A few of the companies we’ve worked with
Stanford University Campus & The Oval
No trip to Palo Alto is complete without visiting the sprawling, mission-revival-style campus of Stanford University. It is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and a major destination for academic tours, corporate architecture appreciation, and general sightseeing. The entry to the university via Palm Drive is iconic, leading directly to The Oval—a massive green lawn that serves as the heart of the campus entrance. Groups often gather here for picnics, frisbee, or simply to admire the view of Memorial Church and the Main Quad. However, Stanford is effectively its own city, and parking is notoriously strictly enforced and difficult to find for visitors, especially large groups.
By booking a charter bus rental with Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto, you can arrange for a seamless drop-off right near the top of The Oval or at the designated tour bus zones near the Visitor Center (295 Galvez St, Stanford, CA 94305). Instead of your group circling the A, C, and E parking lots looking for meters, they can disembark immediately and begin their tour of the Main Quadrangle. Your driver will handle the vehicle while you explore the architectural brilliance of the sandstone arches and the mosaics of Memorial Church. Whether you are bringing high school seniors for a campus tour or a corporate group for a seminar, a private shuttle ensures everyone stays together on this massive 8,180-acre campus.
Cantor Arts Center
For art lovers and educational groups, the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts is a world-class destination located right on the Stanford campus. Admission is free, making it a fantastic stop for school field trips or budget-conscious private tour groups. The museum boasts a diverse collection spanning 5,000 years of art history, but it is perhaps most famous for having one of the largest collections of Auguste Rodin sculptures outside of Paris. The outdoor Rodin Sculpture Garden, featuring the monumental "The Gates of Hell," is open 24 hours a day and provides a stunning backdrop for group photos.
Coordinating a visit here with a large group can be tricky if relying on rideshares, as the museum is tucked away on Lomita Drive (328 Lomita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305). With a minibus rental from Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto, your driver can navigate the campus roads and drop your group off curbside. While your group enjoys the 24 galleries and the cafe, your bus will wait nearby or return at a scheduled pickup time. This is particularly useful for senior citizen groups or those with mobility concerns, as it minimizes the walking distance from the parking lots to the museum entrance. Enjoy the art without the hassle of Bay Area logistics!
Downtown Palo Alto & University Avenue
If you want to experience the pulse of Silicon Valley, Downtown Palo Alto—anchored by University Avenue—is the place to be. This vibrant district is lined with upscale restaurants, trendy cafes, boutique shops, and historic landmarks like the Stanford Theatre (221 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301), which plays classic films in a restored 1925 movie palace. It’s a popular spot for corporate team lunches, rehearsal dinners, and free-time shopping excursions. However, University Avenue is also known for its congestion and extremely limited street parking. Finding space for ten different cars on a Friday night is nearly impossible.
Let Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto streamline your evening out. We can drop your group off right in the center of the action, perhaps near Lytton Plaza or a specific restaurant reservation. Your group can explore the tree-lined streets, grab coffee at a spot where tech deals are made, or enjoy a fine dining experience without worrying about feeding parking meters or walking blocks from a garage. For corporate groups, we can shuttle your team from your office or hotel directly to University Avenue for a happy hour, ensuring everyone arrives safely and together. Once the night winds down, your driver will be waiting at the designated pickup spot to take everyone home.
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve
Escape the hustle and bustle of the tech world and immerse your group in the tranquility of the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve. Located at 2775 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303, this 1,940-acre tract of undisturbed marshland is the largest of its kind remaining in the San Francisco Bay. It is a prime destination for bird-watching clubs, photography groups, school science trips, and corporate wellness retreats looking for fresh air. The preserve features miles of flat trails perfect for walking, running, or a leisurely group stroll along the boardwalks over the marsh.
While the Baylands feels worlds away, getting there requires navigating through the eastern edge of the city, and parking can be scattered depending on which trailhead you wish to access. A charter bus rental is the perfect solution for transporting hiking gear, picnic supplies, and binoculars. Your driver can drop your group off at the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center so you can start your exploration immediately. After a day of hiking and bird-watching, there is nothing better than climbing into a climate-controlled charter bus with reclining seats to rest your legs on the ride back. We can even arrange for a shuttle to pick you up at a different trailhead if your group plans a one-way hike.
Stanford Shopping Center
For a premier open-air shopping experience, bring your group to the Stanford Shopping Center (660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304). Unlike a typical enclosed mall, this destination features beautiful gardens, fountains, and sculptures amidst high-end retailers like Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and luxury boutiques. It is an excellent stop for tour groups visiting the Bay Area, spousal programs during corporate conferences, or holiday shopping trips. The center also offers a wide array of dining options, from casual bites to sit-down restaurants.
Parking at Stanford Shopping Center, while ample, can be chaotic during weekends and holidays. Navigating a large van or multiple cars through the packed lots can add unnecessary stress to a day meant for retail therapy. Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto simplifies this by dropping your shoppers off at a designated entrance. Your group can shop until they drop, storing their bags in the ample overhead bins or undercarriage storage of the bus. If you are planning a multi-stop itinerary—perhaps mixing shopping here with a visit to downtown Palo Alto—our shuttle service allows you to hop between locations effortlessly without moving cars or finding new parking spots.
The Junior Museum & Zoo
If you are organizing a field trip for elementary students, a scout troop outing, or a family reunion with young children, the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (1451 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301) is a must-visit. Recently renovated, this facility is designed specifically for children to interact with science and nature. Kids can get up close with more than 50 species of animals, including bobcats, raccoons, and jungle bats, and engage with hands-on science exhibits. It is a place where curiosity runs wild, and it’s a staple of the Palo Alto community.
Transporting a large group of energetic children requires safety and organization. A private school bus rental or a modern charter bus from Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto ensures that all students, teachers, and chaperones travel together. Our buses can be equipped with DVD players and monitors to play educational videos or cartoons during the ride, keeping the kids entertained. We can coordinate directly with the museum’s group arrival policies to ensure a smooth drop-off and pickup experience, keeping the kids safe and off the busy streets. Forget the stress of carpool lines; let us handle the logistics while you focus on the educational experience.
Stanford Stadium
For sports fans, catching a game at Stanford Stadium (625 Nelson Rd, Stanford, CA 94305) is an electrifying experience. Whether you are rooting for the Cardinal football team, attending a soccer match, or going to a special event like a graduation ceremony, the energy here is palpable. However, game day traffic in Palo Alto can be intense, with thousands of fans converging on El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road. Tailgating is a huge part of the culture here, particularly in the groves surrounding the stadium.
Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto is the #1 choice for sporting event transportation in the area. Renting a charter bus for your alumni group or fan club allows you to start the tailgate before you even arrive. Our buses have plenty of undercarriage storage for coolers, tents, chairs, and grills. Your driver will navigate the road closures and direct traffic, dropping your group off as close to the entrance as allowed. You won’t have to worry about finding your car after the game or assigning a designated driver if you choose to enjoy some drinks. We provide a safe, reliable ride home for the whole team or fan base.
Hewlett-Packard Garage
You cannot visit Palo Alto without acknowledging its status as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. The Hewlett-Packard Garage, located at 367 Addison Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, is a private museum and a California Historical Landmark. It was in this humble one-car garage that Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard formed their partnership in 1939, sparking the tech revolution that defines the region today. While the garage is not open for public tours inside, it is a pilgrimage site for tech enthusiasts, corporate groups, and history buffs who stop by to view the exterior and read the plaque.
Because this landmark is located in a quiet residential neighborhood with very limited street parking, it is not suitable for a convoy of cars. A minibus rental from Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto is the respectful and efficient way to visit. Your driver can pause briefly for your group to take photos and see the site without clogging up the neighborhood with parked cars. We can easily incorporate this stop into a broader "Tech Tour" of Silicon Valley, taking you from the HP Garage to the Googleplex, Apple Park Visitor Center, and the Computer History Museum in nearby Mountain View.
Book Your Palo Alto Group Trip Today
Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto is dedicated to making your group’s visit to the Peninsula seamless, safe, and memorable. Whether you are touring the prestigious grounds of Stanford, exploring the natural beauty of the Baylands, or conducting business on University Avenue, our fleet is ready to serve you. We offer 24/7 customer support and can customize any itinerary to fit your schedule.
Don't let traffic and parking logistics overshadow your trip. Call our reservation specialists today at 510-916-6030 to receive a free, no-obligation quote in under 30 seconds. We look forward to welcoming you to Palo Alto!
Frequently Asked Questions About Palo Alto Group Travel Transportation
Is it difficult to park a bus at Stanford University?
Yes, parking at Stanford is heavily regulated. Most visitor parking is paid and designed for standard vehicles. Buses generally cannot park in standard lots and must use designated loading zones or arrange for special parking permits in advance. When you book with Charter Bus Rental Company Palo Alto, your drivers handle the drop-off at designated zones and will park the bus off-site if necessary, returning to pick you up when you are ready. This saves your group the headache of navigating permit systems.
How much does it cost to rent a charter bus in Palo Alto?
The cost of a charter bus rental depends on several factors, including the size of the bus, the duration of the rental, the time of year, and the total mileage. For local trips within Palo Alto, we charge by the hour with a minimum rental period. For long-distance trips, pricing may be based on mileage or a day rate. To get an accurate price, call us at 510-916-6030. We can provide you with a personalized, inclusive quote in less than 30 seconds.
Can we drink alcohol on the bus?
In most cases, yes! If every passenger on the bus is over the age of 21, you are generally permitted to bring and consume alcohol on board our party buses and charter buses. This is a popular option for wedding shuttles, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and wine tours. However, you must notify us in advance if you plan to have alcohol on board so we can ensure the proper policies and deposits are in place. Cans and plastic cups are preferred over glass for safety reasons.
How far in advance should I book my Palo Alto bus rental?
We recommend booking your charter bus as soon as your date and itinerary are finalized. For major events like Stanford graduations, football games, or peak wedding season (May through October), we suggest booking at least 3 to 6 months in advance to ensure availability and the best pricing. However, we can often accommodate last-minute requests, so don't hesitate to call us even if your trip is coming up soon.
Do you offer airport transfers to Palo Alto?
Absolutely. We provide private airport shuttle services to and from all major Bay Area airports, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), and Oakland International Airport (OAK). Your drivers will track your flight to ensure they are there when you land, and they will meet you curbside for a seamless transfer to your Palo Alto hotel, office, or event venue. There is plenty of room for luggage in the undercarriage of our charter buses.
Bus types Available in Palo Alto
More About Group Travel in Palo Alto
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