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The Creekside Inn takes its name from Matadero Creek, which runs through the property on its way from the foothills to the bay. That setting sets it apart on El Camino Real. Rooms open onto gardens, balconies and a heated pool rather than a parking lot. It has 136 rooms and suites and sits in the middle stretch of the road, close to Stanford Research Park and the restaurants of California Avenue. It is a boutique-style hotel, not a motel. It is set up for business travelers, Stanford visitors and wedding parties alike.
This profile is based on the hotel's official website. We do not publish prices, star ratings or reviews. For live rates, check the Creekside Inn on Booking.com or book with the hotel directly.
Location and neighborhood
The address is 3400 El Camino Real, at the point where Matadero Creek passes under the road. That puts the hotel between two of Palo Alto's more local neighborhoods. California Avenue, the city's second main street, is a short drive or a long walk north. Barron Park, with its semi-rural lanes and Bol Park, is the residential neighborhood next door.
The hotel lists these distances:
| Destination | Distance (hotel) |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden | 1.5 miles |
| Stanford University | 2 miles |
| Stanford Shopping Center | 2 miles |
| The Stanford Dish | 3 miles |
| Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve | 3.5 miles |
| Shoreline Amphitheatre | 4 miles |
| San Francisco | 37 miles |
Stanford Research Park, home to dozens of tech and research companies along Page Mill Road and Hillview Avenue, is a few minutes away by car. That makes the inn a common pick for business trips. Our Stanford Research Park guide explains who is there.
Getting there from Caltrain and the airports
The California Avenue Caltrain station is the nearest stop, under a mile away in a straight line. On foot it takes roughly 20 minutes, or a few minutes by rideshare. California Avenue is one stop south of downtown Palo Alto.
VTA Route 22 and Rapid 522 stop on El Camino Real near the hotel and run north to the Palo Alto Transit Center and south to Mountain View and San Jose. Our VTA bus guide has the details.
- From SFO: take BART to Millbrae and Caltrain south to California Avenue. Allow an hour or more door to door. See our SFO guide.
- From SJC: take the free VTA Route 60 to Santa Clara Transit Center and Caltrain north to California Avenue, or drive in about 20 to 40 minutes. See our SJC guide.
The hotel's site does not mention an airport shuttle. Plan on a train, a rideshare or a rental car.
Rooms and suites
The hotel says it has 136 guest rooms and suites. Its rooms page lists these categories:
- Standard Room, with a private patio and a partial pool view.
- Superior Room and Deluxe Room, each with a king bed, a private balcony and a pool view.
- Superior Double, with two beds and a creek view.
- Deluxe Creek Double Queen, with two queen beds and a garden view.
- Junior Suite and 1 Bedroom Suite, both with kitchenettes.
- Accessible Room, with a roll-in shower, offered on a first-come basis by phone or online.
Rooms come with plush linens, eco-friendly bath products, a flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge, a microwave, a coffee maker, an in-room safe and two bathrobes. Most have a balcony or patio facing the gardens. Room sizes on the hotel's page range from about 228 to 480 square feet. If a creek view or a quiet side matters to you, ask when you book.
Amenities
- Pool. A heated outdoor pool, open year-round, surrounded by gardens.
- Fitness. A 24-hour fitness room with machines and free weights.
- Laundry. A 24-hour guest laundry.
- Wi-Fi. Free high-speed internet.
- EV charging. Several charging stations for electric cars.
- Grounds. A courtyard with a fountain, gardens and a hammock by the creek.
- Meetings and weddings. Conference rooms and event spaces, including garden settings for weddings.
- Accessibility. Accessible guest rooms, meeting spaces and parking.
The hotel also offers corporate rates, Stanford conference and sports packages and a "Hybrid Work Week" package for remote workers. Check the specials page for current terms.
Dining on site
The hotel's on-site dining page lists two places to eat. Show De Carnes Brazilian Steakhouse is a churrascaria serving an unlimited two-course menu: a salad bar of more than 50 items, then 17 cuts of grilled meat brought to the table, from picanha and ribeye to lamb chops and salmon. Driftwood Market is a long-running family deli with sandwiches, ice cream, snacks and drinks. It offers contact-free delivery to guest rooms.
For more choice, California Avenue's restaurant row is a short drive north. It runs from casual lunch counters to Protégé, which holds Palo Alto's only Michelin star. A Sunday farmers market runs there year-round.
Parking and policies
- Parking. The hotel's home page describes complimentary parking and also mentions valet. The amenities page says only that on-site parking is ample. Confirm the current terms before you arrive.
- Check-in and checkout. Check-in from 3 p.m. Checkout at 11 a.m.
- Pets. Not allowed, except service dogs.
Details change, so check the hotel's services page or call before you book.
Who the Creekside Inn suits
- Business travelers visiting Stanford Research Park or offices along Page Mill Road.
- Stanford visitors who want a quieter base than the hotels across from campus.
- Couples who like gardens and a pool they can use in winter.
- Wedding guests, since the hotel hosts events on site.
- Train riders willing to walk or ride a short way to California Avenue station.
It is less suited to travelers with pets and to anyone who wants to walk straight out the door to a busy restaurant street. For a downtown base, compare our downtown hotels guide.
What is nearby
Barron Park's quiet streets are good for a morning walk. Bol Park and its bike path are a short ride away. The Stanford Dish trail is about 3 miles away for a hilly loop with bay views. Gamble Garden in Old Palo Alto is 1.5 miles north. Rates here move with Stanford's calendar, so compare hotels near California Avenue on Expedia for your dates.
Booking tips
- Pick your view. Room types differ mainly by bed, balcony or patio and whether they face the pool, the gardens or the creek.
- Book early for Stanford weekends. Commencement 2027 runs June 10 to 13 and home football Saturdays fill rooms along El Camino Real.
- Ask about packages. The hotel advertises Stanford conference and sports offers. They can be worth it if your dates line up.
- Leave the dog at home. Only service dogs are allowed, so pet owners should look farther south on El Camino Real.
Good to know
- 3400 El Camino Real, beside Matadero Creek.
- 136 rooms and suites, a heated pool and a 24-hour gym.
- Brazilian steakhouse and a deli on the property.
- No pets except service dogs. Check-in at 3 p.m.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Creekside Inn in Palo Alto?
It is at 3400 El Camino Real, where Matadero Creek crosses the road, between the California Avenue district and Barron Park. The hotel lists Stanford University and Stanford Shopping Center about 2 miles away. The California Avenue Caltrain station is under a mile away in a straight line.
Does the Creekside Inn have a pool?
Yes. It has a heated outdoor pool that the hotel says is open year-round, set among gardens by the creek. There is also a 24-hour fitness room.
Is there a restaurant at the Creekside Inn?
The hotel's on-site dining page lists Show De Carnes Brazilian Steakhouse, which serves grilled meats with a large salad bar. It also lists Driftwood Market, a family deli that sells sandwiches, snacks and drinks with contact-free delivery to rooms.
Does the Creekside Inn allow pets?
No. The hotel says pets are not allowed, except service dogs. If you are traveling with a pet, look at the south El Camino Real hotels that accept dogs.
Is parking free at the Creekside Inn?
The hotel's home page describes complimentary parking and also mentions valet service. Its amenities page only says parking is ample. Confirm the current terms with the hotel when you book, since policies change.