Section Image

East Palo Alto

East Palo Alto

Located in San Mateo County

$1,097,773 Average Value
$747 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

An area being shaped by its surroundings

East Palo Alto is a bayside city whose story is being shaped by its location a stone's throw from offices for multiple major tech companies. This area is minutes from facilities for titans like Meta, Tesla and Hewlett-Packard, a Silicon Valley cocktail that has sparked new interest in the community. East Palo Alto is full of a medley of midcentury homes, a solid smattering of retail and dining amenities, and prime opportunities for fun on and by the water. It has undergone a metamorphosis, says local Realtor Alex Lehr. “It was primarily a blue-collar neighborhood and then as Facebook expanded nearby it changed the complexion of the neighborhood,” says Lehr, founder of Guide Real Estate.

East Palo Alto homes getting new life

Most of the houses around East Palo Alto were built between the 1940s and the 1960s — ranchers and bungalows dominate the landscape here. However, there is a smattering of multistory new traditional homes here, built after the turn of the 21st century. The older homes here start at just under 1,000 square feet and range to around 2,000 square feet. Lehr has seen people buy these houses and renovate them, too. “The neighborhood as a whole has improved,” says Lehr, who has worked in real estate for 40 years. The more modern homes in East Palo Alto are often from just under 2,000 square feet to more than 3,000 square feet. Houses around East Palo Alto line narrow residential streets, some of which are lined with sidewalks. Lots in the area tend to be compact, between around one-fifth and one-tenth of an acre. Price tags here start in the $700,000s and top out at close to $2 million.

A traditional home in the East Palo Alto neighborhood.
A traditional home in the East Palo Alto neighborhood.
A modern home in the East Palo Alto neighborhood.
A modern home in the East Palo Alto neighborhood.
1/2

Walk through Gateway 101 for retail needs

East Palo Alto features the Gateway 101 shopping center, which has 92,110 square feet of retail space. Locals can stop at Gateway 101 to shop at retailers like Target, Nordstrom Rack and The Home Depot. After shopping, they can visit Oceanna's Cafe here to grab a bite to eat. Oceana's Cafe has everything from deli sandwiches to burgers to nachos. There’s also an IKEA across Bayshore Road from Gateway 101 and a Cardenas Markets nearby as well, convenient for grabbing groceries to take back for a home-cooked meal. Those who want to sit down for a meal in East Palo Alto can head up Clarke Avenue to go to Taqueria La Cazuela, a Mexican restaurant popular for its al pastor and carnitas.

Taqueria La Cazuela, a local favorite for tacos in the East Palo Alto neighborhood.
Taqueria La Cazuela, a local favorite for tacos in the East Palo Alto neighborhood.

City comes alive for holidays

East Palo Alto hosts multiple holiday celebrations, including a Cinco de Mayo complete with a parade. The city has also organized an Independence Day parade. Both the Cinco de Mayo and Independence Day parades culminate at the city’s Bell Street Park and feature food, music and games. The city also has a holiday tree lighting in December at Bell Street Park.

Students can fly into Ravenswood City School District

Kids in East Palo Alto can attend schools in the Ravenswood City School District to start. They may go to Costaño School of the Arts, which has a C-minus rating on Niche, or the D-plus-rated Belle Haven Elementary or Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy for kindergarten through fifth grade. Each of these schools has a student-teacher ratio of 18-to-1 or better. Students can then go to the D-plus-rated Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle, where the student-teacher ratio is 15-to-1. Then they can progress into the A-plus-rated Menlo-Atherton High, part of the Sequoia Union High School District. Mento-Atherton is in the top 10 of Niche’s list of the top high schools across San Mateo County, and offers a career technical education program with focuses on arts, media and entertainment; building trades and construction; education, child development and family services; engineering and design; hospitality, tourism and recreation; and information technology. East Palo Alto also has multiple charter and private schools, including the A-rated Eastside College Preparatory School, which has grades 6 to 12 and is in the top 10 of Niche’s ranking of the best private high schools in San Mateo County.

Fun on land or water

One of the benefits of East Palo Alto’s spot right by the bay is that locals have quick access to spots like Cooley Landing Park, a waterside retreat with trails to enjoy the view. Cooley Landing is adjacent to the 376-acre Ravenswood Open Space Preserve, where there are more trails to enjoy. Anglers can explore the Faber Marsh Fishing Area farther down the bay. And, farther inland, parents looking to take their kids to the playground will appreciate spots like Bell Creek Park and Jack Farrell Park.

Ravenswood Open Space Preserve in East Palo Alto.
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve in East Palo Alto.
Cooley Landing Park is a 9-acre peninsula at the end of Bay Road in East Palo Alto.
Cooley Landing Park is a 9-acre peninsula at the end of Bay Road in East Palo Alto.
A workout station at Jack Farrell Park in East Palo Alto.neighborhood.
A workout station at Jack Farrell Park in East Palo Alto.neighborhood.
1/3

SamTrams adds to travel convenience

East Palo Alto features an assortment of bus stops in San Mateo County’s SamTrans system. SamTrans features more than 70 routes across the county and stretching into San Francisco and Palo Alto. Also, drivers here can hop on U.S. Route 101 to reach San Francisco in a trip of just about 30 miles.

Bus Stop 280 on Donohoe street in East Palo Alto.
Bus Stop 280 on Donohoe street in East Palo Alto.
Hannah Rainey
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Christopher Lau
Photography Contributed By
Christopher Lau
Matt Doe
Video By
Matt Doe

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mark Palermo, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

East Palo Alto Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,399,000
Median Sale Price
$1,375,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,375,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
3
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
199%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$747

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
4,186
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1952
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,333
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,108
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,220
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
760
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Open Houses

  • Friday, Aug 8
    Open Fri 3PM - 6PM

    534 Hilbar Ln, Palo Alto, CA 94303

    $3,588,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,617 Sq Ft
    • 534 Hilbar Ln
    • New 2 days ago

    Welcome to newly remodeled 534 Hilbar Lane, a warm and inviting open floor plan located on a quiet, highly sought-after Green Gables (Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood). Step into a life of comfort, charm, and endless possibility in the heart of one of Palo Alto's most treasured neighborhoods. The home is filled with natural light and surrounded by mature hedges, artificial grass, and

    Matt McCormick Coldwell Banker Realty

    Section Image
  • 1831 Woodland Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303

    $1,148,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,073 Sq Ft
    • 1831 Woodland Ave
    • New 8 days ago

    Welcome to this single-story duplex with two yards nestled on the west side of Highway 101 near the border of Palo Alto. Each unit has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Remodeled kitchens with dishwasher & oak cabinetry. Large and bright living and dining areas. Dual pane windows. Remodeled bathrooms with Kohler tubs and sliding glass shower door enclosures. New construction galvanized steel gutters.

    David Lillo DPL Real Estate

    Section Image
  • 1827 Woodland Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303

    $1,098,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,073 Sq Ft
    • 1827 Woodland Ave
    • New 8 days ago

    Welcome to this single-story duplex with two yards nestled on the west side of Highway 101 near the border of Palo Alto. Each unit has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Remodeled kitchens with dishwasher & oak cabinetry. Large and bright living and dining areas. Dual pane windows. Remodeled bathrooms with Kohler tubs and sliding glass shower door enclosures. New construction galvanized steel gutters.

    David Lillo DPL Real Estate

    Section Image

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

East Palo Alto Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
26,752
Median Age
35
Population under 18
26.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$92,891
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$125,735

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
73.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
26.8%
Advanced Degrees
12.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.3%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
14''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®®

79 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

69 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
East Palo Alto