Palo Alto in April

Ask locals for the best month of spring and many will say April. The rain has mostly stopped, the hills are still green and the wildflowers reach their peak in the foothills. Gardens across town are in full color. Days are long, afternoons are warm and evenings are cool enough for a sweater. It is a month for being outside.

It is also a busy month. Stanford's spring quarter is in full swing, admitted students tour campus with their families and Palo Alto schools take their spring break. This guide covers the April 2027 weather, what is in season, events with published dates, the school calendars, hotel tips and ideas for day trips and a weekend visit. See our weather guide for how April compares with the rest of the year.

April weather

These are NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Palo Alto weather station (USC00046646), the same data our weather page uses.

Rain drops sharply in April. A late storm can still pass through, especially early in the month, but most days are dry and sunny. Afternoons usually sit in the upper 60s and low 70s. Mornings start in the mid 40s, so the day can swing by 25 degrees. A short warm spell into the 80s sometimes arrives late in the month.

Sunset comes after 7:30 p.m. by mid-April, which makes long evening walks easy. Wind picks up in the afternoons near the bay. For forecasts, check the National Weather Service Bay Area office.

What is in season

Wildflowers at their peak

April is usually the high point of wildflower season. Close to town, the meadows at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve fill with color. On the ridge along Skyline Boulevard, Russian Ridge is the best known local display. Poppies and lupine bloom first, followed by other flowers into May and June. Stay on the trails, since off-trail walking is not allowed during wildflower season. Our hiking guide has directions and trail lengths.

Gardens

Spring is peak season at Gamble Garden on Waverley Street, which is free and open daily during daylight hours. Its Spring Tour of private Palo Alto gardens is held in late April. In 2026 it ran April 24 and 25. The 2027 dates had not been announced in October 2026, so watch the Gamble Garden events page.

Hills and birds

The foothills stay green for most of April, with the first golden patches showing on dry, south-facing slopes by month's end. At the Baylands, spring migration is in full swing. Shorebirds stop to feed on the way north and resident birds start nesting. Keep to the trails and give nesting areas space.

Farmers market produce

Strawberries are the headline. Asparagus, artichokes, peas, fava beans and tender spring greens fill the stalls, along with the last of the citrus. Both markets run every weekend. See our farmers markets guide for times.

Events in April 2027

• Stanford Live. The published spring calendar includes Sérgio and Clarice Assad on April 1, pianist Eric Lu on April 4, Haydn's The Creation with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale on April 11, TREES with Sam Green, Rebecca Solnit and Sō Percussion on April 14, the Aga Khan Master Musicians on April 17, the acrobats of Gravity and Other Myths on April 22 and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain on April 25. All are at Bing Concert Hall. See the 2026 to 2027 season.
• Gamble Garden Spring Tour. Usually late April. Check the garden's events page for 2027 dates and tickets.
• Last weekend of skating. The Winter Lodge's final public skating day is Sunday, April 11, 2027.
• Baseball. Spring evenings at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond are one of the most relaxed outings on campus. Schedules are on the Stanford Athletics website.
• Admitted student visits. Many newly admitted students tour campus in April before the national May 1 college reply date. Expect more families around the Main Quad and the visitor center. Our prospective student guide explains Stanford's visit programs.

Holidays and school calendars

Dates come from Stanford's 2026 to 2027 academic calendar and the PAUSD school year calendar.

During PAUSD's spring break, morning traffic near schools eases and local families leave town, so weekday drives across Palo Alto are noticeably quicker. Stanford, on the other hand, stays in session the whole month. Campus Drive, Palm Drive and the roads around the medical center stay busy on weekdays. The PAUSD holiday on Friday, April 30 creates a long weekend that runs into early May.

What to pack

• Layers for a 25-degree swing. A T-shirt for the afternoon and a sweater or light jacket for the morning and evening.
• A packable rain shell for the odd late storm, mostly early in the month.
• Hiking shoes, sunscreen and a hat. Wildflower trails are often open and sunny.
• A windbreaker for the Baylands or the ridge, where afternoon wind can be strong.
• Allergy medicine if you are sensitive to pollen. Grass and tree pollen run high in spring.

Hotel demand and booking tips

April is one of the busier months for Palo Alto hotels. Spring quarter brings academic visitors, admitted students arrive with their parents and business travel is steady. Families from other parts of the country often time their spring break for California's mild weather. Garden events, Stanford sports weekends and big conferences around the region can each fill rooms on a given weekend.

1. Book early for weekends, especially in the second half of the month.
2. Choose a refundable rate so you can switch if a better option appears.
3. If Palo Alto is full, look at Menlo Park, Mountain View or Redwood City along Caltrain. Our where to stay pages compare the options.
4. For a family spring break, a rental home with a kitchen and laundry can be easier than adjoining rooms.

When you are ready, compare Palo Alto hotels for April or search family rentals for spring break.

Day trips for April

• Filoli. April is peak bloom at the Woodside estate, with tulips, rhododendrons and azaleas. It is also the busiest season. Timed tickets can sell out. See our Filoli guide.
• Monterey and Carmel. Gray whales are still passing and humpbacks often arrive in spring. The aquarium gets busy during school breaks, so buy tickets ahead. Read our Monterey and Carmel guide.
• San Francisco. Clear spring days are ideal for walking the waterfront and the parks. Our San Francisco guide covers Caltrain and the best neighborhoods. You can also book a guided city tour.

Outdoor activities for April

• Ridge hikes. Russian Ridge and Windy Hill offer wildflowers and views over both the bay and the Pacific.
• Foothills Nature Preserve. The loop around Boronda Lake is green and comfortable. The city caps the number of visitors, so arrive early on weekends. See our Foothills guide.
• The Dish. Stanford's spring and summer hours run roughly 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from April, which makes an evening loop easy.
• Birding. Spring migration peaks at the Baylands. Bring binoculars and go early.
• Cycling. Mild temperatures make April a good month for the Bay Trail and the foothill roads.

If you only have a weekend

Saturday

Start at the downtown farmers market for strawberries, then walk through Professorville to Gamble Garden at peak bloom. After lunch on University Avenue, head to Stanford for the Main Quad and the Cantor Arts Center. In the evening, catch a Stanford Live show or dine downtown.

Sunday

Drive up Page Mill Road early to Russian Ridge for wildflowers on the ridge. Come back down for the California Avenue farmers market before 1 p.m. or a late lunch nearby. Spend the late afternoon at the Baylands, where spring migrants feed in the marsh before sunset.

For warmer days and the May Fete Parade, read Palo Alto in May. For the first wildflowers and the Stanford break, see Palo Alto in March.

Frequently asked questions