Stanford Dish Trail Parking hiking — Local services in Menlo Park

First visit to the Stanford Dish: I arrived around 9:15am on a weekday morning. Traffic on Alpine Road was busy so I quickly pulled into the designated parking area. There are maybe 12 spots along the road and another 3-4 in a dirt lot. Beware, I parked in the dirt lot and got somewhat blocked in by a car that parked on my other side. This is the Piers Gate entrance. An uphill path takes you to the Dish, at which point you join the loop trail. There is a single portal-potty at the Stanford Gate and a water filling station along the north part of the loop. The path is paved and shared by those walking and running. It meanders up and down for several miles. Very little shade - bring water, hat, and sunscreen (it felt warmer than the actual temperature). It was a clear day and the views were pleasant. My friend recommended easier parking in a residential area less than a quarter of a mile from the limited parking along Alpine Road. Convenient walking / running option for those living in the...

I give this 4 stars because the parking can be tricky and unsafe at times. The speed limit on that part of Alpine Rd is 35mph so cars routinely whiz by at 40. They’re going to/coming from Hwy 280, so they’re in a hurry. This entrance called Piers Lane is my favorite route because the hill climb has great views of the western hills and it is two-way until you reach the top, where the giant “dish” is located. Covid-induced physical distancing protocols have caused Stanford to make the loop a one-way, so when you reach the Dish, you’re required to go right (south) and do the entire loop if you want to get back...

❇️Stanford Dish Trail, one of the most popular Peninsula trails

📡 The Dish: A fascinating radio telescope in the Stanford foothills. 🏞️ Spectacular views: Coastal mountains, Stanford campus, and the Bay 🚪 Three entrance points: We chose the gate on Alpine Rd. 🥾 Out and back: 2.3 miles with a 313ft elevation gain. 🌞 Fully exposed trail, no shade—ideal for fall/winter or sunrise/sunset hikes 🚫 🐾 No dogs allowed. 🚳 No bicycles allowed. ℹ️ It is fully paved trail and hence wheelchair and stroller friendly. ⚠️We took our kid's toddler balance bike. But won’t take it next time to adhere to the no...