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Most summer days in Palo Alto are pleasant rather than hot. NOAA's long-term normals put the average July high at about 79°F, with cool nights. A few times a year, though, a heat wave pushes the valley into the high 90s or past 100°F. September is often the warmest month. The city set its record of 108°F on September 6, 2022.
When that happens, you have good options within a short drive: a public pool, a lake for paddling, cool redwood canyons and a coastline that often sits under fog. Several free museums and libraries offer air conditioning. The city advises avoiding hard exercise between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on hot days, so schedule outdoor activities for early morning or evening. For health tips and alerts, see our heat wave guide.
Get in the water
1. Rinconada Pool
The city's public pool at 777 Embarcadero Road is open year-round. It has a 25-yard lap pool with 14 lanes kept at about 81°F and a shallow play pool. In fall 2026 a drop-in cost $9 for residents and $10 for nonresidents and covered both lap and open swim for the day. Lap swimming runs seven days a week with a lifeguard on duty. Check the pool schedule for open swim times, which change by season. See our swimming pools guide.
2. Mitchell Park water play
The city's park listing tags only Mitchell Park at 600 East Meadow Drive with a water play structure. It sits near the Magical Bridge Playground, which makes it the best free cool-down for young children in town. Bring a towel and a change of clothes.
3. Paddling at Shoreline Lake
The boathouse at Shoreline Lake, 3160 North Shoreline Boulevard in Mountain View, rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pedal boats, rowboats and sailboats on a 50-acre saltwater lake. The breeze off the bay keeps it cooler than inland. Wind often builds in the afternoon, so paddle in the morning if you are new to it. The lakeside bistro is closed for remodeling. See our kayaking guide.
Head for the fog
4. Half Moon Bay and the coast
The surest way to escape heat is to cross the hills. Half Moon Bay is about 40 to 50 minutes from Palo Alto via Interstate 280 and Highway 92. On many hot valley days the coast sits under a marine layer and feels far cooler. The state beaches open from 8 a.m. to sunset and Half Moon Bay State Beach charges $10 for day use. The water is cold all year and rip currents are strong, so wade rather than swim. Our beaches guide compares the options.
5. Redwood canyons
Redwood forests stay cool under their canopy. Purisima Creek, on the coast side of the ridge, often sits in fog. On the bay side, Huddart and Wunderlich parks in Woodside are the closest redwoods. Huddart charges $6 per vehicle. Midpen calls the Crazy Pete's loop at Coal Creek almost entirely shaded, even at midday. It allows leashed dogs. See our shaded hikes guide.
Go early or go late
6. The Dish at opening
Stanford opens the Dish at 6 a.m. from April through August and closes it at 7:30 p.m. The trail has almost no shade and no water fountains. Start at opening, carry water and be done before 9 a.m.
7. Evening at the Baylands
Late afternoon breezes off the bay can make the Baylands more comfortable than town. The preserve stays open until sunset, which comes around 8:30 p.m. in late June and July. A slow loop around the Duck Pond or along the levees makes a good end to a hot day.
8. Free summer evening concerts
The city's Twilight Concert Series runs free outdoor shows on summer Saturday evenings in Mitchell and Rinconada parks, starting around 6:30 p.m. when the heat is easing. Bring a blanket and a picnic. See our summer events guide for dates.
Air-conditioned and free
9. Libraries
The city lists its five libraries as cooling centers during open hours. The Mitchell Park branch at 3700 Middlefield Road is the largest and opens seven days a week, which makes it the most reliable weekend refuge. All have free Wi-Fi and plenty of seats.
10. Stanford's free museums
The Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection are free and sit side by side on Lomita Drive. The Cantor opens Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Anderson opens Thursday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
11. The Computer History Museum
A big, cool building in Mountain View with hours of browsing, the Computer History Museum opens Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
12. A classic film
The Stanford Theatre at 221 University Avenue shows classic Hollywood films, with tickets at $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and youth. An evening show lets you wait out the worst of the heat.
Cold treats
Rick's Ice Cream at 3946 Middlefield Road traces its start to 1956 and is a south Palo Alto summer ritual. Downtown, Salt & Straw at 250 University Avenue scoops until 11 p.m. daily, which suits a warm night. Our ice cream guide lists more.
A hot day, hour by hour
Put the pieces together and a heat wave day can still be a good one. This plan keeps you moving when it is cool and under a roof when it is not:
| Time | Idea |
|---|---|
| 6 to 9 a.m. | Walk the Dish at opening or paddle Shoreline Lake |
| 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Free museums at Stanford or a library |
| 1 to 4 p.m. | Drive to the coast or swim at Rinconada Pool |
| 4 to 7 p.m. | Mitchell Park water play, then an early dinner on a shaded patio |
| Evening | A summer concert, the Baylands before sunset or a film downtown |
Drink water before you feel thirsty and wear a hat on any trail. Check on older neighbors and never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a few minutes. Smoke from distant wildfires sometimes arrives with late summer heat. When the air quality index climbs, swap outdoor plans for indoor ones and see our air quality guide. Our sunset spots guide lists more places to catch the cool of the evening.
Good to know
- The Winter Lodge ice rink is closed in summer. Its 2026 to 2027 season runs October 16 to April 11.
- Palo Alto's peak electric hours are 4 to 9 p.m. on the city's time-of-use rate, so run big appliances earlier in the day.
- Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 911.
- Traveling in summer? Compare hotels with pools near Palo Alto for a place to cool off after a day out.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you cool off in Palo Alto?
Swim at Rinconada Pool at 777 Embarcadero Road, which is open year-round. Kids can splash at the water play structure in Mitchell Park. The five city libraries act as cooling centers during open hours and the Stanford museums are free and indoors.
Does Palo Alto have a splash pad?
The city's park listing tags only Mitchell Park, at 600 East Meadow Drive, with a water play structure. It sits near the Magical Bridge Playground. For a bigger swim, Rinconada Pool has a shallow play pool next to its lap pool.
How hot does it get in Palo Alto?
Not very, most of the time. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals give a July average high of about 79°F at the Palo Alto station. Heat waves do happen, especially in September. The city's record is 108°F, set on September 6, 2022.
Where is it cooler near Palo Alto on a hot day?
The coast. Half Moon Bay is about 40 to 50 minutes away via Highway 92 and often sits in fog when the valley is hot. Redwood canyons on the coast side of the ridge, such as Purisima Creek, also stay much cooler than town.
Is the Stanford Dish good on a hot day?
Only very early. The Dish has almost no shade and no water. Stanford opens it at 6 a.m. from April through August, so go at opening and finish before the heat builds. In the afternoon, pick a shaded forest trail instead.