How to Play

How it Works

The hunt kicks off on Sunday, February 1st, 2026! Weeks 2-3 puzzles will be released on Sunday, February 8th and 15th. All puzzles will be posted at 8:00 am Pacific. The final puzzle will be released on Sunday, February 15th at 8:00 am. Download and print the puzzles by going to www.solvingfun.com/puzzles/pa. Beginning February 1st, you can also visit Mitchell Park or Lucy Stern Palo Alto Community Centers to get a free set printed for you (for that week or the prior weeks) or use a separate piece of paper and solve from the screen. The previous week's puzzles will be available online through the end of the Puzzle Hunt. 

With a group of friends or family, solve the week’s puzzles at your own pace. Each individual puzzle will give you an answer. Enter the answers online at the puzzle page of the hunt. The correct answer will give you a location in Palo Alto where you will find a clue. When you get to the location, look for a sign with bold words on it (sample below). Save the answer to the question for each location. Use these answers in that week's meta-puzzle. The signs will not be hidden or buried and are on public land within the city of Palo Alto. You will not need to damage anything to find them. Write down the words you need and leave the signs for future solvers.

From time to time, clue signs go missing because they are in public places. If you cannot locate a clue in the expected location, please message us. We will work as quickly as possible to replace the clues. At the end of the hunt, submit your answers for a chance to win a prize!

Feeling Stuck?

The puzzles are intended to be different levels of challenging to meet all our solver's wants and needs. Some may seem too easy or too difficult, that's ok. We hope you will persevere, positively struggle, ask for help, brainstorm with others, and enjoy the challenge. Feel free to use the internet and other resources to look up information. We also provide a Hints page. We're available to chat online with solvers that would like extra support. We also have a resource page with coding and solving tips.

Final Round

After you’ve solved all 3 weeks of puzzles, there’s one final step. Use the clues you’ve collected and a final puzzle to lead you to your last destination. Submit your final answer for a chance to win a prize!

Safety Reminders

The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals and the City of Palo Alto want all of our community members to be safe and have fun. Be mindful of all laws and safety regulations as you explore our city. Clues are posted in visible areas and on public property. If you experience an emergency, call 911.

Prizes

At the end of the hunt, submit your answers for a chance to win a prize! To submit your entry, fill out the form here on or before March 1, 2026. It is free to enter. One entry per person. Grand prize winner will be notified after March 1st, 2026. For all solvers, we're excited to give away collectible enamel pins for those who complete the entire hunt!

Photo Bonus Prize

We love to see solvers working together to solve puzzles and find clues! Submit photos of yourself during the hunt and share the joy. You can submit your photos by emailing community@solvingfun.com or attaching them to your final answer entry form. Happy solving!