Lately I’ve been rebellious when it comes to the “Instagrammable” locations. I’ve been feeling like everyone posts the same 10 spots, so I’ve been on the hunt for off the beaten path spots. While browsing page after page of spots in Palo Alto, I finally came across a hidden gem – the Arizona Cactus Garden at Stanford University.
The garden, while small, is a hidden oasis on Stanford’s Campus. It’s total Palm Springs/ Southern Califonia vibes. In fact, when I got there, I couldn’t believe I was still in the Bay Area!
Getting there & Navigating
Getting there is a little tricky. I typed the name into Google Maps, and while Google almost gets you there, the garden requires a little walk, so you need to find parking. The garden is located across from Stanford Children’s Health on the other side of Quary Road. It is between Campus Drive and Arboretum Road.
Parking is free on weekends and I just parked in the closest lot I could find.
You can find a map of the garden here.
Photography Tips & Other Notes
- Walking – You are going to be doing some walking on uneven dirt paths (garden is about 1/2 mile from the closest parking lot).
- Photography – You’ll want to avoid going at peak sun hours as the lighting can get pretty harsh. Visit on a gloomy day, early in the AM, or at the golden hour for best lighting.
