Stanford Campus

Location

Stanford University is located in Stanford, California, adjacent to Palo Alto. It lies East of Hwy 280 and West of El Camino Real. The campus is beautiful and quite open. Trails are sidewalks or paved paths used by students, researchers, doctors, and patients.

The recommended route below is the same route used by the Liveright 5K that benefitted the Asian Liver Center at Stanford Hospital. The loop begins and ends at approximately the junction between Oak Road and Stock Farm Road. Park along the street.

For less of a workout, but more culture, spend a couple hours at the Cantor Art Center, a museum with an outdoor cafe and sculpture garden, where kids can touch Rodin sculptures. The outdoor gardens are kid-friendly and some parts are shaded. The ramp entrance to the museum is next to the cafe and parking costs a few dollars, along the road facing the main entrance (with columns and stairs). The Art Center is located at the corner of Lomita Drive and Museum Way in the North corner of Stanford; signs are clearly posted along major driving routes.

Attractions:

Stanford is immaculately maintained, and trails are smooth, paved (most) or fine gravel, and wide.
Bicycles are allowed.
Stanford is a very prestigious school - relish in the brainpower "aura" during your visit!
The recommended route is the 5K route from the Liveright 5K in 2006, a charity walk/run to benefit the Asian Liver Center at Stanford.
The path connects to Alpine / Sand Hill Road Trail, if you're up for a longer hike.
Lovely Stanford Shopping Mall is to the West, if you're looking to spend some cash and elongate your hike.
Stanford has invested a lot in maintaining outdoor sculptures - add to your hike by touring the range of their collection! See the sculpture map below.
Stanford's Cantor Art Center is free art museum including a wide range of permanent works, visiting exhibits, and a Rodin Sculpture Garden. A cafe sits next to the garden, and touching sculptures in the garden is permitted. The gravel in the garden is also a toddler's tactile delight, and there are picnic tables and shaded grass for taking a break after taking in some art and culture. Paid parking is along the street facing the columned entrance.

Limitations:

Stanford is private property, so be a respectful visitor!
Be prepared to shout "on your right" if paths become busy with students.
You may have to pay for parking, especially further into campus or near public buildings like the Cantor Art Center.

Season:

Year round, recommended only during the day.

Fees:

None, except parking in most areas.

Maps & More Information:

There are occasional maps posted around campus (like most universities).
Liveright 5K 2006 Course Map: http://liver.stanford.edu/liveright2/images/Liveright%202006%20race%20course%20map-%20updated%2010-25.pdf
Stanford's Campus Map: http://transportation.stanford.edu/images/06-07_Parking-Map.pdf
Asian Liver Center & Liveright 5K Information: http://liver.stanford.edu/
Cantor Art Center Page is at http://museum.stanford.edu/ for checking the exhibits available and open hours
Stanford's Outdoor Sculpture Collection Map: http://museum.stanford.edu/view/sculpturemap.pdf

Handicapped Access:

The paths are flat, wide, and well maintained, catering to handicapped access.

Recommended routes:

Liveright 5K 2006 Route:
Begin outside the parking garage along Oak Road, just North of Stock Farm Road (do not park in the garage - this is by permit only). Run South and turn left on Stock Farm Road. Turn right on Campus Drive West, then left on Santa Teresa. Turn left on Morris Way, then right on Panama Mall and almost immediately left on Lomita Mall and immediately right to get to Escondido Mall. Turn left on Galvez Mall, then left on Serra Mall. Follow past Ortega and Jordan Way, eventually following Campus Drive West. Campus Drive West turns left and crosses Stock Farm Road. Continue along Campus Drive West, turning right on Searsville Road, then right onto Oak, to the parking garage. Distance is about 5 Kilometers or 3.1 miles.