Long-Term Stay Guide: Your Settling-In Playbook for 30+ Days Near Stanford
Whether you're a visiting scholar, here for Stanford Hospital, relocating for work, or on sabbatical — this guide turns your rental into a home. Groceries, laundry, coworking, mail, gyms, healthcare, and a week-by-week playbook for making the Peninsula feel like home from day one.
Your first 48 hours
Back to top ↑The essentials — everything you need to know the moment you arrive.
| Need | Closest Option | Drive | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Safeway (525 El Camino, MP) | ~3 min | Full grocery; open 5 AM–midnight |
| Specialty Groceries | Trader Joe's (720 Menlo Ave, MP) | ~5 min | Great for staples and snacks |
| Premium Groceries | Whole Foods (774 Emerson, PA) | ~8 min | Organic, hot bar, Amazon delivery |
| Pharmacy | CVS (700 El Camino, MP) | ~3 min | Pharmacy + essentials |
| Laundry | Property washer/dryer | 0 min | In-unit — detergent provided |
| Mail/Packages | Deliver to property address | 0 min | See mail section |
| Coworking | CANOPY (Springline, MP) | ~5 min | Premium; day passes available |
| Gym | Palo Alto Family YMCA | ~8 min | Pool, gym, classes; monthly OK |
| Urgent Care | Stanford Express Care | ~7 min | Walk-in; Stanford Health network |
Groceries & meal planning
Back to top ↑Long-term guests cook most meals — the property's full kitchen is a major advantage over extended-stay hotels. Here's how to set up a grocery routine.
Safeway — The Everyday Staple ~3 min
525 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Closest full-service grocery. Good produce, extensive selection, pharmacy, and deli. Open 5 AM–midnight daily. Safeway app offers digital coupons. Delivery via Instacart.
Trader Joe's — Best for Staples & Quick Meals ~5 min
720 Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park
Long-term guest favorite. Great prices on prepared meals, snacks, wine, and pantry staples. Parking lot is notoriously tight on weekends — weekday mornings are ideal. No delivery option.
Whole Foods Market — Premium & Organic ~8 min
774 Emerson Street, Palo Alto
Organic produce, excellent prepared foods/hot bar for nights you don't want to cook. Amazon Prime same-day delivery to the property. Good bakery and cheese counter. P2 basement parking has EV chargers.
Specialty & local markets
Piazza's Fine Foods ~10 min
Classic Peninsula gourmet market. Great deli, meats, and Italian specialties. Worth the drive for a special meal.
Draeger's Market Menlo Park
Upscale grocery with excellent wine selection, prepared foods, and gourmet items. Higher prices, great quality.
Sigona's Farmers Market
Outstanding produce and specialty items. Local favorite for fruits, nuts, and olive oils.
Ranch 99 Market Mountain View · ~12 min
Excellent Asian grocery with fresh seafood, produce, and hard-to-find ingredients.
Grocery delivery
Instacart
Same-day from Safeway, Costco, Whole Foods, and more. Starting at $3.99 for orders over $35.
Amazon Fresh / Whole Foods
Free same-day delivery for Prime members on orders over $35 from Whole Foods.
Farmers markets
California Ave Farmers Market Best on Peninsula
Sundays, 9 AM–1 PM. ~8 min. Outstanding local produce, flowers, prepared foods, and live music.
Menlo Park Farmers Market
Sundays, 9 AM–1 PM. Downtown Santa Cruz Ave. Smaller but charming.
Palo Alto Downtown Market
Saturdays, 8 AM–noon. Hamilton Ave.
Laundry & dry cleaning
Back to top ↑Pickup laundry services
Rinse
App-based pickup and delivery in Menlo Park. Wash & fold plus dry cleaning. Schedule a pickup, they return it next day. Great for busy professionals.
The Laundry
Pickup and delivery covering Menlo Park and Palo Alto. Wash, dry, fold. 24-hour turnaround. Text notifications. Premium detergent options.
Laundry Care Express
Covers the entire Peninsula. Laundry, dry cleaning, dress shirts. In business since 2003.
Dry cleaning & self-service
Ladera Cleaners Menlo Park
Local favorite. Dry cleaning, alterations, tailoring. Eco-friendly practices. Highly recommended for professional clothing.
Launderland ~4 min
995 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
New washers/dryers, drop-off wash & fold available. Accepts coins, credit cards, Apple Pay. Next to a Mexican restaurant — grab lunch while clothes spin.
Mail & package delivery
Back to top ↑Receiving mail and packages during a long-term stay requires some planning. Here are your options, from simplest to most robust.
Option 1: Ship to the property (simplest)
Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and USPS all deliver to our property address. Packages can be left at the door or designated delivery area. We'll provide the exact address and any access codes before your arrival. For high-value packages, consider requiring a signature or use an Amazon Locker.
Option 2: Amazon Lockers (secure)
For frequent Amazon orders — secure pickup lockers at nearby Whole Foods and other retail locations. Select "Amazon Locker" at checkout, choose a nearby location, and receive a pickup code when your package arrives.
Option 3: UPS Store mailbox (heavy mail volume)
For business correspondence, subscriptions, or frequent deliveries. Real street address (not a PO Box), accepts all carriers, holds packages securely, and offers mail forwarding. Monthly rental available.
Option 4: USPS General Delivery (occasional mail)
Occasional USPS mail sent to the post office and held for pickup with valid ID. Menlo Park Post Office: 80 Hamilton Ave.
Coworking & work-from-home
Back to top ↑The property has fast WiFi, a dedicated desk space, and a quiet residential setting ideal for focused work and video calls. But sometimes you need a conference room, a change of scenery, or a more professional setting.
CANOPY — Menlo Park
Springline development, 1120 Merrill St, Menlo Park (~5 min)
Boutique coworking in the acclaimed Springline mixed-use development. Concierge-style amenities, beautiful design, outdoor patio workspace, conference rooms, and a café by Camper chef Greg Kuzia-Carmel. The Springline development has restaurants (Che Fico, Robin Sushi, Burma Love), a gym, golf simulator, and hourly Rivian rentals. Day passes and monthly memberships available. Members can also use CANOPY's San Francisco locations. Walkable from Menlo Park Caltrain.
WeWork — Palo Alto ~10 min
3101 Park Blvd, Palo Alto
Shared desks, dedicated desks, private offices, meeting rooms. Day passes available. Wellness room, parent's room, showers, dog-friendly, secure bike storage, parking.
Willow Workplace — Menlo Park ~5 min
80 Willow Road, Menlo Park
5 acres with walking trails and three patios. Historic charm meets modern amenities. Drop-in access available. Relaxed, campus-like — good for creative types.
BootUp World — Menlo Park
Silicon Valley innovation hub. Coworking, private offices, conference rooms. Popular with international delegations and startup teams. 9 AM–6 PM basic access.
Free work-friendly spots
Menlo Park Library Free
800 Alma St, Menlo Park (~5 min)
Free WiFi, quiet reading rooms, reservable meeting rooms. A genuine community gathering space.
Mitchell Park Library Free
3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto (~8 min)
Stunning modern building, free WiFi, outdoor terrace. Rinconada Park next door for breaks.
Café Borrone Menlo Park · ~5 min
Classic Peninsula café with huge patio. Buy a coffee and camp out. WiFi available. Closed Tuesdays. See our Date Night guide.
Philz Coffee Various locations
Good WiFi, generous seating, and a culture that welcomes laptops.
Fitness & wellness
Back to top ↑Staying active during a long stay is essential. For detailed running routes, bike paths, and outdoor fitness, see our Outdoor Fitness guide.
Palo Alto Family YMCA — Best Value for Long Stays
3412 Ross Rd, Palo Alto (~8 min)
Full gym, pool, group fitness classes, wellness coaching. Monthly memberships available without a long-term contract. Membership works at all Bay Area and participating nationwide YMCAs. Free 7-day trial pass available — a great test drive.
Oshman Family JCC
Outstanding fitness facilities. Gym, pool, classes, cultural programming. Free day pass to try out. Open to everyone regardless of background.
Equinox Palo Alto
Premium gym. Top-tier facilities and classes. Monthly membership possible. Expensive but excellent.
24 Hour Fitness Mountain View · ~12 min
Budget option. Open 24/7. No-frills but gets the job done.
Orangetheory / SoulCycle Palo Alto
Class-based workouts. Drop-in classes available. Good for variety.
Healthcare & pharmacy
Back to top ↑For 30+ day stays, knowing where to get medical care and fill prescriptions is essential. For full details, see our Hospital & Medical guide.
Pharmacies
| Pharmacy | Address | Drive | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVS | 700 El Camino Real, MP | ~3 min | Full pharmacy + MinuteClinic; delivery |
| CVS | 325 Sharon Park Dr, MP | ~6 min | Sharon Heights; less crowded |
| Walgreens | 643 Santa Cruz Ave, MP | ~5 min | Downtown Menlo Park |
| Safeway Pharmacy | 525 El Camino Real, MP | ~3 min | Convenient with grocery run |
Urgent care & hospitals
Stanford Express Care ~7 min
Walk-in urgent care. Stanford Health network. Evenings and weekends available.
CVS MinuteClinic
Inside CVS locations. Minor issues, flu shots, prescriptions. No appointment needed.
Stanford Hospital ~7 min
300 Pasteur Dr, Palo Alto
World-class medical center. Emergency department and full services.
Sequoia Hospital ~12 min
170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City
Full-service hospital. Good alternative to Stanford ER.
Settling in: week-by-week
Back to top ↑A framework for turning a rental into a home.
Week 1: Arrival & Setup
- Big grocery run — Safeway for essentials, Trader Joe's for pantry staples
- Set up WiFi and test video conferencing (network details in your welcome packet)
- Explore the neighborhood on foot or bike — find your daily coffee spot
- Set up package delivery to the property address; order anything you need from Amazon
- Try a day pass at CANOPY or Willow Workplace if you need a workspace
- Locate the nearest pharmacy and urgent care — you'll be glad you know
Week 2: Build Your Routine
- Establish your grocery rhythm — Safeway for quick runs, TJ's for weekly stock-up, farmers market on Sunday
- Sign up for a gym membership — the YMCA's free 7-day trial is a great test drive
- Try restaurants in downtown Menlo Park and California Ave — these become your go-to spots
- If you want laundry service, set up Rinse or The Laundry for pickup/delivery
- Take Caltrain somewhere — SF for a day trip, Cal Ave for dinner. Learning the train early pays off
Week 3: Explore & Connect
- The basics are on autopilot — start exploring. Hiking trails, Stanford campus, hidden gems
- Check the libraries for events, book clubs, and community programs
- If you're a Stanford affiliate, explore campus resources: libraries, lectures, gym facilities
- Join a local running, walking, or cycling group — Palo Alto has an active outdoor community
- Consider a weekend day trip: Napa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Francisco
Week 4+: You Live Here Now
- You have your favorite grocery store, coffee spot, and walking route. It feels like home.
- Small pleasures emerge: the Saturday farmers market ritual, the Caltrain ride to SF, a quiet morning walk on Stanford campus
- For 60+ day stays: explore a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box for weekly local produce
- Seasonal events become part of your calendar — Stanford football, Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, holiday lights in downtown Menlo Park
Monthly budget guide
Back to top ↑Beyond the rental, here's what long-term guests typically spend per month:
| Category | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries (cooking most meals) | $400–700 | Safeway/TJ's for value; Whole Foods for premium |
| Dining out (2–3×/week) | $300–600 | Peninsula restaurants range $15–50/person |
| Coworking (if needed) | $0–400+ | Free at property; ~$75/day or $300+/mo for spaces |
| Gym membership | $50–200 | YMCA ~$80/mo; Equinox $200+/mo |
| Laundry service (if used) | $0–100 | Free in-unit; Rinse pickup ~$50–100/mo |
| Transportation | $0–200 | Gas/transit; free parking & EV charging at property |
| Pharmacy/health | Varies | Copays; urgent care if needed |
Getting connected
Back to top ↑Building social connections is one of the challenges of an extended stay. Here's how to feel less like a visitor and more like a local.
Libraries as community hubs
Menlo Park Library (800 Alma St): Free library card for California residents. Events, book clubs, meeting rooms. Mitchell Park Library (3700 Middlefield Rd): Maker spaces, community events, adjacent park.
Stanford campus resources
If you're affiliated: Stanford Libraries, free public lectures (nearly every week), Cantor Arts Center (free), and affordable Stanford Athletics and events.
Meetups & activities
Meetup.com has active Palo Alto/Menlo Park groups for hiking, running, tech, book clubs, photography, cooking. Palo Alto Adult School offers classes in ceramics, language, cooking. Peninsula Trails Coalition for group hikes.
Places of worship
Menlo Park and Palo Alto have diverse faith communities. Stanford Memorial Church hosts ecumenical services and is architecturally stunning.
Frequently asked questions
Back to top ↑How do I receive mail and packages during my stay?
The simplest approach: ship directly to our property address — Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and USPS all deliver. We provide the exact address and access codes before arrival. For secure Amazon orders, use Amazon Lockers at nearby Whole Foods. For heavy mail volume, rent a UPS Store mailbox at 405 El Camino Real or 325 Sharon Park Dr in Menlo Park — real street address, all carriers accepted. For occasional USPS mail, use General Delivery at the Menlo Park Post Office (80 Hamilton Ave).
What are the best coworking spaces near Stanford?
CANOPY at Springline in Menlo Park is the premium pick — boutique design, outdoor patio, conference rooms, restaurants below. WeWork at 3101 Park Blvd in Palo Alto offers flexible professional workspace. Willow Workplace has a relaxed campus setting on 5 acres. For free: Menlo Park Library and Mitchell Park Library both have WiFi, quiet rooms, and meeting spaces.
Where are the closest grocery stores?
Safeway (525 El Camino Real, ~3 min) is the closest full-service grocery. Trader Joe's (720 Menlo Ave, ~5 min) is great for staples and prepared meals. Whole Foods (774 Emerson St, ~8 min) has organic produce and Amazon Prime same-day delivery. Ranch 99 in Mountain View (~12 min) for Asian groceries. Cal Ave Farmers Market on Sundays for local produce.
Is there a gym with monthly membership near Stanford?
Palo Alto Family YMCA (~8 min) is the best value — gym, pool, classes, monthly memberships without contracts, and a free 7-day trial. Oshman Family JCC has excellent facilities with a free day pass. Equinox is the premium option. Budget: 24 Hour Fitness in Mountain View or Planet Fitness.
How much should I budget per month beyond the rental?
Typical monthly costs: groceries $400–700 (cooking most meals), dining out $300–600 (2–3×/week), coworking $0–400 (free at property), gym $50–200, laundry $0–100 (free in-unit), transportation $0–200 (free parking & EV charging). All utilities and WiFi are included.