Transportation

Guide for Cyclists

Cycling is an excellent method of transportation on campus. Prices depend on brand-name and type of bike (road, mountain, hybrid). Mountain bikes have knobby wheels and give more traction, but are relatively more difficult to ride on the paved roads. Road bikes have thin wheels and are easier to ride, but must not be ridden on rough terrain.

Rules for Bicycle Riders

• Cyclists in California are treated as vehicles (NOT pedestrians!) and must follow the same laws as vehicles. Check the California Drivers' Handbook available FREE at the DMV offices. Stanford Police impose fines if cyclists disobey the law!
• LIGHTS: You get fined for not having lights at night - so get them!
• You MUST register your bike, it is required by law and it is the only way your bike can be recovered if it is stolen. You can register at:
  • Transportation programs: 340 Bonair Siding, 723-9362, M-F 7:30-5 P.M. Fee - $3.50 (lasts for 3 years)
  • Palo Alto: Any fire station, any week day between 4-5 P.M., call 329-2184 to locate nearest fire station. Fee - $2.00
  • Mountain View: Any fire station, any weekday 4-5PM, call, 903-6365 to locate nearest fire station. Fee - $1.00

Preventing Theft

BIKES GET STOLEN ON-CAMPUS!

• Buy a good lock, preferably a "U-lock."
• Remember to lock the bike to a bike stand.
• The beginning and end of quarter are the times when most bikes are stolen.

Repairing Your Bike

Most stores offer warranties for new bikes, the Campus bike store is also a good place to get your bike fixed. The campus bike store also lets you borrow tools for free and has free compressed air.

Parking and Transportation Services has a great web page. It provides info and links on:

• bike maps
• email lists
• parking and security
• storage locations
• buying and selling bikes

back to top

Buying a Bicycle

Some stores are listed below. The prices are approximate. Some stores have coupons/discounts for Stanford students. Inquire about the price before buying bikes or accessories.

Disclaimer: This by no means is a comprehensive list, we do not support or are supported by any of the stores in any manner whatsoever. Prices are approximate and may vary

Other Sources

• Stanford on-line newsgroup: su.market
• supost.com
• Bulletin boards (such as the one next to Jamba Juice in Tresidder)
• Classifieds in the Stanford Daily
• Craigslist
• Facebook marketplace

back to top

No Car Survival Guide: Using Public Transit

Yes, you can survive at Stanford without a car. This guide was written originally by a graduate student who does not own or operate a car, and later updated by a convert that still prefers not to use them. We will provide you with instructions for shopping and sightseeing sans a car around Stanford and the city.

Learn about the Different Transit Systems in the Bay Area

Marguerite, Stanford's Free Shuttle System

The Marguerite shuttles will get you around Stanford and to some parts of Palo Alto. They are also free!

Stanford's main Marguerite Lines (A and B) run every 15 minutes from 6:15 A.M. until 7:45 P.M. to be conservative and the Midnight Express (service begins Sept 15) runs until 2:00 A.M. on weekends every 20 minutes.

There is a neat interactive map showing Marguerite bus locations but is better to always confirm schedules, especially in a rush.

Bay Area Trip Planner: Guide to Connections between Different Agencies

The Bay Area Trip Planner at the 511.org website connects all the participating public transport ser ices to provide the best (cheapest/fastest/fewest transfers) route to get from point A to point B. The site also has an extensive list and contact information of the transit service providers in the bay area.

Valley Transit Authority (VTA)

The VTA bus and rail system serves Santa Clara County; you can phone (408) 321-2300 for specific directions. One way tickets and day passes (one ticket which allows you to ride the bus all day) are available.

SamTrans

San Mateo County Transportation District (SamTrans) also runs buses on El Camino Real between SF and the Palo Alto CalTrain station, with stops in between in San Mateo cities such as Redwood City, Daily City, and San Carlos (the KX and 390 are good choices). Single tickets and day passes are available, though pass prices vary by type of bus.

Caltrain

Caltrain is the commuter rail service linking Palo Alto with San Francisco, San Jose, and many cities in between. There are two stations in Palo Alto, one at University Avenue and one at California. You can buy a one-way, round-trip, or ten-ride ticket from machines on the platorm.

SFMuni

SFMuni is the bus and rail system that serves San Francisco. You can phone them for information about fares and the system at (415) 923-6050. Single tickets are available, as well as multi-day passes--phone for details and locations where they are sold.

back to top

Basic Guide to Riding the Bus

If you have never ridden on public transportation, these tips will help ensure that you reach your destination of choice.

Very important: always carry exact fare in cash. Drivers do not have change.

Where's This Bus Going?

Each bus travels from point A to point B. Listed on the bus is the route number and destination. The #22 bus for example, travels from Eastridge (in San Jose) to Menlo Park (therefore, if you're going to Menlo Park from Stanford do not get on the bus marked Eastridge). For buses which travel in two directions (northbound/southbound, for instance), there is usually another bus stop across the street, but be careful in areas where the opposing routes follow different streets altogether. The #35 travels northbound and southbound between downtown Mountain View and the Stanford Shopping Center.

Ask the Driver if You Need Help

It helps to ask the bus driver if he/she is going to the place you want to go and to tell you before arriving to your stop. It also helps to ask approximately the how long the trip will take and sit near the driver (so you can clear your throat or something, to remind the bus driver of your presence). Usually the driver remembers you. If he/she says the stop you want, ring the bell (either a button or a cord hanging near the windows) to announce your intention to exit.

back to top

Tips for Riding Caltrain

• Fares are calculated by zones on Caltrain. Look at the top of the ticket machine to see which zone you're in and which zone your destination is in when prompted for "which zone" by the machine. (Both Palo Alto stations are in Zone 2.)
• If you buy a ten-ride ticket, be sure you validate it (there are machines on each platform where you can stamp them) before getting on the train! If the validator doesn't work, see a conductor as soon as you get on the train. The conductors do frequently check tickets, and you will be fined if your ticket isn't validated!
• There is a special car on each train for people with large pieces of luggage, strollers, etc. There is also a car for people traveling with bikes, which is always located at the north end of train.
• Southbound trains leave from the western platform (closer to campus at University Avenue station). Northbound trains leave from the eastern, or far side, platform.
• Several Marguerite lines serve either the University Avenue station, the California Avenue station, or both.
• The University Avenue train station is a 20 minute walk from the Quad, straight down Palm Drive.
• Ask a conductor if you have questions while on the train.

Non-car Option of Last Resort

Yellow Cab 1-800-910-2227.

back to top

Locations of Interest Around Stanford That Are Easily Accessible on Public Transit

Stanford Shopping Center

One of the closest places to get various kinds of things is the Stanford Shopping Center. It is also (surprise, surprise) the most expensive. One can find large, quality department stores, a grocery store (Andronico's, the place where the clerk will know what you are talking about if you ask for capers), many small shops and restaurants.
Getting there:

• Take Marguerite Line A or B to the Stanford Shopping Center parking lot on Quarry Road, the sidewalk leads straight to the mall.

Downtown Palo Alto: University Avenue

Another place you should familiarize yourself with is University Avenue in Downtown Palo Alto. University Avenue includes many small stores and restaurants, and the Stanford Theatre.

Getting there, Option A:

• Take Marguerite Line A or B, to the Palo Alto train station.
• Go to the right of the platform until you see a tunnel that leads under the platform.
• University Avenue is at the end of the tunnel, turn right and walk until you see stores.

Getting there, Option B:

• Take Marguerite Downtown Express to Lytton Plaza.
• This line runs every 20 minutes from 9 A.M. to 2:30 P.M..

Getting there, Option C:

• Walk the beautiful Palm Drive. Eventually, it becomes University Avenue.

Town and Country Shopping Center (Embarcadero and El Camino Real)

Town & Country also includes small specialty shops, food market, Longs drugstore and restaurants, including good ice cream (Coldstones) and a good sandwich shop (Cheese House).

Getting there:

• Take Marguerite Line A or B to the Town & Country stop.

California Avenue: Palo Alto's Second "Downtown"

For good bagels and coffee, a used book store and other specialty markets try California Avenue, the other downtown in Palo Alto. California Avenue also includes grocery stores (Mollie Stones and Country Sun) and photo shops. It is less crowded than University Avenue and has several coffee shops, Tacos del Mar, The Burger Counter, and other eateries.

Getting there:

• Take Marguerite Line C to California Avenue (also goes to the California Ave Caltrain station).

back to top

San Antonio Shopping Center, Mountain View

To locate those necessities of life (light bulbs, pillows, dishes) visit the San Antonio Shopping Center at San Antonio Road and El Camino Real, Mountain View; home to many large, low-cost department stores, grocery stores, a Trader Joe's store (the poor students' gourmet shop), Ross (discount bedding, clothes, and kitchenware) and many small shops.

Getting there, Option A:

• Take Marguerite Line A or B to the Palo Alto Transit Center.
• At the Transit Center, catch bus VTA #22 (Eastridge). The bus runs every fifteen minutes.
• Exit at Showers Street (the San Antonio Shopping Center stop)

Getting there, Option B

• Take the VTA #35 or the VTA #86 bus.

Getting there, Option C

• During the academic year, use Marguerite Shopping Express (service begins Sept 15).

back to top

Downtown Menlo Park

Our neighbors to the north. Santa Cruz Avenue in Downtown Menlo Park features small stores, food market, and restaurants. Menlo Avenue runs parallel to Santa Cruz Avenue (the street before Santa Cruz contains a Trader Joe's).

Getting there:

• Take Marguerite to the Palo Alto Transit Center.
• Take the VTA #22 bus to Menlo Avenue/Santa Cruz stop (it's the last stop before the bus turns right into the Menlo Park Caltrain Station.)

back to top

Downtown Redwood City

Downtown Redwood City is right by the Redwood City Caltrain station. There is a Century Theater right off the station in the downtown area, which also contains lots of restaurants and shops. Sequoia Station, which is right by the Caltrain station as well, contains many shops including Safeway, Longs, and Old Navy.

Hillsdale Mall

Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo can also be reached via Caltrain station and is located behind the Hillsdale Caltrain station.

back to top

San Francisco

The city and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can be reached by train from the Caltrain stations at Palo Alto or California Avenue. Fares are calculated by zones.

The terminus in the city is at 4th Street & King. From there you have several options to explore the city.

MUNI Rail

The MUNI Rail is right next to the station (ticket is good for 90 minutes - also valid on buses) and it travels around the port coastline using Embarcadero Street until Market Street where it gets underground.

From here the following stations are located around points of interest:

• Powell Street will lead you to Union Square where many fashionable shops and restaurants are, as well as the entry to Chinatown and the terminus of the Cable Car ($5.00/ow) that can take you to Fisherman's Wharf.
• Civic Center is the closest to the War Memorial Opera House, Davies Symphony Hall, and of course, the Civic Center.

If you have not changed trains since the Caltrain terminus, then you are still on Line N which ends at Ocean Beach. Transferring at any of the previous stations (underneath Market Street all lines share a common platform - see the destination and letter on the car indicating the line you are on) would allow you to get, say Line L, which passes by Castro and ends in the Zoo also at the Beach.

Exploring the City by Bus

On the corner in front of the main exit at 4th Street & King is the starting point of lines #30 and 45. These lines go up Third Street passing the Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), Yerba Buena and Moscone Center (exhibition and convention centers).

After crossing Market Street, the route follows Kearny Street, bringing you are very close to Union Square and Chinatown.

Next is Stockton Street, which the route follows all the way up to Washington Square at Columbus Street in North Beach.

From here they split and bus #45 continues to Union Street while #30 goes to Fisherman's Wharf. Both are good choices to take you to Fillmore Street; if you take #22 from here you get down to Market Street after intersecting with Haight Street

All three: Union, Fillmore and Haight streets have a lively set of cafes, restaurants, bars, cinemas, used clothing and music, etc.--definitely worth checking out.

BART

BART takes you across the Bay to Berkeley and beyond, and also along Mission Street within the city. It connects with 4 MUNI stations under Market Street until midnight.

back to top

Airports

Airport Shuttles Serve All Three Airports

You can take an airport shuttle service to any of the three airports serving the Bay area. These mini buses pick up from your home and can cost around $30-$45 one way. They may stop to pick other passengers so keep a time buffer. They usually operate 24/7 and are the best option for those midnight flights (unless you have really good friends!).

San Francisco International (SFO)

• Take the Caltrain up to Millbrae, then transfer to BART to get to the airport (you will need to change BART trains at San Bruno station).
• The KX (SamTrans) also goes to the airport as well, check the SamTrans website for their schedule.

San Jose International (SJC)

• Take the Caltrain to Santa Clara Station and take the free Airport Flyer Santa Clara VTA (Route 10) to the airport

Oakland (OAK)

• Take the AC Transbay U line/Fremont BART from Stanford Oval to the Fremont BART.
• Then take the BART to the Coliseum Station.
• From here, there's a shuttle to the airport--it stops right outside the door of the Coliseum Station. There's a separate fare for the bus--check the BART Web site for current fares.

At this point you don't need us anymore. Congratulations for learning to enjoy your stay sans a car and saving the environment at the same time.