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Stanford's medical campus sits at the northern edge of the university, between Sand Hill Road, Welch Road and Stanford Shopping Center. It includes Stanford Hospital, run by Stanford Health Care. Next door is Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, run by Stanford Children's Health. Thousands of patients and families come here from across California and beyond, often at short notice.
This page is for those visitors. It covers where each hospital is, where to park and what it costs, the shuttles, visiting rules at the children's hospital, places to stay and places to eat. Policies change, so we link to the official pages for anything that matters. When in doubt, call Stanford Health Care Guest Services at 650-498-3333. Staff answer around the clock.
Stanford Hospital
Stanford Hospital is made up of two connected buildings at 300 and 500 Pasteur Drive. The newer one, at 500 Pasteur, was dedicated on October 23, 2019 and admitted its first patients on November 17, 2019. According to Stanford Medicine, it is a seven-story, 824,000 square foot building with 368 private patient rooms. Rafael Viñoly Architects designed it and about four acres of gardens surround it. Its emergency department, for adults and trauma patients, is more than double the size of the one it replaced.
The older building at 300 Pasteur dates from the medical center Stanford opened in 1959, when the medical school moved to campus from San Francisco. Its patterned concrete screens are the work of Edward Durell Stone. Our Stanford architecture guide has more on the building's history.
If you are unsure which building or clinic you need, call Guest Services before you leave home. Many outpatient clinics are spread across nearby buildings on Welch Road, Blake Wilbur Drive and elsewhere, some with their own parking.
Parking at Stanford Hospital
Self-parking for both hospital buildings is at the Pasteur Visitor Garage, 200 Pasteur Drive. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Stanford Health Care lists these rates on its garage page:
| Time parked | Charge |
|---|---|
| First 2 hours | Free |
| 2 to 3 hours | $3 |
| Each additional hour or part | $1 |
| Daily maximum, after 7 hours | $18 |
The Emergency Department has its own parking at 1199 Welch Road. It is open 24 hours and offers validation for ED patients, so head there instead of the Pasteur garage if you are bringing someone in for emergency care.
Payment at the Pasteur garage is by credit card only. Stanford Health Care has noted elevator upgrades at the garage, with golf cart service on all levels while elevators are out, so allow extra time.
Getting from the garage to the door
A free door-to-door cart shuttle links the garage with 300 and 500 Pasteur Drive and 875 and 900 Blake Wilbur Drive. It runs daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and comes about every 10 minutes on weekdays. Visitors with limited mobility can request on-demand pickup at 650-736-8000 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 650-422-1936 early in the morning and in the evening.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford is at 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto, a short walk from Stanford Hospital. It opened in 1991 and doubled in size in December 2017. The hospital is devoted entirely to pediatrics and obstetrics and has 361 beds.
Entrance change in 2026
- Since February 1, 2026, the West lobby entrance has been closed for construction and is expected to stay closed for about two years.
- All patients and visitors use the Main building entrance, where Welcome Desk staff give directions.
- Admitting and visitor check-in are in the Main building lobby.
Parking at the children's hospital
Park in the Main building garage, which is closest to the Main entrance and has spaces for expectant mothers and guests who need extra help. If it is full, use the West garage. A shuttle runs from the West garage to the Main building 24 hours a day. Stanford Children's Health lists visitor rates starting with a free first hour, then $2 for one to two hours, up to $12 for 8 to 24 hours. Admitted patients get one validated pass good for seven days with in-and-out privileges. The Welcome Desk validates tickets for patients, parents and legal guardians. Check the hospital's location page for current rates.
Visiting rules for families
At Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, general visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., with quiet hours overnight. Every visitor must check in to get an identification badge. A few other rules from the hospital's visiting page:
- Most general care and intensive care units allow two healthy visitors at a time.
- During respiratory illness season, November 1 to March 31, patients may have two healthy visitors.
- Some units, including the NICU and stem cell transplant, set minimum visitor ages of 12 or 14.
- Do not bring children who are sick or were recently exposed to measles or chickenpox.
- One parent can usually sleep at the bedside. Social workers can help with other arrangements.
Stanford Hospital publishes its own visitor policy. As published in October 2026, inpatient visiting hours there are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with two visitors. Check the policy before you go, especially during flu season. Ask the unit about any special rules. Our guides to Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital cover care, clinics and services for local families.
Getting there without a car
The free Marguerite shuttle runs on weekdays from the Palo Alto Transit Center beside the Caltrain station. The Medical Center line goes to the hospitals via Welch Road. A separate Hospital: Direct line links Hoover Pavilion, the medical center and the Stock Farm Garage. The shuttle does not run on weekends or university holidays. Our Stanford parking and transit guide explains the system. Flying in, many families take a car or an airport transfer from San Francisco or San Jose. Our getting to Palo Alto page compares the airports.
Where to stay
For a short visit, the hotels on El Camino Real near Palm Drive and the Stanford Park Hotel just over the Menlo Park line are a short drive or ride from the hospitals. Our guide to staying near Stanford compares them. Ask about medical rates when you book. Stanford Health Care keeps a list of hotels that offer discounted rates and Lucile Packard's Housing Office says several hotels offer special rates to its families.
For longer treatment, a room with a kitchen helps. Stanford Health Care lists extended stay options including the Stanford Guest House about 2.1 miles away. Stanford Health Care's list also names the Residence Inn Palo Alto/Menlo Park, about 2.5 miles away. We have not profiled that hotel, so check its details directly. Our guide to hotels near Stanford Hospital compares nearby options. Our long stays guide covers furnished rentals and rental homes can suit families who need several bedrooms.
Help with lodging
- Lucile Packard Housing Office: Helps out-of-town families find places to stay. Call (650) 498-7971, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Ronald McDonald House at Stanford: Run by Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area, it offers overnight rooms, meals and support to families of seriously ill children treated at the hospital. Stanford Children's Health says it has 123 bedrooms and serves another 76 families each night. Apply through rmhcbayarea.org under Family Stays. Families not staying there can ask the house whether day passes are offered.
- American Cancer Society Hotel Partners Program: Free or reduced-cost rooms, when available, for cancer patients traveling for treatment. It needs five business days' notice.
Food and a break
Long hospital days call for real meals and a little fresh air. Inside Lucile Packard, the Harvest Café is on the first floor of the Main building. Stanford Hospital has its own food options and Guest Services can point you to what is open.
Close by, Stanford Shopping Center has a range of cafes and restaurants within a short walk or drive of the medical campus. Vina Enoteca, an Italian wine bar and restaurant at the Stanford Barn on Welch Road, is close to the hospitals. Across El Camino Real, Town & Country Village has bakeries and quick lunches.
When you need a walk, the paved Dish trail in the foothills above campus offers wide views. The Main Quad and the Rodin garden are a short drive away. Even half an hour outside can help on a hard day.
A short checklist
- Save the Guest Services number: 650-498-3333.
- Note which building and entrance you need before you leave.
- Bring a credit card for parking.
- Pack a phone charger, a layer and snacks.
- Ask about interpreter services and spiritual care if you need them. Stanford Health Care lists both among its patient resources.
Frequently asked questions
Where do visitors park at Stanford Hospital?
Self-parking for Stanford Hospital at 300 and 500 Pasteur Drive is at the Pasteur Visitor Garage, 200 Pasteur Drive. It is open 24 hours a day. Stanford Health Care lists the first two hours free, then hourly charges up to an $18 daily maximum, payable by card only. Emergency Department patients have separate parking at 1199 Welch Road.
How much is parking at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital?
The first hour is free. Stanford Children's Health lists rates from $2 for one to two hours up to $12 for 8 to 24 hours. Admitted patients receive one validated pass good for seven days with in-and-out privileges.
What are the visiting hours at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital?
General visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., with quiet hours from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Rules vary by unit and during respiratory illness season, from November 1 to March 31, patients may have two healthy visitors.
Is there a Ronald McDonald House near Stanford?
Yes. Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, run by Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area, provides overnight rooms, meals and support for families of seriously ill children treated at the hospital. Families apply through rmhcbayarea.org under Family Stays.
When did the new Stanford Hospital open?
The new Stanford Hospital at 500 Pasteur Drive was dedicated on October 23, 2019. It began admitting patients on November 17, 2019. It is a seven-story, 824,000 square foot building with 368 private patient rooms.