Alpine Hills and Los Trancos Portola Valley Homes and Neighborhood Guide
Also known as Alpine / Uplands, Los Trancos Woods, Vista Verde
Portola Valley neighborhood guideUnincorporated
This area takes in the hills along upper Alpine Road and Los Trancos Road at the south end of town, including Corte Madera School and the Alpine Hills Tennis and Swimming Club. Much of it lies outside town limits in the unincorporated communities of Los Trancos Woods and Vista Verde, which still use Portola Valley addresses.
Los Trancos Woods began as a 1920s and 1930s subdivision of vacation cottages in the redwoods. Today Los Trancos Woods, Vista Verde and Oak Forest Court cover about 335 acres, with roughly 1,050 residents in a 2015 county estimate, and roads and drainage are handled by a county maintenance district formed in 2015.
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Alpine Hills and Los Trancos is shaded. Borders follow MLSListings area lines. Zoom in for street detail, or see the Portola Valley map for the full picture.
At a glance
- Upper Alpine Road and Los Trancos Road
- Los Trancos Woods and Vista Verde are unincorporated
- Los Trancos Woods began as 1920s and 1930s vacation cottages
- Corte Madera School at 4575 Alpine Road
- Close to Los Trancos Open Space Preserve on Page Mill Road
- MLSListings area 260
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Homes are tucked into steep, wooded lots, from early cabins that have been rebuilt or expanded to newer hillside homes with views. Roads are narrow and winding, and many homes are on septic systems, so inspections matter here.
Because much of the area is unincorporated, building permits and some services come from San Mateo County rather than the Town of Portola Valley. Check how a specific parcel is governed before you buy or remodel.
See current homes for sale in Portola Valley →
Videos: Alpine Hills and Los Trancos
Tours and local stories I have filmed around Alpine Hills and Los Trancos and Portola Valley.
An almost original Eichler in Ladera
Mid century in LaderaWatch on Instagram
Available for the first time in 25 years
A Portola Valley home tourWatch on Instagram
A single level home in Portola Valley Ranch
Tour of a Ranch homeWatch on Instagram
Parks and Open Space
Public Schools Nearby
School assignments follow district attendance boundaries, which can split a neighborhood and change over time. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Alpine Hills and Los Trancos FAQ
Are Los Trancos Woods and Vista Verde part of Portola Valley?
No. They are unincorporated San Mateo County communities with Portola Valley mailing addresses. They are inside the town's sphere of influence, and a county maintenance district handles roads and drainage.
What should buyers check here?
Many homes are on septic systems and sit on steep, wooded lots, so septic, drainage and fire safety inspections are worth extra attention. Permits for unincorporated parcels come from the county.
Which schools serve the area?
Corte Madera School is on Alpine Road in this area. Check the school district and attendance for a specific address, especially in the unincorporated sections.
How can I find homes for sale in Alpine Hills and Los Trancos?
Browse current listings in Portola Valley 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 Alpine Hills and Los Trancos?
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 Portola Valley neighborhood guide or browse all Peninsula neighborhoods
Updated November 2026 by Joseph Suarez, Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Burlingame, DRE 02085594.
Sources: San Mateo County LAFCo, Los Trancos County Maintenance District, San Mateo County LAFCo, Town of Portola Valley, Town of Portola Valley, General Plan historic element (2014), Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Los Trancos, Town of Portola Valley, local schools. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.