Menlo Park Guidebook

Corey
Menlo Park Guidebook

Food scene

Vesta is a woodfired pizza restaurant that sources its ingredients as locally as possible and puts a huge emphasis on quality. They offer whole pizzas with both red and white sauces, as well as Italian-inspired small plate options. It’s fairly affordable and definitely worth the money for the quality you receive! They tend to be fairly busy during lunch and dinner hours, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time!
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Vesta
2022 Broadway
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Vesta is a woodfired pizza restaurant that sources its ingredients as locally as possible and puts a huge emphasis on quality. They offer whole pizzas with both red and white sauces, as well as Italian-inspired small plate options. It’s fairly affordable and definitely worth the money for the quality you receive! They tend to be fairly busy during lunch and dinner hours, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time!
Open Monday thru Thursday 11:30 - 2 & 5:30 - 10, Friday 11:30 - 2 & 5:30 - 11, Saturday 5 - 1, Sunday 5 - 9 Evvia Estiatorio brings the Greek Isles to Menlo Park, with a warm and charming atmosphere and a killer menu. The menu features Greek and Mediterranean classics, but uses local ingredients and flavors to add to the mix. The menu is somewhat small, but covers a wide array of preferences, and because they keep things simple, they’re able to really focus on the quality. This place is a little on the pricier side, and you’ll want to be sure to make a reservation in advance!
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Evvia Estiatorio
420 Emerson St
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Open Monday thru Thursday 11:30 - 2 & 5:30 - 10, Friday 11:30 - 2 & 5:30 - 11, Saturday 5 - 1, Sunday 5 - 9 Evvia Estiatorio brings the Greek Isles to Menlo Park, with a warm and charming atmosphere and a killer menu. The menu features Greek and Mediterranean classics, but uses local ingredients and flavors to add to the mix. The menu is somewhat small, but covers a wide array of preferences, and because they keep things simple, they’re able to really focus on the quality. This place is a little on the pricier side, and you’ll want to be sure to make a reservation in advance!
Open Monday thru Thursday 11:30 - 10, Friday 11:30 - 11, Saturday 10 - 9, Sunday 11:30 - 10 Happy Hour Monday thru Friday 4 - 6 Reposado is a lively Mexican restaurant that serves up unique dishes that you wouldn’t normally find elsewhere. Their menu is classy and innovative, and while the environment itself isn’t indicative of a “fine dining” experience, the food certainly is. Everything you order here is just remarkably Instagrammable! They are well-known for their cocktails, and their tequila selection is unrivaled for the area. This is a great place to grab a couple of drinks with friends!
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Reposado
236 Hamilton Ave
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Open Monday thru Thursday 11:30 - 10, Friday 11:30 - 11, Saturday 10 - 9, Sunday 11:30 - 10 Happy Hour Monday thru Friday 4 - 6 Reposado is a lively Mexican restaurant that serves up unique dishes that you wouldn’t normally find elsewhere. Their menu is classy and innovative, and while the environment itself isn’t indicative of a “fine dining” experience, the food certainly is. Everything you order here is just remarkably Instagrammable! They are well-known for their cocktails, and their tequila selection is unrivaled for the area. This is a great place to grab a couple of drinks with friends!
Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 - 10:30 AM & 11:30 - 10, Saturday & Sunday 10 - 10 Il Fornaio is a California chain that offers incredible Italian dishes. Their pastas as hearty and perfectly prepared, and their thin crust pizzas are cooked to perfection. Their ingredients are all prepared in-house, and their bread is baked right on site. The menu offers all of the classic Italian dishes you could want, and some unique items that you won’t find anywhere else.
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Il Fornaio
520 Cowper St
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Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 - 10:30 AM & 11:30 - 10, Saturday & Sunday 10 - 10 Il Fornaio is a California chain that offers incredible Italian dishes. Their pastas as hearty and perfectly prepared, and their thin crust pizzas are cooked to perfection. Their ingredients are all prepared in-house, and their bread is baked right on site. The menu offers all of the classic Italian dishes you could want, and some unique items that you won’t find anywhere else.
Open Sunday & Monday 6 AM - 4 PM, Tuesday thru Friday 6 AM - 9 PM Cafe Borrone is a European-style cafe that serves organic and locally sourced food alongside coffee and tea. Their breakfast is outstanding, with both savory and sweet options, and their lunch and dinner fare includes things like pasta, salads, sandwiches, and more. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat to start off your day!
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Cafe Borrone
1010 El Camino Real
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Open Sunday & Monday 6 AM - 4 PM, Tuesday thru Friday 6 AM - 9 PM Cafe Borrone is a European-style cafe that serves organic and locally sourced food alongside coffee and tea. Their breakfast is outstanding, with both savory and sweet options, and their lunch and dinner fare includes things like pasta, salads, sandwiches, and more. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat to start off your day!
Open Monday thru Friday 11:30 - 2:30 & 5 - 9, Saturday 10 - 3 & 5 - 10, Sunday 11 - 2:30 & 5 - 9 Yum Cha Palace is a dim sum restaurant that serves steamed dumplings, savory crepes, and steamed buns a la carte. Everything on the menu is packed full of flavor and they tend to stick to the traditional fare you’d expect to find in a Chinese dim sum restaurant.
Yum Cha Palace
1039 El Camino Real
Open Monday thru Friday 11:30 - 2:30 & 5 - 9, Saturday 10 - 3 & 5 - 10, Sunday 11 - 2:30 & 5 - 9 Yum Cha Palace is a dim sum restaurant that serves steamed dumplings, savory crepes, and steamed buns a la carte. Everything on the menu is packed full of flavor and they tend to stick to the traditional fare you’d expect to find in a Chinese dim sum restaurant.
Open Sunday thru Thursday 11:30 - 9, Friday & Saturday 11:30 - 10 Curry Up Now is a local chain that offers inventive takes on Indian street food. It’s a fun and vibrant restaurant (as the name suggests!) and their menu is outstanding. From sliders to Indian burritos to Thali platters, everything on the menu is flavorful and fun. It’s a great light-hearted place to grab a bite to eat.
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Curry Up Now
321 Hamilton Ave
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Open Sunday thru Thursday 11:30 - 9, Friday & Saturday 11:30 - 10 Curry Up Now is a local chain that offers inventive takes on Indian street food. It’s a fun and vibrant restaurant (as the name suggests!) and their menu is outstanding. From sliders to Indian burritos to Thali platters, everything on the menu is flavorful and fun. It’s a great light-hearted place to grab a bite to eat.

Shopping

If you’re looking to do some shopping while you’re in town, head over to Stanford Shopping Center at 660 Stanford Shopping Center (yes, that’s the address!). Located on the grounds of Stanford University, this place has everything you would expect to find in a mall that caters to college students. All of the hip names like Nordstrom, Banana Republic, Burberry, and more are all located on site. Open Monday thru Friday 10 - 9, Saturday 10 - 7, Sunday 11 - 6
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Stanford Shopping Center
660 Stanford Shopping Center
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If you’re looking to do some shopping while you’re in town, head over to Stanford Shopping Center at 660 Stanford Shopping Center (yes, that’s the address!). Located on the grounds of Stanford University, this place has everything you would expect to find in a mall that caters to college students. All of the hip names like Nordstrom, Banana Republic, Burberry, and more are all located on site. Open Monday thru Friday 10 - 9, Saturday 10 - 7, Sunday 11 - 6
If large malls aren’t your thing, check out Town & Country Village at 855 El Camino Real. This little outdoor shopping complex features upscale shops with chain stores and boutique shopping options. There are some great little restaurants and eateries here, and it’s easily walkable and beautifully landscaped. This location offers more local and specialty shops than you’re likely to find elsewhere. Open Monday thru Saturday 10 - 7, Sunday 11 - 5
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Town & Country Village
855 El Camino Real
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If large malls aren’t your thing, check out Town & Country Village at 855 El Camino Real. This little outdoor shopping complex features upscale shops with chain stores and boutique shopping options. There are some great little restaurants and eateries here, and it’s easily walkable and beautifully landscaped. This location offers more local and specialty shops than you’re likely to find elsewhere. Open Monday thru Saturday 10 - 7, Sunday 11 - 5
Kepler’s Books at 1010 El Camino Real is a local bookstore that’s been in the area for over 60 years now. They have an outstanding selection of titles in just about any genre you can think of and their staff is well-read and knowledgeable. They often sponsor author visits and events, so be sure to check their website (keplers.com) to see if anyone noteworthy is in town while you’re here! This is also a great location to grab some children’s titles and let kids explore. Open Monday thru Saturday 9 - 10, Sunday 9 - 7
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Kepler's Books
1010 El Camino Real
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Kepler’s Books at 1010 El Camino Real is a local bookstore that’s been in the area for over 60 years now. They have an outstanding selection of titles in just about any genre you can think of and their staff is well-read and knowledgeable. They often sponsor author visits and events, so be sure to check their website (keplers.com) to see if anyone noteworthy is in town while you’re here! This is also a great location to grab some children’s titles and let kids explore. Open Monday thru Saturday 9 - 10, Sunday 9 - 7
The Allied Arts Guild at 75 Arbor Rd offers a totally different shopping experience. In operation since 1929, this complex has art studios, stores, a cafe, and a series of beautiful gardens to explore. The entire complex feels like a magical little wonderland, and the shops and galleries cover a wide array of artistic styles and interests. Open Monday thru Saturday 10 - 5
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Allied Arts Guild
75 Arbor Rd
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The Allied Arts Guild at 75 Arbor Rd offers a totally different shopping experience. In operation since 1929, this complex has art studios, stores, a cafe, and a series of beautiful gardens to explore. The entire complex feels like a magical little wonderland, and the shops and galleries cover a wide array of artistic styles and interests. Open Monday thru Saturday 10 - 5

Family Friendly Activities

Open 10 - 5 daily Hiller Aviation Museum, located at the San Carlos Airport, is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Within the museum, you’ll find a number of early and contemporary aircraft, including replicas of airplanes that were first built in the mid-1800s, and a number of “concept” designs that showcase some of the crazier ideas that aviation inventors have come up with. The open-hangar design allows visitors to wander and take in the sights and information at their own pace.
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Museo dell'aviazione Hiller
601 Skyway Rd
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Open 10 - 5 daily Hiller Aviation Museum, located at the San Carlos Airport, is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Within the museum, you’ll find a number of early and contemporary aircraft, including replicas of airplanes that were first built in the mid-1800s, and a number of “concept” designs that showcase some of the crazier ideas that aviation inventors have come up with. The open-hangar design allows visitors to wander and take in the sights and information at their own pace.
Open Tuesday thru Sunday 10 - 4 Take the Dumbarton Bridge across San Francisco Bay to the town of Fremont, where you’ll find the Ardenwood Historic Farm. This is an actual, working farm that’s been turned into a historic tourist attraction. First built in 1849, the farm has been owned by the Patterson family until it was turned over to the Parks Department in the late 1970s. You can ride the train, stroll around the Victorian gardens, tour the gorgeous Patterson house, and interact with the sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, cows, and goats. This is an educational experience as much as it is an attraction.
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Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd
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Open Tuesday thru Sunday 10 - 4 Take the Dumbarton Bridge across San Francisco Bay to the town of Fremont, where you’ll find the Ardenwood Historic Farm. This is an actual, working farm that’s been turned into a historic tourist attraction. First built in 1849, the farm has been owned by the Patterson family until it was turned over to the Parks Department in the late 1970s. You can ride the train, stroll around the Victorian gardens, tour the gorgeous Patterson house, and interact with the sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, cows, and goats. This is an educational experience as much as it is an attraction.
Palo Alto has a long history of being the site of innovative ideas. The Museum of American Heritage is a fun little museum that showcases some of those ideas, with technological items from the 1750s through the 1950s. The museum itself is set inside a 1907 home, and features permanent collections like an early 1900s kitchen, 1920s general store, a classic auto shop with a Model T, an old print shop, and more! They regularly have new exhibits, so check out their website (moah.org) to see what’s available at the moment!
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The Museum of American Heritage
351 Homer Ave
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Palo Alto has a long history of being the site of innovative ideas. The Museum of American Heritage is a fun little museum that showcases some of those ideas, with technological items from the 1750s through the 1950s. The museum itself is set inside a 1907 home, and features permanent collections like an early 1900s kitchen, 1920s general store, a classic auto shop with a Model T, an old print shop, and more! They regularly have new exhibits, so check out their website (moah.org) to see what’s available at the moment!
Open Tuesday thru Saturday 10 - 5 Head up the Bay to San Mateo for an adventure at CuriOdyssey, a “science playground” and zoo. This museum/zoo combo offers hands-on exhibits for kids to learn more about the world around them. They’ll learn about physics and engineering with permanent exhibits, and learn about how they can set up their own experiences at home. In the zoo portion, they’ll be able to see animals from the local area, like bobcats, river otters, barn owls, gray fox, and more. This a great place to take little ones who are science/nature-minded.
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CuriOdyssey
1651 Coyote Point Dr
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Open Tuesday thru Saturday 10 - 5 Head up the Bay to San Mateo for an adventure at CuriOdyssey, a “science playground” and zoo. This museum/zoo combo offers hands-on exhibits for kids to learn more about the world around them. They’ll learn about physics and engineering with permanent exhibits, and learn about how they can set up their own experiences at home. In the zoo portion, they’ll be able to see animals from the local area, like bobcats, river otters, barn owls, gray fox, and more. This a great place to take little ones who are science/nature-minded.

Outdoor Activities

Just a few blocks away, you’ll find the entrance to Bedwell Bayfront Park, a green space owned and managed by the city of Menlo Park. This park features hiking and biking trails and it’s a great location to go for a run. As the name suggests, it’s surround on two sides by San Francisco Bay, so there are plenty of beautiful views to keep you company while you exercise. To get there, follow Haven Avenue to Marsh Rd, then continue on Marsh Rd out toward the Bay.
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Bedwell Bayfront Park
1600 Marsh Rd
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Just a few blocks away, you’ll find the entrance to Bedwell Bayfront Park, a green space owned and managed by the city of Menlo Park. This park features hiking and biking trails and it’s a great location to go for a run. As the name suggests, it’s surround on two sides by San Francisco Bay, so there are plenty of beautiful views to keep you company while you exercise. To get there, follow Haven Avenue to Marsh Rd, then continue on Marsh Rd out toward the Bay.
Right up the road in Stanford, you’ll find Stanford Dish, part of the Stanford University complex. The Dish is named after an old radio telescope used by the university for research. This is a paved, 3.5 mile hike that offers spectacular views of the peninsula, Stanford Univsersity’s campus, and the mountains. On a clear day, you’re able to see San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and the East Bay. This is a nice, but not particularly challenging walk that offers up gorgeous views.
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Stanford dish hiking trailhead
Stanford Dish Hiking Trail
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Right up the road in Stanford, you’ll find Stanford Dish, part of the Stanford University complex. The Dish is named after an old radio telescope used by the university for research. This is a paved, 3.5 mile hike that offers spectacular views of the peninsula, Stanford Univsersity’s campus, and the mountains. On a clear day, you’re able to see San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and the East Bay. This is a nice, but not particularly challenging walk that offers up gorgeous views.
Directly across the bay over Dumbarton Bridge, you’ll find Coyote Hills Regional Park. This park features over 1000 acres of rolling hills and marshland right on the Bay, making it the perfect spot to snag some amazing photos of the natural beauty this area has to offer. The park has a visitors center with information about the area’s history and natural resources, as well as a butterfly garden (open Wednesday thru Sunday, 10 - 4). There are trail hikes, as well as a boardwalk hike over the marshland.
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Coyote Hills Regional Park
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd
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Directly across the bay over Dumbarton Bridge, you’ll find Coyote Hills Regional Park. This park features over 1000 acres of rolling hills and marshland right on the Bay, making it the perfect spot to snag some amazing photos of the natural beauty this area has to offer. The park has a visitors center with information about the area’s history and natural resources, as well as a butterfly garden (open Wednesday thru Sunday, 10 - 4). There are trail hikes, as well as a boardwalk hike over the marshland.
No trip to the Bay Area would be complete without visiting the redwood forests! For nature-lovers, this is an absolute must-see. It’s a bit of a drive to get to this park, but it’s totally worth it. This state park is home to over 40 acres of old-growth redwood trees, and it contains some of the tallest and oldest trees in the entire world. In the early 1900s, Teddy Roosevelt visited this area and helped spur an initiative to protect the trees. They are one of the most spectacular natural species in the entire United States and the Bay Area is one of the best places to see them.
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Parco Statale Henry Cowell Redwoods
101 N Big Trees Park Rd
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No trip to the Bay Area would be complete without visiting the redwood forests! For nature-lovers, this is an absolute must-see. It’s a bit of a drive to get to this park, but it’s totally worth it. This state park is home to over 40 acres of old-growth redwood trees, and it contains some of the tallest and oldest trees in the entire world. In the early 1900s, Teddy Roosevelt visited this area and helped spur an initiative to protect the trees. They are one of the most spectacular natural species in the entire United States and the Bay Area is one of the best places to see them.

General Entertainment

Stanford is one of the most prestigious universities in America, and all of the prestige truly shows on their campus. There are a ton of things to see and do on campus, including the Stanford Art Gallery, the Anderson Collection, the Rodin Sculpture Garden, and the Arizona Garden. We recommend checking out the Arizona Garden, where you’ll find all sorts of unusual plants and cacti in a setting and landscape that was first laid out all the way back in the 1880s!
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Stanford University
450 Serra Mall
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Stanford is one of the most prestigious universities in America, and all of the prestige truly shows on their campus. There are a ton of things to see and do on campus, including the Stanford Art Gallery, the Anderson Collection, the Rodin Sculpture Garden, and the Arizona Garden. We recommend checking out the Arizona Garden, where you’ll find all sorts of unusual plants and cacti in a setting and landscape that was first laid out all the way back in the 1880s!
Open Tuesday thru Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM, Closed Monday The San Mateo County History Museum, located in the beautiful old county courthouse, is an interesting place to learn about the history of the peninsula, and of this area in particular. They cover a vast expanse of history, including how indigenous people used the land, how the area was impacted by westward expansion, and even how surfing has shaped the region. It might not be the most exciting thing for young kids, but for history buffs, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon!
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San Mateo County History Museum
2200 Broadway
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Open Tuesday thru Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM, Closed Monday The San Mateo County History Museum, located in the beautiful old county courthouse, is an interesting place to learn about the history of the peninsula, and of this area in particular. They cover a vast expanse of history, including how indigenous people used the land, how the area was impacted by westward expansion, and even how surfing has shaped the region. It might not be the most exciting thing for young kids, but for history buffs, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon!
Open Monday thru Friday 10 AM - 6 PM If you’re traveling with kids and need to burn off some of their extra energy, La Petite Playhouse is just the right place to do it. It’s an indoor, underwater-themed playground, chock full of climbing walls, nets, tubes, and slides. They have a cafe that serves pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and snacks, and they even have a separate toddler play area where younger kids can play safely.
La Petite Playhouse
1264 Oddstad Dr
Open Monday thru Friday 10 AM - 6 PM If you’re traveling with kids and need to burn off some of their extra energy, La Petite Playhouse is just the right place to do it. It’s an indoor, underwater-themed playground, chock full of climbing walls, nets, tubes, and slides. They have a cafe that serves pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and snacks, and they even have a separate toddler play area where younger kids can play safely.
Nazareth Ice Oasis is an indoor ice skating rink. While they largely cater to hockey leagues and figure skaters, they also offer public skating sessions just about every day. You can rent the ice skates here, so no need to worry about bringing any with you. Check their website (iceoasis.com) for public skating hours!
Nazareth Ice Oasis
3140 Bay Rd
Nazareth Ice Oasis is an indoor ice skating rink. While they largely cater to hockey leagues and figure skaters, they also offer public skating sessions just about every day. You can rent the ice skates here, so no need to worry about bringing any with you. Check their website (iceoasis.com) for public skating hours!