Community Center Homes and Neighborhood Guide
Palo Alto neighborhood guide
Community Center is bounded by Middlefield and Newell roads and by Channing Avenue and Embarcadero Road, with early 20th century bungalows, Victorians, Mission style houses and newer homes on quiet, tree lined blocks.
It is named for the civic campus here: Rinconada Park, established in 1922, the Lucie Stern Community Center, Rinconada Library and the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. Downtown is a short bike ride west, and Walter Hays Elementary sits right in the neighborhood.
Loading the Palo Alto map…
Community Center is shaded. Borders are approximate, see the Palo Alto map for the full picture.
At a glance
- Middlefield Road to Newell Road, Channing Avenue to Embarcadero Road
- Rinconada Park, established 1922
- Lucie Stern Community Center and Rinconada Library
- Junior Museum and Zoo
- Walter Hays Elementary in the neighborhood
Homes and Streets
Housing is a blend of early 1900s bungalows and Victorians, 1920s and 1930s Spanish and Mission style homes and more recent rebuilds. Lots are mid sized, streets are flat and walkable, and the civic amenities on Middlefield and Embarcadero give the area a real neighborhood center. It is a favorite of families who want to be near downtown without living in it.
See current homes for sale in Palo Alto →
Video Tours in Community Center
Homes in Community Center I walked through on camera. Press play for a quick look inside.
1319 Hopkins Ave, listed at $2,988,000
Watch 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, for example the Palo Alto Unified School District.
Getting Around
Embarcadero Road leads west to Stanford and east to US 101, and Middlefield Road runs north to downtown and south through the rest of the city. The Palo Alto Caltrain station is about a mile away.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Community Center FAQ
Where is Community Center in Palo Alto?
Community Center is bounded by Middlefield and Newell roads and by Channing Avenue and Embarcadero Road, with early 20th century bungalows, Victorians, Mission style houses and newer homes on quiet, tree lined blocks.
What are homes like in Community Center?
Housing is a blend of early 1900s bungalows and Victorians, 1920s and 1930s Spanish and Mission style homes and more recent rebuilds. Lots are mid sized, streets are flat and walkable, and the civic amenities on Middlefield and Embarcadero give the area a real neighborhood center. It is a favorite of families who want to be near downtown without living in it.
What public schools are near Community Center?
Public schools near Community Center include Walter Hays Elementary School, Greene Middle School, Palo Alto 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 Community Center?
Parks and open space near Community Center include Rinconada Park, Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, Eleanor Pardee Park.
How do I get around from Community Center?
Embarcadero Road leads west to Stanford and east to US 101, and Middlefield Road runs north to downtown and south through the rest of the city. The Palo Alto Caltrain station is about a mile away.
How can I find homes for sale in Community Center?
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 Community Center?
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 Palo Alto neighborhood guide or browse all Peninsula neighborhoods
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.