MUSEUM IN YOUR POCKET
TURNING PALO ALTO INTO AN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM—ONE STORY AT A TIME.
Spotted one of our story signs around town? You’re about to unlock bite-sized tales about the people, places, and moments that made Palo Alto extraordinary—from garages that launched empires to voices that changed the world.
SCAN. DISCOVER. COLLECT.
Step 1: Find a Story
Look for our distinctive story signs
throughout Palo Alto—on street
corners, in libraries, outside
businesses, and in unexpected places.
Step 2: Scan & Explore
Open your phone’s camera, scan the
QR code, and dive into an interactive
story told in bite-sized pieces. Choose
your own path with fun reply options.
Step 3: Earn Rewards
Complete stories to earn points.
Register your email to save your
progress and redeem points for
exclusive Palo Alto Museum
merchandise.
EVERY CORNER HAS A TALE TO TELL
From the HP Garage where Silicon Valley was born to the
coffeehouses where Joan Baez found her voice, Palo Alto’s
history is hiding in plain sight. We’ve turned the entire city
into an open-air museum where you can discover stories
like:
- Where tech titans got their start
- How a 1,000-year-old tree gave us our name
- The healer who built early Palo Alto
- When Hollywood came to town
And so much more.
YOU’RE PART OF PALO ALTO’S STORY TOO
Every story ends with a question just for you. Where did you
first fall in love with this town? What’s your favorite hidden
spot? Who’s the local legend you’ll never forget?
Share your Palo Alto memories and connections. The best
stories might even inspire our next signs.
TURN STORIES INTO REWARDS
Every story you complete earns you points. Collect them all
and redeem for exclusive Palo Alto Museum gear—t-shirts,
tote bags, and more. Plus, registered users get
announcements of museum events and special
programming.
CURATED BY THE PALO ALTO MUSEUM
Museum in Your Pocket is brought to you by the Palo Alto
Museum, opening in Spring 2026 at the corner of Homer
and Bryant in downtown Palo Alto. We’re dedicated to
preserving and sharing the stories that make this community
extraordinary—from Silicon Valley innovation to everyday
heroes who shaped our neighborhoods.
Can’t wait until we open? Neither can we. That’s why we’re
bringing the museum to you, right now, on the streets you
walk every day.
Photo © Marco Zecchin.
MORE STORIES COMING SOON
We’re adding new stories regularly. Register your email to
get notified when new stories drop, earn points toward
rewards, and hear about museum news and events.