Downtown Menlo Park
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.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.
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.
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.
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.

Agents Specializing in this Area
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Lynn Burnett North
The Agency
(650) 747-8423
45 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Menlo Park
$2,125,000 Price
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Monica Hanover
(650) 284-2781
9 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Menlo Park
$3,300,000 Price
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Tim Proschold
Luxuriant Realty
(650) 753-7481
22 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Menlo Park
$2,900,000 Price
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Susan Sims
The Agency
(650) 885-9151
29 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Menlo Park
$3,100,000 Price
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Mark Palermo
Compass
(650) 977-1442
78 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Menlo Park
$2,700,000 Price
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Lyn Cobb
Coldwell Banker Realty
(650) 667-7810
27 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Menlo Park
$2,450,000 Price
Schools
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Transit
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
On average, homes in Downtown Menlo Park, Menlo Park sell after 5 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Menlo Park, Menlo Park over the last 12 months is $450,000, down 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
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Sunday, Aug 31 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit Score®
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