Posting some information on currency exchange for those interested. Thanks to Elizabeth Sanville for this tip.
There is a Travelex office at Stanford Shopping Center. Their exchange rates are the same as at the airport and they accept personal cheques for payment (vs. cash at the airport). With a AAA membership, fees are 10% less. If you exchange a larger sum of money, they will waive all fees and taxes and give you a 2% better exchange rate. I'm not sure how much you need to exchange to get the better rate and waived fees, but I exchanged over $2000 US (into Australian, Euros and Pounds) and got the deal. If parents pooled together its an easy, no hassle, no lines way to exchange money at an equal or better rate than at the airport.
The Travelex office is open 10am to 6pm. It's best to call ahead for Australian Dollars (they will hold for you; they don't always stock, though they have some now). Their phone # is 650-321-3309.
