Menlo Park Today

Menlo Park is a small Bay Area community situated on the Peninsula midway between San Francisco and San Jose, and bordered  by Atherton, Stanford University and Palo Alto.  Residents, local businesses and visitors are attracted by its unique combination of community assets and nearby resources.

  • Quiet tree-lined residential neighborhoods
  • Mild Mediterranean-type climate
  • Vibrant technology-based regional economy
  • Top-notch local public and private schools.
  • Prized residential real estate
  • Excellent parks and community services
  • Beautiful hiking trails in San Cruz Mountains
  • Neighboring road and off-road biking
  • Plentiful nearby entertainment and recreational areas

The city has three retail districts which include a wide variety of shops, restaurants, markets, salons, and hotels.

  • A small Downtown centered on Santa Cruz Avenue
  • A long (1.4 mile) stretch of El Camino Real between Atherton and Palo Alto.
  • A tiny area of Santa Cruz east of El Camino and adjacent to a commuter train station.