Insights and Homes for Sale in Palo Alto, California

Crescent Park is home to some of the best public schools in Northern California. It has a quiet suburban atmosphere and has immediate access to downtown Palo Alto.

With its proximity to schools, services, restaurants and downtown businesses, the Community Center neighborhood attracts families, young professionals and empty nesters alike. Rinconada Park, with its large community pool, playgrounds, picnic areas and tennis courts, is just across the street from the Rinconada Library and Palo Alto Art Center. Down the road, the Lucie Stern Center houses the Children’s Library, Children’s Theatre, local community theaters, and the popular Junior Museum & Zoo.

Blocks from Palo Alto’s city center, Professorville is a highly sought-after address due to its charming, genteel feel and easy access to the bustling action of downtown. The neighborhood offers an eclectic array of turn-of-the-century architectural styles including Queen Ann, Classic Revival and Craftsman Bungalows, as well as a rich collection of historic Shingle Style homes.

Midtown is a popular neighborhood located, as its name suggests, in the middle of Palo Alto. This central location makes it one of the city’s most convenient neighborhoods. That fact, coupled with its late 40’s and early 50’s bungalows and ranch homes, makes it a popular pick for those seeking a know-your-neighbor location.

The Stanford neighborhood is Stanford-owned land that is leased to provide housing for qualified faculty. A series of picturesque neighborhoods comprising 750 single family homes and approximately 200 condominiums that wrap the campus, the housing stock varies from turn-of-the-century homes to mid-century and ranch styles built in the 40’s and 50’s and 60’s.

In addition to the extensive Palo Alto Hills region, this MLS (multiple listing service) area includes the neighborhoods of Greater Miranda and Esther Clark Park. All these neighborhoods are known for their rural feel and acre lots. The neighborhoods have more of a connection to the adjoining city of Los Altos Hills than Palo Alto, but all enjoy Palo Alto schools and services.

As one of Palo Alto’s smaller neighborhoods, Green Acres residents enjoy a feeling of connection and familiarity with their neighbors. Once home to apricot orchards, Green Acres was developed in two stages in the 1950’s. The MLS area also contains the adjoining neighborhood of Palo Alto Orchards, another 1950’s development. All homes in these neighborhoods are within walking distance of the elementary, middle and high schools, as well as Juana Briones Park.

Downtown Palo Alto is home to many affluent businesses, college students, local residents, and holds a great mix of bungalows, condos and apartments. Those who live here enjoy close proximity to countless shops, theaters, parks, shops, and many other attractive amenities.

The College neighborhood offers a convenient location blocks from both California Avenue shopping and Stanford University. Traffic circles and street blocks give the neighborhood the feel of a giant cul-de-sac. Peers Park serves as the neighborhood’s playground and gathering place. Architectural styles are a mix of a few turn-of the century homes, 1930’s bungalows and recently built homes. The College area includes the neighborhoods of Southgate, Evergreen Park, College Terrace, and Mayfield. Each of these neighborhoods has its own unique character.

Green Gables is a collection of neighborhoods often referred to by the name of the school that serves as a common hub: Duveneck. With a mix of pre-war ranchers and post-war Eichlers, Duveneck is a place where people put down roots and stay awhile. It’s a neighborhood where young families can find a starter home and later move up on the same block.

Old Palo Alto matured as a neighborhood before tract housing and even automobiles, so architectural styles vary widely. Homes are located within walking distance of nearly everything in Palo Alto. For many established entrepreneurs, an Old Palo Alto address means you’ve made it. Residents value the unpretentious and close-knit feel.

The South Palo Alto area of the MLS is a catch-all for the various neighborhoods built east of El Camino and South of Oregon Expressway (with the exception of Midtown) in the early to mid 1950’s. A mix of early 50’s ranchers gave way to mid-century Eichlers as the last part of Palo Alto was developed. Each neighborhood has its own unique flavor and home styles.

The Ventura neighborhood’s proximity to El Camino and California Avenue shopping make it a convenient place to get started in Palo Alto. The smaller lots have seen less new development than other parts of the city, but that’s changing as recent new construction finds its way among the traditional turn-of-the-century and 1940’s bungalows.

Barron Park, the southwest section of Palo Alto, has always had a rustic, pastoral feel and still offers a bit of a country life in the midst of urbanity. Nothing points to this character more than the two donkeys that live in Bol Park and are cared for by local volunteers. One of the donkeys, Pericles, served as the model for Shrek’s famed sidekick in the Dreamworks movie Shrek.