meteorologist mary lau caught up with crowds in stanford. >> reporter: here at the stanford oval, hundreds of students, faculty, staff, as well as kids who could be future scientists one day came out here to check out the solar eclipse. the stanford employees gave out these special safety solar eclipse glasses to check out the eclipse safety as they said it did not disappoint. a large crowd gathered to see some rare and unique. >> i've never seen an eclipse before. this is my first time in person. >> reporter: what did you think? >> i think it is really cool and i'm excited. i love it so much. >> it's a blast and it is so exciting to see a couple hundred people out here excited about science as well. and they want to learn more and maybe come work with us some day. >> reporter: even though the bay area is not in the path of totality, it still amazed and inspired everyone who looked up. sparking curiosity and appreciation for space and science. >>> oakland's space and science center held an eclipse watching event today. >> reporter: hundreds of people came out to the science center today to