Local Essentials Near Stanford & West Menlo Park
Everything you need within minutes of your rental near Stanford University — groceries, pharmacies, urgent care, banks, gas, dry cleaners, shipping, hardware, gyms, car washes, EV charging, bike shops, barber shops, delivery services, and more. All listings prioritized by proximity to West Menlo Park and Stanford.
The historic Menlo Park Caltrain station — the oldest continuously operating railroad station in California, built in 1867. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Groceries & supermarkets near Menlo Park
West Menlo Park is surrounded by an exceptional range of grocery options — from beloved neighborhood markets to full-service supermarkets and specialty shops. You'll find something for every taste and budget within a few minutes' drive.
Bianchini's Market Ladera Country Shopper
3130 Alpine Rd #415, Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 851-4391 · bianchinismarket.com
Family-owned gourmet grocery with outstanding local and organic produce, a full deli and meat counter, and a curated wine and beer selection. A neighborhood gem.
Lucky Supermarket Woodside Plaza
200 Woodside Plaza, Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 369-8678 · luckysupermarkets.com
Safeway (El Camino Real)
525 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 847-2901 · safeway.com
The largest Safeway in the area with the biggest selection. In-store pharmacy and Starbucks.
Safeway (Sharon Park)
325 Sharon Park Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-3056 · safeway.com
Open 24 hours — the most convenient full-service grocery for West Menlo Park guests. Quieter location in the Sharon Heights area near Stanford.
Draeger's Market
1010 University Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 324-7700 · draegers.com
Upscale gourmet grocery with exceptional bakery, deli, wine selection, and occasional cooking classes. One of the nicest grocery experiences on the Peninsula — but also one of the priciest.
Chavez Supermarket
3282 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 365-6510 · chavezsuper.com
Specializes in Mexican and Latin American products.
Costco
2300 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 568-4040 · costco.com
Membership required. Bulk groceries, gas, pharmacy, and optical.
Target (Redwood City)
2485 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94063
The closest Target to West Menlo Park and Stanford. Groceries plus everything else — toiletries, phone chargers, kitchen supplies, baby items, clothing. Often the first stop for guests who left something at home.
Whole Foods (Palo Alto)
774 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 326-8676 · wholefoodsmarket.com
Strong prepared foods and hot bar section.
Whole Foods (Redwood City)
1250 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 367-1400 · wholefoodsmarket.com
The Willows Market
60 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 322-0743 · willowsmarket.com
Upscale neighborhood market with a quality deli, prepared foods, and curated selections. A bit farther east of West Menlo Park in the Willows neighborhood.
El Rancho Market
812 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 321-4902 · elranchomenlopark.com
Family-owned Latin American grocery with an excellent taqueria, full meat counter, and affordable produce. A bit farther from West Menlo Park, on the east side of town.
Specialty & ethnic markets
Sigona's Farmers Market (Redwood City)
2345 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 368-6993 · sigonas.com
Outstanding open-air-style market since 1975 with exceptional fresh produce, 300+ artisan cheeses, olive oils, dried fruits, and specialty items.
Sigona's (Stanford Shopping Ctr)
399 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto
(650) 329-1340 · sigonas.com
Smaller satellite location of the Redwood City original.
Real Produce International
501 Oxford Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 384-6180 · realproducemarket.com
Excellent Middle Eastern, Indian, and East European products; halal meats; on-site food court.
The Market at Edgewood
2170 W Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 665-7590 · marketatedgewood.com
Local/organic emphasis, excellent scratch bakery and artisan deli.
Delucchi's Market
3640 Florence St, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 216-7600 · delucchismarket.com
Outstanding deli sandwiches, in-house sushi, strong wine/craft beer.
Cook's Seafood Restaurant & Fish Market
751 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 325-0604 · cooksseafood.com
Fresh seafood market alongside their famous fish & chips restaurant. Free crab cracking and cleaning.
Convenience stores
Bob's Country Corner
3207 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-4260 · bobscountrycorner.com
Beloved West Menlo Park neighborhood institution — and walkable from the NearStanford.com property. Convenience store, deli, beer/wine/spirits. Famous for excellent made-to-order sandwiches. A local favorite and the kind of place where you'll run into the neighbors.
7-Eleven
525 Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 325-7007 · 7-eleven.com
Open 24 hours. Near the Menlo Park Caltrain station.
Pharmacies near Stanford & Menlo Park
CVS Pharmacy (Sharon Park)
325 Sharon Park Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-4636 · cvs.com
Drive-thru pharmacy available.
Walgreens Pharmacy
643 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 321-1530 · walgreens.com
Downtown Menlo Park location.
Safeway Pharmacy
525 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 847-2905 · safeway.com
Inside the Safeway grocery store.
CVS Pharmacy (Palo Alto)
352 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 324-3248 · cvs.com
About 2 miles from West Menlo Park.
Urgent care & emergency rooms near Stanford
Stanford Medical Center — home to one of the nation's top-ranked emergency departments, about 3 miles from West Menlo Park. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Urgent care (walk-in)
Sutter Health Palo Alto Center Urgent Care
795 El Camino Real, Level 1, Lee Building, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 853-2958 · sutterhealth.org
Walk-ins welcome. Online check-in available. Adults 18+. About 2 miles from West Menlo Park.
UCSF Health–GoHealth Urgent Care (Redwood City)
830 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 381-0616 · gohealthuc.com
Walk-ins welcome; online booking available. On-site labs, X-ray, and EKG. Open 365 days/year. About 4 miles.
Hospital emergency rooms
Stanford Hospital Emergency Department
900 Quarry Rd Extension, Stanford, CA 94305
(650) 723-5111 · stanfordhealthcare.org
Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center. Open 24/7. About 3 miles from West Menlo Park and adjacent to Stanford University. One of the top-ranked hospitals in the nation.
Sequoia Hospital ER
170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 369-5811 · dignityhealth.org
Open 24/7. About 3 miles — one of the closest ERs.
Kaiser Permanente Redwood City ER
1100 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 299-2000 · kaiserpermanente.org
Open 24/7. About 4–5 miles. Treats all patients for true emergencies regardless of Kaiser membership.
ATMs & banks
All major national banks have branches and 24-hour ATMs within a few minutes of West Menlo Park, primarily along Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Menlo Park and in the surrounding shopping centers.
Chase Bank (Downtown)
650 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 853-2655 · chase.com
24-hour ATM. Downtown Menlo Park.
Chase Bank Ladera
3130 Alpine Rd #170, Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 854-3792 · chase.com
Full-service branch with ATM. Mon–Fri 9–5, Sat 9–2.
Wells Fargo (Downtown)
735 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 926-0760 · wellsfargo.com
Multiple 24-hour ATMs.
Wells Fargo (Sharon Heights)
325 Sharon Park Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 365-7032 · wellsfargo.com
Wells Fargo Woodside Plaza
1500 Woodside Rd, Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 365-7032 · wellsfargo.com
Full-service branch with 24-hour ATMs.
Gas stations near Menlo Park, CA
Listed by proximity to West Menlo Park. Gas prices on the Peninsula tend to run above the California average — comparing prices on GasBuddy can save a few dollars per tank.
Chevron (Alameda de las Pulgas)
3600 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-4091
Closest station to West Menlo Park, at the Avy Ave intersection. Fair warning: this Chevron is famous for being one of the most expensive gas stations in the country. Convenient for emergencies, but you'll save significantly by fueling up almost anywhere else.
76 Station (Willow Rd)
710 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 384-6422
Full-service station with auto repair.
Quik Stop
3401 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 365-5783
Convenience store with gas; near Redwood City border.
76 Station (George & Bob's)
1380 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 328-9726
Full-service at the pump; also auto repair.
Shell (Hudson Shell)
495 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 324-4561
Open 24 hours; auto service also available.
Dry cleaners
Ladera Cleaners Ladera Country Shopper
3130 Alpine Rd #260, Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 854-2291 · laderacleaners.net
Award-winning dry cleaning and alterations since 1971. One-day service available. Almanac Readers' Choice winner.
West Bay Cleaners
1921 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 799-0007 · westbaycleaners.com
Pickup and delivery available. Very close to West Menlo Park.
PKS Cleaners & Alterations
867 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 323-4541
Free pickup/delivery for Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Atherton, and Redwood City.
Menlo Shirt Laundry & Dry Cleaners
1115 Chestnut St, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 323-2744
Green Earth eco-friendly dry cleaning with excellent reviews.
Country Club Cleaners
3536 Alameda de las Pulgas #5, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 854-5474 · countryclubdrycleaners.com
Helen's One Hour Cleaners & Laundry Woodside Plaza
260 Woodside Plaza, Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 365-2714
In business approximately 60 years. Mon–Fri 7am–7pm, Sat 8am–4pm.
Post offices & shipping
Whether you need to send a postcard home, ship a package, get a passport photo, or find a notary — there are plenty of options nearby.
West Menlo Park Post Office (USPS)
2120 Avy Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 272-5199 · usps.com
Closest USPS office to West Menlo Park — tucked behind the Starbucks on Avy Ave. Passport services available.
Menlo Park Post Office (USPS)
655 Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 323-2701 · usps.com
Main downtown location. Passport services and photos.
USPS Woodside Plaza
364 Woodside Plaza, Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 368-4163 · usps.com
Small counter. Mon–Fri 9:30am–1:30pm & 2:15pm–5pm.
The UPS Store (El Camino)
405 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 326-4415 · theupsstore.com
Packing, shipping, printing, notary, shredding, fax.
The UPS Store (Sharon Heights)
325 Sharon Park Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 233-1953 · theupsstore.com
The UPS Store Ladera
3130 Alpine Rd #288, Portola Valley, CA 94028
(650) 529-1692 · theupsstore.com
Shipping, printing, notary, mailbox rental. Open 7 days.
The UPS Store Woodside Plaza
50 Woodside Plaza, Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 701-0593 · theupsstore.com
Shipping, printing, notary, mailbox rental, passport photos.
FedEx Office Print & Ship Center
1194 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 321-4202 · fedex.com
Printing, copying, packing, shipping, free Wi-Fi, passport photos.
Post N' More
1259 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 326-6245 · postnmore.com
Ships via all major carriers. Notary, Live Scan fingerprinting, mailbox rental.
Hardware stores
Menlo Park Hardware (Ace)
700 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 325-2515 · menlohardware.com
Locally owned with 65,000+ products. Key cutting, screen repair, blade sharpening. The go-to for any quick household fix — from a phone charger to a light bulb to a plunger.
Hassett Ace Hardware (Palo Alto)
875 Alma St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 327-7222 · hassetthardware.com
Family owned since 1957; voted Best of Palo Alto multiple years.
The Home Depot (East Palo Alto)
1781 E Bayshore Rd, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 462-6800 · homedepot.com
Closest big-box hardware store. Tool and truck rental.
Gyms & fitness
All listings below accept day passes or drop-in visitors — important for short-term guests who want to keep up their fitness routine while traveling.
24 Hour Fitness (Redwood City Super-Sport)
1050 Broadway St, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 480-5118 · 24hourfitness.com
Free day pass for first-time visitors via website. Pool, group classes, full amenities. Open 24 hours.
CorePower Yoga (Palo Alto)
855 El Camino Real, Suite 105, Palo Alto
(833) 448-2561 · corepoweryoga.com
First week free for new students. Hot yoga, sculpt, and strength classes.
CorePower Yoga (Redwood City)
3750 Florence St, Redwood City, CA 94063
(833) 448-2561 · corepoweryoga.com
Same first-week-free offer for new students.
YogaSource Palo Alto
158 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 328-9642 · yogasource.com
75+ classes weekly. Voted Best Yoga Studio in Palo Alto 5+ years.
barre3 Menlo Park
989 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Barre, yoga, and Pilates. Two-week unlimited intro deal.
Powerhouse Gym Elite
870 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 369-6000 · powerhousegym.com
Day passes ~$25. Traditional gym with ample equipment.
YogaSix Palo Alto
240 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto
(650) 398-0889 · yogasix.com
6 signature class types. Drop-in options available.
Car wash
Ducky's Car Wash
1436 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 838-9000 · duckysexpress.com
Closest car wash to West Menlo Park. Full-service and express exterior washes; detailing available.
Auto Pride Hand Car Wash (Palo Alto)
841 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 324-2634 · autopridecarwash.com
100% hand wash; full-service detailing.
Auto Pride Hand Car Wash (Redwood City)
909 Woodside Rd, Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 306-1072 · autopridecarwash.com
100% hand wash; full-service detailing.
Bay Area Car Wash (Redwood City)
215 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 365-6690 · bayareacarwash.com
Full-service and express exterior. Unlimited membership plans available.
EV charging stations
At your rental
Nearby public charging
PowerFlex DC Fast Charger Ladera Country Shopper
3130 Alpine Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028 (near the Chase Bank parking lot)
(833) 479-7359 · PowerFlex app
6 ports · 50 kW DC fast charging · CCS and CHAdeMO connectors · $0.76/kWh · 24/7. One of the fastest non-Tesla public chargers in the immediate area. Tesla drivers need a CCS adapter.
Tesla Supercharger (Sharon Park)
325 Sharon Park Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025
18 NACS ports, Level 3 DC fast charging. Open 24 hours.
ChargePoint (Willow Road)
68 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Level 2 charging. Very close to West Menlo Park. Open 24 hours.
7-Eleven 7Charge Station
460 Woodside Rd, Redwood City, CA 94061
4 ports · 3× CCS at up to 125 kW, 1× CHAdeMO at up to 100 kW · 24/7. Actually the fastest non-Tesla charger in the broader area at 125 kW — but a bit farther from West Menlo Park.
Bike shops & rentals
The Peninsula is one of the most bike-friendly regions in the country. Whether you want to pedal around Stanford's 8,180-acre campus, cruise the Bay Trail, or explore downtown Palo Alto, renting a bike is one of the best ways to experience the area.
The Bike Connection (Menlo Park)
622 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 327-3318 · bikeconnection.net
Full-service shop with rentals. Downtown Menlo Park.
The Bike Connection (Palo Alto)
2086 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 424-8034 · bikeconnection.net
Near Stanford campus. Rentals, repairs, and sales.
Campus Bike Shop (Stanford)
Stanford Campus
Best option for visitors biking around Stanford. Rentals, repairs, and sales on campus.
Mike's Bikes (Palo Alto)
3001 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Major retailer with road, mountain, and e-bikes.
Cobbler, tailors, print shops & emergency vet
Shoe repair
Amparo's Shoe Repair
1370 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 368-7463
Very close to West Menlo Park. Quick and affordable.
Menlo Joe's Shoe Repair
1177 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 326-4481
Also does luggage repair. Highly recommended by locals.
The Cobblery
311 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Full-service shoe repair since 1940. Family-owned and highly rated.
Tailors & alterations
Style Alterations
1155 Crane St, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 321-5643 · stylealterations.net
Men's and women's, formal wear, bridal. In business 40+ years.
Choo's Tailors
515 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 321-1500
Highly regarded local tailor near downtown Menlo Park.
Fenny's Alterations & Cleaners
648 Menlo Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Professional seamstress with strong Yelp reviews.
Copy & print shops
FedEx Office (Menlo Park)
1194 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 321-4202 · fedex.com
Self-service printing, copying, scanning, computer rental, shipping, free Wi-Fi.
FedEx Office (Palo Alto — California Ave)
249 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 328-7518 · fedex.com
Emergency vet
VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) — Palo Alto
3045 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 397-7387 · veg.com
24/7 emergency vet. No appointment needed, walk-ins welcome. Open floor plan so you stay with your pet.
SAGE Veterinary Centers (Redwood City)
934 Charter St, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 417-7243
24-hour emergency and specialty animal hospital.
Parks & recreation
The iconic Stanford Dish and surrounding trail — one of the Peninsula's most popular hikes with sweeping Bay views. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Nealon Park
800 Middle Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Large park near West Menlo Park with playground, sports fields, and walking paths. Popular dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs.
Bedwell Bayfront Park
1600 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Scenic bayfront trails with great views of the Bay. Popular for birding and jogging. 160 acres of rolling terrain along the water's edge.
Stanford Dish Trail
Off Junipero Serra Blvd, Stanford, CA 94305
One of the area's most popular hikes — a 3.7-mile loop with panoramic views of the Bay and surrounding hills. Open to the public for walking and running. Named after the iconic radio telescope visible from the trail. A must-do during your stay.
Library & key copying
Menlo Park Library
800 Alma St, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 330-2520 · menlopark.gov
Free Wi-Fi, public computers, and media. Visitors welcome.
Menlo Park Hardware (Ace)
700 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park
Cuts keys on the spot — the fastest option.
KeyMe Locksmiths
Kiosk inside Safeway, 525 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Self-service key copying kiosks plus 24/7 locksmith dispatch for lockouts.
Nearby shopping centers at a glance
Two nearby shopping centers — Ladera Country Shopper and Woodside Plaza — are especially convenient for guests in West Menlo Park. Each clusters essential services in one stop. For a more upscale experience, Stanford Shopping Center is a must-visit. And for walkable streetside shopping and dining, don't miss the charming downtowns of Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Redwood City.
Stanford Shopping Center — Northern California's premier open-air shopping destination, with stunning gardens year-round. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Stanford Shopping Center
660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304 · About 3 miles from West Menlo Park
Northern California's premier open-air shopping and dining destination with 140+ stores including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co. Beautiful year-round gardens, sculptures, and fountains throughout. Also home to Sigona's Farmers Market, True Food Kitchen, Fleming's, Pacific Catch, and many more restaurants. Located on El Camino Real at Sand Hill Road, adjacent to Stanford University.
Ladera Country Shopper
3130 Alpine Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028 · About 2 miles from West Menlo Park
A charming village-style strip with Bianchini's gourmet grocery, Konditorei café, Amigos Grill (Mexican), Portola Bistro (French/Italian), Hibari (kappo-style Japanese omakase), Ladera Garden & Gifts nursery, The UPS Store, Ladera Cleaners, Chase Bank, a hair salon, nail salon, optometrist, and a DC fast EV charging station.
Woodside Plaza
Woodside Rd at Massachusetts Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061 · About 2.5 miles
A larger neighborhood center with Lucky Supermarket, Ross Dress for Less, Michaels craft store, The UPS Store, USPS post office, Redwood Grill, Round Table Pizza, Yat Sing (Chinese), Sushi Plus, Breakers Café, Helen's One Hour Cleaners, Great Clips, Wells Fargo Bank, and more. Note: Hassett Ace Hardware is temporarily closed (reopening mid-2026) and Rite Aid pharmacy has permanently closed.
Town & Country Village
855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301 · About 2.5 miles from West Menlo Park
A popular, upscale village-style center adjacent to Stanford. Home to Trader Joe's, REI, Blue Bottle Coffee, Oren's Hummus, Equinox fitness, and a range of boutique shops and restaurants. Very well-known locally and a great one-stop destination.
Walkable downtown shopping & dining districts
Downtown Menlo Park
Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
The closest downtown to West Menlo Park — a charming, tree-lined main street with boutiques, restaurants, cafés, galleries, and essential services like Walgreens, Bank of America, and Ace Hardware. Easily bikeable or a short drive.
Downtown Palo Alto
University Avenue, Palo Alto
The Peninsula's liveliest downtown — packed with restaurants, bars, bookshops, tech company offices, and the beautifully restored Stanford Theatre. Great for an evening out. Free parking in city garages (2–3 hrs weekdays, free weekends).
Downtown Redwood City
Broadway & Main Street, Redwood City
A revitalized downtown with a vibrant mix of restaurants, breweries, a movie theater, the Fox Theatre live performance venue, and a popular Saturday farmers market. Known locally for its "Climate Best by Government Test" slogan and increasingly excellent dining scene.
Haircuts & barber shops
Need a last-minute haircut before a Stanford event, wedding, or job interview? These are the closest and best-reviewed options.
Menlo Park Barber Shop
2100 Avy Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (next to Starbucks, behind the West Menlo Park Post Office)
(650) 391-9008 · menloparkbarbershop.com
A West Menlo Park neighborhood gem — classic barbershop atmosphere with modern touches. Men's and children's cuts, straight-razor shaves, and old-fashioned quality. Right in the heart of the Avy Ave business cluster, walkable from the NearStanford.com property. Mon–Sat, appointments recommended.
Great Clips Woodside Plaza
Woodside Plaza, Redwood City, CA 94061
Walk-ins welcome. Online check-in to skip the wait. Affordable cuts for men, women, and kids.
Salon at Ladera Country Shopper
3130 Alpine Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028
Hair salon in the charming Ladera shopping village. About 2 miles from West Menlo Park.
Airport transportation & rental cars
The Peninsula sits conveniently between two major airports. Rideshare is the most popular option, but Caltrain and rental cars are also readily available.
San Francisco International (SFO)
20–22 miles north · ~25 min without traffic
The larger airport with more flight options. Rideshare: ~$40–$70. Caltrain to Millbrae, then BART to SFO is a reliable and affordable alternative.
San Jose Mineta International (SJC)
14–16 miles south · ~20–30 min without traffic
Often less crowded and easier to navigate. Rideshare: ~$25–$45. Southwest and Alaska Airlines have strong presence here.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car (Menlo Park)
1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 325-7576 · enterprise.com
Free pickup and drop-off within the local area.
Uber & Lyft
Both services are widely available throughout the Peninsula with typical wait times of 3–8 minutes. Lyft and Uber both operate at SFO and SJC.
Grocery & food delivery
Especially useful for medical visitors at Stanford Hospital or anyone who'd rather not leave the rental. All major delivery services operate in the West Menlo Park area with same-day or even one-hour delivery windows.
Instacart
Delivers from Safeway, Costco, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and more. Often within 1–2 hours.
Amazon Fresh / Whole Foods Delivery
Free delivery for Prime members on orders over $35. Whole Foods items also available.
DoorDash & Uber Eats
Restaurant delivery from hundreds of local options. Also delivers convenience items and groceries.
Safeway Delivery
Order directly from Safeway's website or app for scheduled delivery. Useful for larger grocery orders.
A few things worth knowing
No 24-hour pharmacies exist in Menlo Park. The nearest is the Walgreens in San Carlos, about 5 miles away. Plan ahead for late-night medication needs.
Your rental includes a free EV charger in the garage with both NACS (Tesla) and CCS/J1772 adapters. No need to hunt for a public charger unless you need a quick DC fast charge while out and about.
Menlo Park Ace Hardware on Santa Cruz Ave is the go-to for any quick household fix — from a missing phone charger to a light bulb to a plunger. Locally owned and remarkably well-stocked for its size.
Bob's Country Corner on Alameda de las Pulgas is a neighborhood institution. Pick up a sandwich there and you'll blend right in with the locals.
For Stanford campus exploration, rent a bike from Campus Bike Shop on campus or The Bike Connection in downtown Menlo Park. The Dish Trail and the campus itself are best experienced on two wheels.
All addresses and phone numbers were researched and cross-referenced in February 2026. Businesses occasionally relocate or close, so a quick call before visiting a first-time destination is always wise.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a 24-hour pharmacy near Stanford?
No 24-hour pharmacies exist in Menlo Park or Palo Alto. The nearest is Walgreens in San Carlos (1414 El Camino Real, about 5 miles away). The closest pharmacy to Stanford University and Stanford Hospital is CVS at Sharon Park, which has a drive-thru but is not open 24 hours. Plan ahead for late-night medication needs.
Where can I buy groceries near Stanford Hospital?
Safeway at Sharon Park (325 Sharon Park Dr) is the most convenient — open 24 hours and about 1 mile from Stanford Hospital. Trader Joe's on Menlo Avenue and Whole Foods in downtown Palo Alto are also nearby. For delivery without leaving the hospital area, Instacart and Amazon Fresh both deliver to addresses near Stanford.
Is there EV charging near Stanford?
Yes — the area has 160+ public charging stations. Guests at our rental enjoy a free Level 2 EV charger in the garage (NACS and CCS/J1772). For public fast charging, the Tesla Supercharger at Sharon Park (18 ports) and the PowerFlex DC fast charger at Ladera Country Shopper (50 kW) are the nearest options.
Where is the closest Target to Stanford?
Target in Redwood City (2485 El Camino Real) is the closest, just a short drive down El Camino from Stanford University and West Menlo Park. It's perfect for forgotten toiletries, phone chargers, basic kitchen supplies, baby items, and clothing.
How do I get from the airport to Stanford and Menlo Park?
SFO is about 25 minutes north (rideshare ~$40–$70). San Jose (SJC) is about 20–30 minutes south and often less crowded (rideshare ~$25–$45). You can also take Caltrain from SFO (via Millbrae BART connection) directly to Menlo Park or Palo Alto stations.
Image credits
All photographs on this page are sourced from Wikimedia Commons under open licenses. We gratefully acknowledge the photographers who made their work freely available.
| Image | Source | License |
|---|---|---|
| Menlo Park Caltrain station | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
| Stanford Medical Center | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
| Stanford Dish Trail | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
| Stanford Shopping Center | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
License quick reference: CC BY = credit photographer. CC BY-SA = credit + share alike. Full license terms at creativecommons.org.