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Downtown Menlo Park

Downtown Menlo Park

$3,263,745 Average Value
$249 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Art, tech, and suburban vibes

From its lively commercial strip brimming with local shops to the almost pastoral roads of the Allied Arts district, Downtown Menlo Park is a thriving local community with laid-back suburban ambiance and excellent public schools. A small city of around 32,000 residents, Menlo Park is a longstanding college town and harbor for tech titans like Meta and, once upon a time, Google. Downtown Menlo Park is the city’s centerpiece bordered by prestigious Stanford University. The six-block downtown commercial district is packed with mom-and-pop shops, cafes and restaurants. It sees plenty of foot traffic on the weekends. Small multi-family buildings and houses start to appear about two blocks away as you head into the surrounding suburban area. The neighborhood also encompasses the coveted Allied Arts residential district, named for the Allied Arts Guild, a nearby historic garden.
The aerial view of Downtown Menlo Park showcases the vibrant and bustling activity of the area.
The aerial view of Downtown Menlo Park showcases the vibrant and bustling activity of the area.
Discover various multi-family buildings scattered around Downtown Menlo Park.
Discover various multi-family buildings scattered around Downtown Menlo Park.
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Small-town feel with unique shops

Menlo Park's downtown district is located on Santa Cruz Avenue, a lively street with plenty of options for shopping and dining. “There are classy restaurants and a farmer’s market on the weekends. It’s got a bucolic, small-town feel. It’s the type of street you’d take your kids for ice cream and pizza,” says Realtor Jennifer Bitter of Compass Real Estate and partner at LeMieux Associates, who grew up in Menlo Park and has worked in Silicon Valley real estate for more than a decade. You can pick up a box of flaky, buttery pastries at Mademoiselle Colette, a French patisserie that will transport you to the streets of Champs-Elysees. Or, for a night out with friends, grab a table at Camper, a Michelin Guide-approved eatery with lantern-lit ambiance, large windows and landscape paintings hanging from the walls. Its seasoned chefs serve up premium cuts of locally sourced meats alongside handmade pasta and contemporary California cuisine. You’ll also have plenty of options for grocery shopping. You can fill up your shopping cart at Trader Joe’s, Safeway or Draeger’s Market, a high-end, family-owned supermarket with an appetizing assortment of meats, cheese and wine.
At Mademoiselle Colette in Downtown Menlo Park, you can indulge in a variety of fancy pastries.
At Mademoiselle Colette in Downtown Menlo Park, you can indulge in a variety of fancy pastries.
Discover Camper, an upscale eatery with rustic, lantern-lit decor in Downtown Menlo Park.
Discover Camper, an upscale eatery with rustic, lantern-lit decor in Downtown Menlo Park.
Discover Draeger's Market, a high-end, family-owned supermarket in Downtown Menlo Park.
Discover Draeger's Market, a high-end, family-owned supermarket in Downtown Menlo Park.
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No two homes look the same in Menlo Park

Nearest the downtown strip, streets are lined with small apartments, cottages and bungalows spruced up leafy landscaping. Further away, there are mostly single-family homes that come in a wide variety of styles. Most were constructed in between the 1950s and 70s and have been remodeled with fresh décor, open floor plans and contemporary amenities. The Allied Arts district, located to the southeast of downtown, has a quiet, country feel with lots of trees and a nearby creek that winds across the edge of the neighborhood. “There’s a lot of architectural charm. No two houses look the same, and people love that. And it’s walking distance to two great parks,” Bitter says. Older homes in the area typically sell for between $2.5 million to $4 million, while the occasional new build, typically larger in size, can sell for as much as $8 million.
A delightful row of single-family homes lines the streets of Downtown Menlo Park.
A delightful row of single-family homes lines the streets of Downtown Menlo Park.
The entrance of a Spanish-style home in Downtown Menlo Park's Allied Arts District exudes charm.
The entrance of a Spanish-style home in Downtown Menlo Park's Allied Arts District exudes charm.
A modern contemporary home stands proudly in Downtown Menlo Park.
A modern contemporary home stands proudly in Downtown Menlo Park.
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Enjoy the delightful outdoor eating areas scattered around Downtown Menlo Park.
Enjoy the delightful outdoor eating areas scattered around Downtown Menlo Park.

Embrace nature at the Teague Hill Open Space Preserve

Several parks are tucked away in the neighborhood that offer residents a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Pet owners can take their pups on an adventure to Nealon Park, a picturesque, community space with a dog park, playground and tennis courts. Camp Fremont Park, a tranquil, tree-filled park with benches, is great for an afternoon stroll. For scenic forest exploration, the redwood preserves and rugged hiking trails at Teague Hill Open Space Preserve and Jasper Ridge are about 5 miles west.
Hillview Middle School has great academic and athletic opportunities for students.
Hillview Middle School has great academic and athletic opportunities for students.

Some of the highest rated schools in California

Students in the neighborhood can attend schools in the coveted Menlo Park School District, including Encinal Elementary School, Hillview Middle School and Menlo-Atherton High School, all of which hold A ratings from Niche, an online school review site. Each of these schools have been recognized at the state and national level for their academic excellence and boast some of the highest test scores in California.
Menlo-Atherton High School, Central Menlo Park, is ranked among the top 250 in California.
Menlo-Atherton High School, Central Menlo Park, is ranked among the top 250 in California.

East access to San Francisco, San Jose, and more

Commuters will find Downtown Menlo Park a convenient launching point to get around the region: it’s home to a Caltrain station that runs north to San Francisco, about 30 miles away, and south to San Jose. For those who prefer to drive, the neighborhood is just 3 miles from Interstate 280.
Daniel Berti
Written By
Daniel Berti
Photography Contributed By
Karl Le
Pasha Chichagov
Video By
Pasha Chichagov

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Lynn Burnett North, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Norman Y Mineta San Jose International

28 min drive

Bus

Santa Cruz Ave & Chestnut St (Downtown Menlo Park)

Bus

Santa Cruz Ave & Crane St

Bus

Valparaiso Ave & University Dr

Bus

Partridge & Kennedy

Bus

Santa Cruz Ave & Curtis St

Bus

El Camino Real & Live Oak Ave

Bus

Little House Recreation Center

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Menlo Park US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Downtown Menlo Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$449,900
Median Sale Price
$450,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$445,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
10
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-18%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$249

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
964
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1951
Months of Supply
1.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,908
On par with the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,014
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,458
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
770
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Aug 3
    1 - 4pm

    957 University Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025

    $4,998,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,085 Sq Ft
    • 957 University Dr
    • New 5 days ago

    Refined sophistication and modern luxury converge in this masterfully updated 1920s Spanish-style residence in the heart of downtown Menlo Park. This exclusive property offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the best of Peninsula living with privacy, elegance, and walkability. The main level features 3 beds, 2 impeccably remodeled baths, a formal living room with period details, and an open-concept

    Billy McNair Coldwell Banker Realty

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Lynn Burnett North, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
4,781
Median Age
41
Population Density
15 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$150,282
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$178,776

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.4%
College Graduates
86.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
55.4%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
18''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

90 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

94 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

48 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Menlo Park