Luggage and travel gear in Palo Alto

Palo Alto is a city of travelers. Founders fly to pitch meetings, researchers head to conferences and Stanford families come and go every quarter. That traffic supports more luggage shopping than you might expect in a town this size. Stanford Shopping Center has a dedicated travel store and a TUMI shop. Town & Country Village across El Camino Real added a Briggs & Riley store about a year ago. Downtown, two outdoor brands sell rugged packs and duffels. A family shop on California Avenue repairs worn bags.

This guide covers what each store sells, then gear for travel days and the nearby stores in Sunnyvale and Redwood City. We confirmed stores on their own websites or the centers' 2026 directories. Check hours before you go, especially in the holiday season.

Luggage stores at a glance

Going In Style, Stanford Shopping Center

Going In Style is the one store in town built entirely around travel. The center's directory lists it as Going in Style Travel Accessories, near the Sand Hill Road entrance off London Plane Way, in the corridor next to J.Jill. Its banner names the luggage brands it carries in person: Briggs & Riley, Tumi, Pacsafe, Lipault and Travelpro.

Plug adapters are the headline. The store says it carries adapters for every country, sorted by country and region, plus voltage converters and dual-voltage hair dryers and steamers. The rest of the shop covers packing cubes and folders, toiletry kits, pill and jewelry organizers, RFID-blocking wallets, money belts, passport holders and neck pillows. If you leave for the airport tomorrow and realize you need the right plug for Italy or India, this is the place.

Our directory lists hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, a later start than most of the center.

TUMI and Briggs & Riley

TUMI, Stanford Shopping Center

TUMI's own store sits off London Plane Way from Sand Hill Road, near Arhaus and next to Gregorys Coffee, according to the center's directory. The brand is known for ballistic nylon and aluminum luggage, briefcases and backpacks aimed at business travelers. A brand store carries more of its range than a multi-brand shop, including leather goods and accessories. Ask about monogramming and repairs for older TUMI pieces.

Briggs & Riley, Town & Country Village

Briggs & Riley opened a store in Building 3, Suite 108, at Town & Country Village. In fall 2026 the center promoted a packing event to mark the store's first year. The brand stresses its Simple As That lifetime guarantee. Ask staff what it covers and how claims work before you buy. The center lists hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Our Town & Country Village guide covers parking and lunch nearby.

Backpacks, duffels and outdoor travel gear

For adventure trips or one-bag travel, downtown's outdoor brands are useful.

• Patagonia on Alma Street, across from the Caltrain station, sells the brand's clothing and gear from an 1880 former hay barn. Ask staff which duffels and packs are in stock.
• Fjällräven on University Avenue sells the Swedish brand's backpacks and outdoor clothing. It offers free G-1000 waxing, tailoring and repairs on the brand's own gear.
• Arc'teryx at Stanford Shopping Center sells technical shells and down layers that pack small for cold destinations.

Outside Palo Alto, REI at 130 East El Camino Real in Sunnyvale and Sports Basement in Redwood City and Sunnyvale carry travel packs, packing cubes, water filters and quick-dry clothing. Both are about 15 to 20 minutes away by car.

Repairs and warranties

A broken zipper or a torn handle does not always mean a new bag. The Cobblery at 410 California Avenue has repaired shoes in Palo Alto since 1940. It also handles bag and leather repair and takes mail-in jobs, returning them by UPS. Bring the bag in so staff can see the damage.

Before paying for a repair, check the maker's warranty. Briggs & Riley's lifetime guarantee is the best known. Many premium brands offer some coverage too. Keep your receipt or register the bag online when you buy it. Wheels and handles are the parts that fail most often, so test both in the store before you buy.

Shipping bags instead of carrying them

Students moving into Stanford dorms and families heading home after a long stay often ship boxes rather than pay airline bag fees. Palo Alto has three franchised UPS Store locations: one in Town & Country Village, one at 555 Bryant Street downtown and one at 2625 Middlefield Road in Midtown. All three handle shipping. Several also list passport photos and notary services, which helps with travel paperwork. Ask for a quote by weight and size before you pack, since a heavy box can cost more than a checked bag. Compare that with your airline's fee for a second or overweight bag, then choose. Label each box inside and out. Keep valuables, medicine and documents in your carry-on.

Before an international trip

1. Check your passport. Many countries require six months of validity. Our passport guide explains fees and where to apply locally.
2. Buy the right adapter. Check the plug type for each country. Going In Style sorts adapters by destination.
3. Get some cash. Currency Exchange International has a counter at Stanford Shopping Center near the El Camino Real entrance at Pistache Way.
4. Sort out phone data. A travel eSIM is often cheaper than a carrier day pass. You can buy an eSIM before you fly and install it at home.
5. Weigh your bags. A small luggage scale avoids overweight fees at the airport.

Choosing a carry-on

A carry-on is the bag you will use most, so it deserves the most thought. Measure the overhead bin limits for the airlines you fly most, since they vary between carriers and between domestic and international routes. Spinners with four wheels glide through airports but lose packing space to the wheels. Two-wheel bags roll better on cobblestones and curbs. Hard shells protect fragile items and shrug off rain, while soft bags have outside pockets and squeeze into tight bins. Try the handle at your own height in the store, lift the bag over your head and open it fully to check the lining and zippers. For the trip to the airport, see our guide to getting between Palo Alto and SFO.

Frequently asked questions