Palo Alto, CA in July, suggestions
Apr 9th, 2009, 09:31 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Palo Alto, CA in July, suggestions
Hi all ! It has been a while since I posted. Hope everyone is well.
I am making plans to San Francisco and Palo Alto, probably about 3 days in each. I have been to SF a few times, but need some suggestions for Palo Alto. From what I read, most of the activities are near Stanford campus. Any must-do, must-see, must-eat, please point out!
Also, I am flying into SFO, am thinking of renting a car. I don't really need a car in SF, but it would be convenient to drive to Palo Alto. Advice?
Thank you very much!
I am making plans to San Francisco and Palo Alto, probably about 3 days in each. I have been to SF a few times, but need some suggestions for Palo Alto. From what I read, most of the activities are near Stanford campus. Any must-do, must-see, must-eat, please point out!
Also, I am flying into SFO, am thinking of renting a car. I don't really need a car in SF, but it would be convenient to drive to Palo Alto. Advice?
Thank you very much!
Apr 9th, 2009, 10:31 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is actually easy to take the train from San Francisco to Palo Alto, and there is a free bus which runs most days around Stanford, including the train station and University Ave. (Marguerite Bus). http://transportation.stanford.edu/m...eShuttle.shtml
My favorite place in the area is the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden at Stanford. This is near Tressider, the student union. http://bgm.stanford.edu/groups/groun...ial/new_guinea
Stanford also has a free art museum, The Cantor Center, with a large collection of Rodin sculptures, and an installation by Andy Goldsworthy, called Stone River. http://museum.stanford.edu/
Other places at Stanford are Hoover Tower, which has a great view at the top of the whole bay area ($2). Stanford is fun to walk around, check out the bookstore, and maybe there will be an interesting activity during the days you are there. http://events.stanford.edu/
There is a large upscale shopping center if you like shopping. I like Max's Opera Café where the waiters sing show tunes. http://www.stanfordshop.com/
University Avenue is the main town area, and there are tons of restaurants. Most of them are pretty good. You can walk and shop, and see what appeals to you. The quintessential Palo Alto restaurant is Peninsula Creamery, a lively fountain and diner at Emerson & Hamilton, which is open most of the time. http://www.paloaltocreamery.com/
The Stanford Theatre is a beloved restored old movie palace with an organist between shows of the double feature, usually restored classic old movies. http://www.stanfordtheatre.org/stf/
There is a smaller downtown area, California Avenue, which has a nice farmer's market on Sunday mornings, where the street is closed off. University Ave. area has a farmer's market on Saturday. http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/ma...california.php
Then, there is the exciting Birthplace of Silicon Valley, the Hewlett Packard garage. http://bub.blicio.us/touring-the-hp-...ilicon-valley/
Gamble Gardens on Embarcadero and Waverley is a lovely place for a relaxing stroll. http://www.gamblegarden.org/
An interesting place in between SF and Palo Alto is Filoli, if you do have a car. http://www.filoli.org/
My favorite place in the area is the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden at Stanford. This is near Tressider, the student union. http://bgm.stanford.edu/groups/groun...ial/new_guinea
Stanford also has a free art museum, The Cantor Center, with a large collection of Rodin sculptures, and an installation by Andy Goldsworthy, called Stone River. http://museum.stanford.edu/
Other places at Stanford are Hoover Tower, which has a great view at the top of the whole bay area ($2). Stanford is fun to walk around, check out the bookstore, and maybe there will be an interesting activity during the days you are there. http://events.stanford.edu/
There is a large upscale shopping center if you like shopping. I like Max's Opera Café where the waiters sing show tunes. http://www.stanfordshop.com/
University Avenue is the main town area, and there are tons of restaurants. Most of them are pretty good. You can walk and shop, and see what appeals to you. The quintessential Palo Alto restaurant is Peninsula Creamery, a lively fountain and diner at Emerson & Hamilton, which is open most of the time. http://www.paloaltocreamery.com/
The Stanford Theatre is a beloved restored old movie palace with an organist between shows of the double feature, usually restored classic old movies. http://www.stanfordtheatre.org/stf/
There is a smaller downtown area, California Avenue, which has a nice farmer's market on Sunday mornings, where the street is closed off. University Ave. area has a farmer's market on Saturday. http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/ma...california.php
Then, there is the exciting Birthplace of Silicon Valley, the Hewlett Packard garage. http://bub.blicio.us/touring-the-hp-...ilicon-valley/
Gamble Gardens on Embarcadero and Waverley is a lovely place for a relaxing stroll. http://www.gamblegarden.org/
An interesting place in between SF and Palo Alto is Filoli, if you do have a car. http://www.filoli.org/
Apr 10th, 2009, 08:41 AM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great list kailani!
Stanford also has a free art museum, The Cantor Center, with a large collection of Rodin sculptures
It's actually the largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of Paris.
and there are tons of restaurants. Most of them are pretty good.
True, there are tons of restaurants, and many of them are good, but I wouldn't go so far as to say "most" are pretty good. Try Three Seasons - I haven't been but it's been recommended to me by several people as the best Vietnamese food in these parts - better than Slanted Door and Tamarine.
The quintessential Palo Alto restaurant is Peninsula Creamery, a lively fountain and diner at Emerson & Hamilton, which is open most of the time.
There's also a branch of the Creamery at the Stanford Shopping Center.
Depending on how you're spending your days, I think it would be good to have a car for the Palo Alto portion of your trip. That way, if you have the time and inclination, you could drive over to the coast, too.
Stanford also has a free art museum, The Cantor Center, with a large collection of Rodin sculptures
It's actually the largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of Paris.
and there are tons of restaurants. Most of them are pretty good.
True, there are tons of restaurants, and many of them are good, but I wouldn't go so far as to say "most" are pretty good. Try Three Seasons - I haven't been but it's been recommended to me by several people as the best Vietnamese food in these parts - better than Slanted Door and Tamarine.
The quintessential Palo Alto restaurant is Peninsula Creamery, a lively fountain and diner at Emerson & Hamilton, which is open most of the time.
There's also a branch of the Creamery at the Stanford Shopping Center.
Depending on how you're spending your days, I think it would be good to have a car for the Palo Alto portion of your trip. That way, if you have the time and inclination, you could drive over to the coast, too.
Apr 10th, 2009, 12:51 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, Kailani, and sf7307 for all the wonderful suggestions!
The shuttle bus may not work because I'll be in PaloA Fri-Sun in July.
About car rental, I will probably rent one at SFO when I arrive. This way I can have a car for the entire week.
There are some posts about San Mateo and Burlingame that sound interesting. Are these areas worth spending 3-4 days, instead of SF?
The shuttle bus may not work because I'll be in PaloA Fri-Sun in July.
About car rental, I will probably rent one at SFO when I arrive. This way I can have a car for the entire week.
There are some posts about San Mateo and Burlingame that sound interesting. Are these areas worth spending 3-4 days, instead of SF?
Apr 10th, 2009, 02:08 PM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
San Mateo and Burlingame -- NO (I live there, I can say it in capital letters!!!). They are nice places to live, but they are just suburbs of San Francisco. There would really be no reason to go to San Mateo or Burlingame other than to 1) visit someone or 2) stay near the airport.
Apr 10th, 2009, 04:35 PM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tamarine is the wonderful Vietnamese restaurant in Palo Alto that is not to be missed. Three Seasons is good and more of a "scene". Evvia is excellent, too. There really are so many restaurants - and a large percentage are way above average. The Creamery is a diner, fyi. shakes and burgers and fries. And the list just goes on and on.
You will not find a small town with so much good food anywhere - thanks to the expecially wonderful ethnic varieties.
You will not find a small town with so much good food anywhere - thanks to the expecially wonderful ethnic varieties.
Apr 10th, 2009, 05:12 PM
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll second cabo's recommendation of Evvia for Greek food. I love it. It's in downtown Palo Alto just off University.
For lunch, the casual restuarant at the Cantor Center at Stanford is good for lunch. Nice to sit on the porch that's overlooking the sculpture garden. Also I love Pluto's on University for salads at lunch.
Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park is worth checking out if you're interested in shopping. The boutique Alta (779 Santa Cruz) is one of my favorite stores anywhere.
For lunch, the casual restuarant at the Cantor Center at Stanford is good for lunch. Nice to sit on the porch that's overlooking the sculpture garden. Also I love Pluto's on University for salads at lunch.
Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park is worth checking out if you're interested in shopping. The boutique Alta (779 Santa Cruz) is one of my favorite stores anywhere.
Apr 10th, 2009, 08:09 PM
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I did mean Three Seasons, but Tamarine is also supposed to be fantastic food - and if it's as good as its sister, the former Bong Su in San Francisco, I'm sure it is (and as expensive as it is good!). Unfortunately, Bong Su closed down very recently.
Apr 12th, 2009, 03:03 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cabo, if you see a woman looking for Palo Alto on Santa Cruz Ave., rescue her immediately!
What is the price range for the above named restaurants? I like to trying different local cuisines, but certainly not like to break my wallet!
Any suggestions on accommodations in SF, easy access to highway 101 to Palo Alto, and close to SF public transportation. (under $150/night?)
What is the price range for the above named restaurants? I like to trying different local cuisines, but certainly not like to break my wallet!
Any suggestions on accommodations in SF, easy access to highway 101 to Palo Alto, and close to SF public transportation. (under $150/night?)
May 15th, 2009, 11:16 AM
#12
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No there aren't any at the CalTrain stations, but some not are an easy walk. For example, there is an Enterprise office on Carolan Avenue in Burlingame, about .3 miles from the Broadway train station (which only operates on weekends) and about .8 miles from the Burlingame station (which operates all the time). There also seems to be a Hertz office nearby. I'll drive by tonight and see where it is.
