Welcome to Portola Valley
With nearly 500-acres of rolling hills, 1,900-acres of open space and natural vistas, and almost 36 miles of lush, wooded hiking trails, Portola Valley strikes an eloquent balance between suburban development and peaceful tranquility. Founded in 1964, Portola Valley’s scenic and winding green and golden region is ranked as one of the Peninsula Coastal Range’s most beautiful areas and is one of the wealthiest zip codes in America per capita. Portola Valley offers residents a quiet and rural atmosphere to enjoy a luxurious suburban lifestyle surrounded by pristine nature, making it one of the most desirable locations in California to raise a family. It’s sheltered from the crime, traffic, and smog that can occur in neighboring cities—and Portola Valley also has an outstanding educational system of highly-respected schools. The town carries a humble and down-to-earth vibe, with quaint coffee shops, boutique stores, small family-owned restaurants, and a charming community center sprinkled amongst the sprawling estates and beautiful ranch-style homes in the area.
Portola Valley is an ideal location for commuters and families with young children—it’s just off Highway 280 and a short distance from Stanford, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and San Jose. Though in-town public transportation options are limited, access to train and bus transportation can easily be found in neighboring cities. The rustic yet expansive architectural styles of Portola Valley take full advantage of the area’s lush aesthetics and natural beauty since only a quarter of the region is actually used for single-family homes—ideal for residents who crave a more quaint luxury lifestyle surrounded by fresh air and breathtaking scenery. Portola Valley is divided into several neighborhoods, each with its own distinct mix of older homes and new construction.
What to Love
Spectacular vistas, lush wooded hiking trails, and tranquil open space
Quiet, safe, and secluded neighborhoods
Ideal location for commuters and families with children
Architecture that seamlessly blends with surrounding nature
People & Lifestyle
Portola Valley is a prestigious, rural, and family-friendly enclave—one of the most exclusive in the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s home to both Silicon Valley’s elite and non-tech industry folks who want to raise their families in a peaceful, open space setting. Residents are part of a close-knit and welcoming community, and their lifestyle often revolves around enjoying the abundance of outdoor activities—the area’s open space acts as a conservation zone for an array of local wildlife.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Just a short drive to neighboring Palo Alto is a premier shopping and dining destination for Portola Valley residents, Town & Country Village—an upscale mall with chains and specialty stores, services, and eateries amid charming pedestrian walkways and gorgeous gardens. The collection of unique shops and eclectic restaurants serve as a lovely meeting place for residents to gather for a day of shopping and dining without the hassle that larger shopping malls bring.
Alpine Hills Tennis and Swimming Club is a modern, family-oriented club offering tennis, swimming, restaurant, and beverage services along with a bevy of social programs for Portola Valley residents. Established in 1958, the club’s membership comes with access to 12 tennis courts, three swimming pools, a fitness center and gym, as well as a spa. The restaurant/bar is open 7 days a week and offers sit-down dining options along with takeout and poolside ordering.
Established in 1889, now with three locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, Roberts Market is a gourmet neighborhood grocery store—featuring an outstanding deli and bakery, as well as a vast selection of local wine, produce, and flowers. The staff embodies the small-town charm of Portola Valley, as many have been a part of the Roberts Market family for generations and tend to know customers by name.
Portola Valley Hardware is a classic hardware store with tools, paint, plumbing, and electrical supplies as well as a fantastic home and garden section for botany enthusiasts. The location is essential for Portola Valley homeowners with a DIY spirit, as it maintains a great range of products and services—with knowledgeable staff ready to help guide any type of home improvement endeavor to success.
Family-owned and operated since 1976, Portola Cafe Deli specializes in homemade hand-tossed pizza—prepared daily using the freshest all-natural ingredients. The mouthwatering fare doesn’t stop there, as the deli also crafts homemade cuisine ranging from sandwiches and angus burgers to burritos, wraps, and homemade ice cream.
Things to Do
Adjacent to Los Trancos Creek and the Alpine Trail, Ford Field is a natural turf baseball field that is historically utilized for Little League practices and games. Picnic tables are available for families to enjoy while watching their kids practice and play and are often a gathering spot for parents of Little Leaguers to catch up with their neighbors.
Triangle Park is located at the intersection of Portola and Alpine Roads and is a popular spot for family picnics. During the summer, the park is an ideal rest stop for cyclists and hikers to recharge under tree-shaded areas—with several delicatessens and local markets nearby for all.
The Portola Valley Annual Town Picnic is a long-held tradition that has brought residents together for decades to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The picnic typically includes live music, children’s activities like a petting zoo and face painting, and, of course, a picnic full of delicious summertime fare—ranging from burgers prepared by the Boy Scouts to food trucks hosted by participating local restaurants.
Hosted by the town’s Cultural Arts Committee, the Portola Valley Public Art Walk is an annual event held each summer, highlighting both fine art and amateur pieces crafted by locals to be enjoyed along a bustling, casual, fun-loving stroll around Town Center. The Art Walk often takes on new themes each year, with almost all forms of art accepted for residents to view.
Hosted annually each June through September by the Portola Valley Cultural Arts Committee, the Portola Valley Summer Concert Series is held at Town Center and provides fabulous, free outdoor concerts to Portola Valley residents. Musical performances range from indie-jazz and blues to country, groove, and indie-pop artists, and a rotation of exquisite local food trucks and participating restaurants offer delicious cuisine to enjoy throughout the series.
Schools
Portola Valley is zoned within the Portola Valley Elementary School District. Highlights include:
Ormondale School, Public, K-3
Corte Madera School, Public, 4-8
Woodside Priory High School, Private, 6-12
Woodside High School, Public, 9-12