Tucked between quaint Menlo Park and vibrant Redwood City, you will find the tree-lined streets and gorgeous estates of Atherton. Most residences are set behind gates and hedges, giving the streets an air of privacy. From the beginning, Atherton was the place where many wealthy residents of San Francisco came to build their estates.
Originally known as Fair Oaks, Atherton began as a residential area connected to Menlo Park. Its original name came from the many types of oaks that still thrive along its streets today. However, when it was incorporated to keep its residential status, the town changed its name to honor Faxon Dean Atherton, who was one of the first property owners on the peninsula.
Atherton has claimed the title of most expensive ZIP code in the U.S. for several years in a row, and rightly so. With large, private estates that sell for a median price well into the millions, it's home to some of the wealthiest and most prominent tech executives and celebrities of the Bay Area.
Atherton is the epitome of private luxury on the peninsula. A short commute brings residents to the dining and shopping of Menlo Park and Redwood City or to the expansive nature of Woodside. It also is a convenient location for those who commute to San Francisco or Palo Alto for work. Highly sought-after, Atherton is a stately and impressive neighborhood to live in.
Atherton residents have their pick of incredible shopping and dining in the nearby areas. A short drive will bring them to Palo Alto or Redwood City, but there is little need to venture much farther than Menlo Park.
A few streets over from where Atherton meets Menlo Park is the Stanford Shopping Center, where you can find many high-end brands interspersed with restaurants and coffee shops. Downtown Menlo Park also offers many boutiques as well as the world-famous Kepler’s Books.
Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park is a popular spot for Atherton residents, boasting Cafe Borrone, Mademoiselle Colette (French), and Camper (American). On the weekend, Atherton also has a CalTrain rail stop that makes getting to restaurants in Redwood City and Palo Alto an easy affair.
When it's time for Atherton residents to do something fun, anything they could want is a short drive away.
The Atherton Town Hall and Library both have community events, but for anything larger than that, residents go to surrounding towns. Nearby attractions include Palo Alto’s Lucie Stern Community Center, Menlo Park’s Allied Arts Guild, and Redwood City’s many events, such as Port Fest.
Menlo Circus Club is one of the few non-residential spaces within the borders of Atherton. This private club is the go-to spot for networking and recreation for residents, and it provides exclusive access to pools, tennis courts, and an equestrian center, among other amenities. Enjoying nature in Atherton is easy with the walking paths and outdoor space of Holbrook-Palmer Park, or residents can make their way to one of the many hiking trails in Woodside.
Atherton is served by Las Lomitas Elementary School District, Menlo Park School District, and Redwood City School District, depending on what street you live on. Additionally, top private educational opportunities include:
The Resolve Group works with purpose and determination to find the best solutions for clients’ real estate needs. They bring together a complementary set of skills to deliver innovative, yet practical real estate services for sophisticated buyers and sellers.
