Welcome International Visiting Students
Congratulations, you are an International Visiting Student!
The information below provides general suggestions to help orient you when you arrive along with ideas for taking advantage of available natural resources and activities in the area.
Campus Life
You will find a thriving community of creative and accomplished people from around the world at Stanford University. Located 35 miles south of San Francisco and 20 miles north of San Jose, Stanford is in the heart of Northern California’s dynamic Silicon Valley. The Stanford campus offers a wealth of sightseeing and educational opportunities. Whether it’s performing arts, athletics, lectures or cultural events, Stanford is bustling with activity.
How long will it take?
Consult the Walking Times Map
Amazing California!
The Bay Area
Stanford is in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area), which itself is in Northern California. In addition to the City (San Francisco), nearby regions include the North Bay, East Bay, Peninsula (where Stanford is located), and South Bay. Check out things to do and see in each of the areas listed below.
Beyond the Bay Area
Have spare time? Check out the recommendations below. If you're lucky and avoid unexpected traffic delays, here are typical drive times from Stanford when traveling to popular places outside the Bay Area:
- Wine Country: Napa or Sonoma ~ 2 hours, Mendocino ~5 hours
- Monterey Bay Area: Santa Cruz ~1.5 hours, Monterey ~2 hours
- Lake Tahoe: North Shore ~5 hours, South Shore ~4.6 hours
- Southern CA: Los Angeles ~7 hours, San Diego ~9 hours
Other areas of interest in California you might want to explore are Gold Rush Country, National Parks: Lassen, Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley, or Joshua Tree, and a variety of California State Parks.
Stanford University
291 Campus DrStanford, CA 94305