i am a palo alto member. there is no pay as you go. you get a year long membership and a gate code. sign in when you enter, sign out when you leave. you are your own range officer.
rarely is there anyone else at the range. very quiet, don't have to worry about idiots, can go down range any time you please when you're there alone (again, 95% of the time).
it is frowned upon that you shoot 300yds+ without someone behind the berm at palo. the club prefers you have someone to call and mark your shots with walkie talkies at that distance.
members can bring guests for a charge of $5 per range visit. money is mailed in to the club.
here are some pics i've taken at the range:
pic from 600yd line-
zoom of 600yd berm/backstop and 200yd line in foreground-
600yd line cover-
dedicated 100yd range-
100yd cover-
pistol range (50yds)-