Palo Alto is one of the nicest and most charming towns that I know. It's a collection of impeccably maintained residential areas and vibrant downtown that boasts an incredible collection of fine dining venues. It also plays the role of the hometown for the nearby Stanford University, which served as the initial motivation for the development of this town. Palo Alto is close to many great hiking parks, as well as a short driving distance from the Pacific coast. All of this, including a year-round balmy weather, makes Palo Alto in many ways an ideal place to live.
"Palo Alto Over Time 1947-1980" is a great collection of photographs and historical texts that cover the post-war boom that created what we now think as Silicon Valley. All of the photographs are in black and white, which gives this book a certain patina of authenticity. Nonetheless, black and white photographs don't quite capture all the charm and beauty of Palo Alto. Even if you are familiar with Palo Alto, this book can serve as a good introduction to the historical developments that made this city what it is today. The book is great addition to any history buff's library, as well as for anyone who is interested in this part of America.