Northern California - Parking near University Avenue, Palo Alto

Hi everybody (hi Dr. Nick),

I was going through mapmyride just to find some random routes, and I like the look of this one:

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/palo-alto/767123967779863868

Just wondering if anyone familiar with the area knows of a good, safe place to park my car. It looks like the general area is 200 University Avenue, Palo Alto. Thanks!

I love doing that route, but I start off from Arastradero Road. Arastradero Road connects Alpine road and Page Mill Road, there is a parking lot in the middle and also a parking lot at the very end where it meets Alpine road. The parking lot in the middle usually gets full on the weekends if you get there too late, but there is usually plenty of parking at the second one I mentioned.
Check googlemaps streetview to see what I'm talking about more clearly.

I have done the same route, just in the opposite direction. It is a lot of fun. Doing Alpine west towards the end of the ride is quite the butt kicker.

A couple places along Junipero Serra that you can probably find parking is either on Santa Maria Ave. or Stanford Ave.

There is a public park & ride parking lot at the corner of Page Mill Road and Arastradero Road (near I-280).

I think the University Ave. area (downtown Palo Alto) has timed parking on both weekends and weekdays, with very aggressive parking officers.

Yup, there is no reason to park in downtown Palo Alto if you're doing the ride. In addition to the lots mentioned, there is also another public lot on the northwest corner of the 280/Sand Hill junction. (waypoint #62 of your map)

To actually answer the question -- The parking enforcement happens only on University and for the first one or two blocks on either side. Just turn off of University and go until you see no more "You are parking in the <color> zone" signs. Anywhere near the downtown area and off of University is safe. As with anywhere else in California, just don't leave anything visible in the passenger areas of the car. Put everything in the trunk.

Thanks guys! I will check out all of the suggestions.

Page Mill / Arasterdero is the best parking lot for that ride. it have the tendency to get full quickly on weekends. alternative is Gunn High School which is close enough.