Gamble Garden
(http://www.gamblegarden.org/)
is a nice spot for picnicking & relaxing with a small group, with picnic tables and a variety of garden areas, which have an impressive array of flowers all summer.
We'll have some unstructured time at the beginning (so don't worry about being a little bit late), have our picnic about 6:00, then go for a walk (about 3 miles) around some of the older neighborhoods of Palo Alto, seeing some of the unusual architecture that's appeared over the decades.
Bring picnic food & beverage, including something to share. Wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring an extra layer or two in case the evening gets cool.
Directions: Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden is at 1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, at the intersection of Waverly and Embarcadero. From 101, take Embarcadero Road West (toward Stanford); at the sixth stop light, turn left onto Waverley, then immediately left into the Gamble Garden parking lot.
Yes, it's 3 miles on top of that 8-mile hike earlier in the day.