Car Rental Palo Alto, California

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Palo Alto is known as a college town, home of Stanford University. The city is located near San Francisco Bay. The name Palo Alto is derived from Spanish for "tall tree", in honor of a giant redwood growing in the area.

There are 58,598 residents in Palo Alto, all of which are known as Palo Altans. One famous Palo Alton, by the name of Debbie Fields launched her cookie empire in the area. Other famous Palo Altans include Leland Stanford (railroad magnate, founder of Stanford University), Jerry Garcia (rock musician), Bill Kreutzmann (drummer with the Grateful Dead), and President Herbert Hoover.

Downtown Palo Alto has many restaurants and book stores, which serve as the entertainment center for the university and the surrounding area. Several movies were also filmed in the area, including the 1971 "Harold and Maude" and 1992 movie, "Raising Cain".

While in the area be sure to visit the Elizabeth Gamble Garden Center, Museum of American Heritage, Junior Museum/Zoo, Hewlett-Packard Garage, and the Cantor Center for Visual Arts. If you happen to visit in early May, you will be able to see the May Fete Parade.

Driving Regulations In California
If you are a visitor in California over 18 years old and have a valid driver license from your home state or country (where you live permanently), you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid. Seat belts must be worn by all drivers and passengers, including any passenger who is age six or older and weighs over 60 lbs. A child passenger restraint system is required for any child who is under the age of six and weighs 60 pounds or less.

Speed Limits In California
California's "Basic Speed Law" says that you must never drive faster than is safe for the current conditions. No matter what the speed limit sign may say your speed should depend on:

Area	Limit
Highways	65-70 MPH
2-Lane Undivided Highways	55 MPH
Business & Residential Areas	25 MPH
Around School Areas	25 MPH
Alleyways	15 MPH

Drinking And Driving Laws In California
The blood alcohol limit is 0.08. First offense may result in license suspension or revocation, independent of any jail, fine, or other criminal penalty imposed in court for the driving under the influence offense.

Helpful Telephone Numbers
Here are some telephone numbers you may find useful during your trip in California.

• Palo Alto AAA
  Roadside Assistance: 800-400-4AAA

• Fire or Police (Emergency): 911
  Police (Non-Emergency): (650) 329-2406