ATHERTON
One of the most prestigious addresses in the Bay Area, its known for its character as a scenic, rural, thickly-wooded, residential area with abundant open space and streets primarily designed as scenic routes rather than for speed of travel. Atherton is located on the peninsula, nestled between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The town begins in the flatlands and then moves westward to the hills until it reaches Highway 280. Beautiful foliage, elegant gardens and heritage trees dominate this quiet small community.
BELMONT
In the midst of the culturally rich and technologically thriving Bay Area, Belmont is a charming city known for its beautiful hills and wide-open spaces. Belmont translates into “Beautiful Mountain.” A strong, active community enriches the small-town ambiance and makes this tranquil destination a desirable place to live. Belmont is a central location for anyone visiting the San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, as well as anyone interested in seeing the beautiful coastline or the City of San Francisco.
MENLO PARK
Menlo Park is a beautiful tree-lined community in San Mateo County, just moments from high-tech Silicon Valley and fashionable big-city San Francisco. The classy, yet playful suburban atmosphere combined with a wonderful climate, make Menlo Park a desirable destination most any time of year. Fine restaurants, great shopping and a selection of vivacious bars and nightclubs keep both residents and visitors entertained. Menlo Park is also a proud “Tree City USA” community, actively supporting “green” ideals and promoting community-wide care and maintenance of the city’s trees. Menlo Park further supports eco-friendly ideals by being conscious of environmental impact and being concerned with sustainable practices. There are even restaurants in Menlo Park where customers can enjoy locally grown organic greens and meats produced at environmentally-friendly and animal-friendly farms. The Caltrain system that runs through Menlo Park is ideal for people commuting to San Jose or San Francisco.
PORTOLA VALLEY
Named after the famed Spanish explorer, Gaspar de Portola (who in 1769 led the first European party to explore the San Francisco Peninsula), today Portola Valley’s tree-lined roads and flowering meadows offer the perfect setting for cyclists to explore the very same area that was originally searched over 200 years ago. Just west of Stanford University, Portola Valley boasts an extensive trail system, scenic roads, open space and natural views that add to the feeling of being in the country; Portola Valley also has architectural guidelines that stress a “blending in” with the natural surroundings. Commercial activity is allowed to the extent that it directly serves the Portola Valley residents, allowing the affluent community to retain its secluded appeal.
REDWOOD CITY
A waterfront Bay Area city and the seat of San Mateo County, Redwood City is a hot spot of revitalization to rival Oakland in the East Bay. Covering a large swath of San Francisco Bay shoreline and reaching into the Santa Cruz Mountains, Redwood City covers diverse terrain and is itself a diverse and dynamic Bay Area city. Downtown, the historic Redwood City Courthouse has been reborn as the new Redwood Courthouse Square, a revitalized and restored historic building amid landscaped grounds that acts as the centerpiece of Redwood City and plays host to community, art and music events. Surrounded by shopping and restaurants, downtown Redwood City also features a new 20-theater cinema and retail center.
SAN CARLOS
Once part of the expansive Rancho de las Pulgas holdings and now a major biotech hub, “The City of Good Living,” is a charming and central peninsular town with a quaint, historic downtown, local museums and acres of open space. Along revitalized Laurel Avenue, amiable shops and restaurants bustle with locals. The newly built San Carlos Museum houses artifacts from the Ohlone Indian and Spanish eras and the nearby Hiller Aviation Museum is a must for flight buffs. Overlooking neat streets lined with single-family homes stretching to the Bay Shore, San Carlos’ Pulgas Ridge offers miles of scenic hiking and biking trails.
SAN MATEO
The largest city in its namesake San Mateo County, San Mateo is a vibrant community just south of San Francisco and in the heart of Peninsula. With a large Central Park, the famous Coyote Point Museum featuring local Bay Area plants and wildlife (including the River Otter), a charming downtown area lined with historic buildings, destination restaurants and upscale shopping at the Hillsdale Shopping Mall, San Mateo is also well known for its historic Bay Meadows Race Track and the San Mateo Performing Arts Center.
WOODSIDE
Woodside is one of the country’s wealthiest enclaves. Redwood, oak and eucalyptus groves green this affluent woodland of mansions and Silicon Valley professionals. A serene community nestled between the San Francisco Bay, Pacific Ocean Beaches, Santa Cruz Mountains and the Monterey Bay. A country escape for the rich . . . either for old-gold money or on crystalline silicon solar and advanced energy, common sights in Woodside include well-heeled equestrians and well-equipped rides cruising along unhurried, tree-lined streets.