El Sereno Corte
Neighborhood in San Carlos, California
San Mateo County 94070
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.
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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.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.
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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.
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.”
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Angelo Sangiacomo
Video By
Jordan Sain
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Compass
(650) 977-1442
78 Total Sales
3 in El Sereno Corte
$1.9M - $3.3M Price Range
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Pamela Tyson
Pamela Tyson
Compass
(650) 381-1526
63 Total Sales
1 in El Sereno Corte
$1,850,000 Price
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Carmen Miranda
Carmen Miranda
Compass
(650) 780-3416
93 Total Sales
1 in El Sereno Corte
$1,986,000 Price
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Julie Flouty
Julie Flouty
Compass
(650) 414-5474
183 Total Sales
1 in El Sereno Corte
$2,275,000 Price
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The Gray Lavey Team
The Gray Lavey Team
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Realty
(650) 539-6554
88 Total Sales
1 in El Sereno Corte
$2,750,000 Price
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Caitlin McGinty
Caitlin McGinty
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Realty
(650) 418-2371
43 Total Sales
2 in El Sereno Corte
$2.3M - $2.4M Price Range
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 3rd
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Mezes Park
Highlands Park
Dove Beeger Park
Wellesley Park
Stafford Park
Burton Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | El Sereno Corte | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
El Sereno Corte Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in El Sereno Corte, San Carlos sell after 11 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in El Sereno Corte, San Carlos over the last 12 months is $2,500,000, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$2,488,000
Median Sale Price
$2,500,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$2,475,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
110
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
13%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,503
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,149
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1947
Months of Supply
0.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,737
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,582
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 141 - 4pm
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Saturday, Jun 141 - 4pm
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Saturday, Jun 141 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,400
Median Age
44
Population Density
15 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$205,817
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$211,915
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.2%
College Graduates
67.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
20''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
54
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
67
/ 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
Centennial
A residential pocket within walking distance of downtown Redwood City and Caltrain
Howard Park
A well-rounded slice of the San Carlos community
Oak Knoll-Redwood Park
A neighborhood full of vintage homes, right on downtown Redwood City's doorstep
Roosevelt
Suburban living near parks and schools in Redwood City
Beverly Terrace
San Carlos' largest neighborhood offers panoramic Bay Area views
Downtown Redwood City
A bustling retail and dining destination in the heart of Silicon Valley
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