El Palo Alto

El Palo Alto is a coast redwood on the banks of San Francisquito Creek in Palo Alto, California, rising about 33 meters (110 feet) into the air. The tree stands on a small, fenced plot of land near a railroad bridge and marks the northern boundary of the city.

Spanish explorers first noted this tree in 1769 during an expedition along the California coast. In the 1880s, the redwood lost one of its two trunks, but the remaining trunk has continued to grow ever since.

Residents of Palo Alto recognize this tree as a symbol of their city, and its image appears on seals, logos, and public art throughout the area. Local walkers and cyclists often pause to view it from the nearby trail, where it stands beside the creek.

You can view the tree from a walking path that runs along San Francisquito Creek, and a small fence surrounds its site. The city maintains the grounds year-round, so visitors from all seasons get a good view of the redwood.

Scientists estimate that this specimen germinated around the year 940, making it more than a thousand years old. California granted it the status of the state's first named tree and oldest living historical landmark.

Location: Palo Alto

Location: Santa Clara County

GPS coordinates: 37.44728,-122.17022

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26