Guide to notable trees, planting initiatives, and urban forestry efforts.
Standing sentinel on the banks of San Francisquito Creek, El Palo Alto is a thousand-year-old coast redwood that gave the city of Palo Alto its name. This California Historical Landmark has witnessed the passage of Ohlone peoples, Spanish explorers, and the birth of Silicon Valley, remaining a powerful symbol of natural endurance and cultural heritage.
El Palo Alto, a millennium-old coast redwood standing sentinel over San Francisquito Creek, is far more than a botanical marvel. It served as a waypoint for Spanish explorers, inspired the name of a world-famous city, and endures as a living monument to California’s layered past—from Ohlone territory to the heart of Silicon Valley.
Explore the intertwined stories of Palo Alto’s iconic coast redwoods and heritage oaks, and discover how the city’s innovative urban forestry program balances preservation, climate resilience, and community well-being. This definitive guide covers history, ecology, benefits, challenges, and best practices for sustaining a vibrant urban canopy.
