Good afternoon, Palo Alto (and our nearby neighbors)! The end of each year always presents a great opportunity to reflect on the past 365 days, and to look ahead with what you want to accomplish in the upcoming 365 and beyond. Before we jump into 2025’s last edition of Palo Alto Insider, I have two questions I want you to spend the next 90 seconds pondering on in your head (or in your notebook!):
Fast forward to the end of 2026, what would have happened this year that made it a great one, which won’t happen unless I make a change(s) to achieve it?
If your life was a movie, what would the audience be screaming at you to do that would be obvious to them that it would positively impact your life?
On this day in 1879: Thomas Edison gave the first public demo of his long-burning incandescent light in Menlo Park, NJ. Fitting vibes for a bright year ahead. 💡
In today’s edition of Palo Alto Insider:
New CA driving rules kick in tomorrow 🚗
Palo Alto leadership vote set for Jan 5 🏛️
Sports is added to the events list! 🏀
Let’s dive in!
– Matt Cunningham
📰 LOCAL NEWS
New laws for motorists take effect Jan 1 🚗
California rolls out several safety-focused changes on New Year’s Day including improved crosswalk visibility (“daylighting” near intersections), updated work-zone rules, and new local speed-management tools. If you’re used to parking close to corners, take note: setback rules tighten around crosswalks and intersections.
Council to pick new Mayor & Vice Mayor on Jan 5 🏛️
City Council holds its annual reorganization meeting next week to choose the new mayor and vice mayor. Expect a preview of early-2026 priorities like downtown vitality, mobility projects, and budget planning often headline the first meetings of the year.
🍴 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Mr. Bao Kitchen 🥟
A new tasting of soup dumplings, pillowy bao, and scallion pancakes came to Mountain View this March when Mr. Bao Kitchen opened their doors on Castro. It’s casual, fast, and the perfect comfort food for before a show or after Cars & Coffee.
📍 357 Castro St, Mountain View
🕰️ Tue–Sun: 11:30am–2:30pm & 5pm–8:30pm (Mon closed)
View their full menu here.
🐾 PET OF THE WEEK
in support of Pets In Need
Pet of the Week: Tinsel 🐶
Tinsel is a sweet, people-oriented pup who’s ready to ring in the new year with a forever family. Weighing in at 10 pounds at 10 weeks old, he’s estimated to grow to 50-70 pounds once fully grown. The best part: he’s adopt-ready and currently at the Palo Alto shelter—drop in during open hours to meet him, no appointment needed.
Learn more about Tinsel and how to adopt him or another pet in need here.
📆 EVENTS
👥 Community Events
Los Altos Downtown Walking Art Tour | Fri, Jan 2
Guided stroll of public art across downtown—great low-key Friday plan.
📍 Downtown Los Altos – Meet at the Mandahlia sculpture
🕰️ 5pm–6pm
👉 Details
First Fridays at San Mateo County History Museum | Fri, Jan 2
Free admission + kid-friendly scavenger hunts in a gorgeous former courthouse.
📍 SMC History Museum, Redwood City
🕰️ 10am–4:00pm
👉 Details
Mountain View Cars & Coffee | Sat, Jan 3
Chill weekend meet—everything from classics to EVs.
📍 2410 Charleston Rd (Starbucks), Mountain View
🕰️ 7:00am–10:30am
👉 Details
1st Saturday Board Games Day | Sat, Jan 3
Drop-in tabletop day—bring a game or join one.
📍 Downtown Palo Alto Library (270 Forest Ave)
🕰️ 10am–6pm
👉 Learn More
BayLUG LEGO® Holiday Show — The Great American Road Trip | Sat & Sun
Huge custom builds by local LEGO artists—always a hit with kids.
📍 Museum of American Heritage, Palo Alto
🕰️ 11am–3:30pm
👉 Details
Archery at Hidden Villa | Sat, Jan 3
Learn form & safety from instructors with 20+ years of experience in the hills above Los Altos.
📍 Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
🕰️ 11am–12pm
👉 Details
Acting for Stage & Camera Workshop | Sat, Jan 3
Intro session: on-camera presence, audition basics, and scene work.
📍 Rinconada Library, Palo Alto
🕰️ 4pm–5:30pm
👉 Details
🎵 Live Music
New Year’s Eve with Molly Tuttle | Wed, Dec 31
Bluegrass firepower to ring in 2026 at the Guild.
📍 Guild Theatre, Menlo Park
🕰️ 9:30pm start
👉 Tickets
The Sun Kings — NYE 2025 | Wed, Dec 31
Beloved Bay Area Beatles tribute for your midnight sing-alongs.
📍 Club Fox, Redwood City
🕰️ 9pm start
👉 Tickets
🏟️ Live Sports
Stanford vs Louisville (Men’s Basketball 🏀) | Fri, Jan 2
Power-conference non-conference tilt on The Farm.
📍 Maples Pavilion, Stanford
🕰️ 5pm start
👉 Tickets
Stanford vs Iowa State (Wrestling 🤼♂️) | Sun, Jan 4
Top programs collide in a marquee dual.
🕰️ 12pm start
📍 Maples Pavilion, Stanford
👉 Tickets
Want to avoid “staying in” for the umpteenth weekend and get out of the house instead? Give one of these a try this week! (perfect for a date or hanging with a friend)
For the outdoor lovers
Rodin Sculpture Garden (Stanford)
A peaceful wander among more than 20 bronzes (free, open daily). Go at golden hour for dramatic shadows and gorgeous campus views.
For the indoorsy folks
Anderson Collection (Stanford)
A calm, light-filled museum of post-war American art. Free admission and rarely crowded, perfect for one of these rainy afternoons.
🧠 TRIVIA TIME
1️⃣ Was Palo Alto incorporated before or after Stanford University opened?
A) Before
B) After
2️⃣ Which Bay Area bridge is the longest?
A) Golden Gate
B) Bay Bridge
C) San Mateo–Hayward
D) Dumbarton
3️⃣ What is the name of the historic redwood that gave Palo Alto its name?
Wait until the end of the newsletter to see how many you got right!
🔗 Share with friends!
Friends don’t gatekeep good things, they share them – like this newsletter!
When you refer Palo Alto Insider to 3 friends, they’ll start getting weekly ideas for eats, events, and things to do just like you… and you’ll get a birthday shoutout on the Insider as a thank you!
Or copy & paste this link to others: {{rp_refer_url}}
🌦️ WEATHER REPORT
Wednesday: 🌧️ | High 54°F / Low 44°F
Thursday: 🌧️ | High 60°F / Low 51°F
Friday: 🌧️ | High 59°F / Low 51°F
Saturday: 🌧️ | High 59°F / Low 53°F
Sunday: 🌧️ | High 56°F / Low 49°F
📝 TRIVIA ANSWERS
1️⃣ B — After (Stanford opened 1891; Palo Alto incorporated 1894)
2️⃣ C — San Mateo–Hayward Bridge
3️⃣ El Palo Alto
How many did you get correct this week?
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Insider – see you in the New Year!!
Til next time friends,
