When you Google “Fun Things to Do in Palo Alto,” one of the top ten attractions recommended by www.tripadvisor.com is Steve Jobs’ garage. This speaks volumes about the sleepy city of Palo Alto — there just isn’t much excitement here.

At New York University, you may find Ashley Olsen zipping from club to club in the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. At Stanford, in the heart of Silicon Valley, you are lucky if you can spot Mark Zuckerberg at a lunch meeting with corporate hotshots.

While Palo Alto may never gain repute for its wild social scene, it does offer an escape from the humdrum of campus life. Traveling on the Marguerite, you will be surprised to find a myriad of places to take your mind off of midterms and papers. The next time you feel stifled by the Stanford Bubble, try exploring the stops along the Shopping Express route. You may find yourself enchanted by the comfortable, suburban appeal of Palo Alto.

California Avenue

When you board the Shopping Express at Tresidder Union, it will take you through the East Residences to the intersection of El Camino Real and California Avenue. As you walk down California’s Avenue of the Arts, you will discover a delightful collection of public artworks. Among the pieces that playfully adorn the avenue are “Go Mama,” “Jungle Jane,” “Year of the Ocean,” “Body of the Urban Myth” and “Sun Flowers.”

California Avenue also offers a wide selection of restaurants from which you can get your Saturday morning brunch. Cafe Brioche, for instance, is a Zagat-rated restaurant with a French flair. Here you can enjoy a hearty breakfast of freshly made pancakes, eggs and chicken apple sausage for $7.95. The more discerning connoisseur may appreciate the roasted leg of lamb, served on brioche with roasted eggplant and rosemary aioli, for $8.95.

Students who are incurably fed up with dining hall desserts can also satisfy their sweet tooth with delicious snacks from the Palo Alto Baking Company. This bakery offers a mouthwatering array of pastries and desserts, ranging from your standard butter croissant to decadent white chocolate mousses.

If you want a real meal, however, hightail over to The Counter. This restaurant is strikingly characterized by its graffiti-inspired artwork, gigantic flat-screen televisions and energetic buzz. The Counter allows you to personalize your burger, and offers a wide selection of cheeses, toppings, sauces and buns. The sweet potato fries are a must.

Further down the avenue, you will find Know Knew Books, one of the best haunts in Palo Alto. This maze-like second-hand bookstore has an impressive collection of books, CDs, DVDs and records. For the eternal nerd, there are Star Trek action figures and Marvel comics galore. It is a paradise for bookworms and geeks alike.

Wal-Mart and Target

If you are in desperate need of supplies, the next Shopping Express stop is a no-brainer.

Take a brief trip to Wal-Mart and Target for reasonably priced school materials, dorm adornments and the like.

Shopping Center

No doubt the avid shopper will be satisfied by the multitude of stores found in the Stanford Shopping Center. With retailers as varied as Armani Exchange, Betsy Johnson, Burberry and Nike, the only thing you have to worry about is spending the equivalent of your tuition money on accoutrement.

Palo Alto Transit Center

End your Marguerite journey with a leisurely stroll in downtown Palo Alto.

Far off the beaten path, on Waverley Street, you can explore Elizabeth Gamble Garden, a historic estate distinguished by its stunning collection of flowers and greenery. You can dine and converse alfresco at the Carriage House Patio and the Tea House Patio in Palo Alto’s prettiest garden. The picturesque setting is sure to capture your imagination.

If this notion does not interest you, contemplate a visit to the historic Cardinal Hotel or an ice-skating extravaganza at Winter Lodge. Take advantage of the California sunshine and picnic at Rinconada Park on Embarcadero Road. If you do not care to travel that far, enjoy a brief sojourn at the smaller Scott or Johnson parks.

Along University Avenue, you will also find Pizza My Heart, a popular restaurant that is frequented by high school and college students alike. The pizza is pretty decent and the prices are reasonable. Those with a hankering for a more exotic dining experience should consider the Zao Noodle Bar. Sample tofu fries for $5.50, chicken summer rolls for $7 and ginger-garlic-chili chicken and prawns for $11.50.

The eager dessert seekers will stumble across Michael’s Gelato and Cafe right next to Borders. Granted a gelato is more expensive than your standard ice cream cone, but the savory sensation is well worth your money. Request the affogato if you have a penchant for coffee.

At the close of your Marguerite road trip, enjoy a movie at the Stanford Theatre which, 83 years after its opening, still serves as the premier place to view classic Hollywood films. Once immersed in the theatre’s glamorous 1920s atmosphere, you can easily imagine Humphrey Bogart lounging about the foyer with a cigar in hand. Independent and foreign language cinema buffs should also consider the Aquarius Theatre, which offers showings of the latest movies.

Food, film and fun. What more could a college student ask for?