Stanford University Urban Hike with optional Caltrain Ride

Please read carefully! The walk starts at 1 pm. 11:30 am is the time we will meet at the 22nd St San Francisco CalTrain Station. Participants can join at 22nd St Station, 4th and King Station, or in Palo Alto.

Let's tour Stanford University to look at architecture, landscaping and outdoor sculpture and consider whether it's a prestigious university or a very high-priced resort. We'll meet by the Palo Alto Caltrain Station; visit sights such as the Quad, Memorial Church, Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden, various fountains, Arizona Garden and several sculptures by Auguste Rodin; and return to the Palo Alto Caltrain Station. The hike will definitely not include any hills, and any stairs can be avoided. Total walking distance will be about 5 miles. Our after gathering will be at The Rose & Crown Pub, which is a dive bar located a quarter mile from the Palo Alto Caltrain Station; absolutely no outside food or drink is allowed.

Have you ridden the all-new, all-electric Caltrain? Some urban hikers will take Caltrain #618 scheduled to depart 22nd Street, at 11:48 or 4th & King at 11:55 and arrive at Palo Alto at 12:46. Look for me on the platform or the train. I will post what I am wearing.

At 1:00, we will meet by the flagpole in front of MacArthur Park Restaurant next to the Palo Alto Caltrain Station and leave at 1:10 (grace period). Laurel, with over 10 years of experience wandering "The Farm", will lead the way and tell us a bit of history. On Saturdays, northbound trains leave Palo Alto every 30 minutes until 10:24pm, and southbound until 12:16am.

Toilets: There are no public toilets at the Palo Alto Caltrain Station or MacArthur Park Restaurant. There are lots of toilets on the all-new trains, and we will reach public toilets at about 1:45.

Art museums: Stanford has two art museums. They are on our route, and we will explore sculptures outside them but not go inside due to time constraints.

Other buildings: We will not go into any other buildings, but you will probably be able to use toilets in the student union while we are in the vicinity around the midpoint of the hike.

Please note: Phone help is not available for latecomers. Escorts, (also known as sweeps) are not provided, so slower walkers should be completely prepared to finish the hike on their own if they become separated from the group, and they may want to consider bringing a friend to walk with them. I reserve the right to make small changes to the route as needed.

Liability Disclaimer: The organizers of this meet-up are unpaid volunteers and not expert hiking guides. All participants agree to assume 100% responsibility for their own safety, conduct, and well-being and recognize that possible hazards exist while participating in outdoor (or any other) activities, and agree to participate solely at their own risk. If you RSVP “Yes” and/or attend any of our events, it shall be conclusively presumed that you understand and agree to this policy.