This is a scenic photo taken on the Stanford campus located near Palo Alto, California with Hoover Tower in the background. Stanford University is one of the most prestigious colleges around. On October 1, 1891, Stanford University opened its doors after six years of planning and building. Stanford is located on a sheltered area 30 miles south of San Francisco, nestled in the ideal weather zone between the bay and the ocean, its meadows patterned with ancient oaks, Stanford and his wife established their suburban Palo Alto home. Stanford is part of the Pac 10 conference and has reputable sports teams.