Free Wi-Fi and public computers in Palo Alto

Getting online in Palo Alto is easy if you have a phone plan and a home connection. When you do not, or when you need to print, scan or borrow a laptop, the Palo Alto City Library is the place to go. Its Wi-Fi is open to everyone without a password, printing costs a few cents a page and a card lets you take a Chromebook home for a week.

This guide covers library Wi-Fi, computers, printing and scanning, then Stanford's rules for visitors and what to expect at cafes. Prices and procedures come from the library's technology pages in October 2026. If you are setting up home internet instead, see our guide to internet and cell service and the city's own Palo Alto Fiber service.

Is there city-wide public Wi-Fi?

Not in the way some big cities offer it. We did not find a citywide outdoor Wi-Fi network for parks or streets on the City of Palo Alto's website in October 2026. The city's own public Wi-Fi is at its library branches. A carrier-run hotspot zone on University Avenue was announced in 2011, but we could not confirm that it still operates, so do not count on it.

In practice, free Wi-Fi in Palo Alto means the library, Stanford's visitor network, cafes and some public buildings. City Hall meeting attendees are pointed to the library too. The city's hybrid meeting page tells residents without internet that the library has free Wi-Fi and Chromebooks to borrow.

Library Wi-Fi

The library's technology page says wireless internet is available at all branches.

1. Connect to the network PA_OverAir_Library.
2. Open a browser and accept the use policy. No password or library card is needed.
3. You get two hours of access. When time runs out, repeat the process for another session.

The library says it cannot guarantee that every device will work on its network.

The five branches

Mitchell Park and Rinconada are the largest and open the most days. The smaller branches keep shorter weeks. Check hours before you go. Our libraries guide describes each branch.

Computers and laptops

The library offers several ways to use a computer:

• Public computers in the branches. Printing from a library computer requires a library card.
• Chromebooks. Check one out with a library card for use in the building or take it home for a week at a time. The limit is one per card.
• Windows loaner laptops for use inside the library only, also with a card.

Visitors from outside California cannot get a full card. The library's card policy says they can still use the buildings and Wi-Fi, get a one-time 30-minute internet pass or register for an internet-only card if they need more computer time. Any California resident can get a free full card with photo ID and proof of address. Our library card guide explains how.

Printing, scanning and copying

The library's technology FAQ lists these prices:

Pay by credit card, cash or coins.

Printing from your own device

1. Upload your document through the library's web printing page or the Princh app for iPhone and Android. Email printing from your device needs only an email address.
2. Choose your pickup library: College Terrace, Downtown, Mitchell Park or Rinconada.
3. Go to the Print and Pay Station at that branch, find your job and pay.

Print jobs are deleted at the end of each business day because the system resets every 24 hours. If you send a job in the evening and pick it up the next morning, you will need to send it again.

Scanning and copying

The branches have public scanners that can send a scan to a printer in the same room, email it to you or save it to a USB drive. There are no traditional copy machines. To copy a page, scan it and print the result. Faxing is not listed among the library's services, so plan to use a shipping store for that. Our post offices and shipping guide lists the UPS Stores in town.

Stanford's visitor Wi-Fi

Stanford University Information Technology runs a public network on campus. Its wireless access page sets these rules:

• Stanford Visitor. Select the network, load any web page and click Accept to agree to the terms of use. No sponsor is needed.
• Limits. Sessions last up to 12 hours with limited bandwidth. Services are limited to email, web browsing, VPN and SSH.
• Outside Stanford's network. Visitors on this network are not part of Stanford's IP space, so some campus resources will not work.
• Sponsored Guest. A current faculty member, staff member or student can sponsor a guest account for 1 to 14 days, with fewer restrictions.
• eduroam. Visitors from participating universities can connect with their home institution's login.

Stanford's printing system treats public visitors as people who pay for their own printing. Guests invited by faculty or staff get a Stanford ID to log in instead. Library access for the public has its own rules. Some buildings require a card to enter. Our Green Library guide explains what visitors can use.

Cafes and other spots

Many Palo Alto cafes offer free Wi-Fi to customers, usually with a password on the receipt or a sign at the counter. Policies vary. Some shops limit laptop use at busy times, turn off outlets or ask people to free up tables at lunch. Buy something, share tables when it is crowded and keep calls short. Our guide to cafes for working covers the laptop-friendly options. Shopping centers and some hotel lobbies also offer guest Wi-Fi.

Lower-cost home internet

Free Wi-Fi works for errands, but job searches, schoolwork and telehealth go better with a connection at home. The federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which discounted home internet for eligible households, ran out of funding and ended in June 2024. Several national providers still advertise reduced-price plans for households in programs such as SNAP, Medi-Cal or the National School Lunch Program. Ask each provider that serves your address about eligibility and the price after any promotion ends. Students can also ask their school whether it lends hotspots. Our internet and cell service guide compares the providers in town.

Staying safe on public Wi-Fi

• Check the network name with staff before connecting. Fake hotspots sometimes copy real names.
• Stick to sites that use https and avoid banking on open networks when you can.
• Turn off file sharing and automatic connections on your laptop.
• Use a VPN if your employer or school provides one.
• Sign out of accounts and clear downloads on shared computers before you leave.

Help with technology

Older adults can get one-on-one phone and computer help through Avenidas tech tutoring. Our resources for older adults has contact details. The library also runs technology classes listed on its events calendar.

Frequently asked questions