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Photo: Ron Reiring from Inland Empire of Southern California, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Menlo Park train station depot was built in 1867 and expanded with Victorian-era decorative features in the 1890s to serve the opening of Stanford University. This is the oldest railroad passenger station in California.
Menlo Park station is a Caltrain station located in Menlo Park, California. It was an inaugural station along the foundational San Francisco and San Jose Railroad, which commenced service on October 18, 1863, making it the oldest continually operating railway station in California. The station building was built in 1867 and later acquired by the Southern Pacific Railroad. During the 1890s, Southern Pacific added Victorian ornamentation to the depot to make it appear more attractive to students and visitors to Stanford University. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and became a California Historical Landmark in 1983.
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As a biking hub, Menlo Park has excellent rail and bike trail connections with other cities or destinations in the region. Bike rides can be combined with CalTrain or taken from Menlo Park to Stanford (2 miles), Palo Alto (3 miles), Woodside (6 miles), Mountain View (8 miles), Los Altos (8 miles), or the classic and more hilly Portola Valley Loop (16 miles).
Enjoy a walk (between the historic railroad station and the equally historic Camp Fremont Park) along Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park's old-fashioned commercial district. You can shop, have a coffee and a snack, or a meal at an outdoor table, do some thrifting at the second hand stores, admire the boutique furniture shops and art galleries along the way.
A music and event performance space providing live music and entertainment to the Peninsula region. The venue holds about 500 patrons and hosts a wide range of music, film, and special events programming.
On Sunday morning, there's a farmers market with fresh foods from the local area. You'll find fresh produce, nuts, breads, pastries, meats, seafood and flowers. Live music is typically provided.
Nice place to take a break, enjoy a cup of coffee, or a bite to eat, or some reading under the tall coastal redwood trees at historic Camp Fremont Park. The history of the park is described by informational displays at the entrance.
During the summertime Menlo Park puts on a series of free concerts in the park. Local bands play a variety of music. A gourmet grocery across the street, Draeger's, sells sandwiches and picnic fare. Pizza restaurant Amici's is also a popular choice for take-out among summer concert attendees.