Shopping Near Stanford: Five Districts in 10 Minutes
From one of America's most famous open-air malls to independent bookstores, artisan boutiques, and a legendary Sunday farmers' market — five distinct shopping districts, each with its own personality, all within a short drive of our property.
Stanford Shopping Center
Back to top ↑One of the most famous open-air malls in America. Built in 1955 on Leland Stanford's former vineyard, it's now 1.3 million square feet with 140+ stores. The landscaping alone is worth a visit — world-class gardens, sculptures, fountains, and mature trees make it feel like a botanical garden that happens to have Nordstrom.
📍 The Basics
660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto · El Camino Real & Sand Hill Road
Parking: Free. Ample. Four garages plus surface lots. EV charging stations. One of the easiest parking experiences at any major shopping center.
The anchors: Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom — four department stores in one outdoor center. Luxury row: Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Burberry, Zegna.
Standout experiences
Sigona's Farmers Market
A gourmet grocery inside the mall — fresh California produce, artisanal cheeses, olive oils, baked goods. Not a food court. This is where locals shop for dinner ingredients. Most visitors miss it entirely.
Town & Country Village
Back to top ↑The cool, curated local's favorite. A hacienda-style outdoor center with 70+ shops and restaurants — wooden storefronts, flower pots, shaded walkways, and twinkling holiday lights give it a warm, walkable village atmosphere.
📍 The Basics
855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto · El Camino & Embarcadero, across from Stanford Stadium
Parking: Free, 2.5-hour limit. Tight during the lunch rush (11:30 AM–1 PM). Weekday mornings are easy.
Standout shops
The Stanford Shop
Official Stanford University merchandise — the only place for authentic Cardinal gear. Great for gifts and souvenirs.
Books Inc. · Sur La Table · Paper Source
Independent bookstore with strong local curation. Premium cookware with cooking classes. Beautiful stationery and gift shop.
The food scene
Arguably better than Stanford Shopping Center's — more local, more artisanal.
Gott's Roadside · Boichik Bagels · Manresa Bread
Gott's: The famous Napa Valley burger joint — gourmet burgers, shakes, always a line, worth it. Boichik: The Bay Area's most hyped New York–style bagels — get here before 10 AM on weekends. Manresa Bread: From the Michelin-starred restaurant — exceptional pastries and breakfast sandwiches.
Downtown Palo Alto (University Avenue)
Back to top ↑The urban heart of Palo Alto — restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and a movie theater. Part charming Main Street, part buzzy urban corridor, and by far the area's best evening scene.
📍 The Basics
University Avenue between Alma St and Webster St, plus cross streets (Emerson, Ramona, Bryant, Cowper)
Parking: The trickiest of the five. Metered 2-hour street zones. Three garages: High St, Bryant St, Webster/Cowper. Garages are FREE after 6 PM — the best-kept parking secret in Palo Alto.
Standout shops
Bell's Books
536 Emerson St, Palo Alto
Family-owned used and rare bookstore since 1935. Extensive collection of used, rare, and collectible books. If you love old books, this is your place.
Apple Store · The RealReal · Watercourse Way
Apple: One of Apple's larger locations — Genius Bar, browsing, Today at Apple sessions. The RealReal: Luxury consignment — designer pieces at significant discounts. Watercourse Way: Private themed hot tub rooms, sauna, massage. Unique experience, booking required — great for couples.
The evening scene
The liveliest nightlife in the area. Friday and Saturday evenings, restaurants fill, bars come alive, and shops stay open late.
Vino Locale · Nola · Rose & Crown · Scotty's
Vino Locale: Wine bar in a 1906 Victorian with hidden patio, fire pits, live music — charming and romantic. Nola: New Orleans cocktails and Cajun food, lively atmosphere. Rose & Crown: English pub in an alley — soccer fans worldwide watch matches here. Scotty's: Classic no-frills neighborhood bar.
California Avenue & the Sunday Market
Back to top ↑The bohemian, locally-rooted alternative to University Avenue. Six blocks of independent shops, galleries, and restaurants with a more relaxed, artsy, "real Palo Alto" vibe.
📍 The Basics
California Avenue between El Camino Real and Park Boulevard
Parking: Cal Ave garage (free on Sundays). Metered street during the week.
Sunday Farmers' Market
One of the best on the Peninsula. Every Sunday year-round, 9 AM–1 PM. Several blocks close to traffic. Fresh local produce, prepared foods, flowers, live music, artisan products. Many visitors treat it as brunch — grab food from a vendor and sit. Featured in our Weekend Itinerary. Come 9–10 AM for the best selection.
Antonio's Nut House · Kirk's Steakburgers · Joanie's Café
Antonio's: THE dive bar of Palo Alto — free peanuts (shells on the floor), cheap drinks, pool tables, Grateful Dead. An institution since the '70s. Kirk's: Classic retro burger joint, simple and excellent. Joanie's: Popular brunch spot with weekend lines — arrive early.
Downtown Menlo Park (Santa Cruz Avenue)
Back to top ↑The closest shopping district to our property and arguably the most charming — a tree-lined strip of independent boutiques, galleries, and restaurants that feels like small-town Main Street in the best possible way.
📍 The Basics
Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
Parking: Free underground garage at Menlo Center (enter from Santa Cruz Ave). Free Caltrain station lot behind Kepler's. Easy street parking.
Kepler's Books
1010 El Camino Real, Suite 100 (Menlo Center building)
Founded 1955. The intellectual and cultural heart of the Peninsula. The Grateful Dead played here. Joan Baez held salons. It nearly closed in 2005 before the community rallied to save it. Today: 10,000 square feet, exceptional selection, staff recommendations throughout, award-winning children's department, and a robust author events calendar. Free underground parking with elevator directly to the store.
Shady Lane · Cheeky Monkey Toys · Fleet Feet
Shady Lane: 40+ years of one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry, scarves, glass sculptures, artisan soaps — "Best Boutique" winner. Cheeky Monkey: Beloved family-owned toy shop — interactive, mind-stimulating toys since 1999, the anti-Amazon. Fleet Feet: Running specialty with 3D foot scanning — great for buying proper shoes to hike the Dish.
Shopping by scenario
Back to top ↑🌧️ Rainy Day
Stanford Shopping Center (covered walkways, indoor galleries) or Town & Country (cozy individual shops). Both work in light rain.
🎁 I Need a Gift
Shady Lane in Menlo Park (artisan/unique), Paper Source at Town & Country (stationery), Kepler's (books always work), Cheeky Monkey Toys (for kids).
⏰ Kill an Hour
Kepler's + Café Borrone is the perfect 1–2 hour pairing. Or Stanford Shopping Center gardens + Sigona's.
🌙 Night Out + Browsing
Downtown Palo Alto. Shops open late Fri/Sat, then dinner and drinks on University Ave — Vino Locale, Nola, Rose & Crown.
☀️ Local Sunday Morning
Cal Ave Farmers' Market (9 AM–1 PM) → browse Cal Ave shops → coffee. Or: Kepler's → Menlo Park boutiques → Borrone patio.
👨👩👧👦 With Kids
Town & Country (Cheeky Monkey Toys, ice cream, Boba Guys, Howard's Shoes). Or Stanford Shopping Center (Tesla, Apple, gardens, gelato).
📚 For Bookworms
Kepler's (Menlo Park, 10,000 sq ft, author events), Bell's Books (Downtown PA, used & rare since 1935), Books Inc. (Town & Country), Stanford Bookstore (on campus).
Parking cheat sheet
| District | Daytime | Evening | Secret Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Shopping Center | Free, ample garages | Free, easy | EV charging available |
| Town & Country | Free 2.5-hr limit | Free, easy | Weekday mornings best |
| Downtown PA | Metered 2-hr zones | Garages FREE after 6 PM | High, Bryant, Webster garages |
| California Ave | Metered + garage | Free after 6 PM | Cal Ave garage free Sundays |
| Menlo Park | Free underground garage | Free, easy | Enter from Santa Cruz Ave |
Frequently asked questions
Back to top ↑What are the hours for Stanford Shopping Center?
Monday through Saturday 10 AM–7 PM, Sunday 11 AM–6 PM. Extended hours during the holiday season (typically through early January). Individual restaurants may stay open later. Parking is free and ample.
Is parking free?
Stanford Shopping Center: Free, always. Town & Country: Free, 2.5-hour limit. Downtown Palo Alto: Metered during the day, but garages are free after 6 PM. Cal Ave: Garage free on Sundays. Menlo Park: Free underground garage at Menlo Center.
Where's the best bookstore?
Kepler's Books in Menlo Park is the flagship — 10,000 sq ft, author events, exceptional children's department. Bell's Books in downtown PA has used and rare books since 1935. Books Inc. at Town & Country has strong local curation. See our bookworms scenario above.
When is the farmers' market?
The California Avenue market is every Sunday year-round, 9 AM–1 PM. The Downtown PA Saturday market runs mid-May through mid-December, 8 AM–noon. Arrive by 9–10 AM on Sundays for the best selection. See our Farmers Markets guide for full details.
What should I do on a rainy day?
Stanford Shopping Center has covered walkways between stores. Town & Country's individual shops are cozy. Both work in light rain. For fully indoor options, see our rainy day picks in the Family Activities guide.
Where can I buy Stanford gear?
The Stanford Shop at Town & Country Village has the full range of official university merchandise. The Stanford Bookstore on campus (near the Quad) also carries Stanford-branded everything.