Palo Alto California Real Estate
Palo Alto California: The City of Palo Alto has a long
history (for the West coast). Located 35 miles south of San Francisco
and 14 miles north of San Jose, Palo Alto is a community of approximately
61,000. As a part of the San Francisco Metropolitan Bay Area and the
Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is located within Santa Clara County and borders
San Mateo County. The City's boundaries extend from San Francisco Bay
on the east to the Skyline Ridge of the coastal mountains on the west,
with Menlo Park to the north and Mountain View to the south. The City
encompasses an area of approximately 26 square miles, of which one-third
is open space.
More than 100 years old, Palo Alto is named for a majestic 250 year
old coastal redwood tree along San Francisquito Creek, where early Spanish
explorers settled. Trees are abundant throughout the City and are being
replenished regularly. Open space and parks are amazingly numerous and
well utilized by the residents as well as visitors.
Palo Alto is easily accessible from either Interstate 280 or Highway
101. There are easily accessible bridges across San Francisco Bay as
well as access to the Pacific Ocean via roads to the West of the City.
Both Mineta San Jose International and San Francisco International Airports
are accessible via freeway. Alternative transportation including biking
and bike paths are important to the citizens of Palo Alto and there
is an extensive system of paths. The train which runs through the Peninsula
is available at 2 stops in Palo Alto as well as at stops in some of
the cities North and South of the City.
The commercial areas include historical buildings as well as very new
additions. The City has made an attempt to have a charming ambiance
available to both residents and visitors with both the designs of building
being compatible as well as extensive open and landscaped areas to enhance
the appearance. The high educational level of the population and interest
in life leads to the desire for cultural offerings, active sporting
events and strong inventive and entrepreneurial activity. As the "birthplace
of Silicon Valley", there are historical sites as well as current
high tech activities available.
Stanford University is a close neighbor and a significant part of the
interesting atmosphere of the City. There are classes, cultural events
and general interactions between the University students and faculty
and the City residents. Many of the Stanford faculty and some of the
students live in the City rather than on campus.
The housing stock is a combination of old and historical homes as well
as new homes which have been built more recently. There is very little
undeveloped land in the City so the new homes are a result of someone
buying an older home, tearing it down and building a new home. Some
of these have been built for specific owners and some for sale. Due
to the demand for housing and the scarcity of on which to build, the
housing is expensive.
The weather is one of the most desirable reasons to live in Palo Alto.
It has a climate like few in the world. The seasons do change but not
drastically. There are many sunny days as well as pleasant temperatures.
The high temperatures last for only a relative few number of days and
the humidity is not high at any time. The cold days are not cold enough
for snow, except for twice in about 35 years. Then it lasted only hours.
Occasionally snow will be seen on the tops of the hills in the East
Bay. That too melts quickly. The real mountains are available by driving
to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Snow sports, gambling and river sports,
etc. are available by heading toward Nevada which is only about 5 hours
away. The residents of Palo Alto enjoy looking at the hills which are
between them and the Pacific Ocean. The Ocean is approximately 45 minutes
away.