Touring * Street * Historic * Scene *

From U.S. 101 north of Palo Alto, take the University Avenue exit and follow it west for 2.5 until it reaches the Stanford University Oval. Parking can be found along the Oval or on Sierra Street.

Pack a picnic and spend a weekend afternoon of play at the Stanford University campus, which attracts skaters of all levels. The terrain offers a multitude of stairs for hard-core jumpers and riders, wide and almost glassy concrete walkways for smooth cruising, and a gentle asphalt slope on the north side that's perfect for a long series of slalom turns. And on weekends, you can enjoy even more slalom practice in the top levels of the parking garage. Try circumnavigating the University Oval and take a roll around the Main Quad. The Quad itself is paved with a cobblestone style of bricks, but the big circular planters make a fun place to show off your toe-rolls. Guided tours and night skates on the campus are offered by Nuvo Colours, a local in-line specialty shop (see page 438).