3 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Atherton

Located south of San Francisco, Atherton, California, is one of the most prestigious areas in the United States. The beautiful neighborhoods are quiet and secluded and maintain strong community values. Several neighborhoods in Atherton boast an array of architectural styles and lifestyles that you might be interested in checking out if you’re thinking about making the move to this serene destination.

West Atherton is one of northern California’s most prestigious and elite neighborhoods. Spectacular mansions, gated estates, and acre-plus lots are typically found here, making the neighborhood appeal to some of the most affluent buyers worldwide, including Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz, San Francisco 49ers Jerry Rice, and Oracle co-president Mark Hurd.

The neighborhood was originally a go-to summer retreat area for people to escape from San Francisco’s notorious fog but is now one of the most sought-after neighborhoods. West Atherton borders El Camino Real to the east, Valparaiso Ave to the south, Stockbridge Ave and Selby Lane to the north, and Alameda de las Pulgas to the west. The neighborhood is situated equidistant to Highway 101 and Interstate 280. Many homes are not visible from the tree-lined streets, which adds to the feeling of seclusion.

 

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West Atherton
West Atherton is exclusively residential but only a short drive from Menlo Park’s commercial district. The Stanford Shopping Center is an outdoor shopping mall on the campus of Stanford University. There are over 150 stores and restaurants, including Nordstrom, Burberry, and Coach.

After a day of shopping, you can enjoy a delicious meal at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, which offers the finest in prime beef, seafood, chicken, and wine, as well as savory desserts, such as their signature olive oil cake or crème brûlée. They also have various plant-based options, so there is something for everyone on the menu. If you are not in the mood for steak, check out Bistro Vida, a classic French restaurant, or La Stanza Cucina for Sicilian-style pasta dishes.

Residents can also enjoy the Menlo Circus Club, which has equestrian facilities, polo fields, tennis courts, a pool, and several event facilities. The club was established in 1923 as a private country club and is currently a members-only club. Many community events, farmers’ markets, and fundraisers are also held throughout the year. The Atherton Library hosts story time, concerts, workshops, and equipment rentals.

The Menlo Park City School District and the Sequoia Union High School District serve West Atherton. Students can attend one of the many elementary schools in the district, such as Encinal Elementary School, which aims to foster a community of education, encouragement, and inspiration to allow all students to thrive. The students participate in a school garden and have various events, such as a book fair, movie nights, and Science Night.

Students can attend this school from kindergarten through fifth grade before moving on to Hillview Middle School and Menlo-Atherton High School. The high school offers advanced placement classes, including Latin, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Art History.

There are also private school options, including Menlo School and Sacred Heart Prep. Menlo School teaches students from sixth through 12th grade and has approximately 800 students. The middle and high schools offer a variety of clubs, including book clubs, a student-run literary magazine, and a trivia club.

The school also provides a robust and welcoming creative arts program, including drawing, 3D design, dance, drama, filmmaking, and orchestra courses. Students can also enroll in a variety of rigorous courses, such as French, Latin, Physics, Neuroscience, English, Economics, and U.S. history. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 and offers 21 advanced placement classes. In the 2020-2021 school year, 333 students took AP exams.

This suburban neighborhood is located between El Camino Real and the Caltrain tracks. In the late 1920s, the community was subdivided into 86 single-family properties with a third of an acre of land. Houses in the area maintain much of their original charm, though they have undergone extensive interior remodeling. Two homes were constructed for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition as “Homes of the Future,” adding to the variety of architectural styles in the area.

The evolution of Lloyden Park has retained its tight-knit community feel, as the neighborhood is more suburban than others in Atherton. Most homes in the area are within walking distance of the library, post office, and town hall, all of which are located a block away from the Caltrain station. Nearby, you can spend the morning at Holbrook-Palmer Park, a large, lovely grassy park with walking trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, and a community garden. The neighborhood has a long history of community events, including July 4th block parties and singing Christmas carols. Find out more neighborhoods like this offered by our Expert Real Estate Agent Stephanie Von Thaden.

Homes in Atherton are located in either the Redwood Park, Redwood City, or Las Lomitas School Districts. Lloyden Park is a part of the Redwood City School District, and many children attend Selby Lane Elementary School and Menlo-Atherton High School. There are also various private school options, including St. Joseph Elementary School, Menlo School, which students can attend for grades six through 12th, and Sacred Heart, which offers education from preschool to 12th grade.

Stepping into Lindenwood feels like stepping back in time. This lush neighborhood is filled with tree-canopied streets, vibrant landscaping, and winding streets. Here, you will see residents walking through the neighborhood. In the 19th century, the area was home to James C. Flood, who was known as the “Silver King of the Comstock Lode.” He built a 44-room house on a 600-acre estate and adorned his property with antiques and sterling silver plumbing fixtures.

Today, the neighborhood still bears Flood’s presence, with fountains and statues erected in his memory. His initials are also engraved in the wrought iron arches above the gates leading into Lindenwood.

The neighborhood is home to two parks: Holbrook-Palmer Park and Burgess Park. The park sits on over nine acres of land and has a baseball diamond, basketball court, playgrounds, gym, skate park, swimming pool, tennis courts, and paved walking paths. Lindenwood is only a ten-minute drive to restaurants and shopping. Residents can enjoy Downtown Menlo Park, which provides an upscale shopping experience with a small-town feel. There are also lots of community events held downtown.

Lindenwood features highly desirable schools, including public options and access to Menlo Park schools, such as Menlo-Atherton High. Students can also attend Encinal Elementary School or Laurel Elementary School, both of which have received accolades for being outstanding options.

Buying a home for sale in Atherton requires a deft hand, as homes in these neighborhoods are highly coveted. Whichever neighborhood you choose, you need an expert realtor in your corner. Reach out to Stephanie Von Thaden today, and rest assured that your real estate journey will be in the best hands.

 

 

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