Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto

You won't see any discount stores at this mall - prepare yourself for Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus, Coach and Louis Vuitton, Godiva and Teuscher's. There is even an iPod vending machine in one of the department stores (Macy's perhaps?). This is the Rolls-Royce of shopping malls, and the setting is just as stunning as the products themselves. Situated entirely in an outdoor setting (gotta love California!) hallways are virtually nonexistant. Rather, there are gardens and plants in the walkways, lit entirely by the sun that happens to be out that day.

Unlike some parts of the area, cell phone service is far from lacking (and if you have any trouble, just stop by the Apple store where you can easily check your coverage area!) There is a covered parking lot adjacent to the entrance that has no apparent time limit, so unlike most places in Palo Alto, this is a non-issue.

This is high-end to the max, but aesthetically pleasing. Whether you are there with an unlimited platinum Visa or an empty wallet, you will feel like a bit of a pampered shopper, at least temporarily. Just don't show up in your Payless shoes that you bought downtown.