University Ave, Palo Alto

University Avenue is a quintessential downtown street, hosting the standard Border's, CVS, Peet's Coffee, and Starbucks, as well as a whole slew of independently owned cafes and restaurants. Parking is a challenge - while there are no meters, the two-hour time limits ARE enforced. Once you are parked, the street is pedestrian-friendly, with plenty of sidewalks, despite the traffic congestion.

University Cafe provides great lunch fare (California-style), while Joya boasts the best tapas around (in my opinion). New restaurants and cafes are opening up all the time.

While the nightlife is not as exciting as some larger cities, there is a fair string of bars on University and the neighboring streets. Finding a club to dance until sunrise may be tough; finding a great beer on tap shouldn't be.

Retail therapy is definitely in existence, with some great shops in the area. Just be prepared to say "no thanks" to the occasional street activists asking you to sign their petition (unless, you know, you're into that sort of thing).

This is *the* street in Palo Alto for dining and fun. It's more upscale than California Avenue and more interesting than Santa Cruz Ave. in Menlo Park.

Downside: homeless people flock to it in greater numbers each year

I moved here from San Francisco to live with my partner and to be closer to work. It's not as boring as everyone said it would be, but I really do miss my Mission burritos and burgers. Despite what they all said, it's also relatively easy to live here without owning a car.