Guidebook for Menlo Park
Everything Else
Safeway
2811 Middlefield RdThis is a large grocery store with all the basics you need.
Good selection of TJ branded items include a reasonably priced selection of organic and gluten-free items.
51 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
720 Menlo AveGood selection of TJ branded items include a reasonably priced selection of organic and gluten-free items.
Food Scene
Chipotle Mexican Grill
3952 Rivermark PlazaClosest fast food to the cottage
I like to go to the Melt with my kids for a quick and inexpensive meal. The burgers are great and there is a grilled cheese option for vegetarians.
The Melt Stanford
180 El Camino RealI like to go to the Melt with my kids for a quick and inexpensive meal. The burgers are great and there is a grilled cheese option for vegetarians.
This restaurant is located in the Stanford shopping mall. It is very reasonably priced for basic freshly made food. You can get a basic protein, vegetable and starch or a large salad. There is a nice outdoor seating area that is part of the restaurant though it is often hard to find a spot. There are also beers and kombucha on tap. This is our go to place for a pleasant weeknight dinner. We love the fact that we can easily walk there from the house/cottage. There are also lots of great vegetarian-friendly choies.
20 locals recommend
Tender Greens
266 King StThis restaurant is located in the Stanford shopping mall. It is very reasonably priced for basic freshly made food. You can get a basic protein, vegetable and starch or a large salad. There is a nice outdoor seating area that is part of the restaurant though it is often hard to find a spot. There are also beers and kombucha on tap. This is our go to place for a pleasant weeknight dinner. We love the fact that we can easily walk there from the house/cottage. There are also lots of great vegetarian-friendly choies.
This is a good restaurant for interesting healthy dishes. It has a nice outdoor seating area and is often quite full. It is a bit more on the pricey side but brunch is definitely worth it. A real California experience . A warning though, service can be slow.
13 locals recommend
True Food Kitchen
180 El Camino RealThis is a good restaurant for interesting healthy dishes. It has a nice outdoor seating area and is often quite full. It is a bit more on the pricey side but brunch is definitely worth it. A real California experience . A warning though, service can be slow.
We often stop here for "ice cream". Well, its not really ice cream, its a frozen super healthy treat. Our favorite flavor is vanilla made from dates, almonds, vanilla extract and some salt. Super yummy and healthy. We much prefer it to the over-priced ice-cream places in the mall.
8 locals recommend
Pressed Juicery
2162A Union StWe often stop here for "ice cream". Well, its not really ice cream, its a frozen super healthy treat. Our favorite flavor is vanilla made from dates, almonds, vanilla extract and some salt. Super yummy and healthy. We much prefer it to the over-priced ice-cream places in the mall.
Nice "fast casual" dining spot with good Asian inspired food. Reasonably priced, vegetarian-friendly, and lots of healthy choices. One of our go-to take out places though there is also some nice outdoor seating (though you are next to the parking lot).
22 locals recommend
Asian Box
142 Castro StNice "fast casual" dining spot with good Asian inspired food. Reasonably priced, vegetarian-friendly, and lots of healthy choices. One of our go-to take out places though there is also some nice outdoor seating (though you are next to the parking lot).
Parks & Nature
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve
2375-2775 Embarcadero RoadGreat walks along the bay.
Sightseeing
Allied Arts Guild is just at the end of our street!
It is a beautiful and historic garden oasis, home to unique shops, artists' studios, and a cafe. It was built in 1929, in a Spanish style and is run by a non-profit organization that raises funds for the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.
12 locals recommend
Allied Arts Guild
75 Arbor RdAllied Arts Guild is just at the end of our street!
It is a beautiful and historic garden oasis, home to unique shops, artists' studios, and a cafe. It was built in 1929, in a Spanish style and is run by a non-profit organization that raises funds for the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.
Arts & Culture
This museum on the Stanford campus has a high quality selection of art from old masters to modern art. Most important periods are represented with a few pictures from each making it a comprehensive but not overwhelming museum. There is a also a section on the Stanford family. In addition, there are rotating exhibits. And its free!
143 locals recommend
Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts
328 Lomita DrThis museum on the Stanford campus has a high quality selection of art from old masters to modern art. Most important periods are represented with a few pictures from each making it a comprehensive but not overwhelming museum. There is a also a section on the Stanford family. In addition, there are rotating exhibits. And its free!
Getting Around
This is a transportation hub where Caltrain stops as well as buses that go north and south. This is also a major stop for the Marguerite which is Stanford University's free shuttle. Buses to to Stanford very frequently.
34 locals recommend
Palo Alto Station
This is a transportation hub where Caltrain stops as well as buses that go north and south. This is also a major stop for the Marguerite which is Stanford University's free shuttle. Buses to to Stanford very frequently.
The Palo Alto Station and the Menlo Park Station are both close enough to walk to. The Palo Alto Station is a bit closer. Check the train schedules for which stop makes more sense for you since not all trains stop at all the stations.
51 locals recommend
Menlo Park station
1120 Merrill StThe Palo Alto Station and the Menlo Park Station are both close enough to walk to. The Palo Alto Station is a bit closer. Check the train schedules for which stop makes more sense for you since not all trains stop at all the stations.