Ten years ago, I tried Caltrain once. I was driving in the region by 35 years old. Then I was trying Caltrain again this year 3 times. I found that Palo Alto was sunny and warmer than Berkeley CA. Berkeley started to feel less comfortable and Palo Alto shopping center was a nicer oasis. The two Caltrain stations at Palo Alto and Menlo Park are very interesting to visit. The Menlo Park station features an old Victorian building that is painted fresh but not in use. Nearby is Philz and El Camino Real. Walking distance to Caltrain. It's 2025 now. The next stops are Redwood and San Carlos. Worth visiting and trying Caltrain after all this time. The modern design is interesting. The weather is so nice that it's outdoor and nice in the evening by Friday night and the weekend. The train is still newer than Bart trains. More attendants and bathrooms and seating as well as chargers and outlets. It's different...same region. For the 2 college campuses that you could visit if you find that positive. read more

Caltrain Station - Menlo Park - Public Transportation Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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This is a clean station located in the beautiful city of Menlo Park. The train is *generally* on-time and its really a pleasant stop to wait at before your train arrives. Unlike other stations, Menlo Park CalTrain is quite safe and not suffering from a homeless encampment problem. You can choose to purchase you ticket at the station itself (before the train arrives!) or opt to purchase it via their mobile app (which I suggest, as its more convenient and allows you to get there a little later). It's great a small suburban neighborhood has a CalTrain that gives it such easy access to other parts of the Bay Area. read more

If it wasn't for the wonky BART to Caltrain connection (some combination of Muni and walking in the City or a more convenient stop all the way to Millbrae), I'd love to come to the Peninsula more often from the East Bay. Otherwise when I think about it, all I imagine is a long drive and slow traffic. I also love riding on Trains, and when I can Caltrain is a treat for this non-commuting visitor. Now if I could only figure out a reason to ride the ACE Train in or out of the Valley. The Caltrain Station itself is well-lit, clean, and seems safe despite the occasional "come on". Yet to me it's a means to an end, which is the really cool Menlo Park Downtown area. I always start at Kepler's, have a drink at the BCC or Cafe Barone, smell the cigar smoke at Knickerbockers, proceed up and down Santa Cruz, stop off at Draeger's, do some banking at First Republic, and enjoy what's in-between and perhaps a little beyond. It's almost all one needs for a day trip adventure. The nearby Palo Alto Station offers similar good times, but arguably in a somewhat less cohesive way. read more

This is one of the cleanest Caltrain stations and there are enclosed shelter seating so props to that. On top of that, it is quiet and not super noisy. One of the nearby places to visit for something to grub on include: - Stacks Restaurant - McDonald's - 7-Eleven If you get hungry and thirsty while waiting for the train, the convenience store and restaurants mentioned are here for you. Other than that, Menlo Park is most certainly the cleanest Caltrain Stations. I also have to admit to that the seats at this station looked very clean. read more

Its my stop everyday!. I wish there was a cafe close by to grab a coffee before walking to work. 7 eleven and Mcdonald are close but not on my way! Tge Grid food trucks are in the station every Wednesday read more

Caltrain Station - Menlo Park - Public Transportation Near Me - Menlo Park, California

You can stop by Kepler's (for a book), Cafe Boronne (for a coffee), or 7-Eleven for a snack before boarding CalTrain at the Menlo Park station. Also, if you're doing a CalTrain pub crawl, the BBC is stumbling distance from this stop. Basically, the Menlo Park station is all about providing for good times! read more

Despite the real lack of covered areas to stand (there are a few small kiosks where the ticket machines are located on the Northbound side that have covers), I have to rate this Caltrain Station a five, simply due to its excellent location. First, the station itself is well-lighted, clean and easy to access. There is quite a bit of parking - two parking lots on the Southbound side and street parking on the Northbound side. Next, the location is amazing. Right at the end of Santa Cruz Avenue - Menlo Park's downtown - and directly next to some really nice restaurants (Borrone, Crepes Cafe, etc.). NB: There is a small area on the Southbound side where transients like to relax. Just be aware and you'll be fine! read more

At the Menlo Park Caltrain station, you are: --Two steps from Crepes Cafe (outdoor seating) --One block from Cafe Borrone (sidewalk cafe) --One block from Kepler's books (wonderful) --One block from the BBC (bar) --Two blocks from Stacks (overrated breakfast joint) --One block from Iberia (authentic Spanish) --Two blocks from Santa Cruz Avenue (and everything that comes with that) I love Caltrain, because it is on time, because it is discounted for me as a grad student (neener, neener, neener), because I live right by this station, because I can get things accomplished while I get where I'm going. Menlo Park station is my home and it's a very charming pit stop on your way to wherever you're going. read more

Perfect location. Cleaner than Redwood City without all the smokers loitering and polluting the air. Lots to eat nearby. Kepler's bk store in the plaza along w a library, skate park, and pool less than a block away! Busses & shuttles to helpya get around. No more BBC for a quick drink though, but Cafe Barrone's has wine and beer! Happy trails! read more

As far as Caltrain stations go this one is... Mediocre. As fellow yelpers have stated, the whole no coverage thing is tough rain AND brutal sunshine. Another gripe I have? The pay stations are few and far in between. If I am parking at the southbound side and I need to get to the northbound side, heaven forbid I don't plan ahead because baby, I would be royally screwed. The pay stations are smack in the middle of the platform while the only places to cross are at the ends. I highly recommend you wear your sprinting shoes to accomplish said feat. Otherwise I do love the fact that there are cafes and usually enough parking for everyone. read more

7-Eleven access right across the street. Typical Caltrain station so wear a rain jacket if you wanna complain about lack of covered waiting dock. Sheriff routinely monitors the lot and station due to high volume of students.... read more

Caltrain Station - Menlo Park - Public Transportation Near Me - Menlo Park, California

My home stop, so hard for me to complain. After all, if you miss your train you can kill some time at Barrone's. The big problem is crossing from the El Camino side to the Northbound track. You can only cross at either end, so if you get to the station somewhere in the middle of its length, you have a bit of a walk. Additionally, the ticket vending machine feels like it is on the north end of the station. I pretty much know that if I can see the light of the train and I don't have my ticket yet, I'm screwed. read more

There's something magical about a place that seems to have escaped the ruining touch of time. I've always had a love for trains. The cinema enamored me with the illuminated stories of life in luxury with the sensation of travel. And you couldn't have the same buzz of nostalgia without the train stations who help support it. This particular location is gorgeous. The architecture of the city comes alive with the same quaintness you might recognize in Pixar films like "Up". Beautiful palm trees, nice parking lot, old fashion restaurants and quaint houses all make up the surroundings around this classic train station. It is peaceful and quiet. The only gripe I have for this place is the lack of staff (if you have any questions about tickets) and the need for more shaded seating. Otherwise, this is a great station and one I would recommend using if you find yourself in Menlo Park and wanting to travel. read more

This station has a sort of strange shape and law out in my opinion, there are no restrooms, but there is a fair amount of parking and a small structure to stand under when the weather is bad. read more

Nice station. Love riding the train just wish they would get the rate under control. Really dislike the zone system and wish it followed more how BART charges verses these crazy zones. Guess if drove and paid for parking in the city it would cost about the same so might as well ride and enjoy a nap while someone else drives me home. read more

I think Caltrain is kinda expensive especially when you include parking fees. You could probably drive there for less, but the experience of riding the train is quite fun. read more

The location is convenient. So 'convenient' that passing trains will sometimes shake pictures off my walls. Caltrain would be even more convenient if the trains ran more often - and if they ran on Sunday evening, so that I didn't have to cab it back from SF after Burning Man. ($$ ouch!) And if they went directly to anywhere at all that I wanted to go. And if they weren't constantly running over people and being delayed for hours. I'm in favor of trains, really. But Caltrain is less than a complete public transportation offering. read more

Clean, well-lit and I feel safe. I always find parking here. Unfortunately, I've never been able to make the multi-trip card validator work at this station. Otherwise, you're surrounded by: downtown Menlo Park (just walk west on Santa Cruz). If thirsty, you can get coffee at Crepes Cafe, Cafe Borrone or the chains downtown of Peet's (far end) and Starbucks (about 2 blocks east). There is an ATM at the Hawaiian bbq next to the 711, and a Chase and a BofA downtown. read more

Caltrain is on time and stops just where the fun of Menlo park starts! Santa Cruz avenue connects to the station which is a main street in Menlo. The station house itself is home to the chamber if commerce for Menlo park and has a charming old touch to it. Station is on the side of the rails where Santa Cruz avenue connects, and pet hospitals are right there. It's the south bound side. the north bound side got a 7-11 and a Hawaiian BBQ just by it. Menlo park library and civic center as well as gym and burgess park is a short walk about 10 min away on the north bound side. read more

I was headed to SF for work when I realized I forgot my Caltrain monthly pass and kicked myself off the train because the train conductor was going around checking for tickets. Good thing Menlo Park station was the next stop! At the station, I crossed the Southbound train track and walked towards Cafe Barrone for a croissant and coffee. Cafe Barrone is a short walk away. What I like about the Menlo Park station is that it is a short walk to 7 eleven, Cafe Barrone, and the bookstore next to Cafe Barrone. What sucks is that if you boot yourself off the train like I did, the Menlo Park Station is not a stop for bullet trains so it takes longer to get into SF if you are headed for work. read more

Really good train station. Parking for $5 for the day. This is the one I use during the weekdays when the Atherton station isn't operating (It's only operational on the weekends). read more

I live in mountain view, but occasionally the caltrain will have to stop due to accidents etc. Got deserted at menlo park caltrain station once for that reason. It's definitely one of the nicest station along the route. Cafe has great sandwiches. read more