Rich

I'll be in San Francisco in a few weeks and would really like to make it down to Stanford U. and do some shopping and sightseeing in Palo Alto (University Ave, etc). I'll be staying at the Hyatt Regency at Embarcadero but won't have a car.

What's the best way to get from Embarcadero Center to Stanford and the University Ave. shopping area? I know there's a BART station at Embarcadero, but haven't been able to figure out by snooping around on the web where to go from there -- connect to Caltrain somewhere or what? Thanks in advance.

Grasshopper

CalTrain is the way to go. The station is near PacBell park. You can take muni to CalTrain and then the train to Palo Alto. A bus is the other option and will take a million years.

ben

Caltrain from the station at 4th & King will take you to the University Station in Palo Alto, provided you are going on a weekday. There is no service on Sat. and Sun. www.caltrain.org

Samtrans is the San Mateo County bus system which has stops in SF at 1st and Mission. The KX line (express/limited stops) will deposit you at University Station in about 1hr 40min elapsed time.
www.samtrans.com

BART can take you to the Union City Station where the Dumbarton Express bus crosses the bridge into Palo Alto.
www.vta.org

Rich

Thanks for the help. I'll be going down to Palo Alto on a weekday, so it looks like the best thing would be to take the N-Judah Muni to 4th and King and catch Caltrain there, right?

Is Palo Alto the best station to get off at for Stanford and the University Ave shopping areas?

Thanks again.

yes

you get off. you turn left. you will see a path leading directly to the mall- sf hasall the same stores..why bother with stanford shopping center if you're already staying in downtown sf?

stanford's campus is a short stroll from the shopping center0- or a straight shot up palm drive from the train staytion...p.s. your hotel concierege CAN be trusted to provide this info - why do you need it so far in advance? just curious.

Rich

I'm not talking about the Stanford shopping center, I'm talking about bookstores, CD stores, and the kind of funky little shops that universities tend to attract. Thanks for being a jerk about it, though.

jacque

Rich-
If you want funky university shops, try Berkeley. It would be MUCH easier to get to (on the BART). Lots of great little place to eat as well.

Susan

Hmmm, I live near Palo Alto and I'm trying to think where you'd find that college type culture you are looking for in Stanford. Because it is such an upscale school it seems to lack that bohemian-ness that you often find in college towns with the used bookstores and music stores and coffee houses. Downtown Palo Alto is lovely and there is good shopping and restaurants there but it is more upper crust than your average college town. I agree with jacque, if it is college-town atmosphere you seek, Berkeley would fit the bill more.

However, if you are interested in the University Avenue shopping district, get off the first Palo Alto train stop (there are two) and you'll be at the foot of University Avenue. Walk away from El Camino Real and the Stanford Shopping Center and you will end up in the middle of the downtown district.

Stanford University offers visitors some interesting sights also, including a wonderful Rodin sculpture garden. Enjoy.