Ladera Portola Valley Homes and Neighborhood Guide
Also known as Ladera, Portola Valley
Portola Valley neighborhood guideUnincorporated
Ladera is an unincorporated community of about 535 homes off Alpine Road, between Alpine Road and Stanford's Jasper Ridge. It shares the Portola Valley 94028 ZIP code but is not part of the town, and it had 1,557 residents in the 2020 census.
Ladera began as a cooperative. The Peninsula Housing Association, founded in 1944 by a group that included Stanford's Dr. Murray Luck, bought 260 acres of Ormondale Ranch in 1946 and hired architects Funk and Stein, with landscape architect Garrett Eckbo. Ground was broken in 1948, and in 1950 the land was sold to a private developer. Joseph Eichler built one of his early tracts here in the early 1950s.
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Ladera 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
- Unincorporated, 1,557 residents in 2020
- About 535 homes off Alpine Road
- Began as a 1940s housing cooperative
- Early Eichler homes from the early 1950s
- Ladera Country Shopper, opened 1957
- MLSListings area 264
Ladera market report
A monthly email with new listings, recent sales and prices in Ladera.
Get the monthly reportHomes and Streets
Ladera is known for its single story mid century homes, including early Eichlers and cooperative era designs, set on curving streets with mature landscaping. Many homes have been expanded, but the neighborhood keeps a consistent, low profile look.
The Ladera Country Shopper, which opened in 1957, has a grocery store, cafes and services, and the Ladera Recreation District runs a community pool and tennis courts on Andeta Way.
See current homes for sale in Portola Valley →
Video Tours in Ladera
Homes in and around Ladera I walked through on camera. Press play for a quick look inside.
Almost original Eichler home in Ladera
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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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Ladera FAQ
Is Ladera part of Portola Valley?
No. Ladera is an unincorporated community in San Mateo County that shares the Portola Valley 94028 ZIP code.
Which school district serves Ladera?
Ladera is in the Las Lomitas Elementary School District, with Las Lomitas Elementary for TK to 3 and La Entrada for grades 4 to 8. High school is in the Sequoia Union High School District. Confirm by address.
Are there Eichler homes in Ladera?
Yes. Joseph Eichler built one of his early tracts in Ladera in the early 1950s, after the original cooperative homes.
How did Ladera start?
As a cooperative. The Peninsula Housing Association bought 260 acres of Ormondale Ranch in 1946, broke ground in 1948 and sold the land to a private developer in 1950.
How can I find homes for sale in Ladera?
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 Ladera?
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: Ladera Community Association, Ladera history, Wikipedia, Ladera, California, Eichler Network, First and Foremost, Wikipedia, Las Lomitas Elementary School District, Almanac, Ladera Country Shopper, Ladera Recreation District, Town of Portola Valley, local schools. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.