College Terrace Homes and Neighborhood Guide
Palo Alto neighborhood guide
College Terrace was subdivided by Alexander Gordon in 1887, before Stanford University even opened, and its cross streets are named for colleges: Amherst, Bowdoin, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Oberlin, Princeton, Wellesley, Williams and Yale among them.
Queen Anne cottages, English style homes and bungalows surround four small parks and the 1936 College Terrace Library, a WPA project. The neighborhood borders the Stanford campus and Stanford Research Park, and the California Avenue shops are a short walk.
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College Terrace is shaded. Borders are approximate, see the Palo Alto map for the full picture.
At a glance
- Subdivided in 1887, before Stanford opened
- Cross streets named for colleges
- Queen Anne, English cottage and bungalow homes
- Four small neighborhood parks
- 1936 College Terrace Library, a WPA project
Homes and Streets
Lots in College Terrace are small, the streets are narrow and the homes are mostly modest in size, which gives the neighborhood a village feel and keeps it one of the more attainable parts of north Palo Alto. Many homes have been expanded or rebuilt, and proximity to Stanford, the Research Park and California Avenue keeps demand strong from faculty, researchers and tech families.
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Video Tours in College Terrace
Homes in College Terrace I walked through on camera. Press play for a quick look inside.
2303 Oberlin St, listed at $2,988,000
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1545-1565 Stanford Ave, listed at $4,750,000
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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, for example the Palo Alto Unified School District.
Getting Around
El Camino Real runs along the east edge and the California Avenue Caltrain station is about a mile away. Page Mill Road leads to Interstate 280 and, via Oregon Expressway, to US 101.
Nearby Neighborhoods
College Terrace FAQ
Where is College Terrace in Palo Alto?
College Terrace was subdivided by Alexander Gordon in 1887, before Stanford University even opened, and its cross streets are named for colleges: Amherst, Bowdoin, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Oberlin, Princeton, Wellesley, Williams and Yale among them.
What are homes like in College Terrace?
Lots in College Terrace are small, the streets are narrow and the homes are mostly modest in size, which gives the neighborhood a village feel and keeps it one of the more attainable parts of north Palo Alto. Many homes have been expanded or rebuilt, and proximity to Stanford, the Research Park and California Avenue keeps demand strong from faculty, researchers and tech families.
What public schools are near College Terrace?
Public schools near College Terrace include Escondido Elementary School, Fletcher Middle School, Gunn High School. School assignments follow district attendance boundaries and can change, so confirm the school for a specific address with the district.
What parks are near College Terrace?
Parks and open space near College Terrace include Weisshaar Park, Cameron Park, Werry Park, Mayfield Park.
How do I get around from College Terrace?
El Camino Real runs along the east edge and the California Avenue Caltrain station is about a mile away. Page Mill Road leads to Interstate 280 and, via Oregon Expressway, to US 101.
How can I find homes for sale in College Terrace?
Browse current listings in Palo Alto 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 College Terrace?
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.
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Updated October 2026 by Joseph Suarez, Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Burlingame, DRE 02085594.
Sources: City of Palo Alto neighborhoods, Palo Alto Unified School District, Wikipedia: Palo Alto, California. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.