The Discovery Walk on the Stanford Campus is a pedestrian only promenade located in the medical…read moreschool complex. Running from Campus Drive to Governors Lane (another pedestrian only road) it cuts through the heart fo the Medical School Complex. It runs through The Center for Clinical Sciences Research, the Lokey Stem Cell Reserch Center, Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Li Ka Shing Learning and Knowledge Center, and the Clark Center. The mall which is paved thought it length, is a nicely landscaped. It also has 22 Benches. These large benches are composed of black granite from Mongolia. Etched into the almost 350 panels is the history of the medical center and all of the contributions that Stanford Medicine and the Medical center has made over its 150 year plus history. There are a few green areas (but one is under construction as part of the endless building cycle that this University undergoes) and the aforementioned benches. There are cafe's located in several of the buildings and most have a few art installations as well. Each building has interesting architecture as well. The Li Ka Shing Learning and Knowledge Center in addition to a cafe also has a small outpost of the main Stanford Bookstore that is geared for the medical center. Its not heavily trafficed and you can take you time looking a the etching whcih can range from sequencing the human genome, to using the lineat accelerator to treat cancer etc. As with many things on the campus this is more of a stop than a destination and can be combined with several other nearby activities (Like the Cantor Art Museum). Also parking basically sucks, so its far easier to walk here from other spots.

Consider Discovery Walk as a physical identity and new front door to Stanford's School of Medicine…read more(SoM) landscaped with pistache trees, flowers, and a medicinal herb garden. A 50' wide walkway extends from the Clark Center to the Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, recalling the historic core of medicine at Stanford University. The corridor is eloquently executed as an integral part between the SoM campus and the Stanford Health Care hospital. Where a massive concrete hospital parking lot previously stood, existing lab buildings are integrated into a compact, urban composition organized by a loose grid of bike/pedestrian walkways. Because let's face it, why circle for limited parking when you can walk or bike through this beautiful campus? Now a main artery, this promenade carries the largest load of pedestrians, bikes, and electric carts. The art installation was inspired by the narrative frieze found on Greek temples. Aptly named Discovery Walk, the story of the school and its famous individuals is told on 347 granite panels with photographs, letters, and medical illustrations illuminating a dynamic history. 5 benches are displayed with panels covering the School of Medicine's history, from its origins in 1858 to the present. The remaining 17 benches delve into Stanford's cutting edge breakthroughs such as the sequencing of the genome, the discovery of stem cells, the development of the linear accelerator to treat cancer, and research on cardiovascular disease and transplantation. How? Photos and text from the SoM's archives were scanned and photo-etched onto vertical granite slabs that you now see attached to the series of concrete tree benches. Easy to see how the transformative Discovery Walk is the winner of the 2013 SCUP Open Space Award. While you're in the neighborhood, meander over to The Foundations Walk, which crosses Discovery Walk on the way to the Li Ka Shing Center for another great narrative installation.

This isn't just an art exhibit, it's a whole experience! The setting here is like a jungle, full of…read moreplantlife and fallen leaves, with different stone sculptures, wooden carvings, and totem pole artworks almost camouflaged among the tree trunks and branches, displayed underneath the shade, and benches situated randomly within the forest of art. In 1994, Anthropology grad student and researcher, Jim Mason, organized a project to have a group of artists, aged 27-74, coming from 6 different villages in the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, to create the beautiful sculptures at Stanford University. The landscaping and plants of the garden were organized by other entities. The artwork is based on Kwoma and Iatmul mythology and stories of creation, the center of the garden created in the likeness of "spirit homes". Two of the pieces, The Thinker and The Gates of Hell, were inspired by the Rodin sculptures on campus bearing the same names, but tell their own stories. The history and design of this sculpture garden are fascinating, and the natural environment and overall maintenance of this exhibit make it an appealing place to visit. It's even a desirable area of campus to hold school events (they had just finished such an event when I visited this past Sunday). Also, free parking is available at Stanford on the weekends.

Its a very cool outdoor installation located on the Stanford campus. T They sculptures are spread…read moreout and all have interesting descriptions of the culture and the art. This is a perfect COVID activity as its not crowded, everything is spread out and its outdoors. Mask up and keep your distance and its all good. There are at least 12 other art installations nearby as well as the Student Union and main bookstore.

This is beautiful little spot on Stanford Campus. A true gem of cacti of all kinds. I've been here…read moreabout 3-4xs times now, and it's always lovely to just walk around. It's definitely a beautiful greenery backdrop for photos as I did a photoshoot for a client here a few months ago. We took a bunch of photos here, and then we walked over to the Quad for an outfit change and a change of scenery. We saw *the* Robert Downey Jr. at the Quad that day! That was awesome! :D I usually come here on a Saturday or Sunday and just park at the medical clinic, which is basically right next to this spot.

This review is long overdue from 2020; I for visited this spot in 2016 or so and loved it so I…read morebrought my husband here during the Covid shut down in 2020 and we took a nice walk, it was awesome to check it out, explore the vacations cacti and spend some time in nature. Parking can be difficult. Overall a great and well kept garden e

Fear is an outdoor art installation located on the grounds of Stanford University. It is the work…read moreof William Tucker. Tucker who was born in Egypt to English parents, spent most of his formative years in England studing at Oxford University. His works consist of recycled metal and wood and he forms abstract constructs that create alot of negative space From the author: "I see the role of contemporary sculpture as preserving and protecting the source of mystery, of the unknown." This particular piece I could take it or leave it. While it was interesting at a glance it had nothing to keep me looking. A few angles and I was done. For me at least it inspired very little and I quickly moved on. Fear as noted resides on the Stanford University campus. It sits between both the Anderson Collection and the Cantor, thus it is better part of a larger walking tour. You could spend days in the area just walking about looking at the art and other spots.

#497 - the hare is moving now! What would William Carlos W…read more Yelp? The oak trees. Sometimes it all depends upon a workspace location perched high above ground under these oak trees is fine by me. (Outdoor office pictures to come, eventually).

Renewal is a public art installation located on the Stanford University campus. It is the work of…read moreLauren Toomer. Toomer, who is both an artist and an Anatomy lecture at the medical school likes to link art and medicine. She views art as a visual poem: "For me, drawing a painting is like creating a visual poem. I don't have the skill set to put it into words, but I can attempt to do it with marks." Renewal was created by using salvaged bricks from the old amatory school that was damaged during the Loma Prieta earthquake. It features 77 bricks held up by copper rods. Its undulating form is a homage to a ekg tracing. It is a simple installation, but the interplay of the position of the bricks makes for a fascinating display. Renewal is located on the North end of the Center for Clinical Sciences Research (CCSR) which also houses the anatomy lab (freaky place BTW between the smell and the bodies. We go down there periodically to train on medical procedures). While it is part of the medical center, there are numerous other art instalation less than 5 minutes away. In addition there is a deli / eatery in the building that is accessable to all that has a separate review.

Folded Square Alphabet S is an outdoor art installation located on the grounds of the Stanford…read moreUniversity Medical Center. It is the work of Fletcher C. Benton. Benton, a long time resident of San Francisco, was well known for his large scale abstract geometric sculptures and kinetic art. In the late 70's he drifted away from kinetic art and more towards the abstract forms he is better known for From the artist" "I try to find the best relationship of the parts I am going to use...and they aren't arbitrary," Benton has said. "I spend a long time--in a short time--putting these things where they ring my bell. I don't know when it's going to happen. I go down [to my studio] and play...and I get something that's interesting." The sculpture is a new installation and its glossy red paint stands out as one approaches. The complex curves paired with right angles and the stark nature of some of the sculpture insures that every angle holds something different. This is one of his more medium sized installations. Folded Square Alphabet S as noted in on the Medical Center grounds and is close to the new Stanford Hospital. In and of itself it is not a destination, however, given its proximity to the Cantor, and numerous other art installations, it is best part of a multi stop trip and given the parking woes in the area its best done as a walking trip.

Apart-Together, 2021 is a public art installation located on the Stanford University campus. It is…read morethe work of Lauren A. Toomer. According to the author, she prefers to guide her work towards reflecting people emotional and physical conditions. From the artists Stanford Faculty web site: "figurative artist who creates work inspired by the human body and the impact of a subtle moment. She continually looks at alternative approaches that challenge the spatial, contextual, and surface boundaries that circumscribe us. Graphite drawing serves as Toomer's home medium, while she also rigorously explores painting and sculptural projects. Her uninhibited and traditional approach to art making inspired Toomer to study human anatomy and art in graduate school" Apart-Together, 2021 is memorial to those impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic. It features hand painted petals made by facility and staff. The installation is located in the front of the Angel of Grief installation. It can be access by walking or bike and sits alongside a paved trail. It also in in easy walking proximity of the Cantor, lots of eateries, and other art installations. There are nearby services but little exist in this area. This is better part of a larger walking tour as opposed to a stand alone destination.

I was a chaperone for two field trips here and the children were really enjoying trying to use the…read moreold tools. Our host was great and everything is so clean and authentic ! They learned many lessons about the olden days. They did a scavenger hunt and kids had to guess what the old things did. The screen show was great, too. Thank you! Karen

Saw this place one day out of the corner of my eye while lost on Kings Mountain Road when I saw the…read moresign... returned another day only to find it closed. Went today (open Saturday Noon till 4pm). Interesting place, a flashback to simpler but rougher times in the "old West". A little slow if you go on a day without the pre-mentioned & reviewed activities and/or events, but still nice to see how it was to live through memorabilia of that long-gone era. At one point I commented out loud that an item hanging from the ceiling looked to be a bedpan, and the attendant sitting bored behind the counter corrected me saying it was a popcorn popper, and the bedpan was 3-1/2 feet to the left, over the door. Interesting but boring unless you use your imagination. PHOTOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING: Lots of bygone era items to photograph but very dark. If you're into history this is nice to visit, but bring an external flash so you don't kill your camera battery using your built-in flash extensively. The exterior of these old structures is very photographically excellent... hint, hint. http://www.historysmc.org/woodside.html NO parking anywhere except for the unpaved dirt parking lot - if the parking lot is closed, then the "store" is also. Hours Tuesday/Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday/Sunday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Admission Free (donations accepted within)