Menlo Park Neighborhoods

Menlo Park's neighborhoods fall into bands set by major roads: Belle Haven and the Bayfront east of Highway 101; The Willows, Suburban Park and neighboring tracts between 101 and Middlefield Road; Linfield Oaks, Felton Gables and Park Forest between Middlefield and El Camino Real; and downtown, Allied Arts, Central Menlo, Sharon Heights and Stanford Hills to the west. Several adjoining areas with Menlo Park addresses, including West Menlo Park, Menlo Oaks and Stanford Weekend Acres, are unincorporated San Mateo County.

18 neighborhoods across 5 areas. For current market data, schools and buying strategy, see the Menlo Park real estate guide. Browse other cities on the Silicon Valley neighborhoods page.

East of Highway 101

Belle Haven

Menlo Park's main residential neighborhood east of Highway 101, bounded by the Bayfront Expressway and Willow Road, with mostly detached single-family homes and a few low-rise apartment areas. It has a public library, an elementary school, a fire station and Kelly, Karl E. Clark and Hamilton parks.

Schools: Ravenswood City School District (Belle Haven Elementary); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Bayfront

Largely office, research and industrial district along the Bayfront Expressway that also contains high-density apartment communities. It includes 160-acre Bedwell Bayfront Park.

Mixed-use employment district with apartments

Between Highway 101 and Middlefield Road

The Willows

Primarily single-family neighborhood bounded by Willow Road, Highway 101, San Francisquito Creek and Middlefield Road, built up from the 1920s with small bungalows and larger Craftsman homes, many since remodeled; lots range from about 5,000 sq ft to half an acre. Willow Oaks Park is its public park, and shops cluster at Menalto and Gilbert avenues.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Laurel or Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Suburban Park

One of three adjoining tracts in eastern Menlo Park between Marsh Road, Highway 101 and Bay Road, made up almost entirely of detached single-family homes, with 1950s ranch houses the norm. Residents share Flood Park, a San Mateo County park on Bay Road.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Laurel or Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Lorelei Manor

Single-family ranch-home tract just off Marsh Road in eastern Menlo Park with an active homeowners association. Residents share nearby Flood Park and the Marsh Manor shopping center.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Laurel or Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Flood Triangle

Small single-family area adjoining Suburban Park and Lorelei Manor beside Flood Park, with access via Bay Road. Ranch-style homes from the 1950s predominate.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Laurel or Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Vintage Oaks/South of Seminary

Primarily detached single-family area near St. Patrick's Seminary between Middlefield Road and Highway 101, with commercial offices at its southern end. Willow Oaks Park lies just outside its northeastern corner.

Schools: Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Between Middlefield Road and El Camino Real

Linfield Oaks

Neighborhood west of Middlefield Road to Alma Street between San Francisquito Creek and Ravenswood Avenue, mostly developed in the mid-1950s with ranch homes and two-story apartments, plus the Morgan Lane townhomes behind the former Sunset magazine campus. It contains Burgess Park and its pool, gym and recreation center, the city's civic offices and SRI International.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Felton Gables

Enclave of about 115 detached single-family homes on the former estate of U.S. Senator Charles N. Felton, subdivided in the 1930s and 1940s, on lots typically about 10,000 sq ft. It is reached only from Encinal Avenue and borders Atherton's Holbrook-Palmer Park, which residents can enter through a private gate.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Park Forest

About 75 multi-level townhomes between El Camino Real and the Caltrain tracks (Buckthorn Lane to Stone Pine Lane), built mainly in 1964 and annexed from San Mateo County in 1979. Three homeowners associations each maintain a private park and pool, and downtown is a short walk.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Laurel or Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High) · Townhome community

West of El Camino Real

Downtown

Area west of El Camino Real between Valparaiso and Middle avenues, centered on Santa Cruz Avenue's shops and a Sunday farmers' market, with apartments and single-family homes. Fremont, Nealon and Jack W. Lyle parks and the Menlo Park Caltrain station are close by.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Allied Arts (Stanford Park)

Neighborhood named for the Allied Arts Guild, between El Camino Real and San Francisquito Creek south of downtown, with mostly detached single-family homes, older cottages beside newer houses, and some two-story apartments. A pedestrian bridge over the creek leads toward Stanford Shopping Center, and Nealon and Jack W. Lyle parks are nearby.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Oak Knoll or Encinal Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Central Menlo

Residential area west of downtown between Valparaiso Avenue and San Francisquito Creek, mostly mid-century ranch homes on lots of about a quarter acre or more, with newer two-story homes interspersed; some lots on Hermosa Way and Robert S. Drive reach half an acre. Tinker Park and Jack W. Lyle Park serve the area.

Schools: Menlo Park City School District (Oak Knoll Elementary, Hillview Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Sharon Heights

Hillside area in southwestern Menlo Park developed in the 1960s on the former estate of Frederick W. Sharon, with detached single-family homes and medium-density apartments on its edges. It includes the private Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club, Sharon Park and the Sharon Heights Shopping Center.

Schools: Las Lomitas Elementary School District (Las Lomitas Elementary, La Entrada Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Stanford Hills

Small pocket of about 78 almost entirely single-family homes at the junction of Sand Hill and Alpine roads, reached via Branner Drive, with its own Stanford Hills Park. The Sharon Heights Shopping Center is just north.

Schools: Las Lomitas Elementary School District (Las Lomitas Elementary, La Entrada Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High)

Unincorporated (Menlo Park address)

West Menlo Park

Unincorporated census-designated place of about 0.5 sq mi between Menlo Park, Atherton, Sharon Heights and Stanford, mainly single-family homes on lots often around 6,000 sq ft. A small business district runs along Alameda de las Pulgas.

Schools: Las Lomitas Elementary School District; Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High) · Unincorporated San Mateo County; also called University Heights

Menlo Oaks

Unincorporated neighborhood of about 300 homes in northeastern Menlo Park bordered by Ringwood Avenue, Bay Road, Berkeley Avenue, Coleman Avenue and Arlington Way. The private Peninsula School occupies the 1882 Coleman Mansion.

Unincorporated San Mateo County

Stanford Weekend Acres

Small rural enclave of seven looping streets off Alpine Road along San Francisquito Creek, near SLAC and the Stanford Golf Course, with mostly older, modest homes and some newer, larger residences.

Schools: Las Lomitas Elementary School District (Las Lomitas Elementary, La Entrada Middle); Sequoia Union High School District (Menlo-Atherton High) · Unincorporated San Mateo County

Neighborhood names follow city sources where they exist; informal names are noted. School assignments can change, so confirm by address with the district. Source: City of Menlo Park.

Questions about a street or tract in Menlo Park? Call 408.373.1660 or email homes@boyenga.com.