24 Hour Urgent Care in Palo Alto
Palo Alto is at the heart of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara County, home to Stanford University and Stanford Health Care as well as numerous major tech companies. Stanford Hospital, a 613-bed academic medical center at 300 Pasteur Drive that traces to a 1959 relocation from the original 1931 Palo Alto Hospital, anchors trauma and specialty care for the region; urgent care centers near El Camino Real serve a highly educated professional population that places a premium on quick, convenient access to quality medical care.
Urgent care hours in Palo Alto: The earliest opening time among Palo Alto's 4 listed urgent care clinics is 8am, and the latest closing time is 9pm. 1 location stays open past 9pm, and 4 are open on weekends — use the Open Now filter below to see who's currently accepting patients.
Filter clinics:
Sutter Urgent Care
Express Care – Palo Alto | Stanford Health Care
Sutter Children's Urgent Care
Sutter Health Palo Alto Center Urgent Care
What to Expect at Urgent Care in Palo Alto
Listings are checked against Google's Places API and, where needed, the CMS NPPES provider registry — see how we verify listings. Hours change frequently, so please call ahead to confirm before visiting. Found an error? Let us know.
Health Considerations in California
California's climate varies dramatically by region: coastal areas experience mild temperatures year-round, while the Central Valley and Inland Empire face extreme summer heat, high ozone levels, and seasonal wildfire smoke that significantly worsens respiratory conditions. Wildfire season has expanded and intensified in recent years, making smoke-related respiratory visits — particularly for asthma, bronchitis, and eye irritation — common across northern and central California from summer through fall.
Urgent Care in Palo Alto — Frequently Asked Questions
Is urgent care open on weekends in Palo Alto?
Yes — 4 of the 4 urgent care centers listed above for Palo Alto are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Some locations have reduced Sunday hours, so check the listings above for exact weekend hours at each clinic. If you need care on a Sunday evening, it's worth calling ahead to confirm the location hasn't closed early.
Do I need an appointment for urgent care in Palo Alto?
No appointment is needed at most Palo Alto urgent care centers. Walk-ins are welcome at all locations listed above. Some clinics offer online check-in so you can hold your spot in line before you arrive and reduce your time in the waiting room — check the clinic's website or Google listing to see if this is available.
How much does urgent care cost in Palo Alto?
A typical urgent care visit in Palo Alto costs between $100 and $200 without insurance for a basic exam. Additional services — such as X-rays, lab tests, rapid strep or flu tests, or stitches — will increase the total. Most clinics will provide a cost estimate when you call, and many post their self-pay rates on their website. See our full urgent care cost guide for a detailed breakdown.
Does urgent care in Palo Alto accept Medicaid?
Many urgent care centers in Palo Alto accept California Medicaid along with Medicare and major commercial insurance plans, but acceptance varies by clinic and by Medicaid managed-care plan. Call ahead to confirm the location takes your specific plan and is in-network before your visit.
What is the wait time at urgent care in Palo Alto?
Wait times vary by clinic. Sutter Health Palo Alto Center Urgent Care is the highest-rated option among the 4 clinics listed here, at 5★. 1 of 4 stay open past 9pm for after-work visits. Weekday mornings tend to have the shortest waits industry-wide, and online check-in — where available — can reduce time in the waiting room.
What can urgent care treat in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto urgent care centers treat a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions including colds, flu, strep throat, ear infections, urinary tract infections, minor cuts and lacerations, sprains, rashes, pink eye, and more. Many locations also provide X-rays, lab work, and vaccinations. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, or other emergencies, go to the nearest ER or call 911.
Should I go to urgent care or the ER in Palo Alto?
Choose urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions — infections, minor injuries, illness, and anything that isn't immediately dangerous. Go to the ER (or call 911) for chest pain, difficulty breathing, suspected stroke, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, or any situation that could be life-threatening. Urgent care is typically faster and far less expensive for the conditions it's designed to handle. See our full ER vs. urgent care guide for more detail.
How many urgent care options does Palo Alto have?
Palo Alto has 4 listed urgent care clinics, averaging 3.9★ across 1,296 reviews. See the full list above for addresses, phone numbers, and hours.