Allied Arts and Downtown Menlo Park Homes and Neighborhood Guide
Also known as Stanford Park
Menlo Park neighborhood guide
Allied Arts and Downtown is the walkable heart of Menlo Park, running west of El Camino Real from Valparaiso Avenue down to San Francisquito Creek. The corner of Santa Cruz Avenue and El Camino Real is widely considered the center of the city.
The Allied Arts side, also known as Stanford Park, takes its name from the Allied Arts Guild, a Spanish Colonial Revival complex founded in 1928 by Delight and Garfield Merner. Its gardens and shops support Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.
Residents can walk to Santa Cruz Avenue's shops and cafes, catch Caltrain at the historic 1867 station, or cross the creek toward Stanford Shopping Center.
Loading the Menlo Park map…
Allied Arts and Downtown is shaded. Borders follow MLSListings area lines. Zoom in for street detail, or see the Menlo Park map for the full picture.
At a glance
- Walkable to Santa Cruz Avenue shops and restaurants
- Menlo Park's 1867 Caltrain station building is the oldest continually operating train station in California
- Home of the Allied Arts Guild, founded in 1928
- Cottages and newer homes side by side on streets like Princeton and Yale
- Fremont Park and Nealon Park are close by
Homes and Streets
In Allied Arts, charming older cottages sit next to newer, larger single family homes on streets such as Princeton Road and Yale Road, with lamp topped pillars marking the University Drive entrance. Closer to downtown, condos, townhomes and apartments add more options within walking distance of Santa Cruz Avenue.
The area is bounded roughly by Valparaiso Avenue, El Camino Real, San Francisquito Creek and the Fremont Street, Johnson Street and Arbor Road corridor.
See current homes for sale in Allied Arts and Downtown →
History on Film: Allied Arts and Downtown
A look back at the history of Allied Arts and Downtown and the places nearby, from local historical societies and archives.
Camp Fremont
The World War I army camp that covered much of Menlo Park.Source: Camp Fremont Documentary
Menlo Park history tour
Menlo Park's history with the county historical association.Source: San Mateo County Historical Association
Parks and Open Space
Public Schools Nearby
School assignments vary by address, and the district updated downtown boundaries in 2024, so confirm with the district.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Allied Arts and Downtown FAQ
Why is it called Allied Arts?
The neighborhood is named for the Allied Arts Guild, a Spanish Colonial Revival complex of gardens, studios and shops founded in 1928. It is also known as Stanford Park.
Can you walk to downtown Menlo Park?
Yes. Santa Cruz Avenue's shops and restaurants and the Caltrain station are within walking distance for much of the area.
What types of homes are in Allied Arts and Downtown?
Allied Arts is mostly single family homes, from older cottages to newer larger homes, while downtown adds condos, townhomes and apartments.
Which schools serve the area?
The area is in the Menlo Park City School District. In 2024 the district moved new students in the downtown corridor from Encinal to Oak Knoll, so check the assignment for your address.
How can I find homes for sale in Allied Arts and Downtown?
Browse current listings in Menlo Park on Joseph Suarez's site, or join his off-market list to hear about homes before they are listed publicly. Thinking of selling? Request a free home valuation for a local estimate based on recent nearby sales.
Thinking about Allied Arts and Downtown?
Whether you are buying or selling, Joseph Suarez can walk you through recent sales, street by street pricing and what is coming up before it hits the market.
See homes for saleWhat is my home worth?Get off-market listingsContact Joseph← Back to the Menlo Park neighborhood guide or browse all Peninsula neighborhoods
Updated November 2026 by Joseph Suarez, Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Burlingame, DRE 02085594.
Sources: Menlo Park, California (Wikipedia), Allied Arts Guild (Wikipedia), DeLeon Realty: Allied Arts, City of Menlo Park: Parks, InMenlo: MPCSD Board approves new school boundaries. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.