Useful tip for IEC engineers traveling to Bay Area
I've learned that Homestead studio suites in Mountain view is quite popular with IEC engineers visiting Bay area due to its proximity to the Indian restaurants in the area. The other advantage is the relatively good public transportation facilities available close by.
If you happen to visit Menlo Park, you could take VTA #22 from the Grant Road station (opposite to Homestead) and go till Cal train station in Palo Alto and then take the Sun shuttle. It is cheap, quite eco friendly way to commute. But the main advantage is that, if you are the kind who believes that enjoying the local customs and culture is what makes traveling complete, then this is a good way to experience the local customs as there were quite a few interesting experiences! 
How funny you would mention this hotel. I'm going to the Bay Area in late May and we're supposed to stay here. I read some online reviews that it can be noisy since it's close to the freeway. I'm glad to know it's close to good food - that's something to look forward to! :)
Posted by melanie gao on May 08, 2008 at 12:44 PM IST #
A wing is quite noisy though inside the room I hardly hear anything. My guess is that the wing exactly opposite to the lobby should be quite good.
There are lots of Oriental and American restaurants apart from Indian if you go towards Palo Alto. There are lots of Inns as well. I am lucky that I like all cuisines and hence having a blast! :-)
Posted by Madhan Kumar on May 08, 2008 at 10:08 PM IST #
Hi,
Theres another way go to Sun office from MountainView Homestead, get into Palo Alto using 22 and catch VTA's DB Express and get down in Willow road junction (Hamilton Ave), our Sun office is opposite to that.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vta.org%2Fschedules%2FSC_971_FARES.html&ei=tkEqSNDEPJfQpgTlzcHDCw&usg=AFQjCNEG3fl5ePGiuoWSXHPCH2VaoQ-JBQ&sig2=yfin3nQeb8isp_FF7t5LrQ
BTW this step requires walking all the way inside the campus but its an useful walk in the morning (I got this route after missing the train at Palo Alto).
Posted by Prasanna S on May 14, 2008 at 07:06 AM IST #