Peninsula Museum of Art - Burlingame

Wednesday-Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm
Location: 1777 California Drive
Why Go There? Community supported museum houses five exhibition galleries, 30 working studios; weekend talks, tours, free admission; museum store carries local artist works
More Information: Peninsula Museum

Capitola Murals, Public Art - Capitola

Location: Capitola Beach Suites building on Cliff Drive; Wharf Road heading up the hill; also painted tiles line the esplanade along the beach
Why Go There? Colorful, eye-catching murals are scattered around downtown
More Information: Capitola Art and History Tour + Walking Tours

Euphrat Museum of Art, De Anza College - Cupertino

Monday-Thursday 10:00am-3:00pm during school year
Location: 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Why Go There? Showcases student art in contemporary venue; changing exhibits; receptions
More Information: Exhibitions

Allied Arts Guild - Menlo Park

Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: 75 Arbor Road at Cambridge Avenue
Why Go There? Historic garden oasis, unique shops, artists' studios, Café Wisteria (Friday-Saturday 11:30am-2:00pm); special year-round seasonal events include a Mother's Day Tea; benefits Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
More Information: Allied Arts Guild

Community School of Music and Arts Mohr Gallery - Mountain View

Monday-Friday 9:00am-7:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm
Location: 230 San Antonio Circle (Finn Center)
Why Go There? Changing exhibits juried artworks from seasoned professionals, emerging artists and student groups, variety of media; artist receptions
More Information: Arts4All

Sanchez Art Center - Pacifica

Location: 1220-B Linda Mar, Friday-Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm
Why Go There? Visual and performing arts  complex includes galleries, individual artist studios, Pacifica performances. Main Gallery features established, emerging West Coast artists; West Wing Gallery showcases Art Guild of Pacifica exhibitions; East Wing Gallery contains Bay Area organizations community and multicultural exhibitions; opening receptions.
More Information: Sanchez Art Center

Anderson Art Collection, Stanford Campus - Palo Alto

Wednesday-Monday 11:00am-5:00pm (Thursday until 8:00pm)
Location: 314 Lomita Drive at Museum Way (Adjacent to Cantor Arts Center)
Why Go There? Extensive private family collection of significant contemporary and modern art works donated to Stanford University featured in rotating exhibits; lectures, films, other special events; cafe (open until 8:00pm on Thursday); free admission
More Information: Anderson Exhibitions

Cantor Arts Center, Stanford Campus - Palo Alto

Wednesday-Monday 11:00am-5:00pm (Thursday until 8:00pm)
Location: 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way
Why Go There? 38,000+ global art pieces spanning 5,000 years, 24 galleries,  several yearly special exhibitions, events; extensive Rodin sculpture collection; garden (includes some of the Rodin sculptures); cafe (open until 8:00pm on Thursday); free admission
More Information: Stanford Museum

Palo Alto Festival of the Arts - Palo Alto (not curator reviewed)

August 10:00am-6:00pm
Location: University Avenue (plaza at the corner of University/Tasso Streets: chandeliers display)
Why Go There? Annual crowd-drawing Chamber of Commerce hosted festival features three hundred quality artists, crafters, variety of media; Italian street painting, food/craft beer & wine vendors, on-stage live music performers, street corner concerts; display of competition winning chandeliers made from recycled plastic. Provides nearby free parking.
More Information: Palo Alto Arts & Crafts + Outdoor Sculptures

MACLA (Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana)  - San Jose

Wednesday-Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm, Wednesday-Thursday until 7:00pm
Location: 510 South First Street
Why Go There? Contemporary arts venue offers changing art exhibits; theater;  focus on the Chicano/Latino experience; free admission
More Information: MACLA

San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles - San Jose

Wednesday-Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm, Wednesday-Friday until 4:00pm
Location: 520 South First Street
Why Go There? Rotating exhibits, artist receptions, lectures, other events. 1000+ textiles permanent collection: historic quilts, contemporary art quilts, textile-based art forms, garments, textiles from world cultures. Senior/student entrance discount; first monthly Friday (except January, July) pay-what-you-can and free 4:00pm-7:00pm.
More Information: San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles + Facebook

Additional Resources

Plein Air - Capitola
Annual event, artists compete for cash awards (November)

Fiesta de Artes - Los Gatos
48+ year annual Kiwanis Club hosted Fiesta de Artes, low key weekend festival of art, entertainment, food/beverages; benefits local community; North Santa Cruz Avenue/Los Gatos Town Plaza (September)

Stanford Campus Art Map - Palo Alto
Map of 85+ public art pieces, museums, theaters on campus

Cañada College Art Gallery - Redwood City
Monday-Thursday 9:00am-12:30pm, 4200 Farm Hill Road, Bldg 9, room 152

South First Friday Art Walk - San Jose
Self-guided, nighttime tour through galleries, museums, businesses featuring eclectic art exhibitions, performances

Public Places Gallery - San Mateo
Art in public places map, photos; check out "water drop", others

City Arts - Santa Cruz
Public art self-guided tour

Japanese American Museum - San Jose
Exhibits, special events; Thursday-Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm, 535 North Fifth Street

Silicon Valley Open Studios - Silicon Valley
34+ years Silicon Valley Open Studios weekend (May) on-line directory, schedule