EV Charging & Green Travel Guide
Our property includes a free Level 2 EV charger — plug in when you arrive, wake up fully charged. Plus: nearby Tesla Superchargers, public charging stations, electrified Caltrain, e-bike rentals, and everything you need for green travel on the Peninsula. And when you charge in Palo Alto, you're charging with 100% carbon-neutral electricity.
Our on-site EV charger (free)
Back to top ↑Dedicated Level 2 Charger — Free for Guests
Plug in when you arrive, unplug when you leave in the morning. A full overnight charge (8–10 hours) adds 200–300 miles of range — more than enough for a full day of Peninsula exploration. The charger uses a standard J1772 connector that works with all non-Tesla EVs. Tesla drivers need a J1772 adapter (all Teslas come with one).
Tesla Superchargers nearby
Back to top ↑While you'll charge overnight at the property, you may want a quick daytime top-up. Tesla has opened its Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs at many locations — check the Tesla app for current availability and pricing.
Stanford Shopping Center Supercharger
660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto
The most convenient Supercharger for guests — inside the Stanford Shopping Center parking area. Shop, dine, or stroll the gardens while your car charges. V2 chargers are slower than Bryant Street's V3s, but perfect for a top-up while shopping. About 30–45 minutes for a meaningful charge. Tesla owners ~$0.33–0.43/kWh; non-Tesla EVs ~$0.46–0.60/kWh.
Bryant Street Supercharger — Fastest
445 Bryant Street, Palo Alto (downtown parking garage)
The fastest Supercharger in the area — V3 stalls with up to 250kW speeds. A 15–20 minute charge can add 150+ miles. Steps from University Avenue's restaurants and shops. The garage has rooftop solar panels — one of the greener Supercharger locations. Tesla owners ~$0.37–0.47/kWh; non-Tesla EVs ~$0.52–0.66/kWh.
East Palo Alto — Gateway 101
1771 East Bayshore Rd, East Palo Alto
At the Gateway 101 shopping center off Highway 101. Convenient when heading north toward SF or south toward SJ. Near Safeway for quick errands while charging.
Mountain View Superchargers
Multiple locations including near 99 Ranch Market and Whole Foods. Good alternatives if Palo Alto stations are busy, and convenient when exploring the Mountain View/NASA Ames area.
Public charging stations (non-Tesla)
Back to top ↑Palo Alto has 375+ public charging stations and Menlo Park has 164+ — one of the most EV-dense corridors in the country. The dominant network is ChargePoint.
ChargePoint Level 2 — most common
ChargePoint stations are everywhere on the Peninsula — parking garages, shopping centers, office parks, and even some street parking. Level 2 (240V), best for stops of 2+ hours. Use the ChargePoint app to find stations, check real-time availability, and pay.
Key ChargePoint locations near the property
Palo Alto Downtown Garages: Bryant Street Garage (445 Bryant St) and Cowper-Webster Garage (520 Webster St) — ChargePoint Level 2, approximately $0.23/kWh (very affordable). Part of the city's EV infrastructure push.
High Street Garage: 528 High St, downtown Palo Alto. Additional ChargePoint Level 2 stations.
Stanford Shopping Center: Level 2 chargers in parking areas alongside the Tesla Superchargers.
Menlo Park Downtown: ChargePoint stations in the downtown parking plaza area.
Whole Foods (Palo Alto): Chargers in the P2 basement parking. Note: no cell reception in the basement, but Whole Foods WiFi works. Good for a grocery run while charging.
DC fast charging (CCS / CHAdeMO)
For non-Tesla drivers who need a quick charge — 100+ miles in 20–30 minutes.
PowerFlex — Ladera Country Shopper
3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley (~8 min)
The fastest non-Tesla charger near our property. Six DC fast charging stalls at 50kW — expect roughly 100 miles of range in about 30 minutes. Both CCS (used by most modern non-Tesla EVs) and CHAdeMO (Nissan Leaf, older models) connectors available. Requires the PowerFlex app to start a session. At $0.76/kWh it's pricier than Tesla Superchargers, but it's the only DC fast option this close for non-Tesla drivers — and the charming Ladera Country Shopper gives you plenty to do while you wait. Grab a sandwich at Bianchini's, browse Ladera Garden & Gifts, or get a coffee at the café.
EVgo
Multiple locations in the area. CCS and CHAdeMO connectors. Check the EVgo app for current stations and pricing.
Electrify America
DC fast charging infrastructure in the 3966 Middlefield Rd area. CCS connector. Check the Electrify America app for status.
Palo Alto's green energy story
Back to top ↑Here's something no other guide mentions: when you charge your EV at our property — or at any public charger in Palo Alto — you're charging with 100% carbon-neutral electricity.
Palo Alto: 100% Carbon-Neutral Since 2013
Palo Alto's municipal utility (CPAU) has delivered 100% carbon-neutral electricity since 2013 — one of the first cities in the nation to achieve this. The portfolio includes solar, wind, hydroelectric, and landfill gas, all from California sources within a two-hour drive of the city. As of 2017, Palo Alto also provides 100% carbon-neutral natural gas. The City Council adopted a goal of achieving full carbon neutrality by 2030. CPAU exceeds the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard with 57% renewable resources (vs. the state target of 40%), and electric rates remain competitive with — and generally lower than — private utilities in the Bay Area.
Green transit & car-free options
Back to top ↑One of the under-told stories about this area: it's surprisingly car-optional. Between electrified Caltrain, bike infrastructure, e-bike rentals, and Stanford's free shuttle, you can leave your car parked and explore without it. For full details, see our Transportation guide.
Caltrain — Fully Electrified
In September 2024, Caltrain completed its $2.4 billion electrification of the entire corridor from San Francisco to San Jose — now one of the greenest commuter rail systems in the country. Service every 15–30 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes weekends. Bikes and e-bikes welcome on board (dedicated bike cars). Use a Clipper card for seamless payment across Caltrain, BART, SamTrans, and more.
Nearest stations: Menlo Park (~5 min from property) · Palo Alto (~7 min) · California Ave (~8 min)
To San Francisco: ~55 min, $10–13 · To San Jose: ~30 min
Biking & e-bike rentals
Palo Alto is one of the most bike-friendly cities in California — flat terrain, dedicated bike lanes, and Stanford's campus is essentially a giant bike paradise.
E-Bike Annex (Palo Alto Bicycles)
Dedicated e-bike shop with rentals. Great for covering more ground without breaking a sweat. Makes hills like Old La Honda and Portola Valley accessible to casual cyclists. paloaltobicycles.com
Bike Connection
2011 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Electric, hybrid, and road bike rentals. Helmets included. 24hr/weekly/monthly options. bikeconnection.net
Campus Bike Shop (Stanford)
Best value on campus — commuter bike + lock + helmet for $40/3 days. Open to the public. Perfect for exploring the 8,180-acre campus. campusbikeshop.com
More green transit
Stanford Marguerite Shuttle Free
Free shuttle connecting campus to Palo Alto Caltrain, Stanford Shopping Center, Medical Center, and more. Free for everyone — no ID required. Frequent weekday service; evening/weekend during academic year. A hidden gem for guests.
Palo Alto Link Rideshare
City-sponsored rideshare with eco-friendly vehicles. Mon–Fri 7 AM–7 PM. Book via app or call (650) 505-5772. A great option for getting around without driving.
SamTrans & Dumbarton Express
SamTrans buses serve the area with frequent service. Dumbarton Express crosses the bay to BART — useful for Oakland/Berkeley day trips. Use a Clipper card for seamless transfers.
EV road trip tips: getting to the property
Back to top ↑Driving to the Peninsula in an EV? Here's what you need to know about charging en route from common starting points. And remember: arrive with any charge level — our free Level 2 charger will have you fully charged by morning.
From SFO Airport (~30 mi)
Well within range for any modern EV. No charging stop needed. Highway 101 or I-280 south.
From SJC Airport (~35 mi)
Easy range. Highway 101 or I-280 north. Superchargers in Mountain View and Palo Alto along the way if needed.
From Sacramento (~120 mi)
Most modern EVs (250+ mi range) make it in one charge. Shorter-range vehicles: Superchargers along I-80 and I-680. Recommended stop: Livermore or Pleasanton area.
From Lake Tahoe (~180 mi)
Superchargers in Rocklin/Sacramento area. Descending from Tahoe is very efficient (regenerative braking), but ascending uses more energy. Plan conservatively.
From Los Angeles (~350 mi)
The most common long-haul EV road trip in California. Both I-5 and Highway 101 corridors are well-served with Tesla Superchargers every 50–100 miles. Plan 2–3 charging stops. Popular stops: Tejon Ranch, Kettleman City, and Harris Ranch (all have Superchargers). Non-Tesla drivers: plan with the Electrify America network along I-5.
Charging comparison table
Back to top ↑| Charging Option | Speed | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Property (Level 2) | ~25–30 mi/hr | FREE | Overnight; most convenient |
| Public ChargePoint (L2) | ~20–30 mi/hr | ~$0.23–0.50/kWh | Errands, long stops, garages |
| Tesla Supercharger (V2) | Up to 72kW | $0.33–0.60/kWh | Shopping trips, moderate top-ups |
| Tesla Supercharger (V3) | Up to 250kW | $0.37–0.66/kWh | Quick charge, road trip prep |
| DC Fast (EVgo / EA) | 50–150kW | $0.30–0.48/kWh | Non-Tesla fast charging |
| PowerFlex DCFC (Ladera) | 50kW | $0.76/kWh | Closest DCFC for non-Tesla; CCS & CHAdeMO |
Tesla Superchargers at a glance
| Location | Drive | Speed | Stalls | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Shopping Ctr | ~5 min | 72kW (V2) | 20 | Shopping + charging combo |
| Bryant St Downtown PA | ~7 min | 250kW (V3) | 19 | Fastest charge; downtown dining |
| East Palo Alto Gateway | ~10 min | Various | Multiple | Highway 101 access; errands |
| Mountain View | ~12 min | Various | Multiple | Exploring south Peninsula |
Frequently asked questions
Back to top ↑Is there a Tesla Supercharger near Stanford?
Yes. The closest is at Stanford Shopping Center (~5 min) with 20 V2 stalls, open 24/7. For the fastest charge, the Bryant Street Supercharger in downtown Palo Alto (~7 min) has 19 V3 stalls — a 15–20 minute charge adds 150+ miles. Both accept non-Tesla EVs via the Tesla app at slightly higher rates.
How much does EV charging cost in Palo Alto?
Free at our property — saving $40–80+ over a typical 4-night stay. Public Level 2 ChargePoint stations in city garages: ~$0.23/kWh. Tesla Superchargers: $0.33–0.47/kWh (Tesla owners) or $0.46–0.66/kWh (non-Tesla). DC fast chargers: $0.30–0.48/kWh (EVgo/Electrify America) or $0.76/kWh (PowerFlex at Ladera, closest DCFC for non-Tesla EVs).
Is Palo Alto electricity green?
Yes — 100% carbon-neutral since 2013 through Palo Alto's municipal utility. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and landfill gas from California sources. When you charge at our property or any public charger in Palo Alto, you're charging with clean energy.
Can non-Tesla EVs use Tesla Superchargers?
Yes at many locations, including those near Stanford. Use the Tesla app to check availability and pricing. Non-Tesla EVs typically pay slightly higher rates ($0.46–0.66/kWh vs $0.33–0.47/kWh for Tesla owners).
Can I get around Palo Alto without a car?
Absolutely. Caltrain (fully electric since 2024) runs every 15–30 min to SF (~55 min) and San Jose (~30 min). Stanford's free Marguerite shuttle connects campus to Caltrain, shopping, and the medical center — no ID required. E-bike rentals from Palo Alto Bicycles and Bike Connection make local exploration easy. Palo Alto Link offers affordable rideshare Mon–Fri. See our Transportation guide for full details.