Bayshore Fwy, Suburban Park / Lorelei Manor / Flood Park Triangle

Like its southern neighbor in Palo Alto, Bayshore Freeway in Menlo Park can be found a half mile away, given the sheer quantity of traffic getting on and off. Congestion here is insane, but this is to be expected, given that Menlo Park is the access town for the Dumbarton Bridge.

101 is not exactly known for passing through the best parts of town, and such remains true with Menlo Park. The area by the Dumbarton Bridge exit is fairly dead, and further south, the Willow Road exit passes through the run-down, rough around the edges Belle Haven. However, good food is never more than a 10-15 minute drive away in downtown Menlo Park, and the primary advantage here is access, not real estate.

It is a frustrating stretch to drive through, but almost necessary if you live on the east side of the Peninsula. At least the drivers are extremely polite.