Mid-Peninsula fun in Menlo Park, California - 24-Hour Travel Guide

Breakfast - Start out your day amongst the locals at the classic and kitschy hometown diner Ann's Coffee Shop 772 Santa Cruz Blvd - which serves as Main St. in Menlo Park. Enjoy the service and the no-pretense breakfast fare.

NOTE: not open on Sunday.

If it is Sunday, you can head down to the end of Santa Cruz Blvd to Stacks - just be prepared for the lines and an ambiance reminiscent of IHOP.

Morning - If it is Sunday, wander over to the Farmers' Market and enjoy a wide range of local produce as well as fish, honey and maybe even some live music.

Otherwise, head on over to Kepler's Books on El Camino Real and maybe you will catch a story-time reading or just browse the extensive children's section. As long as you are on this side of El Camino wander over to the quaint Cal Train station -

If you still have some time to run around - head over to Burgess Park where there are wide open expanses for your kids to run off all of the sugar they may have ingested at breakfast.

Lunch - Get in your car and head over to Lulu's for some great, fresh and fun Mexican fare on Alameda de las Pulgas (Avenue of the Fleas - don't worry the fleas are long gone) - dine al Fresco or sit inside and watch the game. I highly recommend the fish tacos - bring your appetite.

Afternoon - Outdoor - continue south-bound on Alameda until you come up on a wide open reserve area typically referred to as the "Dish". 5 mile loop of some of the best walking trails in the area that provides some peaceful walking along with some great views of the bay and even SF on a clear day.

Shopping - Stanford Shopping Center is nearby and offers a beautiful venue being entirely outdoor and offering some truly beautiful gardens and fountains. For the kids - depending on their age - the frog pond fountain is always a hit.

Dinner - Dinner with the kids doesn't have to be McDonalds - try these out:

Visit a French bistro - Left Bank on Santa Cruz
Visit Singapore - Shiok just off of Santa Cruz on Chestnut St
Visit China - Su Hong is a local favorite on El Camino
Visit America - get a great burger at Jeffrey's on El Camino
Visit Stanford Univ hangout - another great burger at Oasis on El Camino

After Dark - While there is a fair amount to do in MP after dark - not so much for kids.

Maybe it is time to go back to the hotel room and see about renting a movie.

Sleep - Menlo Park is not a tourist destination and consequently there is very little to offer for Hotels in MP. I recommend that you head on down the road just a couple of miles at take up residence in Palo Alto at the:
* Sheraton Palo Alto
* Westin Palo Alto
Both of which makes great home-base particularly if you are looking to do a day trip to SF - both are very close to the Cal Train station.

In 2009 there will be a new Rosewood property in MP that I am certain will be beautiful.

Tags: Family