Incorporated in 1894, the Palo Alto city government was officially created by municipal charterer in 1909 by a 15 person council.
Currently serving as a focal point of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is home to many prominent technology and start up companies. Its downtown is a walkable, pedestrian friendly community bordered by historic residential neighborhoods and tree lined streets. A popular destination for visitors to the Bay Area with a central location between San Francisco and San Jose. Downtown Palo Alto, with its 800 retail and professional businesses is a regional draw offering unique shopping, top–rated restaurants and nightlife. The new Lytton Plaza serves as the communitys stage hosting a variety of events from free speech presentations to live art and music. Downtown Palo Altos largest attraction is the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts. In the past it has attracted over 150,000 people every year from throughout California and the West Coast. The festival now celebrating its twenty ninth year takes place on tree lined University Avenue in beautiful downtown Palo Alto, a vital economic area 35 miles south of San Francisco.