Outdoor Fitness Guide: Stay Active Near Stanford
Running routes, bike paths & rentals, lap pools, pickleball courts, rollerblading trails, and outdoor workout spots — all within 20 minutes of campus. The guide you read at 6 AM when you're lacing up your shoes.
Running routes
Back to top ↑Silicon Valley has 300+ sunny days per year and rarely gets too hot or humid — ideal running weather year-round.
The Stanford Dish
The most iconic run in Silicon Valley. A paved loop through open pastureland with the massive Stanford radio telescope always in view. ~5 mi from Stanford Ave trailhead; ~9 mi round-trip from Palo Alto Caltrain through campus. Hilly with steady climbs and descents. No dogs, no bikes, no rollerblades — running and walking only. Free parking at Stanford Ave & Junipero Serra Blvd. Sunrise to sunset (gate hours vary seasonally).
Stanford Campus Loop
Flat, beautiful run through one of the world's most iconic campuses — Palm Drive, Main Quad & Memorial Church, Rodin Sculpture Garden, Arboretum. Angell Field track is often open to the public for intervals. Stanford Perimeter Trail (3.4 mi) circles the south/east campus on mixed surfaces. Combine with the Dish for 8–10 mi total.
Palo Alto Baylands
Flat, wide trails along SF Bay marshlands. Full loop ~10 miles via Adobe Creek, San Francisquito Creek, and Marsh Front trails. Duck Pond Loop is 0.7 mi for a quick outing. Best for flat long runs, distance training, and sunrise/sunset runs. No shade — bring sun protection. Morning runs are cooler. See our Parks guide for more.
Palo Alto Residential Streets
Beautiful neighborhood running — gorgeous older homes, mature shade trees, low traffic. "Professorville" near campus is charming. Tree-lined streets between University Ave and Oregon Expressway are some of the most pleasant urban running anywhere. Great for recovery runs.
Arastradero Preserve
Redtail Loop for a quick 2 mi. Connect through Gate D to Foothills for longer. Rolling hills, 275–775 ft range. See our Hiking guide for trail maps.
Sawyer Camp Trail
Legendary 6-mile paved trail along Crystal Springs Reservoir. Shaded eucalyptus/oak groves. Last mile is steep. Also the best rollerblading trail on the Peninsula — see Rollerblading below. Off I-280 near Hwy 92.
Cycling & bike paths
Back to top ↑Paved multi-use paths (flat, car-free)
SF Bay Trail
Completed sections connect Bedwell Bayfront (Menlo Park) through Palo Alto Baylands to Shoreline (Mountain View). 10–26+ mi continuous. Flat, bay views.
Stevens Creek Trail
Paved trail from Mountain View through Cupertino. Connects to Shoreline Park and Bay Trail.
Bol Park Path
1.25 mi asphalt through quiet Palo Alto neighborhood. Passes the Barron Park donkeys (model for Shrek!).
Cañada Road (Sundays) ~20 min
3.8 mi car-free between Filoli entrance and Hwy 92. Open Sundays for biking, jogging, skating. Reservoir views.
Road cycling
Old La Honda Road ~15 min
The Peninsula's most famous climb. 3.3 mi, ~1,250 ft gain. Narrow, shaded, minimal traffic. Starts in Portola Valley. A Bay Area cycling rite of passage.
Alpine Rd → Page Mill
Classic loop through Portola Valley foothills. Rolling terrain, pastoral views. Moderate to challenging.
Sand Hill → Portola Valley
Flat to rolling through venture capital country into quiet Portola Valley. Good shoulders.
Tour de Menlo Routes
Mapped routes of 10, 20, 33, 43, and 65 miles from Menlo Park. Downloadable at tourdemenlo.com.
Mountain biking
Arastradero Preserve ~10 min
Beginner-friendly singletrack closest to campus. 10+ mi trails.
El Corte de Madera Creek ~25 min
The Peninsula's premier MTB. 34 mi trails in redwood forest. Varied difficulty.
Bike rentals
Campus Bike Shop (Stanford) Best value
Commuter bike + lock + helmet for $40/3 days. Open to the public.
Bike Connection (Palo Alto)
2011 El Camino Real
Road, mountain, hybrid, e-bike rentals. 24hr/weekly/monthly. Helmets included.
Palo Alto Bicycles E-Bike Annex
Dedicated e-bike rental. Great for guests wanting pedal-assist for hills.
Swimming & lap pools
Back to top ↑Burgess Pool / Menlo Swim & Sport
501 Laurel Street, Menlo Park · menloswim.com
Three pools: Performance (25m × 25yd, 11 lanes, 80°F), Instructional (25yd, 6 lanes, 86°F, winter dome Nov–Mar), Wading (86°F). Indoor locker rooms and showers. Mon–Fri 6 AM–8 PM, Sat–Sun 6 AM–5:30 PM. Lap swim, Aqua Fit, Masters swimming, lessons. Senior rates and monthly/quarterly passes available.
Rinconada Pool (Palo Alto)
777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto · paloaltoswim.com
Outdoor pool open year-round. 13 lanes of 25-yard lap swimming. Separate children's pool. Mon–Fri 6 AM–4 PM, Sat 6 AM–5 PM, Sun 6 AM–4 PM. Located in beautiful 19-acre Rinconada Park. Basic changing rooms, no lockers. Early weekday mornings are emptiest.
Also: Stanford's Avery Aquatic Center is world-class but generally limited to affiliates. Check for public sessions in summer.
Tennis & pickleball
Back to top ↑Mitchell Park Palo Alto · ~8 min
600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto
15 courts for pickleball (8 permanent + 7 multi-purpose during designated hours). 15 courts available sunrise–3 PM daily. 8 courts (6 lighted) open 24/7. First come, first served. Home of the Palo Alto Pickleball Club (900+ members). "Arrive as a stranger and leave as a friend." Free clinics Mon–Wed 1–2:15 PM. Drop in anytime.
Menlo Park courts
Nealon Park
Court 5 = dedicated pickleball 8 AM–3 PM (shared with tennis after 3 PM). Free drop-in.
Kelly Park
Pickleball available. Free drop-in.
Burgess Park ~5 min
Two lighted tennis courts adjacent to the pool. Free drop-in. All Menlo Park courts are open for free drop-in — no tennis key required. Reservations at select courts for a fee.
Rollerblading & skating
Back to top ↑Sawyer Camp Trail ~20 min
Best blading trail on the Peninsula. 6 mi smooth asphalt along Crystal Springs Reservoir. Shaded eucalyptus groves. Sunday mornings are peak. Speed enforcement in 5 mph pedestrian zones is real — radar guns and tickets.
Bay Trail (Baylands) ~10 min
Flat, paved bayfront sections. Wide for skating. Exposed to wind.
Cañada Road (Sundays) ~20 min
3.8 mi car-free. Smooth road surface. Moderately rolling reservoir views.
Shoreline at Mountain View ~15 min
Paved paths around Shoreline Lake. Flat, smooth, scenic.
Bol Park Path Near property
Short (1.25 mi) but smooth asphalt. Quick session close to home.
Skateparks
Greer Skatepark Palo Alto · ~8 min
2860 W Bayshore Rd (at Colorado Ave), Palo Alto — inside Greer Park
Concrete tri-bowl complex built in 1991. Three interconnected bowls at 4, 6, and 8 feet deep. Old-school flow design. Skateboarding, BMX, scooters, and rollerblading. Free, daily 8 AM–9 PM. Pads required. Greer Park also has basketball courts, baseball/soccer fields, playground, and a small dog run. Expansion campaign with City Council support underway at paloaltoskatepark.org.
Burgess Skate Park Menlo Park · ~5 min
Adjacent to Burgess Pool. Another option for skaters visiting the area.
Outdoor workout & fitness spots
Back to top ↑Burgess Park ~5 min
9-acre complex: gym, pool, fields, courts. Full fitness ecosystem. Closest all-in-one option.
Rinconada Park ~8 min
19 acres under live oaks and redwoods. Great for bodyweight workouts. Pool adjacent.
Stanford Campus
Angell Field track often open to the public. Stadium steps for stair workouts (check access). Open lawns for stretching.
Rancho San Antonio ~15 min
Stretching bars at restroom parking area and equestrian staging. Post-run stretching.
Page Mill Road The Hill Workout
For the seriously fit: bike or run from I-280 to Skyline (~7 mi, ~2,000 ft gain). The classic Peninsula hill workout.
Quick reference by activity
Back to top ↑| Activity | Best Option | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Running | Baylands trails (10+ mi) | Palo Alto residential streets |
| Hilly Running | Stanford Dish (~5 mi, 500 ft) | Arastradero Preserve (trail) |
| Trail Running | Arastradero Preserve | Windy Hill / Coal Creek |
| Road Cycling (easy) | Bay Trail (flat, car-free) | Cañada Road (Sundays) |
| Road Cycling (climb) | Old La Honda Road | Page Mill to Skyline |
| Mountain Biking | El Corte de Madera Creek | Arastradero (beginner) |
| Lap Swimming | Burgess Pool (closest) | Rinconada Pool (outdoor) |
| Pickleball | Mitchell Park (15 courts!) | Nealon Park, Menlo Park |
| Tennis | Mitchell Park | Burgess Park (lighted) |
| Rollerblading | Sawyer Camp Trail | Bay Trail (Baylands) |
| Bike Rental | Campus Bike Shop ($40/3d) | Bike Connection |
| E-Bike Rental | PA Bicycles E-Bike Annex | Bike Connection |
| Skateparks | Greer Skatepark (Palo Alto) | Burgess Skate Park (Menlo Park) |
All hours, fees, and details were researched February 2026. Facilities occasionally update schedules or pricing. For detailed trail descriptions, see our Hiking guide. For park details, see our Parks & Nature Preserves guide.
Frequently asked questions
Back to top ↑Where can I run near Stanford University?
The most iconic run is the Stanford Dish — a ~3.5-mile paved loop with ~500 ft of elevation gain, about 5 minutes from our property. For flat running, the Palo Alto Baylands offer 10+ miles of car-free paths along the Bay. The Stanford Campus Loop is ~4.5 miles through palm-lined avenues and past the Main Quad. For trail running, Arastradero Preserve has 10+ miles of packed dirt trails with rolling hills.
Where can I play pickleball near Stanford?
Mitchell Park in Palo Alto is the hub — 15 courts, free, first-come-first-served. The Palo Alto Pickleball Club (900+ members) offers free clinics Mon–Wed 1–2:15 PM. In Menlo Park, Nealon Park has a dedicated court (8 AM–3 PM) and Kelly Park also offers pickleball. All free. The Menlo Park Library even lends free paddles and balls.
Where can I rent a bike near Stanford?
Campus Bike Shop at Stanford: commuter bike + lock + helmet for $40/3 days, open to the public. Bike Connection (2011 El Camino Real, Palo Alto): road, mountain, hybrid, and e-bikes with 24hr/weekly/monthly options. Palo Alto Bicycles E-Bike Annex: dedicated e-bike rental — great for tackling hills.
Is there a public lap pool near Stanford?
Closest is Burgess Pool / Menlo Swim & Sport (501 Laurel St, Menlo Park, ~5 min) — three pools including an 11-lane performance pool. Drop-in ~$4–$7. Rinconada Pool in Palo Alto (~8 min) has 13 lanes of outdoor lap swimming year-round, ~$6 adults. Both open at 6 AM for early morning laps.
Where can I go rollerblading near Stanford?
Sawyer Camp Trail is the best — 6 mi of smooth asphalt along Crystal Springs Reservoir (~20 min drive). Also: Bay Trail through the Baylands (flat, paved), Cañada Road on car-free Sundays (3.8 mi), Shoreline at Mountain View (flat around the lake), and Bol Park Path (1.25 mi near the property). Rollerblades are not permitted on MROSD preserve trails.