Rick,

I would suggest you just stay on 80 and take the Bay bridge, then 101 straight down to Palo Alto. If you are hitting the Bay Area close to around 8AMish, the traffic SHOULD be ok. These days things are starting to lighten up by that time. Just keep your ears on traffic reports when you get close in case the Bay Bridge gets clogged by a stall, etc. If that happens, just stay on 80 south to the San Mateo Bridge. (KCBS 740AM has traffic reports every 10 minutes, :08, :18, :28, etc.) I assume that you know your way once you get to Palo Alto? Good luck!