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🏠 New Cal Avenue Entertainment and Palo Alto Seeking Pro-Housing Designation

Plus the new Los Altos Hills City Manager, Rock the Dock, live music, and the city-wide yard sale!

Author

Greg Kemper
June 04, 2026

In this week’s edition:

  • Local Updates: Palo Alto seeking pro-housing designation, new Los Altos Hills City Manager

  • Business Updates: Cal Avenue Entertainment

  • Events: Free landscaping class, city-wide yard sale, and live music

California Avenue Expands Outdoor Entertainment Options in Palo Alto

California Avenue is getting an extra boost as an outdoor destination this summer thanks to a new concert series and updated parklet rules approved by the city. The changes are designed to support businesses along the corridor while creating more opportunities for community gathering, outdoor dining and live entertainment. Organizers hope the regular performances will draw additional visitors to the district and help strengthen the area's post-pandemic economic recovery. For residents, the updates could mean more family-friendly events, expanded outdoor seating and a livelier atmosphere along one of Palo Alto’s most popular commercial districts. Read more here and here.

New Los Altos Hills City Manager Prioritizes Communication

Los Altos Hills' new city manager, Cody Einfalt, is emphasizing communication and transparency as key priorities as he begins his tenure. He has indicated that building strong relationships with residents, staff, and elected officials will be essential to addressing community concerns and maintaining trust in local government. The town has faced several high-profile issues in recent years, making clear and consistent communication an important focus moving forward. Residents can expect increased outreach efforts and an emphasis on keeping the community informed about local projects and policy decisions. Read more here.

Palo Alto Pursues State ‘Pro-housing’ Designation

Palo Alto is seeking California's Pro-housing Designation, a state recognition intended for cities that have adopted policies supporting housing production and affordability. City officials say the designation could improve Palo Alto’s chances of securing state funding for infrastructure, planning initiatives and housing-related projects, with grants ranging from roughly $500,000 to several million dollars. The application highlights recent efforts including affordable housing programs, the Homekey interim housing project, and planning work along the San Antonio Road corridor, where additional housing and mixed-use development opportunities are being explored. The city is currently accepting public feedback through June 17 before submitting its application to the state. For residents, the designation could help unlock funding for future housing and infrastructure improvements while signaling a more proactive approach to addressing the region’s housing shortage. Read more here.

Café Vivant in Menlo Park

Cafe Vivant is a restaurant centered on heritage-breed poultry and hyper-seasonal California ingredients, with much of its produce sourced from farms in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. The restaurant is known for elevating chicken and other premium birds—including duck, quail, and guinea fowl—through a fine-dining approach that highlights flavor, farming, and seasonality. The menu features dishes such as Dungeness crab crêpe, agnolotti verde, blackened sablefish with lobster grits, and its signature heritage poultry preparations. Chef Russell, whose previous restaurants in New York earned national recognition and a Michelin star, brings a farmers'-market-driven philosophy to the kitchen. Café Vivant also offers an extensive wine program, with more than 3,000 selections emphasizing both local and international producers.

Clark's Oyster Bar

Clark’s Oyster Bar is a seafood-focused restaurant that draws inspiration from coastal American dining traditions, with influences spanning New England and the San Francisco Bay. The menu centers on freshly shucked oysters, crudo, lobster rolls, cioppino, clam chowder, caviar service, and daily seafood specials, alongside a well-known burger served with shoestring fries. Designed around a lively oyster bar and bright, nautical aesthetic, the restaurant offers lunch, brunch, happy hour, and dinner service throughout the week. Clark’s traces part of its inspiration to San Francisco’s iconic seafood culture and features regional ingredients, including Bay Area seafood when available. In addition to its seafood offerings, the restaurant is known for classic martinis, signature cocktails, Champagne, and an extensive wine list.

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🎬 Movies on the Square | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 6/4 | more
This week’s features are The Bad Guys 2 and Captain America: Brave New World

🏓 Youth Pickleball Meet-Up | Palo Alto | Mitchell Park Courts | 6/5 | more
Young players can hit the courts for an evening of pickleball, friendly competition, and a chance to meet others who share an interest in the fast-growing sport.

🎷 Music in the Square | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 6/5 | more
Enjoy an evening of live music- this week’s feature is an Eagles tribute band, Boys of Summer.

🎵 Growing in the Silence | Redwood City | Center for Creativity | 6/5 - 6 | more
Experience an inspiring evening of live music, original poetry, and collaborative art as community members come together to celebrate creativity and connection.

🦋 Pollinator Workshop | Palo Alto | Junior Museum | 6/5 | more
Learn how pollinators support local ecosystems and discover practical ways to help protect bees, butterflies, and other important species in your own backyard.

🎬 Family Movie Nights | Palo Alto | Mitchell Park Athletics Fields | 6/5 | more
Gather under the stars for the City's annual summer movie series, featuring family-friendly films and a fun outdoor atmosphere for all ages. This week features Dogman.

🎷 Jazz Night | Redwood City | Feast and Floral | 6/5 | more
Enjoy an evening of live jazz, great food, and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere at this local gathering spot.

☀️ Family Fun Days Summer Kickoff | Los Altos | Los Altos Community Center | 6/6 | more
Celebrate the start of summer with games, activities, entertainment, and family-friendly fun at this community kickoff event.

🎶 Play Malinky Music and Movement Class | Redwood City | Redwood Shores Library | 6/6 | more
Little ones can sing, dance, and move along to lively music in this interactive class designed to encourage creativity and participation.

🎸 Rock the Dock | Redwood City | 459 Seaport Court | 6/6 | more
Enjoy live music, waterfront views, food, and drinks at this popular outdoor concert series along the Redwood City waterfront.

🛍️ Palo Alto Citywide Yard Sale | Palo Alto | Citywide | 6/6 | more
Shop for unique finds, sell unwanted items, and support waste reduction efforts during this community-wide yard sale held throughout Palo Alto.

🎭 The Cottage | Palo Alto | Lucie Stern Theatre | 6/18 - 28 | more
Enjoy a fast-paced comedy filled with secrets, surprises, and witty humor in this theatrical production presented by Palo Alto Players.