Agriculture

When Leland Stanford bought 650 acres of peninsula land to start a horse farm, he probably didn’t know that he was setting agricultural roots that would last well into the 21st century. Today, Silicon Valley may be best known for our technological innovations and businesses, but the Palo Alto area still supports a thriving agriculture industry, ranging from crops and wine to Leland Stanford’s beloved horses.

Just a few miles away off highway 280, traditional ranches such as Hidden Villa continue to grow and distribute quality products. Organic grocery stores, such as Whole Foods Market, Piazza’s Market, and Trader Joe’s, share the marketplace with traditional grocery outlets and fresh fruit and vegetable stands. If you’re in the mood for a refreshing beverage, you can find fresh-roasted coffee as well as a pint of local-brewed beer. Famous California wines, such as Thomas Fogarty and Page Mill, start right here in the Palo Alto community with local vineyards and wineries.

In the same tradition of Leland Stanford’s horse farms, the Palo Alto community also provides equestrian fans with a number of horse farm and training facilities. The Dixon Stables, Portola Valley Training Center, and Webb Ranch are just a few of the facilities that live up to the area’s rich equestrian history. Whether you’re an expert rider or just looking for a fun afternoon on horseback, you’ll find horses and riding instructors that would make Leland Stanford proud.

Local greenhouses and florists provide a diverse selection to help residents and businesses beautify their yards and homes, and the area even features a number of machinery and equipment outlets to make any agriculture-related job feasible. In short, Palo Alto is the best of all words: a diverse blend of different agricultural industries to complement the thriving local business and technology sectors.