Living in Portola Valley
Portola Valley is a small, rural town in the hills above Stanford, about 30 minutes south of my home base in Burlingame. Big lots, oak covered hills, horse trails and open space on every side make it one of the most peaceful places to live on the Peninsula.
Portola Valley incorporated on July 14, 1964, mainly so residents could protect its rural character through local zoning. About 4,450 people live here according to the 2020 census, in roughly 9 square miles along Portola Road and Alpine Road, between Woodside to the north and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west. Most homes are single family houses on large lots, and the town has no big shopping centers.
The town is named for Gaspar de Portolá, whose 1769 Spanish expedition passed through the area. The San Andreas Fault runs right through the valley, which is one reason so much of the land is kept as open space.
Portola Valley Map
The shaded area is the Town of Portola Valley, from U.S. Census boundaries. The dashed area is Ladera, an unincorporated community that shares the 94028 ZIP code. Tap a pin for details.
- Town of Portola Valley
- Ladera (unincorporated)
- Neighborhood
- School or landmark
Neighborhood by Neighborhood
Portola Valley does not have formal neighborhood borders, so these are the names locals and agents use. Ask me about any specific street.
Central Portola Valley
Along Portola Road around the Town Center, with the library, Town Hall, playing fields and Ormondale School close by. Homes sit on large lots with mature oaks, and the Windy Hill trails are minutes away.
Westridge
The hills on the east side of town toward Ladera and Stanford. Westridge was subdivided in 1947 from the old Ormondale Ranch and has some of the largest lots in town, with winding roads and long views.
Portola Valley Ranch
A planned community of clustered homes surrounded by shared open space and trails, off Alpine Road in the southern part of town. A good fit for buyers who want lower maintenance living without giving up nature.
Alpine Hills
Around Alpine Road near the historic Alpine Inn, with homes tucked into wooded hills and an easy drive down to Stanford and Interstate 280.
Blue Oaks
One of the newest subdivisions in town, in the southern hills. Larger homes, views and private open space.
Ladera
An unincorporated community just east of town with a Portola Valley address. It is known for its mid century homes, a small neighborhood shopping center and Woodland School. Ladera is in the Las Lomitas School District, not the Portola Valley School District.
Los Trancos and Vista Verde
Unincorporated hillside areas south of town along Los Trancos Road, with a Portola Valley mailing address, wooded lots and a more remote feel.
Video Tours in Portola Valley
Homes I have filmed in Portola Valley and Ladera, from my Instagram.
Available for the first time in 25 years
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A single level home in Portola Valley Ranch
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An architectural retreat on 1.5 acres
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An almost original Eichler in Ladera
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A Short History
Schools and Open Space
Public Schools
The Portola Valley School District runs Ormondale School for kindergarten through 3rd grade and Corte Madera School for 4th through 8th. High schoolers attend Woodside High in the Sequoia Union High School District. Ladera homes are in the Las Lomitas School District instead. Always check by address.
Private Schools
Woodside Priory, a Catholic school for grades 6 to 12, is on Portola Road. Woodland School, for preschool through 8th grade, is in Ladera.
Open Space
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve rises right behind the Town Center, with trails up to sweeping Bay views. Stanford's Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve sits on the town's eastern edge, and miles of local trails connect neighborhoods for hikers and riders.
Local Life
The Alpine Inn, one of the oldest roadhouses in California, is still a favorite stop for burgers and a beer garden. The Town Center hosts the library, community events and a weekly farmers market.
Portola Valley Market Report
Portola Valley has only a few dozen home sales a year, so prices swing a lot from month to month. The live market trends below update automatically. For a full report on your street or price range, just ask.
Portola Valley FAQ
What schools serve Portola Valley?
Most of the town is in the Portola Valley School District, with Ormondale School for kindergarten to 3rd grade and Corte Madera School for 4th to 8th. High schoolers attend Woodside High in the Sequoia Union High School District. Ladera is in the Las Lomitas School District. Always check assignments by address.
Is Ladera part of Portola Valley?
No. Ladera is an unincorporated community in San Mateo County that shares the Portola Valley 94028 ZIP code. It has its own school district, Las Lomitas.
How far is Portola Valley from Stanford and Palo Alto?
Most of town is about 10 to 15 minutes from Stanford and downtown Palo Alto by car, and Interstate 280 is close by for commutes up and down the Peninsula.
What is my Portola Valley home worth?
With so few sales each year and big differences in lot size, views and land, Portola Valley homes need a careful, local estimate. Request a free home valuation and Joseph will send one based on recent nearby sales. Request a free home valuation
How can I hear about Portola Valley homes before they hit the market?
Join Joseph's off-market list. You'll hear about coming-soon and off-market homes that match what you want before they're listed publicly. Join the off-market list
Sources
The facts on this page come from the public sources below. Neighborhood names vary, and details like school assignments change, so please confirm anything important for a specific address.
- Wikipedia: Portola Valley, CaliforniaIncorporation July 14, 1964; 2020 population 4,456; area; name origin; Rancho Cañada del Corte de Madera; Hallidie tramway; San Andreas Fault
- Town of Portola ValleyTown Center, library, Town Hall
- Wikipedia: Alpine Inn1850s roadhouse, California Historical Landmark No. 825, 1976 SRI network transmission
- Wikipedia: Ladera, CaliforniaUnincorporated community, 94028 ZIP, Las Lomitas School District
- Portola Valley School DistrictOrmondale School (K to 3) and Corte Madera School (4 to 8)
- Sequoia Union High School DistrictWoodside High School
- Woodside Priory SchoolGrades 6 to 12 on Portola Road
- Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District: Windy HillPreserve and trails above Portola Valley
- Stanford: Jasper Ridge Biological PreserveBiological preserve on the town's eastern edge
- U.S. Census TIGERwebTown and Ladera boundaries on the map; pin locations from the Census geocoder
Header photo: Morning in Portola Valley by Don Owens, Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 2.0.
Portola Valley Market Trends
Market Trends are calculated using MLS® sold listing data
