The Willows Neighborhood, Menlo Park, CA

The Willows Neighborhood —An up-and-coming Menlo Park, California neighborhood with a casual atmosphere and understated charm

Originally an inexpensive sector known as North Palo Alto, this neighborhood was renamed to The Willows when Menlo Park was incorporated in 1953. The Willows neighborhood has been undergoing beautification and revitalization since. Bounded by Willow Road, Highway 101 and East O’Keefe Street, Middlefield Road and San Francisquito Creek, the Willows has transformed into a highly desirable place to live within the past 10 years.

The Willows Neighborhood Real Estate Insider

Homes in The Willows are priced between $700,000 and $1,711,000 with the median home in 2005 priced at $984,000. The area was originally developed by Si Simon, but today, larger homes are being built in The Willows, creating an eclectic mix of cottages, stuccos and “Simon Built” homes. This neighborhood is teeming with young couples and young professional families. Some homes are close or even adjacent to Highway 101, but the sound wall help to abate some of the noise. The upside is that these homes are more affordable for people purchasing their first home and they are still in the excellent Menlo Park School district.

Streets are lined with eucalyptus, bay, and oak trees and the neighborhood has its own park, Willow Oaks Park along Willow Road. Many of the neighborhoods do not have sidewalks, which gives it a more countrified veneer. Older residents can remember swimming in San Francisquito Creek, which meanders lazily next to the neighborhood. The southern parts of the Willows neighborhood are within easy walking distance to shops and restaurants in downtown Palo Alto.

The Willows is also near East Palo Alto, where office buildings, and IKEA, Home Depot and a Four Seasons hotel have been built at University Circle. There is also a shopping district along Willow Road.

The Willows has a neighborhood association, which addresses community concerns, such as traffic and pedestrian safety. Through traffic from Woodland Avenue has been quelled by speed bumps and other traffic-calming techniques. Other concerns have been raised with the recently refurbished high density housing in East Palo Alto, though, for the time being The Willows has maintained its character and peacefulness. Any neighborhood so close to the freeway will always be dealing with traffic calming issues.

The Willows Neighborhood School Information

Residents in The Willows send their students to Menlo Park City Elementary School District, which includes the excellent Laurel School and Encinal School both of which score in the 900s on the API. Afterwards, students attend Menlo-Atherton High School, which was ranked as one of the top 100 public schools in the nation by Newsweek Magazine.

Keller Williams Realty & the Arjani Group

Are you searching for a home in The Willows Neighborhood? If so, we can help! Our extensive real estate expertise will guide you from finding the right home to closing. We’ll even assist you with relocation! Whether you are moving from across San Mateo County or from beyond the state of California, we’ll make your transition smooth and rewarding. You're always welcome to call us at (650) 331-2993 for more information. Thank you for visiting our website!