Everyone knows that there are fun things to do on the weekends, but few realize that there are just as many things to do on weekdays. Local farmers’ markets, yoga workshops and football are all local and provide amazing opportunities to have a good time. Quick hour-long activities are a great way to relieve stress while also spending quality time with friends and family.
MONDAY
Food trucks are an excellent option for anyone; they provide fast, delicious food at reasonable prices. Every Monday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Crowne Plaza holds an event hosted by “Off the Grid” at which multiple food trucks gather to sell food. Trucks serving anything from lobster rolls to ice cream tacos come and offer unique combinations. Each Monday brings an entirely new set of trucks and musicians. Live music from a different artist is played at every event, creating a remarkable experience and a diversity of style. The great environment with delicious food and fun music is a great way to end the day.
TUESDAY
Multiple types of yoga, zumba and water aerobics are offered on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the local family Young Men’s Christian Association. Two great options to try would be Pilates and Hatha Yoga — both challenging classes with their own respective styles and techniques. While Pilates is a more upbeat, muscle-building and strength-focused class, Hatha is focused on breathing and meditation to clear the mind. Another great class is Zumba, which focuses on fitness through dance. The instructor plays upbeat music and leads attendees in a pattern of strengthening dance moves. Lastly, water aerobics is a class in which participants can experience low gravity simulations in an easy workout routine while splashing around with their friends.
WEDNESDAY
The Cantor Arts Center is a great place to relax and look at thought-provoking, original art with friends and family. The center displays an array of sculptures outside and gorgeous paintings inside. It is currently hosting Piranesi’s Paestum: Master Drawings Uncovered, Pop Art from the Anderson Collection at SFMOMA and Shifting Currents: Highlights from the 20th-Century Chinese Collection. A delicious cafe right inside also provides food, drink and great views of the garden.
THURSDAY
Farmers’ markets are great stops for locally grown food. They provide a large range of foods and snacks in a traditional environment with people and music. Los Altos hosts a farmers’ market from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 2nd Street every Thursday. Near the market, there are many little boutiques and stores that are a real treat to step into for a few minutes. Be careful though — parking can sometimes be hard to find.
FRIDAY
Fridays are great days to attend Palo Alto High School’s very own football games, starting at 7:30 p.m. Whether at home or away, be prepared to don black face paint and cheer as Paly scores touchdowns. Also, the snack shack provides a nice variety of food for anyone who is hungry. For those who want to stay indoors, many new movies such as The Scorch Trials, Everest and Hotel Transylvania 2 are coming out soon.
SATURDAY
Not enough football? Great! Walk across the street to Stanford where home football games are hosted almost every other weekend. Starting around 7:30 p.m., football games are great social experiences and highly entertaining.
Before the game, Saturday is a perfect day to spend at the beach. A local favorite would be Half Moon Bay, with warm bakeries and homey sandwich shops providing outdoor music and lovely gardens to sit in. The beach itself is a long strip of white sand and has a great view of the coast. Make sure to check the weather before you go; it can be very windy and cold there. In this case, Santa Cruz is also a great option with fun rides, volleyball courts and the Boardwalk, but it is definitely more crowded with fewer views.
SUNDAY
The Palo Alto Farmers Market has many delicious food stands and is also conveniently located on California Avenue with delicious restaurants and stores. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Dec. 12. Locally grown fresh fruit and veggies proudly stand in the booths surrounded by eager customers.
At the end of the street, shoppers can find an array of deliciously prepared foods despite long lines.
Hosting glass blown jewelry, dairy products from nearby farms and fresh fruit, the California Avenue farmers’ market is the perfect place to go find a gift for that special someone.
