Gifts and Stanford souvenirs

Most visitors leave Palo Alto with something red and white. Stanford sweatshirts and caps are the obvious souvenir and there are two easy places to buy them. Beyond the campus gear, the city has a good set of gift shops for a place its size: an antiquarian bookstore, a stationery store, a candle shop, family food businesses and toy stores just over the city line.

This guide groups gift ideas by type and names stores we confirmed are open in 2026, with the street for each. Prices change, so we do not quote them. For the rest of the city's shopping, start with our Palo Alto shopping guide.

Stanford gear

The Stanford Bookstore

The main source is the Stanford Bookstore at 519 Lasuen Mall in White Plaza, the square at the center of campus. It is open to the public. The store sells sweatshirts, T-shirts, caps, mugs and other Stanford-branded gifts alongside books. Follett operates the store.

Plan for change. Stanford's Town Center project will reshape White Plaza starting in 2027. The Stanford Daily reports that the merchandise section will move to another busy part of campus and the bookstore will become smaller and more focused on events. Until then, the White Plaza store is the place to go. Our bookstores guide covers the book side.

Reaching White Plaza takes a little planning. Visitor parking on campus is paid and limited. The free Marguerite shuttle runs from the Palo Alto Transit Center on weekdays. Our visiting Stanford guide explains the options.

The Stanford Shop at Town & Country

For an easier stop, The Stanford Shop at Town & Country Village sells Stanford apparel and gifts. The center sits on El Camino Real at Embarcadero Road with its own parking lots, which makes it the practical choice if you are short on time or traveling with kids. See our Town & Country Village guide.

Buying tips

• Commencement weekend in June and move-in week in September are the busiest times. Popular sizes sell out.
• On home football weekends, expect crowds and lines at campus shops before kickoff.
• Look for official licensing tags. Unofficial "Stanford" items are common online.

Gifts with a local story

If you want something that says Palo Alto rather than Stanford, a few shops have deep local roots.

• Bell's Books, 536 Emerson Street. Open since 1935, it sells new, used and rare books, including signed first editions and fine bindings. A local history title or an old edition makes a gift with a story.
• Palo Alto Bicycles, 171 University Avenue. In business since 1930, it sells its own Palo Alto branded gear alongside bikes. A cycling cap or jersey is a fun gift for a rider.
• Books Inc., 74 Town & Country Village. New books, with author events through the year.
• Kepler's, El Camino Real in Menlo Park. A signed copy from one of its author events is a memorable present.

For tech fans

Silicon Valley history is a popular theme for gifts. Apple's glass-walled store at 340 University Avenue is a short drive from the company's Cupertino headquarters and stays open until 8 p.m., which makes it an easy evening stop. For something less expected, ask at Bell's or Books Inc. for books on the history of Hewlett-Packard, Stanford and the early valley, then walk past the garage where HP started and the offices where famous startups began. Our famous tech addresses page lists them.

Cards, candles and home gifts

Town & Country Village is the best single stop for small gifts. The center's directory lists:

• Paper Source for greeting cards, wrapping paper, stationery and desk accessories.
• diptyque for candles and fragrance.
• Hudson Grace for tableware and entertaining pieces.
• Serena & Lily for home decor in a coastal style.
• Sur La Table for cookware and kitchen tools.
• Framebridge for custom framing, useful for a print or a diploma.
• CardVault by Tom Brady for sports and trading cards.

At Stanford Shopping Center, Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Nespresso, L'Occitane en Provence and Aesop cover home, kitchen and bath gifts.

Food gifts

Food travels well and is easy to pack. A few local businesses specialize in it.

• Sigona's Farmers Market, Stanford Shopping Center. This family-owned produce and specialty foods market started in 1975 and has its flagship in Redwood City. Its gift lines include dried fruit and nut sets, stuffed Medjool dates, olive oil and balsamic vinegar sets, jams and panettone in season. It also ships within the United States.
• See's Candies and Läderach, Stanford Shopping Center. Boxed chocolates are a safe choice for coworkers.
• Manresa Bread, Town & Country Village. Pastries and loaves for a host gift. See bakeries and desserts.
• The farmers markets. Look for honey, jams, dried fruit, nuts and flowers at the Saturday downtown market on Gilman Street and the Sunday California Avenue market. Both run year-round. See our farmers markets guide.

If you are flying, check what your destination allows. Many countries restrict fresh fruit, nuts and meat. Sealed, commercially packaged foods are usually the safest choice.

Toys and gifts for kids

Palo Alto lost several toy stores over the years. The best dedicated toy shop nearby is Cheeky Monkey Toys, a family-owned independent store in downtown Menlo Park since 1999, about a block from El Camino Real. In 2022 it added a second store in Los Altos by buying Adventure Toys & Teaching Supplies, a downtown Los Altos fixture since 1986. Both offer gift wrap on most items.

In Palo Alto itself, Macy's at Stanford Shopping Center has a Toys R Us shop inside. Janie and Jack and Gap Kids sell children's clothing there. Books Inc. at Town & Country has a large children's book section.

Museum shops

Palo Alto's museums are strong, but we could not confirm a current museum store at either the Cantor Arts Center or the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo for this guide. Ask at the front desk when you visit. The Cantor is free and closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Junior Museum and Zoo closes at 4:30 p.m. from November 1, 2026.

Quick picks

If you have a few hours between a campus visit and a flight, luggage storage lets you shop without dragging a suitcase. For the stories behind the sights you just bought souvenirs of, a Stanford and Silicon Valley tour is an easy add-on.

Frequently asked questions