Explore Campus

Self-Guided Tours and Virtual Experiences

Explore the Stanford campus in person and online with virtual experiences and self-guided tours.

Interactive map

Virtual Campus Walk

Follow the path for a virtual self-guided walking tour featuring photos and information about many sites of central campus.

Explore map

Interactive 360° video tour

Student-narrated 360° tour

Take a 360° guided video tour of the Stanford University campus. A virtual welcome to The Farm hosted by Stanford students.

Explore video tour

Self-Guided Tour

Self-Guided Tour Map—Stanford Campus

Shows Visitor Center, self-guided tour route, points of interest with descriptions, and photo locations. Also includes additional options, such as the Arts District, Athletics District, and Campus Residences.

Download map

Self-Guided Tour

Stanford Athletics District

Self-guided tour of the Stanford Athletics District fields and facilities. The tour starts at the Stanford Visitor Center and ends at the Home of Champions, with suggestions for additional places to visit along the way.

Download the self-guided tour document

Self-Guided Tour

Stanford Arts District and Other Arts Facilities

The vibrant Arts District now marks the entrance to campus on either side of Palm Drive. World class museums, a premier concert hall, and expansive academic space dedicated to Art & Art History have joined other existing campus venues to create a thriving home for the arts at Stanford.

Download map

Self-Guided Tour

Self-Guided Tour of Stanford Gardens

Welcome to Stanford! Those who work and study on this beautiful campus are fortunate to enjoy a variety of diverse gardens with an ever-changing palette of colors, scents, and animal visitors. If you love gardens and trees, Stanford is an excellent place to experience them.

Download the self-guided tour document

Campus Destinations to Explore

Main Quad and Memorial Court

Frederick Law Olmsted planned and designed the Quad in Richardson Romanesque and Mission Revival architectural style. The Quad holds Stanford’s 12 original classrooms from its opening in 1891. Today it houses the School of Humanities & Sciences and is home to many Stanford traditions, such as Senior Dinner on the Quad for graduating seniors. Memorial Court is the main entrance to the Main Quad from Palm drive and features several sculptures by Auguste Rodin.

See Memorial Court on the campus map

Campus Destinations to Explore

The Oval and Palm Drive

The Oval and Palm Drive mark the gateway to the University. The Oval serves as a relaxing spot for students, faculty, and community members to have picnics, play volleyball, and enjoy the California weather. Palm Drive, lined with roughly 150 Canary Island palm trees, leads to University Avenue and downtown Palo Alto.

See the Oval on the campus map

Campus Destinations to Explore

Hoover Tower

Completed in 1941, Hoover Tower is part of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace. It is named for Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, who graduated in Stanford’s Pioneer Class of 1895. The first nine floors of the 285-foot (87-meter) building house over 1.6 million volumes on social, political, and economic change in the 20th and 21st centuries. The Observation Platform on the 14th floor offers an aerial view of the campus and much of the Bay Area. Note: Hoover Tower is not currently open to the public.

Visit Hoover Tower

Campus Destinations to Explore

Stanford Dish

See gorgeous views of campus and the bay on this 3.5-mile trail. No pets or animals allowed within the Dish Area except trained service animals.

Walk the Dish

Campus Destinations to Explore

Memorial Church

Explore all there is to know about the history of the church and beyond, including information on how to visit.

Explore Memorial Church

Campus Destinations to Explore

Stanford Family Mausoleum and Angel of Grief

Visit the Stanford Mausoleum area to see the Stanford Family Mausoleum; the Stanford Family statue; the Angel of Grief.

Read about the mausoleum area

Campus Destinations to Explore

Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden

This garden contains 40 wood and stone carvings of people, animals, and magical beings that illustrate creation stories and cultural traditions. Ten artists from the inland Sepik River area created the sculptures on-site during a five-month visit in 1994.

Watch video about the sculpture garden

Campus Destinations to Explore

Arizona Cactus Garden

The garden, also known as the Cactus Garden, was designed for Jane and Leland Stanford by landscape architect Rudolf Ulrich between 1881 and 1883. During the early years of the university, the Cactus Garden became the meeting place for many courting Stanford students.

Learn more about the Arizona Garden

Interactive virtual story map

Garden Tour

Discover the location of each garden on campus, including descriptions of the history, features, and notable plants.

See tours

Campus Destinations to Explore

Terman Fountain

Visit a new fountain on campus. This is a popular location for students to wade and relax in while on campus.

See Terman Fountain on the campus map

Campus Destinations to Explore

Meyer Green

Stanford's newest open space features curving walkways and gentle grassy slopes surrounded by groves of eucalyptus and cedar.

See Meyer Green on the campus map

Campus Destinations to Explore

Lake Lagunita

It may be dry, but Lake Lagunita is still a beautiful pace to go for a run, walk or just enjoy the view.

Read about Lake Lagunita

Slideshow virtual tour

Science and Engineering Quad

Situated on an east-west axis with the historic Main Quad, the Science and Engineering Quad is a popular destination for visitors.

Watch slideshow

Slideshow tour

d.school

Explore the building through our virtual tour slides featuring our classroom studios and student stories. Note: The d.school is not currently open for tours.

View the slideshow

Campus Destinations to Explore

Stanford Bookstore

Purchase some Stanford swag while on campus. Visit the bookstore website for open hours and more information.

Stanford Bookstore website

Virtual exhibits

Stanford Libraries Online Exhibits

These online exhibits showcase materials from Stanford Libraries used to support instruction and research, including photographs, audiovisual materials, publications, and maps and architectural drawings.

View exhibits

Video virtual tour

School of Humanities and Sciences Virtual Tour

The School of Humanities and Sciences, encompassing 23 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs, is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. This virtual video tour will give you a taste of our beautiful spaces and offerings.

View virtual tour

Video

Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve

Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (JRBP) is located near Stanford University's campus in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Experience this beautiful preserve virtually and learn how the field station provides undergraduate educational experiences and plays an active role in educating the general public.

Watch video

Video tours and virtual exhibits

Archaeology Collections

These videos and exhibits highlight the Stanford University Archaeology Collections and a special student-led exhibit on a 20th century Northwest Coast collection, a project that takes place each year as part of the Archaeology Center's Museum Cultures course.

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Slideshow presentation

Cultivating Community Through Campus Planning

A virtual tour of the past, present, and future of Stanford architecture, landscape, and planning. Discover popular and unseen parts of the campus and the thought processes and values behind their evolution.

Watch presentation