Paloalto in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Paloalto
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect temperatures for outdoor activities - 15-24°C (59-75°F) range ideal for hiking, cycling, and walking tours without overheating
- Jacaranda trees in full purple bloom throughout neighborhoods like Professorville and Crescent Park, creating impressive photo opportunities
- this destination graduation season brings busy campus energy, outdoor concerts, and special exhibitions at Cantor Arts Center
- Minimal rainfall (only 15mm/0.6 inches) means reliable weather for planning outdoor itineraries and farmers market visits
Considerations
- Hotel rates peak during Stanford graduation week (mid-May) with prices 40-60% higher than other months
- Popular restaurants and attractions get crowded on graduation weekend, requiring advance reservations
- Marine layer fog can roll in during late afternoons, reducing visibility for Bay Area scenic drives
Best Activities in May
Stanford University Campus Walking Tours
May is graduation season, making campus incredibly lively with special events, blooming gardens, and extended hours at museums. The 15-24°C (59-75°F) temperatures are perfect for the 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 mile) walking routes. Hoover Tower and Memorial Church are particularly beautiful with spring landscaping.
Bay Area Bike Tours to Baylands Nature Preserve
May's mild weather and low humidity (65%) make cycling comfortable along the 15 km (9.3 mile) loop trail. Migratory birds are active, and wildflowers bloom throughout the preserve. Morning rides avoid afternoon marine layer fog.
Silicon Valley Tech Campus Tours
Perfect weather for outdoor portions of tech campus visits. May coincides with many companies' developer conferences and product launches, creating buzz around Googleplex, Apple Park visitor center, and Meta headquarters. Cool mornings ideal for walking between venues.
Napa Valley Wine Country Day Trips
May is crush season preparation with vineyards in full green bloom. Comfortable 90-minute drive from Palo Alto in perfect weather conditions. Outdoor tastings and vineyard walks are ideal in 15-24°C (59-75°F) temperatures with minimal rain risk.
Half Moon Bay Coastal Drives and Hiking
The 45 km (28 mile) drive along Highway 1 offers spectacular May wildflower displays. Coastal hiking trails are comfortable in mild temperatures, and elephant seal viewing season extends into early May. Morning trips avoid afternoon coastal fog.
San Francisco City Tours with Golden Gate Bridge
May offers some of the clearest views of the Golden Gate Bridge with less summer fog. The 80 km (50 mile) round trip from Palo Alto is comfortable, and walking tours of this destination, Alcatraz approaches, and Lombard Street are perfect in mild weather.
May Events & Festivals
Stanford University Commencement Weekend
Multi-day celebration with outdoor ceremonies, concerts, and special museum exhibitions. Campus transforms with decorations and food vendors. Public can enjoy the festive atmosphere and visit normally restricted areas.
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts
Outdoor art fair featuring 200+ artists along University Avenue. Perfect weather for browsing outdoor booths, live music performances, and food trucks. Free admission with plenty of family activities.