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    Los Altos History Museum

    4.8 (94 reviews)
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    Entry to the courtyard
    Jaysie Y.

    We had such a great experience hosting our corporate team-building event for ~60 people at the Los Altos History Museum! The venue is beautiful -- we used both the full courtyard and the galleries, and it worked perfectly for our day. Our event had a few moving parts, including a scavenger hunt, full catering for breakfast and lunch, and even a magician/mentalist -- and the space handled it all seamlessly. The amenities were super convenient too. We had a shuttle drop off team members, and those who drove had no issues finding parking. Lisa was amazing to work with. She was responsive, helpful, and incredibly accommodating -- from the early setup to coordinating all the logistics. Our team had a great time, and the smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces made the whole experience feel effortless. We also selected Heirloom from their approved vendor list, and the combination was smoother than I could have even dreamed! Would definitely recommend for events -- both personal and corporate!

    Sunil R.

    This is a tiny, local, and delightful museum. The volunteers here were great, very knowledgeable and eager to share. Expect to spend 30 minutes in the main museum to learn about the history of the town and 30 minutes at the Smith House, which is a guided tour with a volunteer.

    Reception table outside
    Bentley S.

    The Los Altos History Museum was the perfect venue for our wedding. From the moment we first reached out, Lisa was friendly, empathetic and incredibly responsive, making us feel special throughout the planning process. The space itself is beautifully decorated and landscaped with a warm, welcoming feel that set the perfect scene for our ceremony and reception. Lisa ensured everything ran smoothly so we could fully enjoy our special day. We couldn't recommend this hidden gem enough - not only is the venue stunning, but we knew our money was going towards a wonderful community organization that puts on great programming. Our guests are still talking about how beautiful and unforgettable the museum was!

    Inside museum
    Annabelle R.

    Free admission. Videos and exhibits about the Spanish missions in California, how streets got their names, and the El Camino Real bells. They're really proud of their bells here! And apricots! The indoor museum is small, but informative, with some fun facts about the history of the city and surrounding area. The outdoor space and garden are lovely (they actually sometimes do events out there). The Smith House is something similar to the Museum of American Heritage, with items of the past set up in different rooms, including a unique square grand Steinway piano from the 1800's at the corner of one of the rooms. There was a staff member/docent giving a tour of this house this past Sunday afternoon too. We listened in a bit, but preferred self-guided exploration of all the different spaces on site. The main museum has two levels, but it's small, even with the outdoor area, so it's easy to see it all in less than an hour. On a rainy day if you don't want to spend time outside, 30 minutes would probably be sufficient. Keep in mind, they have rotating special exhibits, so check the website to see what's currently on displqy. Also, plenty of parking available right in front of the museum.

    Entrance to Los Altos History Museum
    Kelly M.

    This is a lovely, little museum that shows how Los Altos's origin, and features the people who were prominent in the town. (There is a library building in front, and the museum entrance is further down.) The museum has a gift shop and several interactive exhibits. It includes a model of the downtown recreating how it looked in the 1930's and features Hidden Villa, and the family who donated it to the town. We received a tour of the Smith house by two informative docents. The house is filled with furniture, equipment, and decor from the Depression Era. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had an interesting backstory that included a mother who prevented the Smith's marriage for many years; thus, they never had children. This museum is definitely worth a visit!

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    2 months ago

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    7 months ago

    A little gem of a museum for a quick 30 - 45 minute visit. Lots of interesting local history.

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    Ask the Community - Los Altos History Museum

    Review Highlights - Los Altos History Museum

    My wife and I were married at LAHM in early July and Mark Perry was an absolute pleasure to work with.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    A Fascinating Journey thru the History of Computing…read more This was my first visit to the Computer History Museum, and I absolutely loved it. There is so much to see and learn for both kids and adults. The exhibits take you through the exciting evolution of computing, from early mechanical calculators to modern microprocessors, software systems, and today's AI technologies. It's fascinating to see how computers were invented and how big changes they have evolved over the last century. Plan to spend at least a few hours here. There is a huge amount of information, interactive displays, and historical artifacts to explore. Whether you're a technology enthusiast or just curious about how computing has shaped our world, you'll find something interesting. Admission was $21.50 for adults and $16.50 for students, which I thought was well worth it given the quality and depth of the exhibits. Overall, this museum is amazing and highly recommended. If you have the time and budget, it's definitely worth a visit. If you're looking for a free alternative, the Intel Museum is also interesting, but it's much smaller and only open on weekdays.

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    There are TWO listings here on Yelp for this great place. Same place, different address. I write on…read morethis listing as it shares the same address as the official website. (Can someone please consolidate the two somehow?) Great historical living museum of aircraft that served in various conflicts and battles. Not huge so happily, it's packed with wonderful archives and exhibits but does not require hours and hours to soak in. Any aeronautical enthusiast (or history buff) will surely enjoy a visit here. In addition to planes and parts, there are authentic uniforms, photographs, and documents to help with a better understanding of the times. Lastly, be sure to check out the train room, which is a lot of fun, too. It's easy to get mesmerized by the train cars of another era -- with double tiered tracks to follow along. Though it may not be a place you would hear a lot about, Moffett Field Museum is a well-cared for and important museum with much to enjoy. Note: Be prepared with your I.D. and check it out! (There are a few food options nearby -- so before you leave, ask the volunteers for recommendations and/or check Yelp!)

    Very nice volunteer-led museum in the old Moffett Field. Amazing collection of model aircraft, many…read moreto scale, including blimps. Various military vehicles and mementos are more on-subject than the astonishing model train setup also found here. Moffett Field--with its huge dirigible hanger--was a primary location for aircraft patrolling the Pacific Ocean. Not many will recall the blimps, much less the original dirigible, but many can recall the daily turboprop, later jet powered, flights scouting out potential threats over or under the waves.

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    We recently took our son to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo and had a great time overall. It's…read moreone of those places that's perfectly designed for younger kids. There's a little bit of everything, from hands-on science exhibits to animals, climbing structures, and the dinosaur garden. What I appreciated most was how interactive everything was. The exhibits encourage kids to touch, build, experiment, and play rather than just look at things. The zoo itself is small, but that's actually part of the appeal when you're visiting with young children. We saw flamingos, meerkats, rabbits, and other animals without having to spend an entire day walking around a massive zoo. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it was incredibly crowded. It felt like every exhibit had a cluster of kids around it, and it was sometimes hard for my son to get a turn or really engage with certain activities. I understand it's a popular destination, but the crowds definitely took away from the experience a bit. That said, it's easy to see why so many families love this place. It's clean, well-maintained, educational, and genuinely fun for young kids.

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    Hanna House is one of the few northern California buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Located…read morein a residential neighborhood within the boundaries of the sprawling Stanford University campus, the home is currently occupied by a private party and is not open to the public. However, it once served as the official residence for the Provost where the university regularly held alumni and fundraising events and one might reasonably assume the home may someday return to it's previous semi-public stature. Although visitors are discouraged from trespassing on the property, the house has been magnificently maintained and is visible from the street below. A relatively new arrangement with the Stanford Historical Society will enable the public to tour the house twice each year. Interested parties should contact hannahouse@stanford.edu to receive information about future tour dates and booking arrangements.

    Los Altos History Museum - museums - Updated August 2026

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