University Avenue, Palo Alto

Palo Alto is nestled in the liberal Bay Area, halfway down the peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose. Location, politics and economics make Palo Alto a prosperous and thriving city. It is known as an open-minded college town because of its close proximity to Stanford University as well as a cosmopolitan, high-tech center from which radiates Silicon Valley. It is the breeding ground and home to many startups. Palo Alto offers small town ambiance and big city connections.