$2,652,091Average Value$1,512Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Walkable South Bay suburb known for all-around excellent amenities
El Sereno Corte, translated to “the serene court,” is a conveniently located Bay Area suburb anchored by an eclectic collection of high-value homes on flat, walkable streets that are unique to this quaint Silicon Valley section of South Bay. The walkability is highlighted by Laurel Street, the neighborhood’s convenient retail and dining corridor. Additional convenience is provided by proximity to major roadways and both San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Residents also have access to a variety of nearby green spaces. Highly rated educational options for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including a public elementary school located in the heart of the neighborhood, add to the established community’s appeal.
Million-dollar housing that holds its value
Considered the cool part of San Carlos in the 1930s, developers split many of the initial housing lots to attract more homebuyers. As a result, many of the lots in the neighborhood today are smaller, generally no more than 5,000 square feet. However, El Sereno Corte has remained a popular residential destination. Price per square foot is relatively high, but homes have consistently held their value, and the neighborhood maintains the second-highest resell rate in the city. “San Carlos is hot overall,” says Jim Minkey, a real estate associate with Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty and longtime resident of the city. “And that particular area has always been coveted, which speaks to the durability of the neighborhood.” While some of the homes were built as far back as the late 1930s, most of the housing was built during a post-World War II construction boom. Small bungalow-style homes and mid-sized ranch homes are prominent. Garage space is at a premium, but the ranch homes often feature small garages, while larger contemporary multi-level homes typically include expanded garage space. Remodels and renovations of the established homes are common, and development continues to this day with homes featuring everything from the decorative facades of the Spanish Mediterranean style to the clean lines and imposing facades of modern-style homes built as recently as 2023. Prices range between $1 million and $3 million.
A cozy little cottage in the El Sereno Corte neighborhood.
There are plenty of beautiful suburban homes in the El Sereno Corte neighborhood.
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A-rated White Oaks elementary school is a draw
The neighborhood is home to White Oaks Elementary, one of three A-rated public schools by Niche that students can attend. The elementary also received a 10-out-of-10 for its test scores from GreatSchools. Central Middle and Sequoia High schools also are A-rated. The high school is one of the few in the Bay Area that offers the International Baccalaureate program. It also features and array of electives, including courses in digital, industrial and performing arts.
White oaks elementary is a phenomenal place for children to learn in San Carlos area.
Sequoia Highschool front entrance.
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Trader Joe's is a great spot for all your groceries in the El Sereno Corte neighborhood.
Find it all along Laurel Street
Residents do not need to leave the neighborhood to meet their retail and dining needs. Laurel Street, which bisects the community’s east side, features a unique collection of stores and restaurants. “It’s really become the center of town,” says Minkey, who adds, light-heartedly, “When I first moved here, it was just a lot of traditional retail shops, but now it’s a lot of high-end bars and hair salons.” Traditional stores remain, as residents can stock up on essentials at Trader Joe’s and pick up various sundries at the adjacent Walgreen’s. But the corridor also includes several furniture stores, clothing stores and even a saddle and tack shop that caters to horse lovers. The main draw, however, are the many eateries that populate Laurel Street. In fact, when the COVID pandemic forced many establishments to offer outdoor dining, Laurel Street was temporarily closed to vehicle traffic, allowing residents to enjoy a European-style town center. More than three years later, Laurel Street remains vehicle-free, making it the epicenter of walkability. Top dining destinations include Johnston’s Saltbox, a New American restaurant that serves highly rated from-scratch dishes, and Town, an established restaurant that combines the upscale and the quaint. “Town has become the grande dame of the peninsula,” says Minkey of the chic eatery located a few blocks outside the neighborhood in Howard Park. “It’s been popular for 20 years. It draws a big crowd all the time.”
There are plenty of cute little gardens in the El Sereno Corte neighborhood.
Nearby Burton Park is a "community hub"
Easy access to recreation is another plus for prospective homebuyers. “You’re in close proximity to Burton Park, which is a nice community hub,” says Minkey. Burton Park is a contemporary green space where youth can compete on its baseball and soccer fields and other visitors can take advantage of additional amenities that include tennis courts, children’s playscapes and paved walking paths. Also located at the park is the San Carlos Youth Center, which offers a free drop-in afterschool program that utilizes a full-size gym, game room and staff-led activities to keep participants engaged. The neighborhood is surrounded by more rugged terrain that is highlighted by several open spaces and nature preserves for hiking and other outdoor recreation.
Major roadways like El Camino Real provide convenient travel
Home values correlate to the neighborhood’s proximity not only to major roadways and the water, but also to Silicon Valley and its many tech jobs. The CalTrain commuter rail station is within walking distance of the neighborhood, and bus stops are located along State Route 82, also known as El Camino Real Highway, on the neighborhood’s east side. The heart of Silicon Valley is only 5 miles away and can be accessed by car directly from SR 82. The communities of Greater Silicon Valley also are easily accessible via U.S. Route 101, which is located less than a mile east of SR 82 and runs along San Francisco Bay. San Carlos is centrally located between San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the south. Both are roughly 25 miles away and can be accessed directly from Interstate 280, located about 5 miles west of the neighborhood. I-280 connects about 5 miles north of the neighborhood to State Route 92, which can be taken east over the bay or west to the Pacific Ocean. The oceanfront is less than 15 miles away.
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
On average, homes in El Sereno Corte, San Carlos sell after 13 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in El Sereno Corte, San Carlos over the last 12 months is $2,438,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Bob BredelChristie's International Real Estate Sereno
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