This is a terrific place for anyone at Stanford or close by in Silicon Valley. The house for rent is lovely, the surroundings are magnificent, and the hosts are welcoming and responsive to any questions or issues that arise. My wife and I stayed for 10 weeks. Although our kids are grown up, the house is all set to accommodate children (it even has a supply of children's books as well as a high chair, etc.). If you like to swim or play tennis or basketball, the pool and "sports court" are only a few steps away. Portola Valley is next to Palo Alto, but it's a very different, more rural experience. The local trails (walkable from the house) are great; so are some of the parks nearby with towering redwoods. We were sorry to leave.