These notes are kindly supplied by the Stanford Local Organizing Committee.
To help attendees plan their stay, we have outlined four estimated budget ranges below, including Student, Budget, Mid-Range, and Premium. Suggested hotel options for each budget range are provided below for reference. Please note that there are 3 airport options: SFO, SJC, and OAK. Please also note that these estimates do NOT include flights and all suggested hotel options are price estimates, which are subject to change based on booking time. Throughout the conference, food truck options will be available daily, with meals priced under $20 per attendee.
Transportation
Downtown Palo Alto is within walking distance of Stanford and offers a wide variety of dining options across many price ranges. Stanford also offers a free shuttle, Marguerite, for convenient transportation across campus.
For price-conscious travelers, we recommend staying along the Peninsula near Caltrain stops, which provides convenient access to Stanford while also allowing attendees to explore more of the Bay Area. Travelers may take Caltrain north to San Francisco to explore the city or south to other Peninsula destinations. Caltrain operates express, limited, and local services, with trains departing approximately every 30 minutes from each station, making it a reliable and flexible transportation option for travelers to conveniently explore the beautiful Bay Area beyond the conference dates. All day parking passes may be available in limited quantities.
Accommodation
Default recommendations:
- Crowne Plaza, Palo ALto
- Hotel Citrine, Palo Alto
1. Student / Low-Cost Option
Designed for students and early-career attendees prioritizing affordability. Estimated Total Cost for conference dates: $331 – $392.
- Accommodation
- $55 per night (shared room with one other person)
- 3 nights × $50 = $150 total
- Examples: hotels along the peninsula or shared Airbnb rooms
- Transportation
- Caltrain only: $14 per day × 4 days = $56 total
- Food
- 10–15 per meal
- Daily estimate: $30–45
- 4 days total: $120–180
- Bay Area chains & options in this range:Chipotle; Panda Express; Trader Joe’s (prepared foods); In-N-Out Burger; Ike’s Love & Sandwiches; Local taquerias; Oren’s Hummus; Asian box; The Melt
2. Budget Option
For cost-conscious professionals comfortable sharing accommodations. Estimated Total Cost for conference dates: $559 – $659
- Accommodation
- $87.50 per night (half of $175, shared room)
- 3 nights × $87.50 = $262.50 total
- Examples: budget hotels along the peninsula or shared Airbnb rooms
- Transportation
- Caltrain only: $14 per day × 4 days = $56 total; optional uber trips at $10 per day × 4 days = $40 total
- Food
- $20–25 per meal
- Daily estimate: $60–75
- 4 days total: $240–300
- Bay Area chains & options in this range: Sweetgreen; Mendocino Farms; The Counter; Trader Joe’s (prepared food); Panera Bread; Pokéworks; Casual sit-down neighborhood restaurants
3. Mid-Range Option
For attendees seeking comfort and flexibility. Estimated Total Cost: $1,316–$1,420
- Accommodation
- $300 per night (private room)
- 3 nights × $300 = $900 total
- Examples: mid-range hotels near Stanford or Palo Alto
- Transportation
- $14–35 per day (Caltrain or occasional Uber)
- 4 days total: $56–140
- Food
- $30–35 per meal
- Daily estimate: $90–105
- 4 days total: $360–420
- Stanford area options in this range: Zareen’s Palo Alto; Menlo Tavern; La Bodeguita del Medio; Sweet Maple; Wildseed
4. Premium Option
For attendees prioritizing premium comfort and convenience. Estimated Total Cost: $2,080–$2,560
- Accommodation
- $500 per night (private room)
- 3 nights × $500 = $1,500 total
- Examples: upscale hotels in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, or Stanford area
- Transportation
- $25–40 per day (Uber/Lyft)
- 4 days total: $100–160
- Food
- $40–50 per meal
- Daily estimate: $120–150
- 4 days total: $480–600
Accommodation recommendations
| Ultra-budget hotels | Per night (Max $115; 2 person rooms) | Transportation |
| Leland Hotel | $99 | Bike/Uber |
| Glass Slipper Inn | $106 | Bike/Uber |
| Budget Inn Redwood City | $83 | Redwood City Caltrain + Walk |
| Good Nite Inn Redwood City | $107 | Redwood City Caltrain + Walk |
| Silicon Valley Inn | $110 | Belmont Caltrain + Walk |
| Rodeway Inn | $98 | South SF Caltrain + Walk |
| Oak Motel | $112 | San Antonio Caltrain + Walk |
| Motel 6 Sunnyvale | $90 | Sunnyvale Caltrain + Walk |
| Rose Garden Inn | $83 | College Park Caltrain + Walk |
| For large groups, check Airbnb |
| Budget hotels | Per night (Max $210; person rooms) | Transportation |
| The Dylan Hotel | $147 | Milbrae Station + Walk |
| Hotel 1550 | $190 | Milbrae Station + Walk |
| Crowne Plaza SF | $134 | Burlingam Station + Walk |
| Holiday Inn SF | $160 | Burlingam Station + Walk |
| Catrina Hotel | $112 | Hillsdale Caltrain + Walk |
| Extended Stay | $127 | Belmont Caltrain + Walk |
| Holiday Inn Belmont | $164 | Belmont Caltrain + Walk |
| Homewood Suites | $189 | Belmont Caltrain + Walk |
| Hyatt Place San Carlos | $198 | Belmont Caltrain + Walk |
| SpringHill Marriott | $205 | Belmont Caltrain + Walk |
| The Grand Hotel | $183 | Sunnyvale Caltrain + Walk |
| The Domain Hotel | $180 | Laurence Caltrain + Walk |
| Kasa Niche Hotel | $130 | Redwood City Caltrain + Walk |
| Holiday Inn Redwood City | $184 | Redwood City Caltrain + Walk |
| Hotel Zico | $185 | Mountain View Caltrain + Walk |
| Aloft Mountain View | $209 | Mountain View Caltrain + Walk |
| Palo Alto Inn | $132 | Bike/Uber/Walk |
| The Zen Hotel | $180 | Bike/Uber/Walk |
| Best Western | $168 | Uber |
| Mid-range hotels | Transportation | |
| The Cardinal Hotel | Walk | |
| Grand Bay Hotel | Belmont Caltrain + Walk | |
| Mint House | Menlo Park Caltrain + Walk | |
| Residence Inn Menlo Park | Menlo Park Caltrain + Walk | |
| Hotel Lucent | Menlo Park Caltrain + Walk | |
| The Cottages Hotel | Menlo Park Caltrain + Walk | |
| Menlo Park Inn | Menlo Park Caltrain + Walk | |
| The Nest Hotel | Uber | |
| Crowne Plaza | Uber |
| Premium hotels | Transportation | |
| AC Hotel | ||
| Westin Palo Alto | ||
| Sheraton Palo Alto | ||
| Stanford Park Hotel |