The Basics

Where is Stanford?

Silicon Valley

Located 35 miles south of San Francisco and 20 miles north of San Jose, Stanford University is in the heart of Northern California’s dynamic "Silicon Valley,” home to Yahoo!, Google, Hewlett-Packard, and many other cutting-edge companies that were started by and continue to be led by Stanford alumni and faculty.

The Bay Area

To the west of the University’s 8,180-acre campus are the Santa Cruz Mountains and Pacific Ocean, and to the east San Francisco Bay.  Known as The Peninsula, the area is rich in natural beauty, culture, and entertainment. 

Palo Alto

Although the University is virtually a community unto itself and even has its own zip code—94305—it calls the City of Palo Alto home. Downtown Palo Alto is a short walk from campus and includes many attractions, as well as many shops and restaurants.

Stanford Campus Maps

View a searchable campus map and other map resources from Stanford Transportation.

Updated on February 27, 2024 9:05 AM