Sports, Recreation and Arts

• Adult Education Programs of local schools offer daytime and evening classes in English, foreign languages, fine arts and crafts (ceramics, painting, tailoring), music, typing, keyboarding and computer courses (IBM and Macintosh). Contact the Adult School nearest your home (see "where to learn English"). English classes are also available in Escondido Village thru the Palo Alto Adult School.

• The Recreation and Community Services Departments of your local community maintain athletic facilities and offer instruction in a wide variety of sports (tennis, sailing, windsurfing, swimming), and other activities. Other communities offer similar programs. Ask for a schedule or an “Activity Guide” at your local library, community or civic center, or contact the appropriate office:

  • City of Los Altos Recreation Department
    97 Hillview Ave. (947-2790)

  • Burgess Recreation Center (Menlo Park)
    701 Laurel St. (858-3470)

  • Mountain View Community Center
    201 S. Rengstorff Ave. (903-6331)

  • Palo Alto Department of Community Services
    1305 Middlefield Rd. (463-4900)

  • Redwood City Parks & Recreation Department
    1400 Roosevelt Ave. (780-7250)

  • Sunnyvale Community Center
    550 E. Remington Dr. (408-772-7350)

• Palo Alto Cultural Center (329-2366), 1313 Newell Road at Embarcadero Road, hosts art exhibits and visual arts, presents lectures, holds theater performances, and has facilities for instruction in dance, theater, music, arts and crafts. Open studio programs are available for a nominal fee in painting, life drawing, jewellery and enameling. There are also opportunities for volunteer work. Closed on Monday.

• The YMCA (856-9622) has five locations in the mid-peninsula including 3412 Ross Road Palo Alto which has programs in health and physical fitness for adults and children. Adult programs include fitness programs a pool and exercise room for men and women. Child care available for classes. Call for a schedule of classes and the membership fee.

• Pacific Art League of Palo Alto (321-3891) at 668 Ramona Street, offers classes and workshops in a variety of art forms -- drawing, painting, print making and sculpture -- and maintains a gallery.

• The Jewish Community Center (493-9400), 4000 Middlefield Road, offers a variety of programs, trips, lectures and classes (art, fitness, sports) for both adults and children of any religious background.

• Community School of Music and the Arts (917-6800), offers private lessons and classes in music and the visual arts for children and adults.

• The Stanford Aerobics and Yoga (SAY) program offers a wide array of classes to accomodate a variety of participant levels.

• Several student groups offer programs available to nonstudents. Visit http://osa.stanford.edu/studentgroups/websites.shtml for links. See http://www.stanford.edu/dept/pe/recsched.html for the current schedule and activities available on campus athletic sites and facilities such as Roble Gym, Avery Aquatic, Arrillaga and Ford Sports Centers.

• If you enjoy outdoor activities, The Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space District (691-1200) offers weekly hikes and maps of trails.

• On campus, contact The Stanford Outing Club, a student run outdoor group whose active participants are mostly graduate students, international visitors, or young professionals working in Silicon Valley.

• For information about The California State Parks,visit http://www.cal-parks.ca.gov/.