Mountain View and Los Altos

MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE | 2017 EDITION

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4 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods INDEX Mountain View ...... 7 ur Mountain View and Los Altos Blossom Valley ...... 20 eighborhoods Castro City ...... 12 Cuernavaca ...... 39 Cuesta Park ...... 20 Dutch Haven ...... 40 Eastern Varsity Park ...... 23 Gemello ...... 17 Greater San Antonio ...... 10 Michelle Le Michelle Jackson Park ...... 28 Martens-Carmelita ...... 38

Michelle Le Moffett Boulevard ...... 29 Monta Loma ...... 8 North Whisman ...... 31 Catherine Cowley sits on the porch of her Nancy Bremeau stands at the entrance of her Tulane Drive home in Mountain View’s Old Los Altos home. Old Mountain View...... 24 Eastern Varsity Park neighborhood. Rex Manor ...... 14 ayfront parks, tree-lined streets, top-rated an insiders perspective on what sets these St. Francis Acres...... 18 Bschools and a supportive startup culture communities apart from other Midpeninsula are among the attributes that make the cities. Shoreline West ...... 16 neighboring communities of Mountain View We’ve asked residents what they like, what Slater ...... 32 and Los Altos desirable places to live along the they’d like to see changed and what intangible Midpeninsula — but what truly makes them features make their neighborhoods a place they Springer Meadows ...... 22 distinctive goes well beyond this. like to call home. Stierlin Estates...... 30 Located side by side in the center of Silicon Included in each neighborhood vignette is a Valley, both are part of the epicenter for fact box, designed to help people thinking about Sylvan Park...... 36 entrepreneurs, emerging business and new moving to the area. Where will the kids go to Wagon Wheel...... 31 ideas, and yet, both offer a strikingly different day care or school? Where can you pick up a Waverly Park ...... 40 feel and experience. bottle of milk or loaf of bread on the way home One boasts a bustling, tech-centric from work? How far is the nearest fire station? Whisman Station ...... 34 downtown with lots of new transit-oriented Long versions of some of the neighborhood Willowgate ...... 26 housing and office space for many of the stories and more photos can be found on our world’s largest tech-giants. The other reveres its website, mv-voice.com/real_estate. Los Altos ...... 43 quiet, secluded,village-like feel with a quaint If your area has been overlooked — or downtown purposely devoid of big-box stores you’ve found something just plain wrong and large businesses. — please contact Linda Taaffe, who edited Central Los Altos ...... 50 In our 13th guide to local neighborhoods in this publication, at 650-223-6511 or ltaaffe@ Country Club ...... 50 Mountain View and Los Altos, we’ve provided paweekly.com. We’d love to hear from you. Loyola Corners ...... 48 North Los Altos ...... 44 Vice President Sales and Marketing: Old Los Altos ...... 46 STAFF Tom Zahiralis Rancho ...... 48 Sales Representatives: Connie Jo Cotton, Neighborhoods Editor: Linda Taaffe Neal Fine, Rosemary Lewkowitz and South Los Altos ...... 52 Designer: Kristin Brown Carolyn Oliver Woodland Acres/The Highlands ...... 52 Map Designer: Bill Murray

Note on statistics: Statistics drawn from U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014 American Community Survey; Zillow Research, September 2016; Area Vibes; City-Data.Org; City of Mountain View.

Additional copies of Mountain View Neighborhoods, as well as On the Cover: Nathaniel Joffe, 11, pushes companion publications — Almanac Neighborhoods and Palo brothers Caleb, 6 ( left), and Ian, 4, on Alto Neighborhoods — are available at the Weekly for $5 each. their neighbor’s swing located on Melba All three publications are available online at paloaltoonline.com/ Court in Mountain View’s St. Francis Acres 450 Cambridge Ave. real_estate. neighborhood. Palo Alto, CA 94306 Inset: Bob and Diane Claypool walk their dog, 650-964-6300 Copyright ©2016 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Annie, in Los Altos’ Woodland Acres. www.mv-voice.com Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Photos by Michelle Le Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 5 IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A REALTOR TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR IDEAL HOME PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL.

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6 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods • Blossom Valley • Castro City Mountain View • Cuernavaca

Stev

e • Cuesta Park n 101 s

k • Dutch Haven • Eastern Varsity Park

• Gemello e r Middlefield Rd 101

STIERLIN

e ESTATES • Greater San Antonio n a WAGON

r MONTA LOMA e P REX MANOR NORTH WHEEL • Jackson Park WHISMAN MOFFETT • Martens-Carmelita BOULEVARD JACKSON Central ExpresswayPARK WHISMAN • Moffett Boulevard GREATER STATION SAN ANTONIO CASTRO WILLOW- SLATER • Monta Loma CITY GATE 237 • North Whisman San Antonio Rd SHORELINE WEST OLD S. Rengstorff Ave • Old Mountain View MOUNTAIN 85 Castro St VIEW

• Rex Manor S. Shoreline Blvd GEMELLO 82 SYLVAN • St. Francis Acres ST. FRANCIS El Camino Real PARK ACRES • Shoreline West Mountain View • Slater Springer Rd SPRINGER MEADOWS CUESTA

S • Springer Meadows PARK t e v CUERNAVACA e n s MARTENS-

• Stierlin Estates CARMELITA

C r e e Grant Rd k EASTERN • Sylvan Park VARSITY PARK Miramonte Ave • Wagon Wheel BLOSSOM VALLEY • Waverly Park WAVERLY PARK 85 DUTCH • Whisman Station HAVEN • Willowgate

FACTS rom an early stagecoach stop and 57 percent multifamily and 4 percent mobile 2016-17 GENERAL Fagricultural center, Mountain View has homes. About 41 percent are owner-occupied. OPERATING BUDGET: $118.7 grown since its incorporation in 1902 to Encompassing 12 square miles, Mountain million a thriving city of 70,000-plus residents in the View is surrounded by Palo Alto, Los Altos POPULATION: 76,260 heart of Silicon Valley. Internationally known and Sunnyvale. Highways 101, 85 and 237, MEDIAN AGE: 34.6 corporations make Mountain View their as well as light rail and Caltrain, offer quick HOUSEHOLDS: 34,136 home, swelling the daytime population to access to the rest of the Bay Area. HOMEOWNERS: 41 percent more than 100,000. Mountain View’s diversified population MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $1.4 million (single-family, September Today, Mountain View neighborhoods enjoys superb recreation and arts facilities, 2016) are as varied as the housing types, with 28 including Shoreline Park and the Mountain percent single-family, 11 percent townhouses, View Center for the Performing Arts.

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 7 Monta Loma Michelle Le

hen Maren Whitson and her from my front door toward San Antonio, and I FACTS husband moved to the Monta wouldn’t have hit any other houses,” he recalled. W CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Hobbledehoy Loma neighborhood where there Baumgartner said all the homes in his tract Montessori Preschool, 2321 Jane Lane are predominantly flat-roofed, Eichler-style were prefabricated at a construction yard and FIRE STATION: houses with front doors tucked far back on the hauled to the neighborhood on trucks. No. 3, 301 Rengstorff Ave. property and garages as the dominant facade, “When you have a construction yard that LOCATION: bounded by San Antonio Road, West the couple’s reaction was, “Whoa! What are all cuts everything to exact size and nails it Middlefield Road, Rengstorff Avenue and Central these garages?” together and sets it up, everything fits perfectly,” Expressway But over the five years since they moved Baumgartner said. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Monta Loma into their Eichler-built home near Thaddeus Helen Wolter, who moved into an Eichler in Neighborhood Association, Bill Cranston, president, Park, they have come to appreciate midcentury the neighborhood in 2004, said Eichlers used [email protected], montaloma.org PARKS: modern architecture and its impact on the to be cheaper than other homes because a lot of Monta Loma Park, Thompson Avenue and neighborhood. people didn’t like the style. But that’s changed. Laura Lane; Thaddeus Park, West Middlefield Road and “Part of the architecture in our neighborhood Now, there’s a renewed appreciation for the Independence Avenue POST OFFICE: is you don’t get to the front door unless you sleek and clean lines of the homes, possibly in Mountain View, 211 Hope St. walk way onto the property because the front part to Apple founder Steve Jobs, who lived in PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Waldorf High School of the doors are set so far back. But, we’ve found that one of the Monta Loma homes as a boy and Peninsula, 180 N. Rengstorff Ave. this encourages people to go out front,” Whitson attributed the home’s style to influencing the PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School said. “A lot of people are playing on driveways design of his computers. District — Monta Loma Elementary School, Crittenden and out walking dogs. I just love to come out Houses that sold for around $225,000 in 1996 Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High here with my kids and watch people go by.” are now selling for more than $1.1 million, School District — Los Altos High School Located near the south Palo Alto border, Monta according to a report from real estate company SHOPPING: Central Expressway and Rengstorff Loma has a distinct look and feel. Nearly all of Trulia. Avenue; Monta Loma Plaza, West Middlefield Road and the approximately 1,008 homes are less than Whitson said she believes the neighborhood’s Rengstorff Avenue; The Village at San Antonio Center 1,300 square feet and feature open floor plans and strong sense of community is what makes large windows that integrate indoor space with Monta Loma so attractive. that’s part of the character that we like and want.” the outdoors. Joseph Eichler, John Mackay and She and her husband initially moved to the Now, with two young sons, Whitson said Mardall Building Co. — all leading developers of area because it was more affordable than Palo living in the neighborhood is a whole new contemporary design — built the tracts during the Alto and close to downtown, but after renting experience. post-World War II housing boom in the 1950s. an apartment there for two years, the couple “It’s a fantastic neighborhood for a family Ben Baumgartner, who has lived in Mountain decided they wanted to stay long term, and with kids,” she said. Every August, the View for 77 years, used the GI Bill to purchase purchased a house just down the street. neighborhood holds an ice cream social, and the last house in the Mardall Manor tract of “When we moved in, people were very happy in December, there is a progressive dinner. the neighborhood near San Antonio Road in about having a young couple who seemed like Whitson also launched a play group for 1957 to be close to his parents’ apricot farm on they would be around for a while,” she said. “So preschool-age children, which already has Evelyn Road. many homes in our neighborhood are owned by attracted 35 families. “When I first moved in, I could have fired a rifle people who’ve been around for a long time. I think — Linda Taaffe, 2014

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 9 Greater San Antonio Michelle Le

t’s bordered by California Street and Showers and a variety of eateries and other specialty FACTS IDrive and nestled next to the San Antonio shops for locals to enjoy. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Oak Tree Nursery Caltrain station, which is just one of the Among the Greater San Antonio’s lesser loved School, 2100 University Ave. reasons residents of the Greater San Antonio features, said Morimoto, are a lack of parking. FIRE STATION: No. 3, 301 N. Rengstorff Ave. community say it is a desirable area for home Many homes only have a single-car garage and LOCATION: buyers. street parking can be a problem. Also, noise between San Antonio Road, Showers Drive Another appealing feature, according to from the train and increasing traffic along San and California Street NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Nancy Morimoto, a resident of the Greater Antonio are also negatives. But she cited plenty Greater San San Antonio area for the past 20 years, is the of pros as reasons she loves the area, including Antonio Community Association, Stephen Friberg, community’s diversity. Residents come from a neighborhood events that bring the community president, [email protected] PARKS: mix of ethnic and religious backgrounds and together. Concord Circle and Sondgroth Way, Beacon families range from couples with small children “The events can change from year to year, Street and Laurel Way; nearby: Klein Park, Monta Loma Park to baby boomers. depending on who takes on the planning, POST OFFICE: Morimoto said she also enjoys the fact that but we have had pumpkin decorating and a Mountain View, 211 Hope St. the community, consisting of townhomes, row Fourth of July kids’ parade,” Morimoto said. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Gideon Hausner Jewish Day homes and condominiums, is a short walk to “Halloween brings lots of trick-or-treaters to School, 450 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto the Milk Pail Market. She also likes that there’s this well-lit, sidewalked neighborhood. The kids PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — a Mexican market around the corner where know you can reach many homes with a short Covington Elementary School, Egan Junior High School; she purchases treats and the store within the walk.” Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — complex with shaved snow. Plus, it’s convenient Morimoto continued by saying other pluses Los Altos High School to walk to the train station, allowing residents to living within the community are that it is SHOPPING: San Antonio Shopping Center, Village at easy access to travel to a San Francisco Giants in the Los Altos School District and that her San Antonio, strip shopping on California Street games or the airport. home’s small yard is a benefit for her because Additionally, the community is located near of the minimal yard work needed to keep it meeting in the parks or at the pool,” Morimoto the San Antonio Center strip mall at Pacchetti tidy. She also enjoys that residents share private said. “People make close friends with their Way and California Street, which has a Kohl’s, community parks, which contain features like neighbors who either have kids the same age or Wal-Mart, Trader Joe’s and Ross Dress for Less, green space, a gazebo, children’s play structures have dogs.” and the Village at San Antonio Center with a and a community pool. Safeway grocery store, Starbucks, Sprint store “I love the sense of community, with people — Melissa McKenzie, 2015

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 11 Castro City neighborhood Natalia Nazarova

Cynthia Serrano stands in front of one of the properties her parents own on Fair Oaks Street. FACTS ynthia Serrano first moved into the neighborhood kids like her nephew. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Oak Tree Nursery Castro City neighborhood from Gilroy Secondly, the neighborhood has changed C School, 2100 University Ave. in 2002 to take care of her grandfather. from families of predominantly Mexican- FIRE STATION: She moved into one of the properties her American heritage to a diverse group of No. 3, 301 N. Rengstorff Ave. parents own on Fair Oaks Street and sees no residents. Families, especially ones with young LOCATION: bounded by South Rengstorff Avenue, reason to live somewhere else. Serrano said babies or toddlers, have started moving in as University Avenue, College Street and Leland Avenue she is motivated to stay in the neighborhood well. PARKS: Castro Park, Toft Avenue at Latham Street; because her life and work are firmly rooted She said the neighborhood is pretty quiet, Rengstorff Park and pool, Rengstorff Avenue at Crisanto there. besides the Caltrain that runs by throughout the Avenue “It’s a tight community,” Serrano said. “A lot day. POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. of residents there have been there for years. My “It’s not as loud as other neighborhoods,” PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View Whisman School parents and cousins have grown up here.” Serrano said. “Everyone pretty much keeps to District — Monta Loma Elementary School, Graham Staying put seems to be a trend for people in themselves.” Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High the neighborhood nestled between Rengstorff Castro City lies close to Rengstorff Park and School District — Los Altos High School Avenue and Central Expressway. Sylvia Torres the Mi Pueblo grocery store, but there is some SHOPPING: Mi Pueblo Food Center, 40 S. Rengstorff is among those who has opted to stay put. She’s sense of seclusion. The quiet could also be Ave. at Leland Avenue lived in Castro City for 50 years, along with her considered a drawback since there is no formal brother, who lives with his family a few houses neighborhood association and no traditions to Castro City and to Mountain View as a whole as down. Her family’s roots in the neighborhood bring people together. In Serrano’s experience, the city grows. go all the way back to the 1950s, when her the only informal tradition they have is an “It’s definitely home,” Torres said. “It’s changed mother moved into the neighborhood and met annual religious party hosted by a neighbor over the years, and it is a small neighborhood, her father. from across the street. but I like where I live. I stayed here for my Since her childhood, a lot about the Still, Serrano and Torres have no plans family, friends and because I want to be close to neighborhood has changed. For one, the to move and wish to continue to live in the all the things I’ve become used to. Everything is empty lots Torres used to play baseball in are neighborhood for years to come. They say they right here.” all gone — a loss for the new generation of are excited for any changes that will come to — Perla Luna, 2016 12 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods It takes a LYNN closer look NORTH ...to find the right HOUSE for your HOME 4th Generation Resident Serving the communities of Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Cupertino Wine Country The City Marin, Sonoma San Francisco County I am personally & Napa Counties committed your success in selling or finding your dream home

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 13 Rex Manor-Mountain View Shadows Michelle Le

FACTS ountain View’s Rex Manor-Mountain “But that doesn’t happen too often,” she added. CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Shadows neighborhood is a potpourri of Gloster said the rising cost of real estate, YMCA of the East M Bay/Mountain View Child Development Center, 750B diversity in northern Santa Clara County. increased rents and the demolition of older San Pierre Way; YMCA — Theuerkauf, 1625 San Luis Bounded by Central Expressway, Shoreline houses is perhaps creating the biggest change in Ave. Boulevard, Middlefield Road, Farley and the neighborhood as many of the older residents FIRE STATION: No. 3, 301 N. Rengstorff Ave. or No. 1, Burgoyne Streets, and San Ramon and Montecito are being forced out. 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. avenues, its proximity to shopping, entertainment “We are losing diversity,” she said. LOCATION: and Google make it an attractive community Lesley Ruzon, who has lived in the Rex Manor- Rex Manor: between Farley and Burgoyne streets, Central Expressway and West Middleﬁeld for singles and families looking for a suburban Mountain Shadows neighborhood since 2000 Road; Mountain Shadows: between Burgoyne Street lifestyle with an urban feel. and in her current home since 2005, agrees with and Shoreline Boulevard, San Ramon and Montecito Sharon Gloster, a 16-year resident, describes Gloster. avenues the area as a “nice mixture of different types of “The rents are going up so many of our NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Lawrence Shing, people. There are working class people who have children’s friends have moved away,” she said, chair, [email protected] lived here for years as well as tech workers who adding that when she first moved to the area it PARKS: Rex Manor Park, Farley Street and Central have moved here more recently,” she said. was affordable and one of the few locations where Expressway; Stevenson Park, San Luis Avenue and San Gloster said she initially gravitated toward the her family could purchase a home. Pierre Way Rex Manor-Mountain Shadows neighborhood “We do have a range of older retirees who POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. based on its location. bought their houses 50 years ago when they were PUBLIC SCHOOLS: “(It’s) close to downtown Mountain View, the first built and never left,” Gloster said. “There are Mountain View-Whisman School performing arts center, the library and restaurants a lot of apartments, so we also get some of the District — Theuerkauf and Stevenson elementary schools, Crittenden Middle School; Mountain View-Los as well as CalTrain and highways, plus there is a single techies — especially because we are so close Altos Union High School District — Los Altos High nearby tennis court, schools and Safeway within to Google.” School walking distance (and) playgrounds,” she said. Ruzon said she especially likes living close to SHOPPING: Bailey Park Plaza Shopping Center, That proximity, along with neighborhood’s local activities. Shoreline Boulevard; strip shopping areas at 112 closeness to Shoreline Amphitheater, gives “Our kids can bike to school (and) sports Rengstorff Ave. and 580 Rengstorff Ave. residents “all the benefits of being close to practice,” she said. “Mountain View Los Altos downtown but without the noise and parking Girls’ Softball headquarters is at Stevenson Park. problems.” It’s fun to see all the girls at various ages playing Mountain View. One disadvantage of living within the Rex ball. (The neighborhood) is great for jogging and “We have an annual neighborhood block party,” Manor-Mountain Shadows neighborhood, biking.” Gloster said. “In addition, the City of Mountain Gloster said, comes when Shoreline hosts a large- Other bonuses of living in the Rex Manor- View has many summer activities, which bring all draw concert. That’s when residents experience Mountain Shadows community include a June residents together.” the side effects of noise and increased traffic. barbecue and enrichment activities offered by — Melissa McKenzie, 2016

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650.488.7325 | www.DELEONREALTY.com | DeLeon Realty CalBRE #01903224 Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 15 Shoreline West Veronica Weber Veronica

n the dusk, Mary Henry stands outside her area now seems to have a stable community FACTS of her pink home in Shoreline West and — yet not one dominated by a single type of I CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Castro Preschool, watches as kids roll by on their scooters homeowner. 505 Escuela Ave.; Children’s Learning Cottage, 675 and bikes. Her home on Latham Street — a “That’s one thing I hope Mountain View Escuela Ave. short walk away from Eagle Park, the public doesn’t lose, is its sense of diversity, because library and downtown — is situated in a there are a lot of different ages, ethnicities, FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. particularly residential part of Shoreline West. sexual orientations, single, married,” said Henry. LOCATION: bounded by Shoreline Boulevard, El On weekends, she often sits out on her porch, “It’s just wonderful.” Camino Real, Escuela Avenue and Villa Street drinking coffee and saying hello to passers-by. Shortly after moving in, Leona Pearce — then NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Shoreline Describing Shoreline West as “tight-knit six-months pregnant — met six other young West Association of Neighbors, Deniece Smith, without being oppressive,” Henry, a resident mothers who lived within a few blocks of their since 1997, will meet up from time to time new home. She and her son still get together [email protected] with neighbors for potlucks (particularly in the with these other families for “play dates” and PARKS: Castro Park, Toft Avenue and Latham Street; summers) — either just to socialize or to discuss other functions. Mariposa Park, 305 Mariposa Ave.; Eagle Park and Pool, community issues like earthquake preparedness. She and a few other mothers started a 650 Franklin St. She has been talking with some neighbors about recurring event called “Silly on the Street”: A POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. taking a Community Emergency Response block in the neighborhood is closed to traffic, PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Team (CERT) class together. and children can play in the street while parents Mountain View-Whisman School Many of the homes in her vicinity are small, and other neighbors chat. District — Bubb and Castro elementary schools, single-story houses built in the first half of the Over the years, Henry has enjoyed the Graham Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union 20th century. Over the years, some have been opportunity to make so many friends and High School District — Los Altos High School added onto, while a few have been replaced by watch as children in the neighborhood grow up. SHOPPING: Downtown Mountain View; California more modern versions. Looking back, she is very happy to have settled Street Market, 1595 California St.; El Monte Avenue at While Henry has seen many homes on her in Shoreline West. El Camino Real block turn over multiple times, she said that — Sam Sciolla, 2014

16 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods Gemello Vivian Wong

emello remains one of the more which makes it safer for families,” she said. FACTS traditional and classic neighborhoods “Recently, there’s been a lot of rebuilding and G CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS (NEARBY): in Mountain View. remodeling of a few of the older homes.” Near the Los Altos border, Gemello’s quiet These recently rebuilt homes are popular Childrens Learning Cottage, 675 Escuela Ave.; Mountain and friendly nature flows from the design of its with homeowners with new families who are View KinderCare, 2065 W. El Camino Real; St. Paul area. Before the introduction of homes in the also attracted to Gemello Park, a great spot for Lutheran CDC, 1075 El Monte Ave. 1950s, Gemello was known for its red wines families to interact with each other. FIRE STATION: No. 3, 301 N. Rengstorff Ave.; No. 1, made from the grapes of Los Altos, Saratoga Thinking back, Chen recalls, “When my kids 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. and Campbell. were younger, I’d take them to the local little Today, many of the original tract houses have playground, Gemello Park, after meals every LOCATION: bounded by El Monte Avenue, Jardin Drive, been renovated and enlarged, while others day, especially in the summer when it’s quite Karen Way and El Camino Real retain the smaller, single-story architecture that warm out. Summer walks in the afternoon were PARK: Gemello Park, Marich Way and Solana Court has defined Gemello’s personality for years. really enjoyable and actually very convenient.” Many are blanketed by large, older trees and are The neighborhood is also conveniently POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St., Blossom accompanied by white fences, planted window located near a variety of businesses. Several Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. boxes and larger front yards. cafes and shops like Bagel Street Cafe and PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): Canterbury Christian Gemello residents often emphasize the Diddam’s party shop are a short walking relaxed, family feel of the neighborhood. distance, while downtown Mountain View and School, 101 N El Monte Ave.; The Waldorff School of the “The neighborhood is very safe and Los Altos are just a few miles away. Peninsula, 180 N. Rengstorff Ave. peaceful,” Jody Chen, a resident since 1985, “My backyard always has plenty of birds and PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School said. “I remember my kids playing well with squirrels roaming,” she said. “It’s like my own District — Bubb Elementary School, Graham Middle the neighbors across the street, and we would nature channel. Many of my neighbors also usually greet each other when we were out on keep chickens in their backyard, which are School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School walks. From where we live, Castro Street is a always fun for kids.” District — Los Altos High School short walk.” “I’ve lived in the same home here for 27 SHOPPING: Downtown Mountain View, Downtown Los “I live on a relatively smaller block that is years,” Seeger said. “I’ve never really considered Altos, Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Gemello Village, often pretty quiet,” said Judith Seeger, who moving anywhere else.” Clarkwood Center, San Antonio Shopping Center has lived there since 1986. “There’s low traffic, — Samson So, 2013

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 17 St. Francis Acres Michelle Le

Caleb, 6, pushes his brother Ian, 4, on a neighbor’s swing on Melba Court in their St. Francis Acres neighborhood. FACTS ust between El Camino Real, Permanente “Our neighborhood used to be seen as a starter CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Mountain View Creek and El Monte Avenue, and walking neighborhood, but no longer. People are here KinderCare, 2065 W. El Camino Real; St. Paul Lutheran J CDC, 1075 El Monte Ave. distance from downtown Mountain View, to stay and want to have a home they can be Saint Francis Acres is a community where people comfortable in for the long term.” Joffe said. FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. know their neighbors and anybody is welcomed In her early years in St. Francis Acres, the LOCATION: bordered by El Camino Real, Permanente with open arms. neighborhood had five parties a year. Although Creek and El Monte Avenue “Everyone on my street, we all know each the frequency has gone down since then, her cul- PARKS: McKelvey Park, Park Drive and Miramonte Ave.; other,” Melinda Joffe said, a resident since August de-sac of 13 houses is still very active. Eagle Park, Shoreline Blvd. and High School Way. 2002. “When you’re just walking in the POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. Her first experience with that familiarity was neighborhood, people are just saying hi to each PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): Canterbury Christian during the open house for her future home, she other, and the kids will be playing outside,” Joffe School, 101 N. El Monte, St. Joseph Catholic School, said. When she saw all her neighbors talking in said. 1120 Miramonte Ave., St. Francis High School, 1885 the living room, she knew that they were tight- The neighborhood also gets together for Miramonte Ave. knit. Memorial Day and Halloween parties, Joffe said. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — When she purchased her home, her neighbors The Melba Court Memorial Day party has Springer Elementary School, Egan Junior High School; introduced themselves and explained that the been going on for years. Joffe said one of her Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — neighborhood is like one big family. neighbors sets out decorations in his driveway so Los Altos High School Joffe describes Saint Francis Acres as “a kids can decorate their bikes, and then he leads SHOPPING: Downtown Mountain View, El Monte Mountain View home with a Los Altos school them in a bike parade around the neighborhood Shopping Center (El Monte Avenue near Marich Way), district.” while blasting tradition American music from his Clarkwood Center (El Camino Real) Since she moved in, the neighborhood has convertible. undergone a lot of changes — stories, bedrooms According to Joffe, that is followed by a “bring and bathrooms have been added to homes, your own meat” barbeque where everyone Joffe said she found out about the program a and older bathrooms and kitchens have been brings a food dish and drinks to share and the few years ago and threw a couple of parties at remodeled. “grillmaster” neighbors cook their food on a McKelvey Park. After a few years, somebody else “We’ve seen a lot of movement in our street barbeque set up in a driveway. took over and has been throwing a Halloween and our neighborhood,” Joffe said. Because of A City of Mountain View neighborhood grant party every year. individual renovations and changes, each house has enabled the Saint Francis Acres neighborhood “They cut off Ernestine (Lane) and they have is unique from its neighbor, and according to to host get-togethers. According to Joffe, the petting zoos and they have bounce houses and Joffe, the community has become more ethnically grants of between $300 and $500, are allocated so they have entertainers,” Joffe said. diverse. that neighbors can get to know each other better. — Sanjana Garg, 2016

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 19 Blossom Valley nce a field of orchards, Blossom FACTS OValley is now filled with houses, many with young children. Families CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS (NEARBY): stroll with their pets and zoom by on bicycles Children’s House of Los Altos, 770 Berry Ave.; Little along the wide intertwining streets and cul- Acorn School, 1667 Miramonte Ave.; St. Timothy’s de-sacs lined with ranch-style houses. Most Nursery School, 2094 Grant Road homes stayed true to the original single-story FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive 1950s design, but some have been updated or LOCATION: between Springer road and Miramonte enlarged with an added floor. Michelle Le Avenue, Marilyn and Lincoln drives. The child-friendly neighborhood attracted POST OFFICE: Jimmy Dworkin who moved into Blossom Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. Valley more than 12 years ago with his wife. PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): St. Joseph Catholic School, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; St. Francis High School, “My wife was pregnant at the time. I knew enjoys running. the area had a lot of young kids and thought 1855 Miramonte Ave. Sinead Toolis and her family moved to PUBLIC SCHOOLS: it would be great for our kids growing up,” he (Eligibility for school districts Blossom Valley in 1990 and have lived there depends on resident’s address) Los Altos School District said. since. According to Toolis, her family sought Now with school-age children, Dworkin is — Springer Elementary School, Blach Intermediate a quiet neighborhood close to work, and like School; Mountain View-Whistman School District very impressed with the schools in the area. the Dworkins, a neighborhood fit for raising — Bubb Elementary School, Graham Middle School; Springer Elementary school is close to the children. Toolis said the neighborhood Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — Dworkins’ house and has a great special- does not offer much for 20-something-year- Los Altos or Mountain View high schools needs program to accommodate his son. olds but there are many options in nearby “Love the schools,” he said. downtown Mountain View. for more than two years and were initially The amenities in the area also attracted Toolis said she has seen more young attracted to the new homes. “I love that these Dworkin. He appreciates being able to walk couples with families. Among them are homes are on cul-de-sacs. It’s perfect for our to Blossom Plaza, with its stores, eateries and Andrew and Lisa Pattison who live in the kids to play,” Lisa said. various services. The short distance to the latest housing community, the Satake Estates. foothills was also desirable since Dworkin The Pattisons have lived in Blossom Valley — Monica Guzman, 2012

Cuesta Park

riving down the tree-lined streets of DCuesta Park, the number of speed humps FACTS slowing you down are a reminder that it CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Little Acorn is in one of the most popular school districts. Preschool, 1667 Miramonte Ave.; St. Timothy’s It was the schools that attracted Anita Preschool, 2094 Grant Road; YMCA Kid’s Place, 525 Nichols when she moved to Cuesta Park in Hans Ave. June 1975. LOCATION: bounded by El Camino Real, Grant Road, Even with her children “grown and gone” Cuesta Drive, Miramonte Avenue, Castro Street now, the “friendly and welcoming” nature of NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: File photo Cuesta Park the neighborhood has made her stay on. Neighborhood Association, Aileen La Bouff, president, “It is such a fabulous location and within 650-804-0522, [email protected] walking distance to downtown,” she said. FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive Although the population has slowly PARKS: transitioned to younger families in recent years, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Bubb Park, Barbara Avenue and Montalto Drive; Cuesta Park, 615 Cuesta Drive the ‘50s feel and layout of the neighborhood “We also have Halloween celebrations, POST OFFICE: hasn’t changed. Christmas caroling, Holi celebrations in the Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. “There is a very consistent architectural style; community ... a game night, with board and PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Joseph, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; almost all homes are one-story ranch homes, card games at the church,” McBride said. St. Francis High School, 1885 Miramonte Ave. on similar lot sizes,” said Tom Carrubba, “The friendliness of the neighbors, the PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School architect and Cuesta Park resident since 2000. connectedness and the willingness to jump in District — Bubb Elementary School, Graham Middle “Even those who have remodeled have tried to and help one another” are some of the other School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School maintain the general style and scale.” unique aspects of the neighborhood, he said. District — Mountain View High School Famed for its family-centric feel and open The neighborhood also regularly interacts SHOPPING: Grant Park Plaza, Grant Road at El Camino spaces, the neighborhood was named for the with city officials — with meetings and city Real; Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Miramonte large park, bordered by Cuesta Drive and Grant council candidate forums — and has a well- Avenue at Cuesta Drive; Downtown Mountain View Road, once surrounded by acres of apricot and organized community emergency response prune orchards. team. “The park is the centerpiece of the Kathryn Carpenter, a resident since 1994, moving to a different neighborhood for a larger neighborhood,” Kevin McBride said. said her husband grew up in Cuesta Park, and home, but “we chose not to move because of Apart from community events, the park when they got married, they decided to move the people,” she said. is also home to Mountain View Tennis, in to the same neighborhood. — Ranjini Raghunath, 2013 the Summer Sounds concert series and the At one point, Carpenter contemplated 20 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods When it comes to Mountain View the Agent choice is clear: Tori

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 21 Springer Meadows Natalia Nazarova

Heather Quick (left), her husband, Andrew Davidson, and their three children, Sam, Ellie, and Anna, often spend time together at nearby Varsity playground. FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Children’s House n a typical Wednesday night in the family not to let their pets out. of Los Altos, 770 Berry Ave.; Little Acorn School, 1667 Miramonte Ave.; St. Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 Springer Meadows neighborhood, “It’s kind of nice people are looking out for one O Grant Road children may be playing basketball another,” she said. “We’re really fortunate to have FIRE STATION: with neighbors in their backyard. Weekend that in our neighborhood.” No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive afternoons can be peaceful with residents If you ask Quick’s children what they like LOCATION: bounded by Marilyn Place, Marilyn Drive, trimming shrubs and people chatting in their most about their neighborhood, the decision is Fordham Way and Barbara Avenue driveways. unanimous: the block party. It’s their second- NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS: Springer These are just a few of the things residents of favorite day of the year behind Christmas, Quick Meadows Neighborhood Association, Carole Stepp, the Mountain View neighborhood like about the said with a smile. president, [email protected] place they call home. The community is a subset In addition to the block party, other PARKS: Varsity Park, Duke Way and Jefferson Drive; of the Blossom Valley area, located between neighborhood events include a Halloween parade Bubb Park, 680 Barbara Avenue; Cuesta Park, Cuesta Marilyn Drive, Barbara Avenue, Marilyn Place and an Easter egg hunt. Drive and Fordham Way. Kara Jariwala said her neighbors are what POST OFFICE: Mail All Center, Blossom Valley, 809-B Heather Quick has lived in Springer Meadows makes Springer Meadows special. Cuesta Dr; Grant Park Plaza, 1250 Grant Road (inside for six years and she couldn’t be happier. Her neighbors have become more than simply Nob Hill Foods) When she and her husband, Andrew Davidson, the people who live next door. Some have become PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Joseph Catholic School, were looking for a home, they targeted areas so close of friends that they vacation together. 1120 Miramonte Ave.; St. Francis High School, 1855 with nice housing and good school districts. As “We have a personal tradition of meeting with Miramonte Ave. luck would have it, they found Meadow Lane, our neighbors to have social events,” she said. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: (Eligibility for school districts a cozy, curved street with trees, well-kept lawns “They’re our real friends.” depends on resident’s address) Los Altos School District and ranch-style homes. Just around the corner is She also likes the location. She likes access Springer Elementary School, Blach Intermediate School; Mountain View-Whisman School District — Bubb Marilyn Drive, a street including several cul de to the Los Altos School District, the close Elementary School, Graham Middle School; Mountain sacs and multi-story homes. proximity to shopping in the nearby Blossom View-Los Altos Union High School District — Los Altos “It’s a great pocket of Mountain View,” she said. Valley Shopping Center and convenient access to and Mountain View high schools “It’s very quiet. We really like that.” downtown Mountain View and parks. SHOPPING: Blossom Valley Shopping Center, What the mother of three enjoys the most “It’s a nice walk to downtown and nice access Miramonte Avenue and Cuesta Drive; Rancho Shopping about Springer Meadows is the connection to to Blossom Valley if you need to grab something Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Road; Grant her neighbors. Just recently, one of her neighbors quick,” Jariwala said. Road Plaza Shopping Center, Grant Road and Phyllis alerted her via text: “big skunk just went over the — TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton, 2016 Avenue fence.” The neighbor wanted to warn her and her 22 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods Eastern Varsity Park Michelle Le

Catherine Cowley relaxes on the porch of her Tulane Drive home in the Eastern Varsity Park neighborhood with her dog, Cody. FACTS FIRE STATION: ou can’t help but be impressed with the hearkening back to the era of shared front-yard No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive caliber of street names in and around bounty. A few blocks over on Columbia, a front- LOCATION: between Fordham Way, Sladky, Tulane Y Drive and Tulane Drive Eastern Varsity Park. Tulane wraps around yard garden hosts a summertime stand with truly Cornell and Duke, while Fordham Way parallels local produce for neighbors. PARKS: Varsity Park, Duke Way and Jefferson Drive; Lee. The streets embrace the tiny actual Varsity Tulane resident Katie Cowley has been part of Cuesta Park, Cuesta Drive Park, a perfect neighborhood space with a well- the area for 10 years, purchasing a fixer-upper POST OFFICE: 1525 Miramonte Ave., Los Altos, 94024 maintained basketball court, several modern play with her husband. PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): St. Joseph Catholic structures and swings. “We bought this house by mistake,” she laughed. School, 1120 Miramonte Ave; St. Francis High School, Ashley Richards brings her niece and young “We wanted to be in the Cuesta Park (area).” 1855 Miramonte Ave. nephew to the park almost daily in the summer. She said the neighborhood turned out to be PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District: Springer “Daytime is very quiet here,” she said, “but a wonderful place for their three children, who Elementary, Blach Intermediate School; Mountain View- around noon, nannies and toddlers arrive, and at became part of the bike-to-school culture. Their Los Altos Union High School District: Mountain View 4 p.m. the older kids show up to play. handsome home is in the Springer Elementary High School. “It feels so safe here, and much easier to manage district, which feeds into Mountain View High SHOPPING: Blossom Valley Shopping Center, than Cuesta Park,” she added. “The neighbors School. School access is a strong topic in the Miramonte Avenue and Cuesta Drive; Rancho Shopping keeps an eye on each other.” neighborhood, with district lines running through Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Road; Grant Built in 1962, the tract is often referred to as Eastern Varsity Park. Residents with those Park Plaza Shopping Center, Grant Road and Phyllis part of the Blossom Valley area, which includes addresses attend Springer Elementary and Blach Avenue Springer Meadows, Eastern Varsity Park, Blossom Middle School in Los Altos, followed by Mountain Valley Estates and Gest Ranch. View High School, which has been ranked in the Today, the area is a mix of modernist remodels top 1 percent of schools nationally. congregate on the street to visit and catch up on boasting Sunset Magazine-worthy xeriscaped Cowley said the original homes contribute to news. front yards and traditional facades with well- the closeness of the neighborhood. “The original “We watch out for each other,” said Cowley, who established suburban landscaping. walls are like cardboard, and you know everything jumped up while talking when she saw an elderly Local real estate agent and resident Eric about everyone! Nearly everyone in the neighbor teeter a bit in her garden. Fischer-Colbrie says half of the homes on Cornell neighborhood has remodeled. We share architects Cowley also noted that proximity to local and three-quarters of the homes on Tulane have and contractors, and tour each others’ homes to shopping make Eastern Varsity Park an ideal been remodeled, as the footprints are easily see what’s been done.” location. Safeway and CVS anchor Blossom Valley expandable. The Cowleys added a second story six years Shopping Center, while Rancho offers Andronico’s Tulane Drive boasts a veritable orchard of fruit after moving in. Community Market, and Grant Park Plaza boasts trees, with ripening apples, guavas, lemons and During summers, “Happy Hour” potluck 99 Ranch Market. carefully pruned figs and persimmon happily happens on Tulane, and over a dozen families — Ruth Handel, 2016 Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 23 Old Mountain View Michelle Le

FACTS ld Mountain View is not quite living up OMV is also a hangout for young adults and Oto its name. Old trees line the sidewalks professionals. The close proximity of the world’s CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: YMCA Kids’ Place and populate the various parks, but biggest technology companies, including at Landels School, 115 W. Dana St. beneath their soft, aged shade new, young Google, to Castro Street’s bars and restaurants FIRE STATION: families are out and about enjoying, once again, attracts the regular patronage of its employees. No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. the perpetual blue skies. The patter of children’s Roberta Goncalves has been living in OMV LOCATION: bounded by El Camino Real, Shoreline feet and the clacking and trilling of bikes with her husband since 2004. They have two Boulevard, Evelyn Avenue and Highways 85/237 and birds drift between the cottages that sit young children and found a private school NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Old Mountain View peacefully behind freshly planted gardens. for them to attend in Los Gatos. They want to Neighborhood Association, omvna.org The ethereality of Old Mountain View’s move there, but they plan to return to OMV PARKS: residential area is interrupted, though, by the after their kids finish school in several years, Dana Park, West Dana Street at Oak Street; dynamism of Castro Street. Here, dozens of so they decided to rent their house. Their Eagle Park & Pool, S. Shoreline Boulevard at Church restaurants and cafes, many of them younger first tenant is Angela Siddall, a retiree from Street; Pioneer Park, Church and Castro streets; Mercy- than the children that run past, boast new, Portola Valley looking for a fresh change to her Bush Park, Mercy and Bush streets; Fairmont Park, diverse flavors from Asia, the Middle East, lifestyle. Fairmont Avenue and Bush Street; Landels Park, West Europe and South America. Cars coast up “I moved here for the climate, access to Dana Street near Calderon Avenue and down the street, their drivers looking for transportation, and the restaurants on Castro POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. parking in vain as young professionals look on Street,” Siddall said. “I won’t be able to drive PUBLIC SCHOOLS:Mountain View-Whisman School from restaurants’ outdoor seating. forever and want to be active. You can hear District — Landels Elementary School, Graham Middle People want to live here. Residents your heartbeat at night in Portola, so I will repeatedly cite the temperate climate, access to probably have to get used to the noise level School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School transportation and cultural diversity as reasons here, but I like the idea of walking and eating District — Mountain View High School why they moved to Old Mountain View. The around Castro at 9 at night.” SHOPPING: Downtown Mountain View, Grant Park city also boasts several parks and a well-funded — Joshua Alvarez, 2014 Plaza public school system. While being kid friendly, 24 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods Thinking of Making a Move? Just Call Kim!

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Some of Kim’s recent sales Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 25 Willowgate Michelle Le

es Duenow moved into his home There is a neighborhood association and a FACTS on Willowgate Street in April 2008. mailing list that connects these five houses. W COMMUNITY GARDEN: $135 (residents)/$42 Three months in, the Caltrain station Besides this, Duenow feels that there is moved the horns from the underside of not much of an association with the larger (seniors) for plot permit, 650-903-6331, or email the train to the top. The noise grew louder, Willowgate community. [email protected] to join the waiting list reverberating through the neighborhood. “I identify myself more with my subdivision for a plot “We thought that we had made the worst or Mountain View,” he said. “I wasn’t decision ever,” he said. even aware that there was a Willowgate FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. But Duenow eventually found his reasons neighborhood. LOCATION: bounded by Central Expressway, West to stay. Like Duenow, Patrick Hsieh is a member Moffett, Moffett and Highway 85 “Ten minutes to Central Expressway and of his subdivision’s 11-unit neighborhood close to other highways,” he said. He also cites association. He moved into the Willowgate PARK: Jackson Park, Jackson Street and Stierlin Road the easy access to downtown Mountain View, Gardens townhouse in 2009. POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. Jackson Park and Stevens Creek Trail. Hsieh appreciates the improvements that And the noise doesn’t bother him as much the collective action of the neighborhood PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School anymore. association has brought about. District — Landels Elementary School, Crittenden “We only notice it when we’re paying “The street was darker and now they added Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High attention,” he said. more streetlights so it’s brighter,” he said. Duenow lives in a subdivision of five But, his favorite aspect of the neighborhood School District — Mountain View High School houses called Willowgate Villa located within is its proximity to Caltrain, allowing him SHOPPING: Moffett Boulevard, Downtown the larger Willowgate community. easy access to work in San Francisco and Palo Mountain View, Sunday farmers market at Caltrain “I know these neighbors very well,” he said, Alto. parking lot referring to the row of houses on his street. — Hiay Le, 2012 26 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods % &'(( ) * +, &''- . / &'01 &2 &324 &3 ! ! "# $ ' ( $ )*

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 27 Jackson Park Michelle Le

ituated on an island between the busy park nearby makes up for it. He and his wife FACTS Sthoroughfares of Shoreline Boulevard, appreciate the activity that younger families CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: The Wonder Years Moffett Boulevard and Central Expressway, lend to the park, where there are often birthday Preschool, 462 Stierlin Road the Jackson Park neighborhood can be easy to parties and almost always kids playing. FIRE STATION: Station No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. miss. However, a little investigation reveals an Anne Selin and her children are one such LOCATION: bounded by Shoreline Boulevard, Stierlin eclectic mix of old and new homes, surrounding family from the Jackson Park neighborhood Road, Windmill Park Lane, Central Avenue, Moffett a small but lively city park. who makes frequent use of the park facilities, Boulevard and Central Expressway Sprinkled throughout Jackson Park’s streets which sport a grassy area, tall trees and two PARK: Jackson Park, Jackson Street and Stierlin Road are new groups of houses, older properties, playground setups, one for toddlers and another POST OFFICE: unique constructions and even some for older children. Selin also likes to walk Mountain View, 211 Hope St. apartments. Some homes are hidden on narrow downtown to the library or to have breakfast PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School back streets like Jackson Alley. with her kids at local establishments like District — Theuerkauf Elementary School, Crittenden According to longtime resident Jim Holmes, Olympus Caffe & Bakery on Castro Street. Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — Mountain View High School the neighborhood has become increasingly In 2011 Selin and her husband bought their SHOPPING: residential over the years, as some old home on Washington Street, also a “newer build,” Moffett Boulevard, Downtown Mountain industrial properties have been replaced by new and started raising their family. Though they View, Bailey Plaza developments. The result today is a peaceful have thought of moving elsewhere, Selin said that atmosphere remarkably close to downtown and the neighborhood definitely has its advantages. friendly and supportive, she said. When a house the Mountain View Caltrain station. “We were looking at other houses ... but it’s caught fire recently just around the corner, “It’s just kind of a nice, quiet pocket in the just so hard to beat this location,” she said. multiple neighbors alerted her immediately and middle of a bunch of commotion on all sides,” Close food shopping options include a the family was able to stay the night with some Holmes said. Safeway down Stierlin Road; a market called JL other friends down the street. Holmes, a retired dentist who has mostly Produce with Mexican, European and Russian Since moving in, the family has become close lived in Mountain View since 1971, moved foods; and Ava’s Downtown Market on Castro. with some neighbors particularly with another to Jackson Park in 1988 when he and his wife For running and biking, the neighborhood also young family in “similar circumstances.” Many purchased one of a handful of newly built has quick access to Stevens Creek Trail, which is of those acquaintances were made at the nearby homes. As part of its agreement with the city, just a bit more than a half mile away. park, where Selin constantly sees both new and the developer — who built more homes on the Selin described the Jackson Park familiar faces. That’s one more good excuse for other side of Moffett — gave the land up for the neighborhood as having a socioeconomic mix the family to drop by the park often, beyond the creation of Jackson Park, just across Fountain — with some renters and some homeowners entertainment it affords her kids. Park Lane from Holmes. — and residents of different ages and cultural “That’s why I like to go to the park myself ...” Though Holmes’ about 1,700-square-foot backgrounds. she said. “We’re going right now.” home has only a small backyard, having the Despite the differences, the atmosphere is — Sam Sciolla, 2014

28 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods Moffett Boulevard George Markle

n the 1970s, George Markle came to always bring back fond memories because that’s FACTS Mountain View for a job — a similar story where he met his now wife, JoAnne. In the I FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. for many today. He originally chose Moffett clubhouse many years ago, Markle met JoAnne LOCATION: Boulevard, and specifically Cypress Point Lakes at a party while he was dressed up as Santa bounded by Central Expressway, West because of the ease of commute. Claus. The couple then married at a surprise Middleﬁeld, San Veron Avenue, San Lucas Avenue and Highway 85 Today, people will find the same proximity wedding in 1989. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: to transportation options, including Caltrain, While not dressing up as Santa Claus Moffett light rail and Highway 85 and 101. In addition, much these days, Markle said he still Neighborhood Group, George Markle, forum lead, [email protected], 650-391-8693, Markle said access to bike trails is excellent connects with the community, but through moffettneighborhood.org and the neighborhood has been earmarked for Nextdoor. There he is the co-lead of the PARK: further development to enhance bike lanes and forum. This online community has helped Jackson Park, Jackson Street and Stierlin Road POST OFFICE: connections to companies on the north side the neighborhood, which was formed in 2013 Mountain View, 211 Hope St. of Highway 101, such as LinkedIn, 23andMe, when the Prometheus apartment complex was PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School Microsoft and Google. proposed, connect and stay in the know about District — Landels Elementary School, Crittenden “This is where the future is invented,” he said. neighborhood matters. In 2013, they rallied to Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High “And that’s why I still want to be here. It’s the influence City Council, he said. Today, Markle School District — Mountain View High School place to be if you have any shred of nerd in you.” said the group is still active and has a core group SHOPPING: Moffett Boulevard, Downtown Mountain But back at his condo at Cypress Point Lakes, of members, and if anything larger should come View, Sunday farmers market at Caltrain parking lot one wouldn’t know high-tech companies and up, they are ready. the bustle of traffic share the same city. Here, Terrie Rayl, another Moffett Boulevard Shoreline Amphitheatre. redwood trees reach toward the sky while ducks resident, shares Markle’s love of Mountain “Everything is just so accessible,” she said. quack and float around on the little ponds View. She has lived here for more than 15 years Within the community, Rayl appreciate the within the development. Markle said they also and really appreciates the neighborhood’s diversity of residents, from retirees to people have squirrels, other birds and the occasional location to food, entertainment and just starting out. raccoon. transportation options. She walks to the “It’s the only place I have ever lived in “It’s like you are up in the mountains at a downtown restaurants, snags fresh produce at California,” she said. “Once I found it, I know I resort,” he said. the farmers market on Sunday, catches Caltrain had found a little piece of heaven here.” Markle has also lived in other parts of the for longer trips and hops on her bike to catch — Brenna Malmberg, 2015 neighborhood, but Cypress Point Lakes will a James Taylor concert and more over at the Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 29 Stierlin Estates Michelle Le

t’s not uncommon to see people tending Carter said his immediate neighbors are FACTS Ito their gardens or children playing in pretty social. However, some people tend FIRE STATION: No. 5, 2195 N. Shoreline Blvd. their front yards in the Stierlin Estates to stay to themselves. Residents don’t have LOCATION: between Terra Bella Avenue, North neighborhood; that’s a typical weekend communitywide events, like block parties. Shoreline Boulevard, West Middlefield Road, Moffett afternoon. Flora Grimminger remembers when Boulevard and Highway 85 While bustling Middlefield Road and Shoreline Boulevard was named Stierlin Road in PARKS: San Veron Park, San Veron Avenue and Shoreline Boulevard are nearby, the Mountain Mountain View. A resident of the neighborhood Middlefield Road View community appears calm. From since 1969, she has seen the community POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St.; Mountain manicured lawns to the close proximity to life transform over the last 40 years. View Carriers Annex, 1070 La Avenida St. essentials, many who live here like the “tucked “It’s changed,” Grimminger said. “There’s a lot PUBLIC SCHOOLS: away” vibe. These are just some of the things of big buildings coming in. It was much quieter Mountain View-Whisman School District — Monta Loma Elementary School, Crittenden that Ken Carter likes. when we moved here.” Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High Carter has lived in the quaint neighborhood Grimminger’s late husband, who grew up School District — Mountain View and Los Altos high for 22 years. His brother-in-law actually lives on a farm, was attracted to the rural feel of the schools four doors down from him. Carter and his Mountain View neighborhood. At the corner SHOPPING: Bailey Park Plaza, 570 N. Shoreline Blvd. wife, Georgia, used to live one mile away before of Moffett Boulevard and Middlefield Road moving to Stierlin Estates in 1978. there was an old farm house, and if one was “It’s a secluded little neighborhood,” Carter lucky, one could see peacocks, she recalled. View. This was an additional draw as she was said. “Kids have been known to play ball in the That rural atmosphere no longer remains, as new to the country and wanted to be close to streets.” orchards and farmland have been replaced family. She is glad she stayed. Carter said the location of the neighborhood with businesses and additional housing. “It’s really a great area,” Cardestam said. “It’s a is convenient as shopping and groceries are They moved to Mountain View from the nice quiet neighborhood.” close by. He commends the easy access to the East Coast. The location of the property was Perci and her husband, Perr, like that it is a freeway and the location less than a mile from nice, with easy access to U.S. Highway 101 — a safe community. Cardestam said her family downtown Mountain View’s Castro Street. As a benefit considering her husband worked for the used to travel often and would be away for retiree, this is a bonus, he added. San Francisco International Airport. weeks at a time. They would simply ask their “Everything you need is within a four-mile “That’s what sold us on the home,” she said. neighbors to keep an eye on their property and radius,” he said. While Grimminger is not a fan of the nothing ever happened, she said. Another aspect of the community that Carter increased nearby traffic and construction, she “You can trust (your neighbors),” she said. is fond of is its ethnic diversity. For example, believes the influx of development is due to an The neighborhood is near outdoor amenities just across the street from him lives a Japanese increased need for housing. as well, such as parks and walking trails. family and to the left of them resides a Filipino Perci Cardestam has lived in the Cardestam used to take walks along Shoreline family, he said. His neighbors behind his home neighborhood since 1974. She said the location Boulevard. are Russian and the family to the left of his was appealing in terms of access to work and to The Stierlin Estates development was built in home hails from Taiwan. school for her children. 1962 and consisted of single-story homes. It has “It’s quite diverse,” he said. “I like that part. I A native of the Philippines, Cardestam also grown over the years. didn’t discover the diversity of our area until we had an uncle who lived about a mile away near — TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton, 2016 moved to this neighborhood.” Theuerkauf Elementary School in Mountain 30 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods North Whisman estled between Google and Symantec, NNorth Whisman is a neighborhood FACTS on the eastern edge of Mountain View CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: with a view of the mountains and an open German feel. International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; “(North Whisman is) kind of like a little Kiddie Academy, 205 E. Middlefield Road; NASA Ames oasis beneath the clouds of Silicon Valley,” Child Care Center, Moffett Field said neighborhood resident Lisa Matichak, Brenna Malmberg FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road who moved into the area in 2007. LOCATION: bounded by Walker Drive, Leong Drive, Matichak described her neighbors as people Evandale Avenue, Easy Street who care about the neighborhood and watch NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: North Whisman out for each other. “There are such wonderful Neighborhood Association, Jessica Gandhi, president, people living here,” she said. “It’s like an 650-969-2429, [email protected] extended family.” Even by driving down the street, it is clear PRIVATE SCHOOLS: German International School of that neighbors stop to say hello and catch up walking their dogs or taking a leisurely stroll. Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St. Through the neighborhood association, with each other. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School residents share information with one another Jessica Gandhi, the North Whisman District — Huff, Landels or Monta Loma elementary and invite one another to their events, Neighborhood Association president, said it schools, Crittenden Middle School; Mountain View-Los according to Gandhi. is a very tight-knit area. Altos Union High School District — Mountain View This gives residents a chance to take part Gandhi has lived in her home with her High School husband and two children since 1999. in activities, such as ice cream socials to “It’s kind of like an old-fashioned classes on composting and landscaping with neighborhood where you kind of knew drought-tolerant plants. are currently five large-scale residential everybody,” Gandhi said. The area’s walkability to two of the largest developments under construction in the area The busy neighborhood is outlined with employers in the city has spurred growing and more planned over the next several years. charming homes and active neighbors developer interest in neighborhood. There — Ashley Finden, 2012

Wagon Wheel

n Friday nights, Steve Bell calls in to Oplace an order at Mario’s Italiano. Right FACTS away, he is asked if he wants the usual, CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: and he replies, “Yes, that would be great.” German For Bell, or “Friday Night Steve” as he is International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; Kiddie Academy, 205 E. Middleﬁeld Road; NASA Ames known at Mario’s, and his family that small- Child Care Center, Moffett Field town feel is one of the many reasons they FIRE STATION: are glad they moved to the Wagon Wheel No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road LOCATION: neighborhood in 2009. Bell and his wife, Vicki bounded by East Middleﬁeld Road, Tyrella Chang, looked all over for a new home, but Avenue, Fairchild Drive and North Whisman Road decided on this area for affordability and the NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Wagon Wheel Michelle Le appeal of its “nerdy” history, Chang said. Neighborhood Association, Matt Footer, president, The neighborhood gets its name from wp.wagonwheelna.org Walker’s Wagon Wheel, a local watering hole PARKS: Devonshire Park and Whisman Park back in the day whose patrons were some of PRIVATE SCHOOLS: German International School of the engineers from Fairchild Semiconductor, more adventures. Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St. Intel and National Semiconductor, Bell said. “We love the area, but ... we feel the only PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School The stories live on, even though the building thing lacking is a school,” she said. District — Huff, Landels or Monta Loma elementary was demolished in 2003. This topic, which was being discussed by schools, Crittenden Middle School; Mountain View-Los “It’s really cool to drive along and see streets the Mountain View-Whisman School District Altos Union High School District — Mountain View named after Fairchild and National,” Bell said. board, has received a lot of community High School “That’s all a part of our neighborhood. I just interest. Slater School is now scheduled to love it.” reopen Today, the neighborhood is still next door to Gary Rosen, a resident of Wagon Wheel for That diversity can be seen in its houses — tech companies, such as Google, but that’s not more than 20 years, said the neighborhood has from apartments to single-family homes — all it offers. Now that the couple has two boys, grown as companies have moved into the area. and its residents. To bring everyone together, Sebastian and Spencer, the family enjoys that He understands that people want to live near the community uses its Yahoo group to talk they can easily walk to the smaller Devonshire their work because he chose Wagon Wheel for about issues and plan activities, such as Park, which is great for younger kids, or that very reason. community breakfast or pumpkin decorating Whisman Park, which is much larger, Chang “It’s definitely a lot more congested now,” he around Halloween. said. Nearby trails also welcome those up for said, “but there is a lot of diversity.” — Brenna Malmberg, 2015

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 31 Slater Veronica Weber Veronica

esidents of the Slater neighborhood social center for the neighborhood, no matter FACTS voted a few years ago to name their its name. R CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: German home after an old school nearby. “We see a lot of families there with kids the International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; Wagon Wheel is taken by another same ages as ours,” he said. Kiddie Academy, 205 E. Middlefield Road; NASA Ames neighborhood, or they might have chosen “There’s always a lot going on,” Rich agreed. Child Care Center, Moffett Field;Google Daycare that. Other social hubs of the neighborhood FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road “Most duplexes in this neighborhood have include Clocktower Coffee and Roger’s Deli, LOCATION: brick facades and were built around 1955 with residents said. bounded by Hwy. 85, Easy Street, Central Expressway, North Whisman Road, East Middlefield that western motif — wagon wheels stuck Markelz said the neighborhood can be a little Road in the bricks,” said Robert Rich, a recording slower compared to other parts of Mountain NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: artist who has lived in the neighborhood with View. Robert Rich, president, [email protected] his wife since 1989. “I don’t feel like there are a lot of events in PARKS: Diverse housing options offer residents Slater, but Mountain View as a whole has a lot Whisman Park, Easy Street and Middlefield access to commuting arteries and downtown of events we take advantage of, primarily in the Road; Devonshire Park, 62 Devonshire Ave.; Creekside Park, 200 Easy St. Mountain View lifestyle at much less cost, downtown area,” he said. POST OFFICE: Rich said. His house is an old farmhouse in the “Because the area is very commercial outside Mountain View, 211 Hope St. California Bungalow style. the immediate Slater neighborhood, on the PRIVATE SCHOOLS: German International School of “We were a young couple and we could afford weekends places have reduced hours or are Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St. it,” he said. At first, they rented out the separate closed,” he added. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School cottage dwelling for some extra income. “You Good thing downtown can be accessed very District — Huff, Landels or Monta Loma elementary see a lot of that sort of creative financing around easily via the Stevens Creek trail. schools, Crittenden Middle School; Mountain View- here.” “In 1999 they connected it under 85, and Whisman School District — Mountain View High School Bounded by Highway 85, Easy Street, that’s when we could go downtown,” Rich said. SHOPPING: strip mall on Leong Drive; retail centers on Central Expressway, North Whisman Road “That was the big crack in the eggshell to make Middlefield Road and Whisman Road; downtown and East Middlefield Road, Slater isn’t exactly this neighborhood part of this town. It’s the new to the Mountain View scene, apart lifeblood of the neighborhood.” variance in the age of residents. from its name and a fledgling neighborhood Rich grew up in Menlo Park, watching the “I run into a lot of young families, people who association. area transition from orchards to housing. are relatively recently relocated to the area for “I wasn’t aware of any kind of change in the “You could still see the divisions of farmland tech jobs, similar to us,” Markelz said. “It’s pretty way the neighborhood was referred to,” said between towns,” he said. “Those sorts of diverse in that way.” Todd Markelz, a manager at Google who has memories make me a little misty-eyed.” “We’re rooted here,” Rich countered. “We’ll lived in the area for five years and purchased a “When we bought our house there were three probably be one of those old couples that just townhome on Gladys Avenue with his wife and old plum trees in the backyard that you could lives on.” two sons. tell used to be part of an orchard,” he added. — Emily Trotter, 2016 For Markelz, Creekside Park remains the The neighborhood is recognized for its wide 32 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods LIVE - WORK - THRIVE

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 33 Whisman Station Natalia Nazarova

FACTS ven before ground broke on the first phase manicured picnic areas, tot lots, community Eof construction in Whisman Station, pools and two acres of public parks surrounded CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS (NEARBY): Kiddie competition to own a home in the planned by a mix of condos, townhomes and single- Academy, 205 E. Middlefield Road; Building Kidz, 250 E. community was fierce. family residences. The nearby Stevens Creek Dana St.; German International School of Silicon Valley, “If you wanted a house there, you had to sign Trail provides easy access for the many 310 Easy St.; Yew Chung International School, 199 E. up on a waiting list,” said Ed Schlosser, who Googlers making the 10-minute bicycle trek to Middlefield Road was among the earliest residents to purchase work. And just across the street at the former FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road a single-family home when the development Slater Elementary School on Whisman Avenue, LOCATION: Central Expressway, Ferguson Drive, streets opened in 1997. Google operates a private day care for its off Kent Drive, Snyder Lane, N. Whisman Road Nearly 18 years later, demand for housing in employees’ children. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Community the 53-acre neighborhood designed around the The neighborhood was part of the city’s Management Services, 408-559-1977 Whisman Light Rail station hasn’t waned. vision to transform industrial land near PARKS: Magnolia Park, Magnolia Lane and Whisman “I think the neighborhood has kind of moved Moffett Federal Airfield into a housing and Park Drive; Chetwood Park, Chetwood Drive and up in the world,” said Jim Pollart, who was transportation hub. Developer Signatures Whisman Station Drive; Light Rail Trail, from station to project manager for the neighborhood’s KB Homes currently is seeking final approval to Middlefield Road Homes subdivision and purchased the first build the next phase of 16 single-family homes PRIVATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: three house on his street. “For many years, this was there. mini parks, two tot lots, four swimming pools, three considered a starter neighborhood, and when Nayema DiFazio moved to the neighborhood clubhouses you could afford it, you would move over to a with her husband in 2011. The engineers were POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. bigger home on the south side of El Camino.” looking for a larger place when her husband saw PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): German International Then, along came tech companies like Google a posting from another Google employee about School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; Yew Chung and LinkedIn that opened headquarters nearby, a vacant three-bedroom townhouse. International School, 310 Easy St. attracting hundreds of new workers to that area DiFazio, who is now a mother, said she PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School of Mountain View. appreciates the neighborhood’s family-friendly District — Landels Elementary School, Crittenden “It’s become really attractive for families character, whether participating in holiday Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High who want to be close to their work and want potlucks or the July 4 parade. School District — Mountain View High School amenities, like pools, without the maintenance,” — Linda Taaffe, 2014 SHOPPING: El Camino Real, Downtown Mountain Pollart said. View Whisman Station boasts tree-lined streets, 34 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods WE MEASURE QUALITY BY RESULTS Is Quality Important to You?

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 35 Sylvan Park Michelle Le

very year, Laura Freiberg, resident of Sylvan pick up a game of tennis or soccer at the FACTS EPark since 1994, counts the number of kids playground. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Western Montessori she hands out Halloween candy to. Centered on the spacious park that gives Day School, 323 Moorpark Way; YMCA — Slater, 325 “Usually, I hand out candy to an average of the neighborhood its name, Sylvan Park Gladys Ave. 200-300 kids. This year, it went over 350,” she has it all — a strong sense of community, a FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road said. Freiberg, who has three kids herself, calls multitude of shops and restaurants nearby LOCATION: Halloween nights in Sylvan Park “beautiful,” (the neighborhood is a stone’s throw from bounded by West El Camino Real, Highway 85, Highway 237 and the Sunnyvale border with lots of costumes, candy and fireworks, downtown Mountain View) and easy access to NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: and children from many of the surrounding freeways and public transport. Linda Reynolds, chair, [email protected] neighborhoods dropping by for trick-or- The prime location is one of the biggest PARKS: treating. attractions, according to Denise Smith, who Sylvan Park, Sylvan Avenue and DeVoto Street Halloween isn’t the only time the moved to the neighborhood two years ago. POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. neighborhood comes together; neighbors gather “It’s basically in a mixed residential area; PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Stephen Lutheran School, 320 for Fourth of July celebrations, potluck dinners there are homeowners and mobile home Moorpark Way every six weeks — even Thanksgiving and parks, as well as duplex rentals and some PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School Christmas nights, which is “unusual” because apartments — all in one area, close to the District — Landels Elementary School, Graham Middle holidays are mostly celebrated within individual park,” she said. School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School families, Freiberg said. Both mobile home parks, Sunset Estates and District — Mountain View High School “To a large extent, the whole neighborhood New Frontier, are vibrant communities filled SHOPPING: Americana Shopping Center — Lucky feels like an extended family,” she said, calling with retired adults who come together regularly Stores Sylvan Park a very friendly, supportive, for potlucks, knitting groups, themed parties comfortable and safe neighborhood. and book clubs. Like many Mountain View neighborhoods People in Sylvan Park are a “nice” mix of For Philip, it may have been “big skylights” on on a weekend afternoon, Sylvan Park comes both longtime owners and young families with some of the homes that brought him to Sylvan alive with most garage doors wide open, and kids who have just moved in, said Stephen Park, but it was the “sense of community” that neighbors sharing a friendly chat as they Philip, who moved to the neighborhood from made him stay. work on their garden or home projects, or Sunnyvale eight years ago. — Ranjini Raghunath, 2013 36 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

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ormerly considered a county area, the sheds large enough to be visible from the FACTS FMartens-Carmelita neighborhood is one street. Although some of the families may have CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Baby World, 1715 of the only neighborhoods in Mountain converted the sheds into “granny units,” many Grant Road; Montecito Preschool, 1468 Grant Road; St. View where families can find a particular of the residents may have originally retained Timothy’s Preschool, 2094 Grant Road; YMCA — Huff amalgamation of a near pin-drop quiet noise the sheds for yard equipment because of the Kids’ Place, 253 Martens Ave. level, a hodgepodge of cottages, midcentury neighborhood’s large yard sizes. FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive moderns and two-story homes partitioned by “Whenever you have a big yard, you tend to LOCATION: Martens Avenue and Carmelita Drive and tall hedges and ranch inspired fences, tiny cul- have a lot of yard stuff, or at least you used to. nearby streets de-sacs, large lot sizes and only half a street’s So when people had a big lot, they’d put a big NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Martens-Carmelita worth of sidewalks. shed on it,” Atwell explained. Neighborhood Association, Robin Iwai, 650-961-8257, “The housing side has no sidewalk because Not surprisingly, many of the residents within [email protected] that was formerly county. The school side the neighborhood have lived there for a number PARKS: Huff Park, Martens Avenue has a sidewalk. And when you go back past of years, or are families with children who have POST OFFICE: Barcelona Court, that’s the newer houses — attended the local school. Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. codes require that they put sidewalks back “It’s just got that kind of country, rural feel. PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): St. Simon Catholic there. Carmelita itself ... they don’t have a You know it’s a great location for kids, if you School, 1840 Grant Road, Los Altos sidewalk, so that’s unique,” said Tori Atwell, a have your kids at the school. And also if you PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School real estate broker whose children attended the want to build,” Atwell said. “It used to be that District — Huff Elementary School, Graham Middle neighborhood’s former Abracadabra daycare when people wanted a bigger home, they would School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School center, which is now Frank L. Huff Elementary go out and buy a bigger home, but now it’s so District — Mountain View High School School. expensive that now it makes sense to build if SHOPPING: Grant Park Plaza, Grant Road at El Camino Atwell continued, the homes “also all were you like your neighborhood. So people stay Real; Mountain View Shopping Center, El Camino at on septic originally. They were county property. where they are.” Grant Road The city started mandating that you had to go “Cookie-cutter” is not a likely word to on city sewer, so they built (the system). Last describe the homes within this neighborhood. their homes, rather than moved out seems I heard, there were only one or two on septic Many of the homes on Carmelita have been to show a true statement about how much still.” renovated or rebuilt, yet still fit in with the residents love the neighborhood. Many of the rustic cottages on the C-shaped agrarian vibe of the area. The fact that so many — Chrissi Angeles, 2015 street of Carmelita feature backyard storage of the families in the neighborhood have rebuilt 38 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods Cuernavaca Veronica Weber Veronica

hose living under the red tin roofs with The neighborhood has two entrances so it FACTS Ttailored green landscapes appear content in is easy to feel like you are in your own world CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Western Montessori the community Irv Statler calls his “Camelot.” once inside. Said Irv on the design: “It’s almost Day School, 323 Moorpark Way; St. Timothy’s Nursery Statler and his wife, Renée have lived in the a gated community.” There’s a main circle with School, 2094 Grant Road; YMCA — Huff Kids’ Place, Cuernavaca neighborhood for about 30 years. five cul-de-sacs stemming from the circle. 253 Martens Ave. Homes were still under construction when the Amenities include a playground, clubhouse, FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive Statler family decided to move to the Mountain exercise room, spa, pool and tennis courts. LOCATION: off Crestview Drive, near El Camino Real View neighborhood in August 1988. To him, Access to main thoroughfares such as and the Sunnyvale border they could not have chosen a better place to live. Interstate 280 and the community vibe are just NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Cuernavaca “We didn’t realize how wonderful it would two factors that attracted Peter Panfili to the Homeowners Association, Peter Panﬁli, president, be,” Irv said. “I’ve seen it grow for more than 30 neighborhood. He is president of the board CMS property management, 408-559-1977, board@ years. We didn’t realize at the time the perfect of directors for the Cuernavaca Homeowners’ cuernavacahoa.com, cuernavacahoa.com retirement home we have.” Association. He and his wife, Natalie, have lived PARKS: Green belt on the property The development was completed in 1989 there since 1987. POST OFFICE: Nob Hill Foods, 1250 Grant Road through five phases. It consists of 170 Spanish- “We’re the original owners. What we like most PRIVATE SCHOOLS: style homes that rest on 30 acres of land. Homes is the sense of community,” Peter said. “You St. Stephen Lutheran School, 320 Moorpark Way vary in design and size with floor plan options really get to know your neighbors.” PUBLIC SCHOOLS: ranging from 1,500 square feet to 2,500 square Opportunities to interact with neighbors Mountain View-Whisman School feet. come several times a year with the hosting of District — Huff Elementary School, Graham Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School Located off Crestview Drive near the community events. One example is a Halloween District — Mountain View High School Sunnyvale border, the nearest hospital is less party held for families in the neighborhood. SHOPPING: than half of a mile away. Grocery stores and In addition to the perk of social interaction, Cala Center, 1111 W. El Camino Real in Sunnyvale; Grant Park Plaza, 1350 Grant Road, restaurants are within walking distance. Just the look of Cuernavaca was another draw Mountain View one block away from bustling El Camino Real, for Peter. He said he liked that it was visually the Cuernavaca neighborhood is its own hamlet attractive and provided good proximity to tucked away from the rest of the city. While schools and downtown Mountain View. The Cuernavaca site was originally part of a Renée enjoys this element of solitude, what she He remembers one of his neighbors cherry orchard and later the nine-hole Cherry likes most is the diversity of the community. commenting that the development reminded Chase Golf Course and attendant swim club, “That’s the nice thing about it,” Renée said. him of a village. Peter agrees with this according to the homeowners’ association “There are families with small children; there observation. website. The course was eventually considered are retirees like us and everyone gets along very, “It’s a lovely community. It’s a neighborhood,” for redevelopment under a 1974 land-use plan. very well.” he said. “It really is.” — TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton, 2015

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 39 Dutch Haven ot a week has gone by in which Dutch FACTS NHaven resident Rohit Sawhney hasn’t used the local YMCA or the Stevens CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Creek Trail. Having these recreational opportunities nearby appealed to Sawhney and El Camino YMCA, 2400 Grant Road; Mountain View his family as they sought a new home in 2005. Parent Nursery School, 1325 Bryant Ave.; Primary Plus, 333 Eunice Ave.; St. Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 “We thought, ‘How nice that we can just walk

Brenna Malmberg Grant Road; YMCA Way to Grow Full-Day Preschool, across the street to these places,’” he said. 1501 Oak Ave., Los Altos (nearby) Besides the local amenities, Sawhney said the FIRE STATION: sense of community was apparent right away, No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive especially because they were seeking a safe place LOCATION: bounded by Carol Avenue, Grant Road, to raise a family. Sleep Avenue and Villa Nueva Way Throughout the year, the Sawhneys build on NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Dutch Haven their neighborhood relationships by attending for more than 14 years, also points to the community’s involvement and local facilities as Association, Crystal Dove, chairperson, alexandcrystal@ the summer social and progressive dinners. yahoo.com Plus, Halloween is a big event, with pumpkin a highlight of the neighborhood. Chang and her family make the most of them by biking around PARKS: Cooper Park, 502 Chesley Ave. carving and trick-or-treaters roaming the POST OFFICE: neighborhood. the neighborhood or walking over to Cooper Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. The residents of the neighborhood also stay Park for a baseball game. While out and about, PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Joseph, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; connected through an email thread, which Chang said she can see the age diversity in the St. Francis High School, 1885 Miramonte Ave. neighborhood, from decadeslong residents includes fun social topics and city matters. In PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School to school-aged children. And as Sawhney recent years, residents have attended City Council District — Huff and Bubb elementary schools, Graham meetings to stay advised of projects such as the El mentioned, the special neighborhood activities Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High Camino Real expansion and voice their concerns. bring even more people out into the community. School District — Mountain View High School “We know we will be staying in our “Generations have created and passed on SHOPPING (NEARBY): traditions,” Chang said. “People get creative Blossom Valley Shopping neighborhood,” Sawhney said. “We know our Center, Miramonte Avenue at Cuesta Drive; Grant neighbors, and it’s sometimes hard to find that to get people out. It’s a very family-oriented neighborhood.” Park Plaza; Nob Hill Shopping Center, Grant Road; elsewhere. It wouldn’t be the same.” Downtown Mountain View Susan Chang, who has lived in Dutch Haven — Brenna Malmberg, 2015

Waverly Park or longtime residents of Waverly Park, the FACTS Fcommunity is remembered as one full of apricot orchards, a local pumpkin patch and CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: regular block parties. El Camino YMCA, 2400 Grant Road; Mountain View Gayle Levin has lived in Waverly Park since Parent Nursery School, 1325 Bryant Ave.; Primary Plus, 2004 and grew up nearby in Los Altos. She 333 Eunice Ave.; St. Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 resides in the historical Huff House with her Grant Road; YMCA Way to Grow Full-Day Preschool, husband, Jonathan Gentin, and three kids, Julia, 1501 Oak Ave., Los Altos (nearby) Gemma and Rowan. File photo FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive Over the years, Waverly Park has changed, LOCATION: Levin noted. bounded by Grant Road, Highway 85 and “The community was not as diverse growing Sleeper and Bryant avenues up. Now, they say there are 41 languages spoken PARKS: Cooper Park, 502 Chesley Ave. vegetables during the summer,” Levin said. at Huff,” she said. POST OFFICE: Both Levin and the Kaos agreed that safety is Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. Another family, the Kaos, moved from one of Waverly Park’s many attributes. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Joseph, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; Sunnyvale to Waverly Park in 2013. Both Due to the amount of traffic on Grant Road St. Francis High School, 1885 Miramonte Ave. New York natives, Steven and Jeanette Kao, in the morning, Levin and her kids, as well as PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School find Waverly Park to be a welcoming and safe many other Huff families, bike to school. District — Huff and Bubb elementary schools, Graham neighborhood. “We bike to school everyday. The cars around Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High “There are some neighbors who have lived Huff are incredibly courteous,” Levin said. School District — Mountain View High School here for 30 years. For us that’s a really good sign, Steven Kao explains that safety was one of the SHOPPING (NEARBY): Blossom Valley Shopping because they have stayed here. We love this area. key factors in their decision to move. Center, Miramonte Avenue at Cuesta Drive; Grant We haven’t had any regrets whatsoever,” said “You don’t have to worry as much about your Park Plaza; Nob Hill Shopping Center, Grant Road; Jeanette Kao. kids. As a parent one of the biggest things is you Downtown Mountain View Levin also remembers the pumpkin patch, a want to have that peace of mind,” he said. 15-acre site, which was located off Grant Road Although this flourishing area of Silicon and is now the site of a SummerHill Homes nearby where they have lots of block parties. We Valley continues to change, the strong sense of development known as the Enclave. know our nearest neighbors very well,” Levin community has not. “Julia and I would go on the train, visit the said. “We have friends who live on cul-de-sacs animals, and we would walk to get fruits and — Madeleine Gerson, 2015 40 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods Selling Waverly Park/Waverly Place Since 2003

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42 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods • Central Los Altos 101 • Country Club Los Altos

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FACTS hat once was a brief stop on the Mountain View and Los Altos Hills. Highways 2016-17 GENERAL WSouthern Pacific Railroad evolved have replaced local railroad service, with easy OPERATING BUDGET: $32 after World War II to a tree-lined access via Highway 85 and Interstate 280 to million city providing a quiet housing enclave for nearby metro centers. POPULATION: 28,976 Silicon Valley. Since incorporation in 1952, Known for its excellent schools and MEDIAN AGE: 45.9 Los Altos has grown to a community of neighborhoods replete with mature trees, Los HOUSEHOLDS: 10,701 mostly single-family homes, rather than Altos supports seven commercial areas serving HOMEOWNERS: 85.5 percent apricot and plum orchards, a winery and its close to 30,000 residents. And for those MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $2.7 million (single-family, September ranch land. still yearning for apricot orchards, a weekly 2016) Today, Los Altos encompasses seven square farmers market offers a chance for neighbors miles, stretching from Palo Alto to Sunnyvale to interact while shopping for local produce and Cupertino, sandwiched between and flowers. Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 43 North Los Altos Magali Gauthier

FACTS hey say real estate is all about location, “We had an absolutely fantastic experience T location, location, and residents in North at the public schools,” Strichartz said. “I feel CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Children’s Corner, Los Altos believe they have found their the kids were really enriched by going to high 97 Hillview Ave.; Children’s Creative Learning Center, haven. Within this area, bordered by North El school that was really diverse ... and has such 700 Los Altos Ave.; Los Altos Parents Preschool, 201 Monte Avenue, El Camino Real and Foothill great opportunities.” Covington Road; Tiny Tots Preschool, 647 S. San Antonio Expressway, people can find a large library, Ginny Strock has lived in Los Altos for twice Road community center, a performing arts center for as many years as Strichartz. Even though she FIRE STATION: No. 15, 10 Almond Ave. children, a downtown filled with restaurants worked in the Palo Alto Unified School District, LIBRARY: 13 S. San Antonio Road and shops, great public schools, and more. Strock moved to North Los Altos for the same LOCATION: bounded by Foothill Expressway, El Monte Almost everyone in the area lives within easy reasons as Strichartz. Road, El Camino Real and Adobe Creek walking distance of these attractions. “We heard the schools were really good and PARKS: Village Park, Edith Avenue at San Antonio Deb Stricharz and her husband grew up in also it was very close proximity to downtown,” Road; Shoup Park, 400 University Ave.; Lincoln Park, Southern California and moved to Los Altos Strock said. University at Lincoln Avenue after her husband finished his medical training at Strock moved with her husband and children POST OFFICE: 221 Main St. UCLA and landed a job at El Camino Hospital. to the quiet neighborhood on Frances Drive in PRIVATE SCHOOLS : Los Altos Christian School, 625 She chose Los Altos because of its proximity to 1978. She liked that her children could walk to Magdalena Ave.; Canterbury Christian School, 101 N. El her husband’s job in Mountain View and her school and be close to the Hillview Community Monte Ave. job as a children’s transplant nurse at Stanford Center, and her husband enjoyed being near PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — Santa Hospital in Palo Alto. Even after leaving Los Altos his work in Silicon Valley. Every Fourth of Rita or Almond elementary schools, Egan Intermediate for Kentucky, Strichartz knew she would return. July when her children were growing up, the School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School “We took a detour. This is where we felt at neighborhood threw a block party with square District — Los Altos High School home. When we moved back, there was no dancing and a big barbecue. SHOPPING: Downtown Los Altos, Los Altos Village question that we would live anywhere else,” she Strock’s children are now grown and all but Court and San Antonio Center said. two of her original neighbors have moved. The Strichartz moved back to Los Altos in 1996 neighborhood is now filled with young families after two years in Kentucky. She chose Sioux and very young children. “We love having young families in our Lane because it was a cul-de-sac, close to “We were the youngest people when we neighborhood as it keeps us all young. ...We downtown, and because she “wanted to walk to moved in, and now we are the oldest people,” continue to love our proximity to town, and our Peet’s Coffee in the mornings.” She also picked she said. house, which always seemed small, is now just North Los Altos because of the schools her two While the neighbors have changed, families right,” Strock said. daughters would be attending. still organize a block party at least once a year. — Lisa Kellman, 2015

44 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods CalBRE# 01298824

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 45 Old Los Altos Michelle Le

Nancy Bremeau sits in the living room of her Old Los Altos home, where she has hosted a “Sip & Stitch” potluck for neighbors. FACTS CHILD CARE: very couple of months, Sip & Stitch potlucks lot — and the Bremeaus also built a new home and Children's House of Los Altos - Gardner bring women together to get to know their moved in, in 2011. Bullis, 25890 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills E FIRE STATION: No. 15, 10 Almond Ave. neighbors in Old Los Altos. And a couple of “We loved the proximity to downtown,” Nancy times a year, the guys hang out at Burp & Slurp, Bremeau said, adding that their son, now a LIBRARY: Los Altos, 13 S. San Antonio Road sometimes to watch a sporting event. teenager, often heads downtown with friends. “That LOCATION: between El Monte and Edith avenues, Located just west of Foothill Expressway and independence that they have. ... Los Altos is such a Foothill Expressway and Los Altos Hills border an easy walk to downtown Los Altos, Old Los safe town. Everyone knows everyone, looks out for PARKS: Village Park, W. Edith Avenue at San Antonio Altos is no post-war tract. Instead, homes range each other’s kids,” she added. Road; Shoup Park, 400 University Ave.; Lincoln Park, W. from a mega-million-dollar Italianate Revival to Bremeau also has hosted Sip & Stitch, which Edith and University avenues; Redwood Grove Nature Craftsman, Tudor, Spanish and a few Victorians. attracts from 10 to 40 people each time. Preserve, 482 University Ave. Although Nomi Trapnell served on the board of “We use it to talk about issues,” she said. Recently POST OFFICE: 221 Main St. the Los Altos History Museum and now on the Los she made a presentation to the group about creating PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — Altos Historical Commission, she and her husband an Emergency Preparedness group and becoming a Gardner Bullis School, Egan Junior High School; Frederick (Fritz) weren’t drawn to Old Los Altos in Block Action Team (BAT) leader. She recruited six Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — 1993 because of its historical significance, but rather more BAT leaders on the spot. Los Altos High School; Bullis Charter School its location. They spent the next two years building Expressing concern for her elderly neighbors who SHOPPING: The Village (the triangle bordered by Edith, their new home. may have mobility issues, Bremeau said, “We want San Antonio and Foothill) With two teenagers at home, they soon jumped to make sure homes are covered in an emergency.” into getting to know their neighbors. Other social events bring the neighbors together. Trapnell noted that “before, in north Los Altos, Both Trapnell and Bremeau mentioned the “alley Bremeau, who recently joined the Los Altos Arts we knew a few neighbors but there were few events. party” behind homes that face Orange and Palm Commission, is brimming with ideas about how (Here) neighbors know each other.” avenues. Typically held on Labor Day, the party to beautify Old Los Altos. She would like to see She has hosted Sip & Stitch, where “no stitching features a big potluck, karaoke and games. the many utility lines undergrounded, so the trees goes on, mostly sipping and food.” Participants And when it comes to issues, both Trapnell and wouldn’t need to be trimmed so radically. range from their 30s to their 80s, she added. Bremeau mentioned traffic caused by commuters One thing she would never change is Shoup Park, It was nature camp at Redwood Grove Nature trying to avoid Foothill Expressway backups, with a hidden gem in Old Los Altos that boasts two Preserve that introduced Nancy and Christian cars zipping through their quiet enclave. children’s play areas, a meandering creek and grass Bremeau to Old Los Altos. Each day, as she dropped Today signs that read “DRIVE LIKE YOUR KIDS lawn, as well as a war memorial statute, “Cradle of off their 5-year-old son, she’d get a good glimpse of LIVE HERE” dot the streets, along with speed Liberty.” the neighborhood. Soon she spotted an overgrown bumps to slow people down. — Carol Blitzer, 2016

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 47 Rancho hen Bill Helvey moved to the FACTS WRancho neighborhood in 1963, the surrounding area featured simple CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Children’s House of ranch homes, empty lots and a semi-rural feel. Los Altos, 770 Berry Ave.; Los Altos Christian Preschool, Helvey was initially attracted to the 625 Magdalena Ave.; Los Altos Parent Preschool, 201 neighborhood’s quaint, small-town Covington Road; Los Altos United Methodist Children’s atmosphere. Center Preschool, 655 Magdalena Ave. “I kind of grew up in that sort of Weber Veronica FIRE STATION: environment,” he said. No. 16, 765 Fremont Ave. According to Helvey, Rancho’s aesthetics LIBRARY: Los Altos, 13 S. San Antonio Road; Woodland have changed in a half century. Branch Library, 1975 Grant Road “The lots are largely filled up and the LOCATION: bordered by Foothill Expressway, Parma houses are enormous. ... It’s getting more Way, Riverside Drive and Springer Road elbow-to-elbow.” children can’t live in your neighborhood.” PARKS: Rosita Park, 401 Rosita Ave.; McKenzie Park, And, like in many a Silicon Valley Since the middle of the 20th century, the 707 Fremont Ave. neighborhood, the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood’s demographic has shifted, too. POST OFFICE: tech industry has replaced much of the rural Of when he moved to Rancho, Jacobsen Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. said, “Back then, it was mostly (Hewlett charm. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Pinewood School, 327, 477 & Packard) and (Lockheed Martin employees). Bob Jacobsen, who moved in 1974, 26800 Fremont Ave.; Los Altos Christian School, 625 ... It was mostly engineers before.” appreciates that the single-story home is still Magdalena Ave.; Canterbury Christian School, 101 N. Now, Jacobsen estimated that of Rancho’s a predominant fixture in Rancho. El Monte Ave.; Saint Francis Catholic High School, 1885 residents, “maybe one-third of the people are Lush foliage lines Rancho’s wide, often Miramonte Ave., Mountain View retired.” curving streets. The green gives way to PUBLIC SCHOOLS:Los Altos School District — Loyola peeks at long, low rooflines, large shuttered “Our street is very multicultural,” Jacobsen added. He said his neighborhood is home to or Springer elementary schools, Blach Intermediate windows and overhanging eaves of many a School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School traditional ranch-style property. Taiwanese, Icelandic and Armenian families, among other populations. District — Los Altos or Mountain View High School Both Helvey and Jacobsen noted the SHOPPING: staggering jumps in housing prices, a change “It’s quiet. It’s not pretentious,” he added. Rancho Shopping Center, Loyola Corners, that Helvey said may mean that “your — Lena Pressesky, 2014 Downtown Los Altos

Loyola Corners ost of the homes in Loyola Corners look FACTS Mvery different than when Stephen More grew up there in the 1980s. He said CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Children's Creative about three-quarters of the homes on the streets near his house on Miramonte Avenue have been Learning Center, 2310 Homestead Road, Suite E; razed or extensively remodeled by new families Mountain View Parent Nursery School, 1535 Oak Ave., moving into the area following the tech boom. Los Altos; St. Simon's Catholic Church Extended Day Located in south Los Altos, Loyola Corners Care Center, 1840 Grant Road. started out as a train stop for the Southern Pacific Michelle Le FIRE STATION: No. 16, 765 Fremont Ave. Railway, but when the city incorporated in 1952, LIBRARY: Los Altos, 13 S. San Antonio Road; Woodland, attention shifted north to building up the city’s downtown business district. Once out of the 1975 Grant Road spotlight, Loyola Corners remained relatively LOCATION: a triangle roughly bounded by Fremont There’s lots of character here,” he said. “Each of unchanged in the following decades, and the Avenue, Miramonte Avenue and Clinton Road these houses is a bit unique. There are some old residential neighborhood that grew around the Ranchers and quite few homes that have been PARKS: McKenzie Park, 707 Fremont Ave.; Heritage former station retained that rural feel from the redeveloped in a way so they are not all ‘matchy Oaks Park, Portland and Miramonte avenues city’s earlier era. matchy.’” POST OFFICE: Roughly bounded by Clinton Road and Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. Home remodels aren’t the only changes. Jerry Fremont and Miramonte avenues, the PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): Moison, a resident and member of the Los Altos Canterbury Christian neighborhood is like a compact town with its Planning and Transportation Commission, School, 101 N. El Monte Ave.; Los Altos Christian own shopping district, a post office, three parks said the shopping district is also starting to School, 625 Magdalena Ave.; Pinewood School, 327 and a cluster of medical offices. The residential see improvements and the street bridge that & 477 Fremont Ave.; Saint Francis High School, 1885 streets that wind through the neighborhood connects Loyola Corners to the country club Miramonte Ave., Mountain View resemble wide country roads with no sidewalks across Foothill Expressway was recently widened PUBLIC SCHOOLS: and lots of low-hanging trees. Los Altos School District — and modernized. John Meaney, who has lived in Los Altos for Loyola Elementary School, Blach Intermediate School; “Loyola Corners is an isolated location and 20 years, moved from the nearby Grant Park Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — doesn’t have that drive-by appeal,” Moison said. neighborhood to Loyola Corners after his wife Mountain View High School “I think people here are looking to improve that.” fell in love with a home on Manor Way. SHOPPING: Loyola Corners, Rancho Shopping Center “The area doesn’t have that subdivision feel. — Linda Taaffe, 2014 48 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods www.DENISE-WELSH.com

“She is my ‘go-to’ source for all things Real Estate related. We have worked together for 22 years, through six transactions. She is right there when you need her!” - P. Baldwin

President, Silicon Valley Association of Realtors “Call me for a President’s Club, Alain Pinel Realtors Change of Place” Lifetime Achievement Award in Production, 2004 Commissioner, DENISE WELSH Historical Commission, Broker Associate, SRES City of Los Altos Innovators Program, Stanford 650.209.1566 University GSB (2016) [email protected] UCLA Alumni Association License# 00939903

167 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos | apr.com D Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 49 Central Los Altos FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: CCLC School Age at ary McCusker chalks it up to Covington Elementary, 201 Covington Road; Children’s Mchance that her neighborhood in House of Los Altos, 770 Berry Ave.; Los Altos Parents Central Los Altos has “the best Preschool, 201 Covington Road; St. Simon’s Catholic mailman in the world. His name is Ray Rios. Church Extended Day Care Center, 1840 Grant, Road; Everybody knows him, and he knows the St. Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 Grant Road; Little name of everybody here. He’s like what the Acorn School, 1667 Miramonte Ave. neighborhood cops used to be, a hundred FIRE STATION: No. 15, 10 Almond Ave.; Loyola station, years ago,” she said. No. 16, 765 Fremont Ave. LOCATION: Mary and her husband moved from Michelle Le between Foothill Expressway, El Monte and Connecticut to her ranch-style home in 1974. Springer, and Covington and Grant Adjusting wasn’t easy, but the friendly spirit PARKS: Heritage Oaks Park, Portland at Miramonte now embodied by Rios — and by many of the Avenue; Marymeade Park, Fremont Avenue at Grant interactions among neighbors — helped their Road; McKenzie Park, 707 Fremont Ave.; Rosita Park, new home feel like one. Their own children now adults, the 401 Rosita Ave. A woman across the street walks her elderly McCuskers enjoy watching the neighborhood POST OFFICE: Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave., neighbor’s dogs daily, and every Fourth of July kids’ evening walk home from school. Mary Mountain View; Rancho, 1150 Riverside Drive; Main, one of the nearby families hosts a summer knows some of them especially well, as she 100 First St. picnic with hired musicians. offers to babysit for recent, young move-ins. LIBRARY: Los Altos, 13 S. San Antonio Road; Woodland, The McCuskers picked their neighborhood Larger lot sizes was partly what attracted 1975 Grant Road Noelle Eder when she and her family moved largely for the reputed school district to which PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Canterbury Christian School, it belonged. Beyond their backyard fence back to the Bay Area in 2010. 101 N. El Monte Ave.; Pinewood School, 327 and 477 stand playing fields adjoined to Covington “My husband is a gardener, so a quarter Fremont Ave.; St. Simon Catholic School, 1840 Grant Elementary School. acre allows him to wield his green thumb,” she Road; St. Francis High School, 1855 Miramonte Ave. Many of the residents see the Los Altos said. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — School District as something to invest in Other reasons for the Eders — who had Covington, Loyola, Oak or Springer elementary schools; rather than just benefit from. previously lived in Southern California Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — “There was a local foundation founded by and San Carlos — include the “absolutely Los Altos or Mountain View high schools the parents when the schools began to lose fantastic” school system and friendly SHOPPING: Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Miramonte funding in a serious way. They help prop up neighbors. Avenue and Cuesta Drive; Downtown Los Altos; Rancho some of the programs,” she added. — Pierre Bienaimé, 2016 Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Road

Country Club

topiary golfer stands sentinel on the Alawn of a stately home overlooking the FACTS Los Altos Golf & Country Club, as if CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: enjoying the view of the verdant rolling hills of Los Altos Christian the private, member-owned club that gives the Preschool, 625 Magdalena Ave.; Los Altos United Methodist Children’s Center, 655 Magdalena Ave. neighborhood its longtime moniker. Formally FIRE STATION: known as Loyola, the area was nearly the site 765 Fremont Ave. of Santa Clara University; the 1906 earthquake Weber Veronica LIBRARY: Woodland, 1975 Grant Road derailed the plan, giving way to the golf course LOCATION: bounded by Magdalena Avenue, Foothill and home development. Expressway, Permanente Creek and Interstate 280 Richard Blanchard, current president of the NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Richard Blanchard: San Antonio Hills Neighborhood Association, President, San Antonio Hills Inc. Homeowners arrived in 1978. Loyola Corners, but with larger lots and a more Association, 650-948-3037, sanantoniohills.com “The area was incorporated in the late private wooded setting.” PARK: Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, Cristo ‘40s,” he said, “and the single-family dwelling Bounded by Interstate 280 and Foothill Rey Drive provision has helped Loyola maintain this Expressway, the neighborhood is a close hop to POST OFFICE: Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. country charm.” neighboring cities and shopping, but popular PRIVATE SCHOOL: Los Altos Christian School, 625 The neighborhood has a variety of home local spots include the Los Altos Golf & Magdalena Ave. styles. Blocky modernist homes are comfortable Country Club, a classic vintage diner at Loyola PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — Loyola amidst classic ranchers, newer Craftsmen and Corners, and the Rancho Shopping center, Elementary, Blach Intermediate, Mountain View; Los singular architectural designs. Mature trees line where kids gather for after-school treats. Altos Union High School District — Mountain View the streets, and heavily laden branches of well- “Our community is vibrant,” Stasior said. “In High School tended fruit trees grace yards. summertime, children are selling lemonade on SHOPPING: Loyola Corners, Miramonte Avenue, Jennifer Stasior has lived in Loyola/Country corners, there are always families out walking, Rancho Shopping Center Club for five years. and lots of dog walkers and bikers.” “We wanted more space for guests, a more In the cool evening air, the grassy fields of the private setting and buffer between homes,” she golf course scent the breeze, and walkers in the the hills above. As Blanchard puts it, “Loyola is a said. “We discovered this unique area that was hills are gifted with magnificent views of the hidden pocket of serenity within a sea of change.” close to downtown and walking distance to sunset over the valley and golden hour lighting on — Ruth Handel, 2015 50 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods DETAILS Keen negotiating skills Broad network of As a long time resident professional associates of Los Altos Hills with and contacts 21 years of Peninsula real estate experience, I Strong understanding of bring a wide variety of the local market and the people who call the skills and expertise to Peninsula home help make YOUR home buying or selling process Solid background feel effortless handling a wide range of real estate transactions, including extensive properties and estates

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 51 Woodland Acres/The Highlands n the middle of 1981, Patti and Phil Rose were FACTS Idriving around Los Altos, looking for a larger home for their family that then included two CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Children’s Creative pre-schoolers. Learning Center, 2310 Homestead Road, Suite E, Los They soon found Woodland Acres and The Altos Highlands, two neighboring areas west of FIRE STATION: No. 16, 765 Fremont Ave. Foothill Expressway at the south end of town. LIBRARY: Woodland, 1975 Grant Road They were especially drawn to Woodland Acres, LOCATION: between Foothill Expressway and Interstate

an enclave of 123 homes on lots that ranged Michelle Le 280, Beechwood Lane and Permanente Creek from 1/4 acre to an acre. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: According to the history put together by Patti Rose, J.L. Pritchard in 1963, the land was once part president, Woodland Acres Association, 650-968-7211 of Rancho San Antonio. Ultimately, about PARKS: Montclaire Park, St. Joseph Ave.; (nearby) Grant 100 acres were held by Edward Hohfeld from them repaved, and that worked out really well,” Park, 1575 Holt Ave.; Rancho San Antonio Preserve, 1927 to 1948, when he sold 86 acres to Serra she said. Cristo Rey Drive Development Co. Lots were sold and the Neighbors used to get together for a POST OFFICE: Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. original homes built between 1950 and 1957. “traveling dinner” potluck held at three PRIVATE SCHOOL: St. Simon Catholic School, 1840 The name, Woodland Acres, wasn’t blindly different homes, but now there’s an annual Grant Road Christmas party. “Everybody brings chosen. During his tenure, Hohfeld tried PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Cupertino Union School District — to rehabilitate an old orchard, but soon something, it’s held at different houses (each Montclaire Elementary School, Cupertino Middle School; began planting (and caring for) hundreds of year),” Rose said. Fremont Union High School District — Homestead High ornamental trees that joined the native oaks. “It’s a social function for everybody in the School Patti Rose is now head of the Woodland Acres neighborhood. Some people come every year, SHOPPING: Foothill Crossing; Loyola Corners; Rancho Association, which meets every three months to some once in awhile. ... We’ve had lots of Shopping Center; Woodland Plaza deal with current issues ranging from speeders, seniors, but now we have a real eclectic group. burglaries and barking dogs to repaving the We have young, middle-aged and old. atmosphere. It’s just a nice way of living,” Rose streets. “Everybody who lives in this neighborhood said. “Our streets were a problem. The city of Los feels very lucky that they live here. They like Altos and the association worked together to get where they live, they enjoy the neighbors, the — Carol Blitzer, 2016 South Los Altos graceful canopy of trees lines Fremont AAvenue, the near-center line of quiet FACTS South Los Altos. Bounded by Cupertino, CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Mountain View and Sunnyvale, and flanked by Children’s Creative Highway 85 and Foothill Expressway, South Los Learning Center, 2310 Homestead Road, Suite E; Altos offers more approachable real estate with Enlighten School, 1919 Annette Lane; Mountain View easy access to nearby communities. Parent Nursery School, 1535 Oak Ave., Los Altos, St. A family environment imbues South Los Simon’s Catholic Church Extended Day Care Center, Altos, with hives of activity around the many Michelle Le 1840 Grand Road; YMCA, Way to Grow Full Day Preschool, 1501 Oak Ave. schools. On mornings near Oak Elementary, children and parents stroll hand-in-hand to the FIRE STATION: Loyola Fire Station , 765 Fremont Ave. campus, giving way to brisk-walking groups and LIBRARY: Woodland, 1975 Grant Road joggers after drop-off time. Mountain View High in Mountain View, but Cupertino and the local LOCATION: Bounded by Grant Road, Homestead Road, School’s field stays busy most days with athletics. Rancho Shopping Center are also convenient. Stevens Creek, Joel Way, Harwalt Drive, Oak, Truman, Vintage ranch-style homes mix with Leafy Clay Drive and Alexander Way boast Miravalle Avenues Mediterranean and Craftsman styles, with a subdivision of 37 custom large Eichlers, PARKS: Grant Park, 1575 Holt Ave.; Marymeade Park, midcentury-modern homes sprinkled built during the famed architect’s later years. Fremont Avenue at Grant Road throughout. Tracy Gibbons, 71, bought hers in 2012, POST OFFICE: Paige Bennion moved to her South Los fulfilling a longtime dream. A strong proponent Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. Altos home in 2011, and has remodeled her of conservation, she is working toward PRIVATE SCHOOL: St. Simon Catholic School, 1840 home twice, adding on square footage for her historic designation for the homes. Of the Grant Road large family while maintaining the area’s single neighborhood, Gibbons adds, “It’s an interesting PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — story designation. “Everyone I know who has mix of people — some here since the beginning Oak Elementary School, Blach Intermediate School; purchased here has remodeled,” she confirms. and others just moving in.” Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District “The area is so friendly — there are kids of all She points out that while the residential parts — Mountain View High School; Cupertino Union School ages on our street, and they all hang out.” of South Los Altos do not have streetlights or District — Montclaire Elementary School, Cupertino The school district divides on Fremont, which sidewalks, the Eichler neighborhood stands out Middle School; Fremont Union High School District — reduces overall neighborhood social integration, with complementary modernist streetlamps Homestead High School but families from all over the district meet up at created by the architect, as well as underground SHOPPING: Foothill Crossing, Homestead Road; popular local parks. utilities. Greenhaven Plaza, Grant Road For shopping, she usually heads to Nob Hill — Ruth Handel, 2015 52 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods SELLING LOS ALTOS SINCE 2003

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

Read below to see what some of my clients have to say about my services You guided me through this process so smoothly you made it look easy – but that’s because you’re a pro at what you do. You’re a tremen- dous agent and I feel fortunate to have had your talent on my side in this sale! We were extremely impressed with your professionalism and dedication. We would highly recommend you to anyone interested in having the best. Thanks for a job well done! You really feel like you’re her only client. This is what sets Nancy apart from the rest. She helped us to buy and sell a home, but this is an understatement. Even now, several months after the buying and selling is finished she still checks on us. My spouse says “Nancy deserves an A++”. I agree. I can’t say enough about Nancy and recommend her without reservation. We selected Nancy to sell our Los Altos home because she listened to our needs, was honest, and worked in a concerted, calm and respect- ful manner with us. She presented her strategy of how to sell our home quickly for the amount we desired and that is exactly the way it went. I want to express my appreciation for the hard work you did towards the sale of my parents’ home in Los Altos. After interviewing Realtors I don’t think I could have made a better choice. Your experience and professional expertise was more than I could have expected. Your approach and strategy was perfect!

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 53 THIS IS HOME This is where loved ones gather, the magic of the season unfolds and happiness and laughter reside. This is home. Coldwell Banker. Where home begins.

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54 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods Stanford Express Care

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 55 Coldwell Banker#1 IN CALIFORNIA

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My clients always want to know what is happening in the real estate market. As part of your financial team, it is my responsibility to keep you informed of the general and specific real estate market conditions. I have all the current market trends, conditions and statistics. If it’s happening, I know about it. Houses are selling! 95% of my business is referrals from past clients and previous clients. Clients trust me to help them make decisions. Want to make the right financial decision? I will guide you to success.

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56 | Mountain View Voice | Neighborhoods