City

Portola Valley, CA

Neighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood Rating
4.3 /5

Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $4.23M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Overvalued
    $463k
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    -21%

At a glance

Portola Valley has 9 ranked neighborhoods on Houseberry, with a citywide overall score of 4.3/5. Neighborhood overall scores range from 4.5/5 in Portola Valley Ranch to 4.1/5 in Foothill Park. Portola Valley scores 4.7/5 for safety, 4.4/5 for schools and 3.6/5 for amenities. The median home price across its priced neighborhoods is $4.23M.

City Reviews & Questions

City Review
Key Words: Scenic Trails, Luxurious Living, Environmental Harmony

Portola Valley is a serene and affluent town nestled against the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Known for its natural beauty and quiet charm, the town prioritizes environmental preservation and offers a peaceful retreat while maintaining proximity to hubs like Palo Alto and Menlo Park. The town’s open spaces, including Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, are a major highlight, offering trails for hiking, biking, and breathtaking views. Residential areas feature luxurious homes on spacious lots, with designs that complement the surrounding landscape. Strict zoning laws protect the town’s rural character. Local amenities include Roberts Market for specialty groceries, a library, tennis courts, and the historic Rossotti’s Alpine Inn, a favorite spot for dining and socializing. While Portola Valley lacks large commercial centers, its proximity to neighboring cities provides easy access to additional shopping and dining. Schools like Corte Madera School and nearby Woodside Priory School add to its family appeal.

Top Neighborhoods in Portola Valley, CA(9 ranked)

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Portola Valley Ranch, Portola Valley, CA
Overall Score : 4.5
Portola Valley Ranch is a distinctive and well-regarded neighborhood in Portola ... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Westridge, Portola Valley, CA
Overall Score : 4.5
Westridge is an upscale, picturesque neighborhood in Portola Valley, celebrated ... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Blue Oaks, Portola Valley, CA
Overall Score : 4.5
Blue Oaks is a distinguished and exclusive neighborhood located in the scenic fo... See Full Page

City Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    0.9

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    4.4

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    4.0

Overall Amenities score: 3.6

City Weather

80%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight Portola Valley gets in a year, 80% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
That is around the 62nd percentile for sunshine in the Bay Area.
Average daily high and low temperature
85°70°55°40°JFMAMJJASONDJul 84°
Avg highAvg low
Across the Bay Area
62nd percentile
Rain per year
27 in
Warmest month
July
Summer day
53° → 83°F
Winter day
42° → 60°F
Averaged across the 9 neighborhoods in Portola Valley we hold 30-year climate averages for.

City Photos

Schools serving this City

School NameTypeGradesHouseberry School Score
Las Lomitas Elementary PrimaryK-3
Gardner Bullis Elementary PrimaryK-6
La Entrada Middle Middle4-8
Corte Madera Middle4-8
Ardis G. Egan Junior High Middle7-8
Ellen Fletcher Middle Middle6-8
Menlo-Atherton High High9-12
Woodside High High9-12
Los Altos High High9-12

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.

Median Price

Portola Valley FAQs8 answers

Is Portola Valley safe?

Portola Valley has a citywide safety score of 4.7/5 on Houseberry. Across its ranked neighborhoods safety scores run from 4.1/5 to 4.9/5, with Blue Oaks the highest-scoring. 9 of its 9 ranked neighborhoods score 4.0/5 or higher for safety.

How much does a home cost in Portola Valley?

The median home price across Portola Valley's priced neighborhoods is $4.23M. Neighborhood medians run from $2.74M to $6.95M across the 9 neighborhoods with a recorded price.

What are school scores like in Portola Valley?

Portola Valley has a citywide school score of 4.4/5 on Houseberry. Neighborhood school scores run from 4.3/5 to 5.0/5, with Foothill Park the highest-scoring. 9 of its 9 ranked neighborhoods score 4.0/5 or higher for schools.

Which Portola Valley neighborhoods rank highest overall?

By overall score the highest-ranked Portola Valley neighborhoods on Houseberry are Blue Oaks (4.5/5), Portola Valley Ranch (4.5/5), Westridge (4.5/5), Los Trancos Woods / Vista Verde (4.4/5) and Alpine (4.3/5).

Which Portola Valley neighborhoods have the lowest median prices?

The lowest neighborhood medians recorded in Portola Valley are Woodside Highlands ($2.74M), Foothill Park ($3.03M), Portola Valley Ranch ($3.56M), Los Trancos Woods / Vista Verde ($3.68M) and Ladera ($4.23M).

Is Portola Valley more or less expensive than nearby cities?

Portola Valley's median of $4.23M sits alongside Woodside $6.06M, Palo Alto $3.84M, Menlo Park $3.48M, Atherton $7.68M and Los Altos $4.66M among nearby cities on Houseberry.

How does Portola Valley rank among cities in San Mateo County?

Houseberry ranks Portola Valley #1 of the 20 places it scores in San Mateo County for overall score. It is #4 of 20 for schools and #1 of 20 for safety.

What amenities does Portola Valley have?

Portola Valley scores 3.6/5 for amenities on Houseberry. That is made up of 0.9/5 for nearby merchants, 4.4/5 for public spaces and 4.0/5 for curb appeal.

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City Photos

Top Neighborhoods in Portola Valley, CA(9 ranked)

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Portola Valley Ranch, Portola Valley, CA
Overall Score : 4.5
Portola Valley Ranch is a distinctive and well-regarded neighborhood in Portola ... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Westridge, Portola Valley, CA
Overall Score : 4.5
Westridge is an upscale, picturesque neighborhood in Portola Valley, celebrated ... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Blue Oaks, Portola Valley, CA
Overall Score : 4.5
Blue Oaks is a distinguished and exclusive neighborhood located in the scenic fo... See Full Page

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Contact Houseberry's 2026 Agent Pick for Portola Valley
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Scores updated September 2026