SLAC Campus
Maps
A map of all conference rooms at SLAC can be found here: link to map
A larger map of SLAC campus can be found here: link to SLAC map
Access and Site Information
Site access is coordinated through the VUE Center. All conference participants must complete the site access form here: link to form Please select MAPS Academy from the dropdown menu, then click next to continue to the access form.
Point of contact: Glenna Paige.
All visitors/ attendees driving in are required to show a valid REAL ID or valid passport in order to enter SLAC. The SLAC Main Gate is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is a cash ATM located at the Stanford Guest House lobby and another ATM machine in front of building 28 (SLAC campus map grid 30E)
Parking at SLAC is free, and you can grab any open parking spot except the disabled space and space labeled Government cars only. In case you have trouble finding parking spot near the central campus area, Parking lot G (SLAC campus map grid 28D) always has plenty of open spots and still just 5 min walk to Kavli Building.
LUNCH On Site / Near SLAC
SLAC Cafeteria is located on the 2nd floor of the new SUSB building (#53) is open for breakfast (8-10am) and lunch (11am-2pm) on weekdays only.
- Verve Kiosk near the Guest House open weekdays 7:00am-2:00pm.
- Eric' Gourmet (same vendor running the SLAC Cafe) is a Deli at the nearby Sharon Height Shopping Center, which is a 14min walk from SLAC. Many people from SLAC goes regularly for their sandwich and panini.
- Sand Hill Kitchen which a 10min walk cross the street. A popular alternative for many from SLAC.
- In case you missed lunch/dinner hours, the Safeway supermarket in Sharon Height Shopping Center has deli, bakery with heated/heatable food and opens 24 hours, and it is 13min walk from SLAC.
Travel and Directions
Flights to Bay Area
The Bay Area airports, San Francisco International (SFO) in particular, operate direct flights to and from many international airports around the world daily, as well as most major cities in the US. San Jose International (SJC) and Oakland International (OAK) airports also host flights to many US destinations and some limited international destinations. In case of inbound flights requiring a hop from another hub airport, it is generally better to have an long international leg directly into the Bay Area airport, as a hop within the US has the drawback that you must go through US immigration at the first US landing (port of entry), pick up your checked luggage to go through customs, then recheck the bags. The long US domestic legs also only offer very simple paid meals/snacks.
Ground Transportation
Local Airport Access:
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): ~42 km (26 miles) north-west from SLAC (Directions)
- San Jose International Airport (SJC): ~37 km (23 miles) south-east from SLAC (Directions)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK): ~61 km (38 miles) north from SLAC (Directions)
From SLAC to SFO: The SLAC to SFO drive route also includes a convenient slip-off from I-380 just before the airport to El Camino then along San Bruno Avenue where there are many gas stations for car refuel. You can simply continue on San Bruno Avenue to car rental return as shown. I-280 traffic is normally quite good so that the 25min time estimate is OK for off peak hours. For rush hours you may need at least 45min to1 hour. However, you need to budget in time for rental car refuel, return and air-train to terminal etc.
Car Rental:
Rental cars provide an effective local transportation option favored by many regular SLAC users, which will give you more flexibility, and sharing the rental car between a few people will make this even more cost-effective given the discount rates available to SLAC visitor (described below).
Most major rental car companies have many outlets including all major airports (SFO rental car center has many rental vendors altogether in one central building nearby which is very conveniently reachable by air-train). There is an Enterprise Discount Rental Car Program associated with SLAC which can be used by SLAC visitors, although still worth search for other deals as they can sometimes do better. The Enterprise deal also applies to renting at e.g. Stanford Oaks outlet near SLAC. You should check your institutional travel rental insurance policy. If you have similar policy like Stanford covering both basic and collision damage waiver then you don't need any additional insurance. In case you do need adding insurance, you should ask at the rental desk at airport pickup. There is also the Stanford Zipcar option for very short period rentals.
- San Francisco Airport Ground Transportation
- San Jose Airport Rental Car Guide
- Oakland Airport Ground Transportation
Other Ground Transportation:
The most popular means of travel between SLAC/Stanford and airports has become the ride share services of Uber and Lyft in recent years for SLAC travelers and visitors alike. This has a typical rate of ~$65 one way for SFO<->SLAC with UberX, with some variations depending on time of day etc. but can call a ride any time without reservation. Uber/Lyft are not allowed to pick up passengers at lower arrival level of SFO so that you need follow signs for Ride App to go up to departure level upstairs to find the designated Pickup / Drop off zone #, typically on the outer ring driveway, to meet your driver there.
The shuttle system used to be the most popular mode before the Ride App era but may still make sense for a group of people travelling together to share a van with e.g. the Super Shuttle express service. However, you need to reserve in advance.
Caltrain cannot be directly reached at SLAC but can be a useful option for trips to SFO or downtown San Francisco (need to transfer to BART system at Millbrae), for those staying in downtown Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Redwood City hotels close to a Caltrain station. Palo Alto Caltrain is also a major hub for Stanford Marguerite Shuttle system (see below). From Caltrain Station to SLAC is not walking distance. Uber/Taxi may be more viable options when out of Marguerite shuttle operation hours.
| From San Francisco Airport: | From San Jose Airport: |
| Super Shuttle (650) 558-8500 | South Bay Airport Shuttle (800) 548-4664 |
| Sam Trans Bus (800) 660-4287 | Santa Clara County Transit (800) 894-9908 |
| Caltrain (800) 660-4287 | Yellow Cab (650) 361-1234 |
Local Transportation around Stanford:
Marguerite Shuttle (Free shuttle around Stanford) has a SLAC Line with stops at Parking E near Arrillaga Science Center (#57) and between Kavli and ROB inside SLAC.
