Proximity to Silicon Valley is a significant asset to the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics faculty and students.  The San Jose and Palo Alto areas are home to the Lick Observatory (shown above) and the Stanford Linear Accelerator, which is one of the two primary particle physics laboratories in the United States.  The city of Santa Cruz also offers spectacular recreational opportunities, including miles of exceptional bike paths and mountain bike trails, hiking and backpacking, great beaches, and a magnificent coastline providing sailing and surfing for all kind.