What is the Caltrain horn issue in Palo Alto?

The Caltrain horns in Palo Alto, which can reach up to 110 decibels, have been disrupting the sleep of residents, including neighbors of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, for decades.

How did Palo Alto address the Caltrain horn problem?

The Palo Alto city council has approved a four-quadrant gate system to eliminate the deafening Caltrain horn noise, which will be the first time in decades the community will not have to endure the loud horns.

What other measures is Caltrain taking to improve safety in Palo Alto?

Caltrain is adding sturdy posts, solar-lit markers, and a new AI-powered rail sentry system to detect dangers on the tracks, which will be installed by the first week of January 2026.

Home / Lifestyle / Palo Alto Residents Demand Silence: Caltrain Horns Disrupt Peaceful Nights

Palo Alto Residents Demand Silence: Caltrain Horns Disrupt Peaceful Nights

17 Nov

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Summary

Palo Alto residents, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's neighbors, complain about deafening Caltrain horns
Horns reach 110 decibels, causing severe damage with brief exposure
City council approves four-quadrant gate system to eliminate horn noise

Palo Alto Residents Demand Silence: Caltrain Horns Disrupt Peaceful Nights

As of November 17th, 2025, residents of the upscale tech city of Palo Alto have been rallying against an unusual complaint: the obnoxiously loud train horns that keep them up all night. For decades, locals have been complaining about the thunderous noise blasting from the Caltrain tracks, including those living in the neighborhood of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The deafening horn, which can reach almost 110 decibels as trains approach railroad crossings, is as loud as a bustling nightclub or rock concert. Residents, such as local Rachel Croft, have expressed their frustration, with one neighbor's five-year-old child waking up to the jarring noise every single night.