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- š Entertainment Zone May Be Coming to Ramona Street
š Entertainment Zone May Be Coming to Ramona Street
$25.5 Million Expansion for History Museum & Entertainment Zone May Be Coming to Ramona Street
Greg Kemper
November 12, 2026
In partnership with
Good morning neighbors!
Welcome to this week's Palo Alto Scoop! This week, weāre looking at a few local restaurants expanding and adding pop-ups, plus Palo Alto debates an entertainment zone on Ramona Street. Itās also Los Altos Holiday Stroll this weekend, but weāve got tons of other events too!
Let's get to it!
In this weekās edition:
Business Updates: New Greek Yogurt shop, Original Joeās might be moving to Menlo Park, Local Sandwich Shop adds regular pop-up
Local Updates: Palo Alto debates their Entertainment Zone on Ramona Street, Caltrain Adding Bike Parking
Events: Los Altos Holiday Stroll, Dinosaur Day, and Holiday Markets
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Redwood City Caltrain Station Adds Secure Bike Parking
Cyclists now have a 24/7, camera-monitored bike room at the Redwood City Caltrain station, 1 James Ave. It holds up to 44 bikes and four scooters, and riders can leave a bike for up to 72 consecutive hours using their own lock. Parking starts at $5 for seven days and tops out at $60 for a year, with 40% discounts for seniors 62 and older, K-12 students, and people with disabilities or on Medicare. Anyone who signs up by Nov. 15 can get 50% off a year using the code CALTRAIN50. Access requires an online BikeHub account linked to a Clipper or Metro TAP card, so commuters who want the discount should sign up this week. Read more here.
Palo Alto Weighs Open-Container āEntertainment Zoneā on Ramona Street
Palo Alto is exploring an āentertainment zoneā on the closed section of Ramona Street downtown, where people could carry drinks outdoors during permitted events. Drinks would be served in clear, non-glass, non-metal cups, and drinkers would wear wristbands. Some nearby merchants, including the owners of the Cardinal Hotel and two jewelry stores, voiced concerns. Others, like the owner of The Pro at 541 Ramona St., say the street needs more energy. The city already allows public drinking during Thursday live-music events on California Avenue, where businesses reported no change or a small sales bump of under 5%. An Economic Development Committee recommended three trial events ending by 9 p.m., and the full City Council must still approve the idea before any glasses are raised. Read more here.
San Mateo County History Museum Unveils $25.5 Million Expansion
The San Mateo County History Museum, at 2200 Broadway in downtown Redwood City, opened three new experiences with a free āHistory in Motionā celebration featuring live music and family activities. The biggest addition is the 15,000-square-foot Taube Family Carriage House and Automobile Gallery. It shows Brewster carriages publicly for the first time in over 40 years, plus Ford vehicles ranging from a 1926 Model T to a 1972 De Tomaso Pantera. The new HERO Natural History Gallery features a reconstructed 15-million-year-old marine mammal found during construction at Stanfordās Linear Accelerator Center. The third experience, Lora Mundi, centers on the restored 1863 Lathrop-Connor-Mansfield House, a rare Steamboat Gothic home. Together, they make a great weekend outing for local families, and you can find hours at historysmc.org. Read more here.
Rosieās Sandwiches Rolls In to Sigonaās in Redwood City
Rosieās, the sandwich pop-up created by April and Richard Sigona, is opening a lunch food truck at Sigonaās Farmers Market, 2345 Middlefield Road in Redwood City. The business started as a pop-up in 2025 and is becoming a regular fixture. Rosieās will operate at the Redwood City location Tuesday-Thursday, starting this week. The menu rotates with the seasons, with heartier hot sandwiches for fall and winter, plus tiramisu and brown butter chocolate chip cookies. If you work or shop near Middlefield Road, youāve got a new lunch option. Read more here.
Original Joeās Eyes Former Left Bank Space, Menlo Park
Original Joeās is a Bay Area chain of family Italian restaurants founded in San Francisco in 1937. Itās known for red leather booths, an open kitchen, and comfort food like chicken parmigiana and housemade ravioli. Mayor Betsy Nash announced it would take over the former Left Bank Brasserie at 635 Santa Cruz Ave., but a spokeswoman says no lease has been signed yet. The French restaurant closed in June after 28 years, with its manager citing labor costs. Nashās newsletter also named other downtown arrivals: MPower Yoga, dog spa Steve and Lulu, and Slice House pizza. Read more here.
Yiaya Greek Yogurt, Palo Alto
Yiaya is a small, self-serve, pay-by-weight frozen yogurt shop at 520 Bryant St. in downtown Palo Alto. It opened Oct. 30 and has drawn long lines, with social media reports of waits up to 40 minutes, though the owner says lines usually move in 15-20 minutes. Six rotating frozen yogurt flavors, such as pistachio, honey and wild berries, are paired with a toppings table of fresh fruit, dried fruit and housemade chocolate soup. The owner plans to expand, with Los Altos and Burlingame among her targets. Read more here.
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We do our best to verify dates/locations of events, but please independently verify before attending as details are subject to change
š Holiday Stroll | Los Altos | Downtown | 11/13 | more
Wander through festive downtown Los Altos for twinkling lights, shopping, and seasonal cheer.
š± Second Saturday | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 11/14 | more
Spend a November morning at the garden for free, seed-themed activities for all ages in honor of Indigenous Heritage Month.
š¬ Science Fun Fest | Redwood City | Sandpiper Community Center | 11/14 | more
Kids can explore hands-on science activities and experiments at this family-friendly community event.
š¦ Dinosaur Day | Redwood City | Downtown Library | 11/14 | more
Little dino fans can dig into prehistoric fun at the library with a day of dinosaur-themed activities.
šØ Cubberley Open Studios | Palo Alto | Cubberley Community Center | 11/14 | more
Explore artist studios and meet resident artists at this free Open Studios event.
š Fall Centerpiece Workshop | Palo Alto | Redwood CafĆ© by Chef Julien | 11/15 | more
Learn floral arranging basics and take home a garden-inspired centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, no experience needed.
š¶ Pound Puppy Adoption Event | Redwood City | Sports Basement | 11/15 | more
Come meet the adorable adoptables of Pound Puppy Rescue! They'll be working the crowd, accepting compliments, and interviewing prospective humans.
š± Master Gardeners Workshop | Palo Alto | Rinconada Library | 11/15 | more
A free hands-on gardening workshop led by UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, 1:30ā2:30 p.m.
š§ Youth Mental Health Fair | Palo Alto | Mitchell Park Community Center | 11/15 | more
Hosted by the Palo Alto Youth Council, parents and teens can meet youth mental-health experts, local advocacy groups, and therapy dogs
š” Tour of Gamble House and Garden | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 11/17 | more
Step back in time on a 90-minute guided tour exploring Elizabeth Gambleās historic house and gardens.
šŖ¶ Native American Puppetry | Redwood City | Redwood Shores Branch Library | 11/17 | more
Enjoy a puppet show that brings Native American stories and traditions to life for young audiences.
š° A Slice of Community | Redwood City | Chan Zuckerberg Community Space | 11/17 | more
Taste cakes from local bakers, vote in a cake decorating contest and hear about the San Mateo County History Museumās new exhibits at this fundraiser.
š¹ Jim Brickman Piano Sensation | Redwood City | Fox Theatre | 11/18 | more
The Grammy-nominated pianist performs fan favorites like āValentineā and āSimple Thingsā alongside early holiday touches at 7:30 p.m.
šļø Holiday Market | Redwood City | 801 Jefferson Ave. | 11/19 | more
Shop 20 small-business vendors for handmade gifts from 3 to 8 p.m., with $10 tickets including a drink, a goodie and a raffle entry (kids under 12 free).
š¦ Friendsgiving | Palo Alto | Lucie Stern Community Center | 11/21 | more
An intergenerational evening of conversation, storytelling, and shared creative activities
š§ Holiday Toy Drive | Palo Alto | Lucie Stern Community Center | through 12/16 | more
Drop off new, unwrapped toys, books, and gift cards for local youth in need through Dec. 16
āøļø Winter Lodge Opens | Palo Alto | Winter Lodge | Now-April | more
Palo Altoās seasonal outdoor ice rink is now open! Lace up those skates and enjoy a festive day out.