$2,761,910Average Value$413Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Ventura’s a sought-after Silicon Valley location with highly rated schools
Ventura is a small Palo Alto neighborhood in an area known for its top-ranked schools, pricey real estate and its proximity to Bay Area tech giants like Meta and Google. It’s sandwiched between a Caltrain rail line and El Camino Real, making it well placed for commuting. “About 90% of buyers coming to Palo Alto are young families, and they’re willing to pay top-dollar because the schools are so good,” says Realtor Xin Jiang of Compass Real Estate, who has been working in Palo Alto for about a decade.
Ventura was historically one of Palo Alto’s most affordable neighborhoods and a hub for the city’s African American community. That’s changed dramatically over the last few decades as the area has seen real estate prices skyrocket and the tech industry substantially grow throughout the region. “Palo Alto doesn’t have the biggest tech companies because it’s a small city. But commuting-wise, it’s very convenient to get to all the major companies north and south of here,” Jiang says.
Located near top hospitals and universities, Ventura balances neighborhood charm with high-value convenience.
Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park is just a short drive from Ventura, offering residents convenient access to Silicon Valley's tech hub.
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Students can attend one of the best high schools in California
Students in Ventura can attend some of the highest-ranked schools in the state. The neighborhood is zoned for Barron Park Elementary School, Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School and Henry M. Gunn High School, all three of which earn A-plus ratings from Niche. The high school is also rated by Niche as the fourth best in California, and among the top 20 for college prep. The school offers a wide range of AP and honors courses. Its graduation rate was 97% in 2024.
Ventura families are zoned for Barron Park Elementary, a top-rated school known for its STEAM-focused Maker Studio and diverse community.
Ventura students attend Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School, a top-rated public school offering strong academics and diverse programs.
Henry M. Gunn High School near Ventura ranks among California's top public schools, offering rigorous academics and a 97% graduation rate.
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Ventura has a mix of homes, new and old
There’s a myriad of home styles in Ventura, with everything from early 20th-century bungalows to midcentury ranch styles and luxury new builds. Prices can range from $1.5 million to upwards of $4 million depending on the size and age of the home. Homes typically sit close together on tight lots with small front yards. Noise might be an issue for some residents given its proximity to the Caltrain line. Those looking for something more affordable will also find a cluster of low-rise apartment complexes at the south edge of the neighborhood.
A mix of timeless bungalows and updated Craftsman architecture reflects Ventura’s rich, layered character in Palo Alto.
This Modern Minimalist home in Ventura features clean lines, a flat roof, and sleek finishes with an open-air balcony and solar roof.
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California Avenue offers diverse dining and groceries
The neighborhood sits just a few blocks from California Avenue, where local shops and independent eateries take precedence over chain restaurants and stores. The strip is a melting pot of international flavor where residents will find French, Mediterranean, Italian, Pakistani, Mexican and Japanese all within a few hundred yards of each other. Terun Pizza is a local standout, offering a wide selection of wine, Neapolitan-style pizza and Italian classics. The nearest grocery stores are Mollie Stone’s Market and Real Produce International Market, but there’s also a Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market about 2 miles away.
California Avenue near Ventura is lined with restaurants offering outdoor seating perfect for sunny Palo Alto days.
Mollie Stone’s Market near Ventura features a robust kosher selection and caters to diverse dietary needs in Palo Alto.
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Cornelis Bol Park is just a few blocks away
While there aren’t any parks within the neighborhood itself, there are more than a few within a mile radius. Among the closest is Cornelis Bol Park, a sprawling, 14-acre community park with meadows, a trickling creek and tall stands of redwood and oak trees. The park sits next to the Barron Park donkey pasture, which has raised donkeys since the 1930s. The pasture’s oldest donkey, named Perry, was the inspiration for the character “Donkey” in "Shrek."
Ventura residents head to Cornelis Bol Park to soak up the sun on wide grassy meadows and under peaceful blue skies.
Residents of Ventura enjoy weekend walks to Cornelis Bol Park, where they can visit the beloved donkeys grazing near the pasture.
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Getting around the Bay Area on the 101 and Caltrain
Ventura sits a few miles west of U.S. Route 101, also known as the Bayshore Freeway, a major corridor that runs along the side of the Bay from San Jose to San Francisco. San Francisco is about 35 miles north, while San Jose is about 15 miles south. Ventura is less than a mile from the California Avenue Caltrain station, a commuter train that runs from downtown San Francisco to south of San Jose. The Stanford University Medical Center, one of the state’s top-rated teaching hospitals, is about 2 miles away.
Ventura sits just west of U.S. Route 101, giving residents quick access to the Bayshore Freeway for Bay Area commuting.
Ventura is under a mile from California Avenue Caltrain, offering easy rides to San Francisco and San Jose for daily commuters.
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
Julie Tsai Law,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Boulware Park
Cornelis Bol Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
22 min drive
Bus
El Camino & Margarita
Bus
El Camino & Los Robles
Bus
On El Camino Real Nb & Portage Avenue
Bus
Meadow & Wilkie
Bus
El Camino & Curtner
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Ventura
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Ventura Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Ventura, Palo Alto sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Ventura, Palo Alto over the last 12 months is $255,000, down 31% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 240-260 Fernando Ave, a rare and versatile three-unit property ideally situated in one of Palo Alto's most desirable neighborhoods. Nestled on a tree-lined street, this triplex offers a unique opportunity for investors, extended families or those seeking rental income while living in one of the units. All 3 individual buildings consist of 1 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 933 SqFt, their own
Merrilee Terrace is a 39 unit, two building property with a pool in the courtyard of our back building. Each of our buildings has a laundry room, bike room, recycling, composting and garbage. We are located adjacent to a public park ( Ventura) and community garden. We are a 15 minute bike ride to White Plaza at Stanford, bike or walk to neighborhood schools and VA hospital, California
AVAILABLE JULY 21, 2025! FABULOUS FULLY-FURNISHED TOP-FLOOR, CORNER UNIT 3BR/2BA IN THE HEART OF PALO ALTO! Perfect for relocation, renovation haven. Great location - 3 blocks to downtown CalAve, shopping, dining and Sunday Farmer's Market! LVT living area,carpet in bedrooms.Light & Bright & contemporary, this turn-key is furnished with Scandanavian teak, MBR has CA King bed, walk-in closet and
STATE OF THE ART, STYLISH AND MODERN 82 UNIT MULTI-USE COMPLEX 3 BLOCKS FROM CALIFORNIA AVENUE. WALK TO CAL-TRAINS STATION, FARMERS MARKET AND SHOPPING. UNDERGROUND GATED GARAGE WITH DEDICATED PARKING CONTROLLED ACCESS FOR ELEVATORS, POOL AND STORAGE. ROOFTOP POOL. STRICT NO PET POLICY!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Julie Tsai Law,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,119
Median Age
37
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$229,771
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$217,268
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.2%
College Graduates
92%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
72.2%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
14''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
98/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
85/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
42/ 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.
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.
