Portola Valley is an elegant town with a relaxed, quiet, country vibe. It’s nearly all homes or horse ranches, but there are a few shops, grocery stores, and places to dine. It is one of the most uncrowded feeling places in the Bay Area.
Above all, there are tons of opportunities to hike and enjoy the outdoors. If you visit, you’re unlikely to go far before encountering someone on a bike, on foot, or even on horseback. The weather is mild and the community features loads of trails. Additionally, there are clubs for swimming, tennis, golf, racquetball, and so on – something for everyone.
It’s worth noting that the town covers about 9 square miles and is home to about 4,400 people and that it’s one of the wealthiest communities in the state. That’s not surprising for an equestrian community.
What else is it known for?
There are several historic sites in town, including the Alpine Inn (bar), which was founded in the middle 1800s and is apparently one of the oldest drinking establishments in California.
The town can boast a huge open space preserve, Windy Hill Preserve, with over 1400 acres of grassland and forested land, managed by the Midpeninsula Open Space Preserve. The town also has its own network of trails.
Woodside Priory is a Catholic, Benedictine high school (a day school but also a boarding school) known for quality in education and small class sizes located off of Portola Road.
Where is Portola Valley?
Portola Valley can be found at the southwestern end of San Mateo County. It covers the heavily wooded eastern hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Protected form the winds and fog that characterize most of the bay area, the climate is nearly perfect.
Stanford University is nearby and residents have quick access to I-280 and the extensive business areas of Menlo Park and Palo Alto. Excellent schools and low crime along with the natural beauty of the area attract the affluent families of the Lower Peninsula and Silicon Valley.
It is west of Highway 280 and north of the Palo Alto Hills and stretches to Skyline Boulevard on the west side.
Alpine Road and Portola Road are probably the best known streets in the community.
Its immediate neighbors are Palo Alto, Ladera (a census designated area, unincorporated), and Woodside.
Real estate in PV
Portola Valley is the epitome of a high rent district. It is unsurprising to find homes listed at $5 million or above (and challenging to find them lower than $2.5 million).
How’s the real estate market in Portola Valley? Check out the Portola Valley market analysis on the ReReport, updated monthly.
Click to view a map based list of available properties, or use the list below:
View Portola Valley real estate listings and homes for sale here.
Homes for sale in Portola Valley
Related Reading
Town of Portola Valley website
