How to Get Here

    We're kind of hard to find.  Few of the streets around us run straight (and even the straight streets keep on changing names).  But if you follow these directions, and peek at the maps, you hopefully should be able to find us with a minimum of difficulty.

Overview Map showing both churches

Map showing area around St. Denis Church and Our Lady of the Wayside Church

    Either church is best approached from Interstate 280 that runs through California's southern San Mateo and northern Santa Clara counties.  Look for the Sand Hill Road exit from I-280, just north of the San Mateo and Santa Clara county line; this is one of the exits for Stanford University.  However, if you're not coming that way, we've also included below directions to St. Denis from the Alameda de las Pulgas and the El Camino Real.

For Our Lady of the Wayside Church

Exit I-280 at Sand Hill Road, heading west (towards the hills).

Drive 3.7 miles west into Portola Valley (watch your speed--this road is heavily patrolled).

The Church will be on the left tucked in a Redwood grove, right across the street from the Valley Presbyterian Church sign.

GPS Coordinates:

For St. Denis Church (from I-280)

Exit I-280 at Sand Hill Road, heading east (towards the Bay, away from the hills).

Get in the left hand lane and drive about 1/2 mile to the 2nd stop light, Saga Ln, after leaving the Interstate intersections.  This intersection will be preceded by a green informational sign on the left stating "2400-2494 Sand Hill Road"

Make a U-turn at this 2nd stop light, Saga Ln.

Go one block and turn right onto Monte Rosa Drive.

Continue on Monte Rosa Drive to the 2nd stop sign, about 1/2 mile, which will be Avy Avenue.

The Parish Center, Parish Office, Rectory, & Church will be on your left, on the corner of Monte Rosa Drive & Avy Avenue.

For the new Parish Center, enter the parking lot off Monte Rosa Drive. 

For the Parish Office or Rectory, enter the parking lot off Avy Avenue. 

For St. Denis Church, either.

GPS Coordinates: 122°12'19"W, 37º25'43"N

For St. Denis Church (from the Alameda de las Pulgas in West Menlo Park)

Proceed on the Alamda de las Pulgas to where it intersects Avy Avenue (Avy Avenue is south of Woodside Road, south of Valparaiso Avenue, and north of the intersection of Santa Cruz Avenue and Sand Hill Road).  There is a stop light at the intersection of the Alameda de las Pulgas and Avy Avenue.

Turn to the west on Avy Avenue.

Go to the 2nd stop sign, about 1/4 mile, where Avy Avenue ends and intersects Monte Rosa Drive.

The Church, Parish Office, and Rectory will be on your right, 100 yards before you reach this last stop sign.

For the new Parish Center, turn right on Monte Rosa Drive and enter the parking lot, the first drive on your right.

For St. Denis Church (from the El Camino Real in downtown Menlo Park)

Proceed on the El Camino Real to where it intersects Santa Cruz Avenue (the heart of downtown Menlo Park).

Turn to the west on Santa Cruz Avenue. (If you are heading north on the El Camino Real, there is no left turn at Santa Cruz Avenue.  Simply go one block further, to Oak Grove Avenue, make your left turn there, and then work your way back one block to Santa Cruz Avenue.)

Drive about 1.7 miles on Santa Cruz Avenue until you reach a stop sign with a cemetery on the left.

At this stop sign, Santa Cruz Avenue makes a half-turn to the left; however, proceed straight ahead.  You will now be on Avy Avenue.

Proceed straight on Avy Avenue; you will go through a stop sign, a stop light, then 2 more stop signs.  Avy Avenue ends and intersects Monte Rosa Drive at this last stop sign.

The Church, Parish Office, and Rectory will be on your right, 100 yards before you reach this last stop sign.

For the new Parish Center, turn right on Monte Rosa Drive and enter the parking lot, the first drive on your right.