Self-Guided Tours
Explore the Stanford campus in person with self-guided tours and limited docent-led tours, and online with virtual experiences. Links with an arrow indicate an external site.
Please note that the limited docent-led tours may have strict capacity limits and/or other entry criteria. Hours and access to some areas may be limited.
Self-Guided Tour Map - Stanford Campus
Shows Visitor Center, self-guided tour route, points of interest with descriptions, and photo locations. Also includes additional options not shown on the indicated route, such as the Arts District, Athletics District, and Campus Residences.
Self-Guided Tour of Stanford Gardens
Welcome to Stanford! Those who work and study on this beautiful campus are fortunate to enjoy a variety of diverse gardens with an ever-changing palette of colors, scents, and animal visitors. If you love gardens and trees, Stanford is an excellent place to experience them.
Stanford Public Art Tours on Stanford Mobile
Explore Stanford's expansive public art collection on campus or virtually with the newest mobile feature, Public Art Tours.
Stanford Arts District and Other Arts Facilities
The vibrant Arts District now marks the entrance to campus on either side of Palm Drive. World class museums, a premier concert hall, and expansive academic space dedicated to Art & Art History have joined other existing campus venues to create a thriving home for the arts at Stanford.
Stanford Athletics District
Self-guided tour of the Stanford Athletics District fields and facilities.
Huang Engineering Center Innovations Tour
These touchstone artifacts scattered throughout the Huang Engineering Center illustrate the kinds of world-changing innovations that have emerged from the School of Engineering.
Curious objects around Stanford campus
Witness to more than 130 years of history, the Stanford campus is full of interesting – and in some cases, mysterious – items, dispersed throughout the grounds. With abundant help from the Stanford community, Stanford News highlights a few.
Please note: some objects and locations may not be publicly accessible
Architecture at Stanford
LBRE offers two self-guided tours that highlight architecture and landscape across campus. Each tour should take about 60-120 minutes depending on the number of stops and your personal interest. The tour can be completed in half the time on a bike and can be split into shorter segments as well.
Arch. & Landscape at Stanford 1990-2005 and Architecture at Stanford 2000-2020
Each self-guided tour is available as a printable 11x17 pdf or via mobile app.
Stanford and the 1906 Earthquake Self-Guided Walking Tour
Amidst the physical destruction to the Stanford campus from the 1906 earthquake rose the resolve of the young university to rebuild. Though far from the total “Destruction of Great Stanford University” that was reported in the newspapers of the day, Stanford's buildings did suffer tremendous damage. While most buildings of the inner Quad survived, Memorial Church was almost completed destroyed as were the newly built Library and Gymnasium. See the online Quake '06 Centennial Walking Tour, or download the pdf map below.
Trees of Stanford
These maps enable one to visit and get acquainted with particular trees and learn their names. A major step on the path to familiarity is learning a name; thus armed, the explorer can look up information and talk to others about discoveries.
Memorial Church
Stone carvings, mosaics, and stained glass make Stanford Memorial Church the University’s architectural crown jewel. It was one of the earliest, and is still among the most prominent, interdenominational churches in the West.
Memorial Church will be open to families for self-guided tours on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Limited Docent-Led Tour
A limited docent-led tour will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Denning House
Denning House is the convening space for Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University. Denning House is an award-winning, gorgeous timber-framed facility overlooking Lake Lagunita on the Stanford campus.
Limited Docent-Led Tours
Friday, February 23, 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.: Limited to 15 participants per session on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive on time; latecomers will not be admitted. Meet at 580 Lomita Drive for the guided tour.
d.school
The d.school (Hasso Plattner Institute of Design) wants to co-design our tour with you! We want to know what you want to know. Come by for an interactive prototype of our new tours program, rebooted since the pandemic shut it down. We'll run you through a bit of history, our new programs, and show you what we love about the school - would love to see you there.
Limited Docent-Led Tours
Saturday, February 24, 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
The d.school is located in Building 550 on Panama Mall. Please enter through either of the doors marked with red stars on this map and join us in the Atrium. Our capacity is 45 people per tour. The first 45 people to check in will get a sticker. Please arrive around 5 minutes early.
Visit the Arts
Experience the creativity and imagination of the arts at Stanford. See information about self-guided arts tours, limited student and docent-led tours and more.
David Rumsey Map Center at Green Library
The David Rumsey Map Center, opened in April 2016, combines world-class collections of historic and rare maps and atlases with modern digital cartographic technologies. Tour the Center with a curator and view the historic architecture of the Bing Wing of Green Library.
Limited Docent-Led Tour
A limited docent-led tour will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tour capacity: 30 people. Meet at the Bing Wing entrance of Green Library by 11 am, entrance facing Memorial Church (Green Library, 459 Lasuen Mall)
SVA: Silicon Valley Archives/Hohbach Hall at Green Library
The Silicon Valley Archives/Hohbach Hall at Green Library are the world’s greatest repository of materials related to the history and development of Silicon Valley. Even in a place where so much attention is focused on the future, it is important to value the past. Also included will be a tour of the newly opened Hohbach Hall.
Limited Docent-Led Tour
A limited docent-led tour will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 11:35 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tour capacity: 30 people. Meet at the Bing Wing entrance of Green Library by 11 am, entrance facing Memorial Church (Green Library, 459 Lasuen Mall)
Campus Walks
Enjoy the campus and its surrounding area with a number of themed walks or trails on the Community Engagement website.
Stanford Dish
See gorgeous views of campus and the bay on this 3.5-mile trail. No pets or animals allowed within the Dish Area except trained service animals. The Dish is a special area to both Stanford and the surrounding communities, and it serves many purposes. The Dish itself is a radio telescope that is still in use. Other research and teaching programs also use the dish area.
Hours during Family Weekend: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. See the Dish website for current status. You can also walk the dish virtually with this self-guided virtual field trip.
Please note that on Sunday, February 25 the dish trail will be closed from 6:30 a.m - 12:00 p.m. for the annual Stanford Dish Run. The Dish Run is open to all but registration is required, and the cost to participate for general public is $35, students $30.
O'Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm
The O'Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm is Stanford's living laboratory for hands-on learning in sustainable agriculture. If you would like to experience the farm, we encourage you to visit during our general operating hours on Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hoover Tower
Hoover Tower is the historic home of the Library & Archives and the Lou Henry Hoover Observation Deck and Carillon. Visitors can view portions of the collection in the ground floor exhibition galleries and see the historic Belgian carillon on the 14th floor observation deck, which also offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The central floors of the tower contain offices and purpose built stacks which hold part of the Library & Archives collections, but are closed to the public.
Self-guided tours are available on Friday, February 23, 2024 and Satuday, February 24, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No reservations required.
Stanford Libraries
Stanford Libraries are home to many interesting collections and exhibits. Please note that access during the weekend may be limited, see the Stanford Libraries page for more information. You can also visit virtually and explore the vast collection of online exhibits and resources.
Stanford Visitor Center
Meet with staff at the Stanford Visitor Center. The Visitor Center will be open from Tuesday, February 20 through Friday, February 23 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The staff will be available to help provide information on how to tour the campus on your own, whether navigating via our self-guided tour map or any of the many resources available under the "Explore Campus" tab on the Stanford visitor website at: visit.stanford.edu/explore-campus.
The Oval and Palm Drive
The Oval and Palm Drive mark the gateway to the University. The Oval serves as a relaxing spot for students, faculty, and community members to have picnics, play volleyball, and enjoy the California weather. Palm Drive, lined with roughly 150 Canary Island palm trees, leads to University Avenue and downtown Palo Alto.
Stanford Bookstore
Purchase some Stanford gear while on campus. Visit the bookstore website for open hours and more information.
Arizona Cactus Garden
The garden, also known as the Cactus Garden, was designed for Jane and Leland Stanford by landscape architect Rudolf Ulrich between 1881 and 1883. During the early years of the university, the Cactus Garden became the meeting place for many courting Stanford students. Visit this iconic campus destination.
Main Quad & Memorial Court
Frederick Law Olmsted planned and designed the Quad in Richardson Romanesque and Mission Revival architectural style. The Quad holds Stanford’s 12 original classrooms from its opening in 1891. Today it houses the School of Humanities & Sciences and is home to many Stanford traditions, such as Senior Dinner on the Quad for graduating seniors. Memorial Court is the main entrance to the Main Quad from Palm drive and features several sculptures by Auguste Rodin.
Lake Lagunita
Lake Lagunita is still a beautiful pace to go for a run, walk or just enjoy the view.
Stanford Family Mausoleum and Angel of Grief
Visit the Stanford Mausoleum Area to see the Stanford Family Mausoleum; the Stanford Family statue; the Angel of Grief.
Terman Fountain
Visit a new fountain on campus. This is a popular location for students to wade and relax in while on campus.
Meyer Green
Stanford's newest open space features curving walkways and gentle grassy slopes surrounded by groves of eucalyptus and cedar. Read about the opening of Meyer Green.
Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden
This garden contains 40 wood and stone carvings of people, animals, and magical beings that illustrate creation stories and cultural traditions. Ten artists from the inland Sepik River area created the sculptures on-site during a five-month visit in 1994. Visit this iconic campus destination.
Garden Tour
Discover the location of each garden on campus, including descriptions of the history, features, and notable plants.
Virtual Campus Walk
Follow the path for a virtual self-guided walking tour featuring photos and information about many sites of central campus.
Student-narrated 360° tour
Take a 360° guided video tour of the Stanford University campus.
University Archaeology Collections
The Stanford University Archaeology Collections (SUAC) is Stanford's home for hands-on artifact study. SUAC presents original, rotating exhibits of artifacts and photographs from our cultural heritage collections, spanning disciplines, periods, and global cultures.
See SUAC's Events Page for details about exhibits currently on view at the Archaeology Center. See the Archaeology Center's Events Page for information about talks, conferences, and other events held there.
School of Humanities and Sciences Virtual Tour
The School of Humanities and Sciences, encompassing 23 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs, is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. This virtual video tour will give you a taste of our beautiful spaces and offerings.