo Alto Eyeworks?
The shop takes appointment requests through its website and by phone. Because it is a small business with weekday hours, calling ahead is the simplest way to make sure someone is free to help you.
Does Palo Alto Eyeworks repair frames?
Yes. The shop lists frame repairs among its services, along with eyeglasses, contact lenses and custom work on rimless eyewear.
What are Palo Alto Eyeworks's hours?
Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: Closed.