Paloalto in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Paloalto
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Holiday events and decorations throughout downtown create magical atmosphere with Stanford Shopping Center's Winter Wonderland running December 1-31
- Perfect hiking weather with crisp 7-16°C (45-61°F) temperatures for Stanford Dish trail and Foothills Park without summer heat
- Tech company holiday parties and year-end events make this prime networking season - many startups host open houses
- Indoor attractions like this destination and Stanford campus tours are ideal during frequent drizzle days
Considerations
- December rain totaling 89 mm (3.5 inches) across 10 days means outdoor plans need flexible timing and backup options
- Hotel rates peak 40-60% higher than September due to holiday travel and family visits to Stanford
- Many popular outdoor venues like Shoreline Amphitheatre have limited programming during winter season
Best Activities in December
Stanford Campus Walking Tours
December's cool 7-16°C (45-61°F) weather makes campus exploration comfortable without summer heat. The campus looks impressive with holiday decorations, and fewer students means better access to iconic spots like Hoover Tower and Memorial Church. Rain provides natural breaks for indoor museum visits.
Silicon Valley Tech Company Tours
December coincides with many tech companies' holiday open houses and year-end showcases. Cool weather makes walking between campuses comfortable, and this is peak season for product launches and demos. Many companies offer special holiday-themed tours.
Foothills Park Nature Hikes
December's mild temperatures and winter rains create ideal conditions for the 15 km (9.3 miles) of trails. Crisp mornings at 7°C (45°F) warm to comfortable 16°C (61°F) afternoons. Rain brings out winter wildflowers and creates dramatic views of the bay when skies clear.
Computer History Museum Experiences
Perfect rainy day destination during December's 10 wet days. The Revolution exhibit and restored IBM 1401 demonstrations provide 3-4 hours of indoor exploration. December often features special year-end technology retrospective exhibits.
Napa Valley Day Trips
December wine country visits offer 45 minutes drive to winter tastings without summer crowds. Cool weather perfect for indoor winery tours, and many vineyards offer holiday wine releases and special December food pairings.
San Francisco City Tours
45-minute drive or 1-hour Caltrain ride to San Francisco. December's cool weather ideal for walking this destination and Union Square holiday markets. Indoor attractions like Alcatraz perfect during rainy spells.
December Events & Festivals
Stanford Shopping Center Winter Wonderland
Month-long holiday celebration with ice skating rink, holiday light displays, and special retailer events. Features live music weekends and photos with Santa through December 24th.
Palo Alto Festival of Lights
Downtown holiday lighting ceremony and month-long display along University Avenue. Local businesses stay open late with special December promotions and holiday window displays.