Situated in Silicon Valley near San Jose, California, Stanford University has served the educational needs of young minds for more than 200 years. In fact, Stanford University's dedication to education has proven itself with the cultivation of an influential group of scholars. Past notables include 16 Nobel laureates and four Pulitzer Prize winners.

From its modest beginnings with a three-acre quad, Stanford University has managed to grow into one of the nation's top research universities, spanning more than 8,000 acres in the process. And a visit to Stanford University isn't complete without a proper tour of the grounds and numerous facilities.

In particular, visitors should always make time for a game at Stanford Stadium, a 50,000-seat football field where the Stanford Cardinals play; Hoover Tower, a 285-foot landmark structure that has overlooked the campus for more than half a century; the James H. Clark Center, a 146,000-square-foot facility devoted to research in the science and tech fields; and Palm Drive, the palm tree–lined road that stretches a mile to the entrance of Stanford University's campus. This California college also boasts approximately 30 different restaurants, eateries, and cafes throughout its campus, providing visitors and students with unique dining experiences.