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Palo Alto can look sleepy to a fifteen-year-old. Downtown closes early and there is no mall arcade or late-night strip. Look a little closer and the city has put real effort into its teenagers: two drop-in teen centers, a free makerspace, leadership groups that hand out real money for projects and a skate bowl that pulled riders from across Northern California when it opened. Add the Stanford campus, the foothills and a $1 youth fare on Caltrain and there is plenty to do.
This guide is for local families and for visitors traveling with teenagers. Program details come from the City of Palo Alto's teen services pages in October 2026. Times and sign-up rules change by season, so check the linked pages before you go.
Teen centers
The Drop at Mitchell Park
The Mitchell Park Teen Center, known as The Drop, is the city's drop-in space for middle and high school students. It sits inside the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center at 3700 Middlefield Road. Teens can play pool, foosball and ping pong, use the video games, play board games or head outside for ball games, all with staff supervision.
It is free. On a first visit, a teen hands in a membership form signed by both the teen and a parent. After that, teens check in on each visit. The posted hours are Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. during the school year. The Drop has also run themed Friday night events with free food. Check the city's teen center page for the current calendar.
The Rise on Bryant Street
The same teen services site lists a second location, the Bryant Street Teen Center, called The Rise, at 429 Bryant Street downtown. It is the closer option for students in north Palo Alto. Hours are posted on the teen services site.
City teen programs
Palo Alto's teen services run a set of groups that give high school students real responsibility. These are the ones the city lists:
- ThinkFund. High school students pitch an idea and can get money plus mentorship to make it happen. Projects can be short or long term.
- Teen Arts Council. Teens who produce art events and projects for their peers.
- Art Center Teen (ACT) Leadership. Teens help plan programs at the Palo Alto Art Center, make and exhibit art, learn about art careers and earn service hours.
- Palo Alto Youth Council and Teen Advisory Board. High school groups that represent teen views and plan events for students.
- Teen Library Advisory Board. Teens who shape library programs and collections for their age group.
- Youth Climate Advisory Board. High school students focused on sustainability.
The city's teen services page also points to Project Safety Net, a community coalition focused on youth wellbeing.
Making, art and games
MakeX
MakeX is a free community makerspace run through the city's teen services. It offers digital fabrication tools, power tools and building materials. Its mentors are themselves teens from local high schools, which keeps the atmosphere informal. In summer 2026 MakeX ran a project camp at the Cubberley Community Center, with laser cutters, 3D printers and soldering irons available to campers.
Palo Alto Art Center
The Palo Alto Art Center at 1313 Newell Road runs free exhibitions and paid studio classes, including options for teens. Its ACT Leadership group is the best route in for a teen who wants to do more than take a class.
Gamelandia
Gamelandia on California Avenue is a tabletop game store with an open play library of more than 600 games, trading card nights and Dungeons and Dragons. In October 2026 it advertised a Casual Commander night for Magic: The Gathering players aged 13 and up on Saturday evenings. It stays open until 10 p.m. most nights.
Skate spots and the outdoors
Greer Park skate bowls
The city's skate park is at Greer Park, 1098 Amarillo Avenue, near Highway 101. The city says the tri-bowl skateboard complex opened in 1991 as the first public skate facility on the Peninsula and was one of the most advanced in the state at the time. The park has restrooms, fields and basketball courts, so it works for groups with different interests.
Hikes and rides
The Dish loop at Stanford is a steep, paved 3.5 miles with views of the whole bay. It is free. Bikes are not allowed on it. For riding, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve allows bikes on its dirt trails. The Baylands and the Bay Trail are flat and car-free. California law requires bicycle riders under 18 to wear a helmet. Our biking guide covers routes and shops.
Sports, swimming and skating
- City sports. Youth sports leagues and classes are listed in the city's Enjoy! catalog.
- Courts. Mitchell Park has tennis and pickleball courts. Rinconada and Hoover parks have tennis courts. Basketball courts are spread across many neighborhood parks.
- Swimming. Rinconada Pool is open year-round. Swimmers 14 and up get a wristband for the whole pool. Younger swimmers need an adult on deck. See our swimming pools guide.
- Ice skating. The outdoor Winter Lodge rink runs public sessions from October 16, 2026 to April 11, 2027. Tickets are sold online only.
- Watching. Stanford's teams play in the ACC. A football or basketball game is an easy outing. See Stanford sports and game days.
Volunteering and service hours
Many local high school students need service hours. The city makes it fairly easy to earn them. ACT Leadership at the Art Center counts toward hours. The city's Counselor in Training program takes teens aged 13 and 14 into its summer camps after an application and interview. In 2026 the application deadline was April 19 and each two-week session cost $320. The Friends of the Palo Alto Library and the city's open space volunteer days also take younger volunteers, though many outdoor workdays need a guardian waiver for anyone under 18. Our volunteering guide has contacts for each.
Hanging out, food and films
For a casual afternoon, teens tend to gather at Town and Country Village, across El Camino Real from Palo Alto High School, where Boba Guys, Boichik Bagels and several quick counters share outdoor seating. Downtown's University Avenue and California Avenue both have boba, ice cream and cheap eats within a few blocks.
For movies, the Stanford Theatre shows classics and lists discounted tickets for youth 18 and under. Landmark's Aquarius on Emerson Street shows independent films. Our movie theaters guide covers the multiplexes in Mountain View too.
Getting around safely
Palo Alto is one of the easier places in the Bay Area for teens to get around on their own. A few points matter:
- Bikes first. The Bryant Street bike boulevard runs north to south across the city with few cars. Lock bikes well, especially at Caltrain stations.
- Caltrain. Caltrain lists a youth fare of $1.00 one way for any distance, which makes San Francisco or San Jose an easy day out. See our Caltrain guide.
- Buses. VTA buses run along El Camino Real and the free Stanford Marguerite shuttle runs on weekdays.
- No more Link. The city's Palo Alto Link on-demand service, including its teen service, ended on October 30, 2026. Plan other rides for after-school programs.
- Share plans. City preserves close at sunset. Teens hiking without an adult should tell someone their route and return time.
Good to know
- Bring the signed membership form on a first visit to The Drop.
- The Stanford Dish bans bikes and dogs.
- Bars downtown check ID. The Pro on Ramona Street has a kids' menu, but it was reported in 2026 as 21 and over after 10 p.m.
Visiting with older kids for a few days? A rental gives teens their own room and saves on meals. You can browse family rentals near Palo Alto, or book a guided San Francisco day for a change of pace.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a teen center in Palo Alto?
Yes. The city runs the Mitchell Park Teen Center, called The Drop, at 3700 Middlefield Road. It is a free drop-in space for middle and high school students, open weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. during the school year. Teens need a membership form signed by a parent on their first visit.
Where can teens skateboard in Palo Alto?
Greer Park at 1098 Amarillo Avenue has the city's skate park. The city says its tri-bowl complex opened in 1991 as the first public skate facility on the Peninsula. The park also has restrooms and sports fields.
What is MakeX in Palo Alto?
MakeX is a free community makerspace run by the city's teen services, staffed by teen mentors. It offers digital tools, power tools and building materials. In summer it runs a project camp at Cubberley Community Center.
How can teens volunteer in Palo Alto?
Teens can join city groups such as Art Center Teen Leadership, which earns service hours, or apply to the city's Counselor in Training program at ages 13 and 14. The library and open space preserves also take volunteers. Many outdoor workdays need a guardian waiver for anyone under 18.
How much does Caltrain cost for teens?
Caltrain lists a youth fare of $1.00 one way for any distance. That makes a trip to San Francisco or San Jose cheap for teens with a Clipper card or the Caltrain app. Check Caltrain's fares page for eligibility.