Jacaranda Ln, Ventura

I'm torn - this is one of the most quintessential, representative streets of Palo Alto and Silicon Valley overall, encompassing Stanford Shopping Center, lingering just northeast of Stanford University, and intersecting the famous Sand Hill Road. You can find hotels, businesses, and shops here. You can also find traffic galore - it sometimes seems as if everyone in Silicon Valley congregates here - it's nuts!

It does serve as one of the central connecting highways of the western portion of Silicon Valley, without having to drive on 101 or 280, but sometimes the traffic is so bad that it is almost difficult to believe. The University/W. El Camino Real junction, in particular, is a nightmare.

On the plus side, you will find just about everything you could ever need here, be it cheap food, expensive retail, or lodging. I avoid driving distances on here at all costs.