I-- 280, Menlo Park

3.5/5
6.9
37.4169196746488 -122.212141054041
Great for
  • Clean & Green
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Safe & Sound
  • Lack of Traffic
Not great for
  • Childcare
  • Eating Out
  • Internet Access
  • Medical Facilities
  • Nightlife
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Country Lovers
  • Singles
  • Retirees
4/5 rating details
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
Mar 26, 2011

"Nicer interstate"

If you live in Menlo Park and have any choice at all, I highly recommend taking Junipero Serra Freeway when commuting along the Peninsula. It holds a fraction of the traffic, with exponentially more scenery, than its eastern neighbor (the 101).

This has quite a bit to do with the location - western Menlo Park is far more scenic and residential, with massive homes along the rolling hills. The eastern part of town is filled with businesses - and lots of them - stacked on top of one another. Residences here are smaller, closer together, and are often apartment or condo style - meaning higher population density all around.

Junipero Serra (aka 280) might not quite be the magic bullet to levitate your car above all other traffic, but it does serve as a nice reprieve.
Pros
  • Less traffic
  • Great scenery
  • Friendly Bay Area drivers
Cons
  • Further from businesses
  • Less consistent cell phone reception
  • Very expensive area
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Country Lovers
  • Helpful
  • Comment
  • Follow

Best Streets in Menlo Park

1

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2

Santa Cruz Ave

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4

Menlo Ave

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5

Bayfront Expy

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Unranked Streets in Menlo Park

Obrien Dr

3.5/5
"Industrial Road"
37.4749297590732 -122.151509248363

Euclid Ave

2.5/5
"Crowded Shopping Plaza"
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Kenwood Dr

3.5/5
"Central but residential"
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"Best place to live"
37.4340849978919 -122.192337561942
"Affordable Menlo Park"
37.475871221202 -122.159510821403
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