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Stanford Shopping Center is Palo Alto's biggest shopping destination and one of the easiest to drive to. It sits on Stanford land between El Camino Real and Sand Hill Road, right next to the Palo Alto Caltrain station and a short drive from both freeways. Parking wraps around the open-air stores, so you are rarely far from where you want to go. The challenge is the busy season, when the closest spaces go fast.
This page sticks to what the center itself publishes on its visitor information page, run by the operator Simon. For stores, history and dining, read our full Stanford Shopping Center guide. For hours and phone numbers, see our directory listing.
How parking is laid out
The center describes two kinds of parking:
- Surface lots. Street-level parking surrounds the center on all sides. Most visitors park here and walk a short distance to the stores.
- Two garages on Quarry Road. The center lists a two-level garage and a three-level garage on Quarry Road, in front of Macy's and Neiman Marcus. These hold the EV chargers.
The center sits between El Camino Real and Sand Hill Road. Quarry Road and Arboretum Road also border the property, with bus stops on both. The center's online parking map shows the areas; it is linked from the "Parking" button on the center's home page.
What it costs
The center's pages do not list a parking fee or a valet service. Self-parking in the lots has long been free. Signs on site are the final word, so read them where you park. Some spaces near particular stores may carry short time limits or be reserved for pickups.
This is a private shopping center on Stanford land. It is not part of the city's parking system, so the downtown color zones and city daily permits do not apply here. It is also separate from Stanford's paid campus parking, which you will meet if you drive on toward the Main Quad. Our page on Stanford parking and transit covers campus rules.
EV charging
The center has one of the biggest clusters of fast chargers in Palo Alto. It lists these on its visitor page in October 2026:
| Network | Number | Power, as listed | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrify America | 6 | 150 kW | Garage, Level 1 |
| ChargePoint (Level 2) | 2 | 7.2 kW | Garage, Level 1 |
| Tesla Supercharger | 20 | 72 to 120 kW | Garage, Level 2 |
The center places the Tesla stations on the second floor of the three-story garage near Victoria's Secret and The North Face. The Tesla store inside the center also lists a Destination Charger. Prices are set by each network and shown in its app. For the city's public chargers and other sites, see our EV charging guide.
Rideshare pickup and drop-off
The center lists a rideshare pickup and drop-off zone in front of SoulCycle and Nordstrom and between Arhaus and Delarosa. A different part of its site places pickups at the corner between Arhaus and Brilliant Earth. The two may describe the same corner of the property, but check the pin in your Uber or Lyft app before you walk over. Waymo also serves Palo Alto; its app shows where it can stop. Be at the zone before the car pulls up.
Accessible parking and bikes
The center says accessible parking is available throughout the property, in both the surface lots and the garages. Its management office, on the second floor, lends wheelchairs free of charge with a driver's license as a deposit.
For cyclists, the center lists more than 250 bike parking spaces in over 50 zones, with short-term, long-term and cargo bike parking. Racks and lockers are spread across the property. Our biking guide suggests routes from downtown and Stanford.
Driving directions
The center publishes these routes from the freeways:
- US 101 northbound: take exit 402 for Embarcadero Road, turn right onto El Camino Real, then use the left two lanes to turn left onto Quarry Road.
- US 101 southbound: take exit 406 for State Route 84 and Marsh Road. Turn right onto Marsh Road, left onto Middlefield Road, right onto Ravenswood Avenue and left onto El Camino Real.
- Interstate 280 northbound: take exit 22 for Alpine Road, turn right onto Alpine and then right onto Sand Hill Road.
- Interstate 280 southbound: take exit 24 for Sand Hill Road and merge onto Sand Hill Road toward the center.
Our driving guide explains the other Palo Alto exits.
Busy times and alternatives
Spaces near the department stores fill first on weekend afternoons. December is the peak. On busy days, try the upper levels of the Quarry Road garages and the outer surface lots before circling the rows by the stores.
The 2026 holiday season
The center has posted its 2026 holiday schedule. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. On Black Friday, November 27, it lists 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From December 21 to 23 it lists 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Christmas Day is closed. Those long days spread the crowds a little. Early mornings are the calmest time to find a space. Our guide to holiday shopping covers the season around town.
Leaving the car at home is often easier. The center lists these options:
- Caltrain: Palo Alto station is within walking distance, about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. See Palo Alto station.
- Stanford Marguerite: the free MC, X and SE lines run from the downtown Palo Alto Transit Center.
- Menlo Park M1 Crosstown: a free city shuttle between Belle Haven, downtown Menlo Park and Sharon Heights.
- VTA 22 and 522: along El Camino Real between San Jose and Palo Alto.
- Dumbarton Express: weekday service from Union City BART.
Bus stops are on Arboretum Road near Crate and Barrel and on Quarry Road across from the center.
Walking from the train is simple. From Palo Alto station, head northwest across El Camino Real. The nearest stores are 10 to 15 minutes away on foot. That beats circling the lots on a December Saturday. It also means the trip home to San Francisco or San Jose is a single train ride with your bags on your lap rather than in the trunk. For shoppers coming from those cities, see our guides from San Francisco and San Jose.
Good to know
- The center's regular hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with longer hours in the holiday season. Restaurants and some stores set their own.
- Make a note of your garage level or lot. The open layout makes the property easy to walk but harder to find the car again.
- Visiting Stanford Hospital next door? It has its own garages; see our hospital visitors guide.
- Staying nearby lets you skip the car entirely. Compare hotels near Stanford.
Frequently asked questions
Is parking free at Stanford Shopping Center?
The center's own pages do not list a parking fee. Self-parking in its lots has long been free. Signs on site are the final word, so check them when you arrive. Some spaces near stores may carry short time limits.
Where are the parking garages at Stanford Shopping Center?
The center lists a two-level and a three-level garage on Quarry Road, in front of Macy's and Neiman Marcus. The rest of the parking is in surface lots that surround the stores.
Where can I charge an EV at Stanford Shopping Center?
The center lists six Electrify America fast chargers rated at 150 kW and two ChargePoint Level 2 chargers on Level 1 of its garage. Twenty Tesla Superchargers are on Level 2, on the second floor of the three-story garage near Victoria's Secret and The North Face.
Where is the Uber and Lyft pickup at Stanford Shopping Center?
The center lists its rideshare pickup and drop-off zone in front of SoulCycle and Nordstrom and between Arhaus and Delarosa. Another part of its site mentions the corner between Arhaus and Brilliant Earth, so check the pin in your app.
How do I get to Stanford Shopping Center without a car?
Walk from Palo Alto Caltrain station in about 10 to 15 minutes, or ride the free Stanford Marguerite shuttle from the transit center on weekdays. VTA routes 22 and 522 stop on El Camino Real. The center also lists Menlo Park's free M1 Crosstown shuttle.