Hoover Tower Observation
If you can, plan to come up here after a rain and wind storm when the air is clear. If you are very lucky, you may be able to see all the way to the Sierras (with binoculars). It takes a very special day to have that visibility but it is not impossible. Also make sure you check out the Hoover exhibit on the first floor.
Cost Plus World Market
You never know what you will find here--from furniture to wine to bakets to Christmas ornaments. If I want to get some asscessory for my home, I check here to see what they have. And I make sure I walk the entire store to see what am NOT looking for--I almost always find something.
Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort
This is a little out of the casino frey but a very good hotel. Located next to a little shopping area, you can walk to a lot. Rooms are great and view (request lakeside room) is spectacular.
Kirkwood Mountain Sports
You can walk out your door straight to teh lift lines--beats driving and finding parking. First time here it took a while to get used to the lifts and runs--not as well laid out as NorthStar but we figured it out and had fun. The black diamonds here are easier than the black diamonds at NorthStar.
YMCA
For the hot summer, an outdoor pool is a good thing but not in the winter. Good facilities and they also have a bsketball court--call for open hours.
Ymca
This palce has 2 indoor pools, so if swimming is your thing this is good. One pool though is kept very warm. The exercise equipment room is VERY crowded--they could use another room. They have a full size basketball court and have some league play as well as open time--call to check when it is open.
Ymca
Though this place is tiny and in a basement, this is one of the few Y's around that have raquet ball courts--ususlly you have to go to high end clubs for this. You can reserve the courts on line, which make it so much easier on your schedule. If you have the right membership, you can go to any of the Y's--Ross Road, El Camino, here--all within driving distance. Each one has different strengths.
Stanford Driving Range
Even if you don't belong to the golf course, you can use the driving range. Plenty of spaces and it is even open at night (till 9:00). They also have a small shop and you can arrange for lessons.
Peninsula Beauty
If you happen to be in downtown Palo ALto, this is so convenient. They have just about all the products yoursalon sells and cheaper. They also have a buying card program--if you forget your card, start another one--they will add them together. Parking is closeby.
Gamestop
They do know their stuff. No matter what you are looking for, you can usually find it either here or at their store in Mountain View. I live halfway between the two, so I will call them to see if they have what I am looking for. They also buy and sell used games--a really good thing if your child has tired of, outgrown, or just never liked a game.
