MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE | 2019 EDITION

PROFILES, MAPS AND Mountain View and Los Altos VITAL FACTS OF FEATURED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE COMMUNITY mv-voice.com EXPERIENCE MATTERS! OVER 1,800 HOMES SOLD IN 33 YEARS

MOUNTAIN VIEW, LOS ALTOS & SURROUNDING AREAS

“Howard helped us sell our home in Mountain View and did a great job. The real estate market can be fast moving and we really appreciated Howard’s hands-on and reassuring presence. His years of experience and connections paved the way for us. We recommend him highly.” - Martin L., Mountain View

HOWARD BLOOM Lic. #00893793 650.619.2737

REALTOR® – SINCE 1985 I WWW.HOWARDBLOOM.COM I [email protected]

2 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Derk Brill’s success in the Mid- Peninsula real estate market is no secret. Derk has been a Mountain View resident for over 20 years, having raised his family in Waverly Park. His experience and expertise have enabled Derk to attain the status of top producing agent in the local Alain Pinel office, as well as being among the elite agents in the United States.

Derk’s philosophy of client service differs significantly from most top producing agents. He offers a hands-on, personal approach to the sale of a home. This extends from the preparation process through the close of escrow. Rather than handing a client off to a series of assistants, Derk manages every aspect of the sale including property prep, marketing, open houses, negotiation, and closing. This provides a seamless transaction from beginning to end.

Alain Pinel Realtors’ partnership with Luxury Portfolio International ensures that in addition to local and national marketing, Derk’s clients benefit from extensive international exposure through a large network of brokerages throughout the world.

If you are considering selling or buying a home in the mid-peninsula, contact Derk to leverage the expertise of a true local.

DERK BRILL Wall Street Journal “Top Residential Realtors” in America M: 650.814.0478 [email protected] www.DerkBrill.com License# 01256035 Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 3 Sold with multiple offers and significantly over the asking price in 10 days!

1065 Rockefeller Drive, Sunnyvale Stunning Remodeled Executive Home Close to Top Homestead High!

• 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Bright custom kitchen with large cooktop • 1,919 +/- sf home on 7,200 +/- sf lot island, stainless steel appliances & more • Gorgeous one story with open floor plan • Top rated schools: Cherry Chase, Sunnyvale Middle & Homestead High • Recent upgrades: hardwood flooring, AC, new water heater, paint inside and out Offered at $1,899,000 1073 Rockefeller Drive, Sunnyvale Stunning Remodeled Executive Home Close to Top Homestead High!

• 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Sparkling pool with safety fence and • 1,816 +/- sf home on 7,100 +/- sf lot beautiful mature & new landscaping! • Gorgeous one story with open floor plan • Top rated schools: Cherry Chase, Sunnyvale Middle & Homestead High • Recent upgrades: hardwood flooring, paint Offered at $1,799,000 inside and out, new furnace, new carpet 1777 Latham St., Mountain View Stunning Newer Executive Home Close to Downtown & Top MV Schools!

• 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms • Features include Nest, hardwood flooring, • 1,910 +/- sf home on 4,027 +/- sf lot AC, paint inside and out, new carpet • Bright custom kitchen with granite • Top rated schools: Castro Elementary, countertops, stainless steel appliances, Graham Middle & Los Altos High walk-in pantry, abundant cabinetry Offered at $1,799,000 1247 Christobal Privada, Mountain View Stunning Cuernavaca Community Executive Home & Close to Top Schools!

• 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms • Recent upgrades: designer paint, marble • 2,261 +/- sf home on 7,100 +/- sf lot bathroom flooring with radiant heating • Bright open floor plan includes gorgeous • Top rated schools: Bubb Elementary, vaulted ceilings with a large living room, Graham Middle & Mountain View High warm gas burning fireplace Offered at $1,898,000 1055 Levin Ave., Mountain View Stunning Remodeled Corner Lot & Close to Top Mountain View High!

• 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms • Recent upgrades: Nest smoke detectors & • 2,755 +/- sf home on 8,200 +/- sf lot thermostat, refinished pool and more • Chef’s custom kitchen features updated • Top rated schools: Huff Elementary, granite countertops, stainless steel Graham Middle & Mountain View High appliances, abundant cabinetry Offered at $2,898,000

Please contact Lynn if you are considering selling your home as her results are always the best in the area! Your Neighborhood Specialist

LynnNorth.com 650.209.1562 Serving the neighborhoods [email protected] of Mountain View and Los Altos. LynnNorth.com

Providing a 30-year Tradition BRE# 01490039 of Experience and Superior Customer Service. 4 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com INDEX Mountain View ...... 7 ur Mountain View and Los Altos Blossom Valley ...... 16 eighborhoods Castro City ...... 11 Cuernavaca ...... 34 Cuesta Park ...... 16 Dutch Haven ...... 35 Eastern Varsity Park ...... 19 Gemello ...... 18 Greater San Antonio ...... 8 Jackson Park ...... 24

Natalia Nazarova Martens-Carmelita ...... 34 Magali Gauthier Moffett Boulevard ...... 25 Monta Loma ...... 10 North Whisman ...... 27 Shoreline West, Mountain View Country Club, Los Altos Old Mountain View...... 20 Rex Manor-Mountain Shadows ...... 12 ountain View and Los Altos share what they’d like to see changed and St. Francis Acres...... 14 more than a common border. what intangible features make their M Shoreline West ...... 14 Both are part of the epicenter neighborhoods a place they like to call home. for entrepreneurs, emerging business and Included in each neighborhood vignette is Slater ...... 29 new ideas, and yet, both offer a strikingly a fact box, designed to help people thinking Springer Meadows ...... 19 different feel and experience. about moving to the area. Where will the Stierlin Estates...... 26 One, boasts a bustling, tech-centric kids go to day care or school? Where can downtown with lots of new transit-oriented you pick up a bottle of milk or loaf of bread Sylvan Park...... 32 housing and office space for many of the on the way home from work? How far is the Wagon Wheel...... 28 world’s largest tech giants. The other, reveres nearest fire station? Waverly Park ...... 35 its quiet, secluded,village-like feel with a Long versions of some of the Whisman Station ...... 30 quaint downtown purposely devoid of big neighborhood stories and more photos can box stores and large businesses. be found on our website, mv-voice.com/ Willowgate ...... 22 In our 15th guide to local neighborhoods real_estate. Los Altos ...... 37 in Mountain View and Los Altos, we’ve If your area has been overlooked — or provided an insiders perspective on what you’ve found an error — please contact Central Los Altos ...... 44 sets these communities apart from other Linda Taaffe, who edited this publication, at Midpeninsula cities. 650-223-6511 or [email protected]. We’d Country Club ...... 44 We’ve asked residents what they like, love to hear from you. Loyola Corners ...... 40 North Los Altos ...... 38 STAFF Old Los Altos ...... 38 Rancho ...... 42 Publisher: William S. Johnson Vice President Sales and Advertising: Editor: Andrea Gemmet Tom Zahiralis South Los Altos ...... 46 Neighborhoods Editor: Linda Taaffe Sales representatives: Connie Jo Cotton, Woodland Acres/The Highlands ...... 46 Designer: Kristin Brown Neal Fine and Rosemary Lewkowitz

Note on statistics: Statistics drawn from U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey; Zillow Research, July 2018; Area Vibes; City-Data.Org; City of Mountain View.

Additional copies of Mountain View Neighborhoods, as well as On the Cover: Two dogs play in Chetwood Park in companion publications — Almanac Neighborhoods and Palo the Whisman Station neighborhood. Photo by Magali Alto Neighborhoods — are available at the Weekly for $5 each. Gauthier. All three publications are available online at paloaltoonline.com/ 450 Cambridge Ave. Inset: J.L. Eichler Associates built this model home real_estate. in South Los Altos in 1968 as part of a development Palo Alto, CA 94306 that included 37 midcentury modern homes. Photo by 650-964-6300 Copyright ©2018 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Natalia Nazarova. www.mv-voice.com Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 5 GALLI TEAM

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! Here are just some of our 2018 sales.

2819 Ramona Street PALO ALTO 934 Riverside Drive LOS ALTOS 2749 Cowper Street PALO ALTO 567 Alger Drive PALO ALTO Sold for $6,100,000 Sold for $3,655,000 Sold for $3,412,000 Sold for $3,305,000

645 University Avenue LOS ALTOS 201 Del Monte Avenue LOS ALTOS 882 Rubis Drive SUNNYVALE 1264 Thurston Avenue LOS ALTOS Sold for $3,205,000 Sold for $2,710,000 Sold for $2,505,000 Sold for $2,405,000

1438 Ormsby Drive SUNNYVALE 610 Mountain View Avenue MOUNTAIN VIEW 367 Flora Vista Avenue SUNNYVALE 1391 Snow Street MOUNTAIN VIEW Sold for $2,305,000 Sold for $1,926,000 Sold for $1,910,000 Sold for $1,900,000

961 Bluebonnet Drive SUNNYVALE 421 Central Avenue SUNNYVALE 1358 Latham Street MOUNTAIN VIEW 1746 Rock Street MOUNTAIN VIEW Sold for $1,705,000 Sold for $1,700,000 Sold for $1,675,000 Sold for $1,600,000

1216 Crescent Terrace SUNNYVALE 1470 Lincoln Street SANTA CLARA 975 La Mesa Terrace #F SUNNYVALE 1692 Arbor Drive SAN JOSE Sold for $1,520,000 Sold for $1,511,000 Sold for $1,430,000 Sold for $1,350,000

547 Rutland Avenue SAN JOSE 2125 Samaritan Drive SAN JOSE 1001 E Evelyn Terrace #172 SUNNYVALE 1107 Ana Privada MOUNTAIN VIEW Sold for $1,172,000 Sold for $1,052,000 Sold for $933,000 Sold for $2,121,000 What Can We Do For You in 2019? Buying or Selling? We Can Help!

MICHAEL GALLI Named one of the top 250 Realtors in the United States by Real Trends

650.248.3076 | [email protected] License # 01852633

6 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com • Blossom Valley • Castro City Mountain View • Cuernavaca S

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rom an early stagecoach stop and mobile homes. About 41 percent are owner- FACTS Fagricultural center, Mountain View has occupied. grown since its incorporation in 1902 to Encompassing 12 square miles, Mountain 2018-19 GENERAL a thriving city of 81,400-plus residents in the View is surrounded by Palo Alto, Los Altos OPERATING BUDGET: $136.3 million heart of Silicon Valley. Internationally known and Sunnyvale. Highways 101, 85 and 237, POPULATION: 81,438 corporations make Mountain View their as well as light rail and Caltrain, offer quick MEDIAN AGE: 35 home, swelling the daytime population to access to the rest of the Bay Area. HOUSEHOLDS: 34,358 more than 100,000. Mountain View’s diversified population HOMEOWNERS: 40.8 percent Today, Mountain View neighborhoods enjoys superb recreation and arts facilities, MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $1.95 are as varied as the housing types, with including Shoreline Park and the Mountain million (single-family, July 2018) single-family, townhouses, multifamily and View Center for the Performing Arts.

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 7 Greater San Antonio Veronica Weber Veronica

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

8 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com WWW.SERENOGROUP.COM

CHRIS TRAPANI CEO & FOUNDER LOS ALTOS

RYAN IWANAGA EXECUTIVE VP & CO-FOUNDER

OWEN HALLIDAY LOS ALTOS SALES MANAGER PALO ALTO

BRIAN CHANCELLOR PALO ALTO SALES MANAGER

PALO ALTO 258 HIGH STREET (650) 323-1900 LOS ALTOS 369 SOUTH SAN ANTONIO ROAD (650) 947-2900 SARATOGA // LOS GATOS // LOS GATOS NORTH POINT // WILLOW GLEN // SANTA Neighborhoods CRUZ // | MountainAPTOS View Voice | 9 Monta Loma Magali Gauthier

A bicyclist pedals past Monta Loma Park. The neighborhood, for which the park is named, has a distinct look and feel. Joseph Eichler, John Mackay and Mardell Building Co. — all leading FACTS developers of contemporary design — built the tracts during the post-World War II housing boom CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: in the 1950s. Hobbledehoy Montessori Preschool, 2321 Jane Lane; Monta Loma Babysitting Co-op (part of Monta Loma Neighborhood alking into the Monta Loma is Google. Walking down the street, one will see Association). Wneighborhood is like stepping into several self-driving cars on test runs from the FIRE STATION: No. 3, 301 Rengstorff Ave. a time warp where the past and tech-giant’s campus. Harvey said that Google LOCATION: Bounded by San Antonio Road, West future co-exist. The residential streets in this has made many efforts to make the residents Middlefield Road, Rengstorff Avenue and Central Mountain View neighborhood are lined with comfortable with the company’s proximity to Expressway. rows of mid-century modern homes from the residential streets. It put up soundproof walls and NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Monta Loma 1950s that sit adjacent to a Google campus with has kept its privately-owned streets accessible Neighborhood Association, Linda Harvey, president, a testing track for self-driving cars. to residents. The neighborhood association [email protected]. Linda Harvey, president of the neighborhood worked alongside the City of Mountain View and PARKS: Monta Loma Park, Thompson Avenue and association, said the homes represent a style of Google to make the company’s transition into the Laura Lane; Thaddeus Park, West Middlefield Road and architecture as well as a lifestyle. neighborhood as smooth as possible. Independence Avenue. “The idea was to bring the outside in,” Harvey “Google wants to be a really good neighbor, POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. said. “These homes were built in the 1950s, and I think they have been because they have PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Waldorf High School of the and they were family homes, so there’s some tried and tried and tried every which way,” Peninsula, 180 N. Rengstorff Ave. nostalgia. ... People treasure them.” Harvey said. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School Monta Loma lies between four busy streets, John Canata, who has lived in Monta Loma District — Monta Loma Elementary School, Crittenden but once one steps into the community, it since 1975, said he cherishes his neighbors and Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High becomes incredibly residential and friendly. the community environment that they have School District — Los Altos High School. Nearly all of the homes in Monta Loma were created. SHOPPING: Central Expressway and Rengstorff built by Joseph Eichler, Mardell Building Co. “If you work at being a good neighbor, you’ll Avenue; Monta Loma Plaza, West Middlefield Road and or John Mackay — all mid-century modern find there’s a lot of other good neighbors that Rengstorff Avenue; The Village at San Antonio Center. architects whose designs feature one-story open- will be living next to you or around you,” floor plans with an abundance of natural light. Canata said. “Just make yourself known to your “I find that it’s the perfect size for me,” Harvey neighbors, and get to know them. I think that The neighbors are often invited to events, said of her retro home. creates more of a sense of community than such as ice cream socials, block parties and Most of the homes in Monta Loma have anything else.” various dinner parties through the Monta Loma remained virtually unchanged from when they The neighborhood association has worked mailing list. were first built, but a few have been remodeled hard to maintain a sense of camaraderie in the Monta Loma is a community that wants to to add space, or to simply change their look. neighborhood. make everyone feel welcome, Harvey said. Even so, the neighborhood maintains its “We have a newsletter that comes out every “We’re family oriented, diverse and proud,” distinct theme. quarter, and we have an active neighborhood she added. “It’s a quiet little nesting area (with) a “It’s a nice neighborhood that is identifiable,” association,” Harvey said. “The point of our lot of pride of ownership.” Harvey said. board is to create that sense of community with — Cameron Rebosio, 2018 Alongside the neighborhood’s retro architecture events.” 10 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Castro City Natalia Nazarova

Cynthia Serrano, who returned to Castro City in 2002 to take care of her grandfather, said she doesn’t plan on moving away any time soon. Her parents and cousins all grew up near Fair Oaks FACTS Street and still have strong ties to the area. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Oak Tree Nursery ynthia Serrano first moved into the Secondly, the neighborhood has changed from School, 2100 University Ave. CCastro City neighborhood from Gilroy in families of predominantly Mexican-American FIRE STATION: No. 3, 301 N. Rengstorff Ave. 2002 to take care of her grandfather. She heritage to a diverse group of residents. Families, LOCATION: Bounded by South Rengstorff Avenue, moved into one of the properties her parents especially ones with young babies or toddlers, University Avenue, College Street and Leland Avenue. own on Fair Oaks Street and sees no reason have started moving in as well. PARKS: Castro Park, Toft Avenue at Latham Street; to live somewhere else. Serrano said she is She said the neighborhood is pretty quiet, Rengstorff Park and pool, Rengstorff Avenue at Crisanto motivated to stay in the neighborhood because besides the Caltrain that runs by throughout the Avenue; Heritage Park, 771 N. Rengstorff Ave. her life and work are firmly rooted there. day. POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. “It’s a tight community,” Serrano said. “A lot “It’s not as loud as other neighborhoods,” PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View Whisman School of residents there have been there for years. My Serrano said. “Everyone pretty much keeps to District— Monta Loma Elementary School, Graham parents and cousins have grown up here.” themselves.” Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High Staying put seems to be a trend for people in Castro City lies close to La Plaza Market, School District— Los Altos High School. the neighborhood nestled between Rengstorff Rengstorff Park and the Mountain View SHOPPING: La Plaza Market, 40 S. Rengstorff Ave. at Avenue and Central Expressway. Sylvia Torres Community Center — which is undergoing Leland Avenue. is among those who has opted to stay put. She’s a $23.5-million overhaul — but there is lived in Castro City for 50 years, along with her some sense of seclusion. The quiet also brother, who lives with his family a few houses could be considered a drawback since there are excited for any changes that will come to down. Her family’s roots in the neighborhood go is no formal neighborhood association and Castro City and to Mountain View as a whole as all the way back to the 1950s, when her mother no traditions to bring people together. In the city grows. moved into the neighborhood and met her Serrano’s experience, the only informal “It’s definitely home,” Torres said. “It’s changed father. tradition the neighborhood has is an annual over the years, and it is a small neighborhood, Since her childhood, a lot about the religious party hosted by a neighbor from but I like where I live. I stayed here for my neighborhood has changed. For one, the empty across the street. family, friends and because I want to be close to lots Torres used to play baseball in are all gone Still, Serrano and Torres have no plans all the things I’ve become used to. Everything is — a loss for the new generation of neighborhood to move and wish to continue to live in the right here.” kids like her nephew. neighborhood for years to come. They say they — Perla Luna, 2016

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 11 Rex Manor-Mountain View Shadows Michelle Le

The Rex Manor-Mountain Shadows neighborhood is a potpourri of diversity. Its proximity to shopping, entertainment and the Google campus make it an attractive community for singles and FACTS families looking for a suburban lifestyle with an urban feel. CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOLS: YMCA — Theuerkauf, 1625 San Luis Ave. ountain View’s Rex Manor-Mountain experience the side effects of noise and increased FIRE STATION: Shadows neighborhood is a potpourri traffic. No. 3, 301 N. Rengstorff Ave. or No. 1, M 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. of diversity. Bounded by Central “But that doesn’t happen too often,” she added. LOCATION: Expressway, Shoreline Boulevard, Middlefield Gloster said the rising cost of real estate, Rex Manor: between Farley and Burgoyne Road, Farley and Burgoyne streets, and San increased rents and the demolition of older streets, Central Expressway and West Middlefield Road; Mountain Shadows: between Burgoyne Street Ramon and Montecito avenues, its proximity to houses is perhaps creating the biggest change in and Shoreline Boulevard, San Ramon and Montecito shopping, entertainment and Google make it an the neighborhood as many of the older residents avenues. attractive community for singles and families are being forced out. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Lawrence Shing, looking for a suburban lifestyle with an urban “We are losing diversity,” she said. chair, [email protected] feel. Lesley Ruzon, who has lived in the Rex PARKS: Longtime resident Sharon Gloster describes Manor-Mountain Shadows neighborhood since Rex Manor Park, Farley Street and Central Expressway; Stevenson Park, San Luis Avenue and San the area as a “nice mixture of different types of 2000 and in her current home since 2005, agrees Pierre Way. people. There are working-class people who have with Gloster. POST OFFICE: lived here for years as well as tech workers who “The rents are going up so many of our Mountain View, 211 Hope St. have moved here more recently,” she said. children’s friends have moved away,” she said, PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman — Gloster said she initially gravitated toward the adding that when she first moved to the area School District Theuerkauf and Stevenson elementary Rex Manor-Mountain Shadows neighborhood it was affordable and one of the few locations schools, Crittenden Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — Los Altos High based on its location. where her family could purchase a home. School. “(It’s) close to downtown Mountain View, “We do have a range of older retirees who SHOPPING: the performing arts center, the library and bought their houses 50 years ago when they were Bailey Park Plaza Shopping Center, Shoreline Boulevard; shopping areas at 112 Rengstorff restaurants as well as CalTrain and highways, first built and never left,” Gloster said. “There Ave. and 580 Rengstorff Ave. plus there is a nearby tennis court, schools and are a lot of apartments, so we also get some of Safeway within walking distance,” she said. the single techies — especially because we are so That proximity, along with neighborhood’s close to Google.” Other bonuses of living in the Rex Manor- closeness to Shoreline Amphitheater, gives Ruzon said she especially likes living close to Mountain Shadows community include a June residents “all the benefits of being close to local activities. barbecue and enrichment activities offered by downtown but without the noise and parking “Our kids can bike to school (and) sports Mountain View. problems.” practice,” she said. “Mountain View Los Altos “We have an annual neighborhood block One disadvantage of living within the Rex Girls’ Softball headquarters is at Stevenson Park. party,” Gloster said. “In addition, the City of Manor-Mountain Shadows neighborhood, It’s fun to see all the girls at various ages playing Mountain View has many summer activities, Gloster said, comes when Shoreline hosts a ball. (The neighborhood) is great for jogging and which bring all residents together.” large-draw concert. That’s when residents biking.” — Melissa McKenzie, 2016 12 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 13 Shoreline West n warm summer afternoons, Pam and FACTS OBill Warrior often can be found standing in the shade under the palm tree in the CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Castro Preschool, front yard of their Shoreline West home as they 505 Escuela Ave.; Children’s Learning Cottage, 675 watch their dog Lily run around chasing her ball. Escuela Ave. The couple moved to Mariposa Avenue 15 years FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. Natalia Nazarova ago after discovering that the neighborhood was LOCATION: Bounded by Shoreline Boulevard, El just as inviting to pets as it was to humans. Camino Real, Escuela Avenue and Villa Street. Animals are the Warriors’ livelihood — Pam NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Shoreline West works at the Palo Alto animal shelter and Bill Association of Neighbors (SWAN), Leona Pearce, at Palo Alto’s animal control department — so [email protected], shorelinewestmv.com. finding a place welcoming to pets was important. Many of the homes in Shoreline West are small, single-story houses built in the first half PARKS: Castro Park, Toft Avenue and Latham Street; “We wanted a place where we could of the 20th century. Mariposa Park, 305 Mariposa Ave.; Eagle Park and Pool, have a dog,” Pam said. “I’ve (been to) other 650 Franklin St. neighborhoods in Mountain View, and this place family moved into Shoreline West, the City of POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. feels a little friendlier.” Mountain View allocated $100,000 in federal PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The couple also enjoys Shoreline West’s grants to improve the neighborhood, some of Mountain View-Whisman School proximity to downtown Mountain View, which his mother used to re-roof her home. District — Bubb and Castro elementary schools, Graham Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union specifically a nearby coffee shop on Dana Street During that time period, the city also was well High School District — Los Altos High School. where they walk Lily on most days. known for the giant landfill site in the spot where PRIVATE SCHOOLS: A lot has changed in the neighborhood over the today’s Shoreline Park sits along the San Francisco Khan Lab School, 1200 Villa St. #100; Mountain View Academy, 360 S. Shoreline Blvd. decades, said longtime resident Doug McIlwraith Bay on the other side of Highway 101. Garbage SHOPPING: who moved to Shoreline West when his mother from as far as San Francisco was dumped at the Downtown Mountain View; California bought a house there in 1975. He rented in the site. Street Market, 1595 California St.; El Monte Avenue at El Camino Real. area for many years before buying a home on The landfill eventually closed and was Mariposa Avenue in 1998. converted into Shoreline Park in 1983, and many “When my mother bought here in ‘75, this of the surrounding neighborhoods— including other tech offices. was a somewhat deteriorated neighborhood,” Shoreline West — began to morph into mixed- “There’s a lot more activity ... since Google McIlwraith said. density areas. moved in,” Pam said. In the late 1970s, shortly after McIlwraith’s Shoreline West is now occupied by Google and — Josh Code, 2018

St. Francis Acres FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: ust between El Camino Real, Permanente Mountain View KinderCare, 2065 W. El Camino Real; St. Paul Lutheran Creek and El Monte Avenue, and walking J CDC, 1075 El Monte Ave. distance from downtown Mountain View, FIRE STATION: Saint Francis Acres is a community where people No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. know their neighbors and anybody is welcomed LOCATION: Bordered by El Camino Real, Permanente with open arms. Creek and El Monte Avenue. “Everyone on my street, we all know each PARKS: McKelvey Park, Park Drive and Miramonte Ave.; other,” Melinda Joffe said, a resident since August Eagle Park, Shoreline Blvd. and High School Way. 2002. POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): Her first experience with that familiarity was Michelle Le Canterbury Christian during the open house for her future home, she School, 101 N. El Monte; St. Joseph Catholic School, said. When she saw all her neighbors talking in 1120 Miramonte Ave.; St. Francis High School, 1885 the living room, she knew that they were tight- Miramonte Ave. knit. St. Francis Acres neighbors Stef Lau, left, and PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — Joffe describes Saint Francis Acres as “a Dennis Buranek chat on Melba Court, a street Springer Elementary School, Egan Junior High School; Mountain View home with a Los Altos school known for hosting the neighborhood’s annual Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — Memorial Day party. district.” Los Altos High School. SHOPPING: Since she moved in, the neighborhood has to stay and want to have a home they can be Downtown Mountain View, El Monte undergone a lot of changes — stories, bedrooms comfortable in for the long term.” Joffe said. Shopping Center (El Monte Avenue near Marich Way), Clarkwood Center (El Camino Real). and bathrooms have been added to homes, The neighborhood also gets together for and older bathrooms and kitchens have been Memorial Day and Halloween parties, Joffe said. remodeled. The Melba Court Memorial Day party has been brings a food dish and drinks to share and the “We’ve seen a lot of movement in our street going on for years. Joffe said one of her neighbors “grillmaster” neighbors cook their food on a and our neighborhood,” Joffe said. Because of sets out decorations in his driveway so kids can barbecue set up in a driveway. individual renovations and changes, each house decorate their bikes, and then he leads them in A City of Mountain View neighborhood grant is unique from its neighbor, and according to a bike parade around the neighborhood while has enabled the Saint Francis Acres neighborhood Joffe, the community has become more ethnically blasting traditional American music from his to host get-togethers. According to Joffe, the diverse. convertible. grants of between $300 and $500, are allocated so “Our neighborhood used to be seen as a starter According to Joffe, that is followed by a “bring that neighbors can get to know each other better. neighborhood, but no longer. People are here your own meat” barbeque where everyone — Sanjana Garg, 2016 14 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com AS YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIALIST, MY SUCCESS IS BUILT ON YOUR SUCCESS.

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ELIZABETH THOMPSON (650) 823-8904 [email protected] www.elizabeththompson.com DRE# 01382997 Blossom Valley FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Children’s House t’s been about two decades since Theodore of Los Altos, 770 Berry Ave.; Little Acorn School, 1667 IPeng and his cousin Benny Hung first started Miramonte Ave.; St. Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 playing basketball at the neighborhood park Grant Road. next to their grandfather’s Blossom Valley home FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive. when they were kids. Peng is now a medical LOCATION: student in San Francisco, and Hung lives five Amieva-Wang Sofia Ana Between Springer Road and Miramonte Avenue, Marilyn and Lincoln drives. hours away in Pasadena, but the two continue to PARKS: meet up on the court at Varsity Park for a game Varsity Park, Duke Way and Jefferson Drive; whenever they’re both in the neighborhood. Cuesta Park, Cuesta Drive. The cousins still consider Blossom Valley POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. home. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Joseph Catholic School, “I loved growing up here, said Peng, pointing Theodore Peng regularly returns to Blossom 1120 Miramonte Ave.; St. Francis High School, 1855 out that the hoop with the chain net is the same Valley to shoots hoops in the neighborhood Miramonte Ave. one after all these years. park near his grandfather’s home where he PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District— Brad Ashmore, a resident since 1987, echoes learned to play basketball. Springer Elementary School, Blach Intermediate School; Hung and Peng’s sentiments. He, too, spent much Mountain View-Whistman School District — Bubb time at Varsity Park as a father when his children It was the area’s colorful flowers, 1950s Ranch- Elementary School, Graham Middle School; Mountain were young. He considers the playground a style homes, proximity to three neighborhood View-Los Altos Union High School District— Los Altos parks, an outdoor shopping center and major or Mountain View high schools. key reason why Blossom Valley residents have SHOPPING: formed such strong neighborhood bonds. freeways, and access to those top-rated schools Blossom Valley Shopping Center, The adults make friends with one another that prompted Christine Hung (no relation to Miramonte Avenue and Cuesta Drive; Rancho Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Road; Grant while the children play together at the park, he Benny Hung) to move there in 1991. These days, she said, there are more families Road Plaza Shopping Center, Grant Road and Phyllis explained. Avenue. Blossom Valley is comprised of four smaller with young children, a more ethnically diverse neighborhoods — Springer Meadows, Varsity population and many of the ranch homes have Park, Blossom Valley Estates, and Gest Ranch — been renovated, but the neighborhood character Hung and Peng said they would like to return all built on orchard land in the 1950s. The area is has changed little. It’s still a quiet, family-friendly to the neighborhood one day to start their own nestled on either side of Cuesta Drive, between enclave that echoes those earlier days. families. Springer Road and Miramonte Avenue, and “Most of the changes are positive, except “It would be ideal to raise my future children shares a border with the City of Los Altos as well for the traffic congestion and escalating home here,” Peng said. as schools with a Los Altos address. prices,” Christine said. — Crystal Tai, 2017

Cuesta Park FACTS amed after the lush park that anchors CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Little Acorn the neighborhood, Cuesta Park is a mix Preschool, 1667 Miramonte Ave.; St. Timothy’s N Preschool, 2094 Grant Road; YMCA Kid’s Place, 525 of single-family homes and apartments facing narrow tree-lined streets along Hans Ave. Mountain View’s western edge along Los Altos. FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive. El Camino Real separates the neighborhood LOCATION: Bounded by El Camino Real, Grant Road, from the bustling downtown, giving the area a Cuesta Drive, Miramonte Avenue, Castro Street. surprising sense of serenity. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Cuesta Park It’s this quaint feel and proximity to Neighborhood Association (CPNA), Cuesta Park downtown Mountain View that attracted Lisa Neighborhood Association, Aileen La Bouff, president,

Gefken to the neighborhood 17 years ago. Michelle Le 650-804-0522, [email protected]. “I love that we are walking distance from PARKS: Bubb Park, Barbara Avenue and Montalto downtown. There is an amazing busy library, Drive; Cuesta Park, 615 Cuesta Drive. a beautiful performing arts center and lots of POST OFFICE: Longtime resident Lisa Gefken stands under Mountain View, 211 Hope St. enriching activities for kids year round,” Gefken giant redwood trees that shade one of the PRIVATE SCHOOLS St. Joseph, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; said. “The downtown has truly become a varied walking paths at Cuesta Park for which the St. Francis High School, 1885 Miramonte Ave. and thriving restaurant scene, with a busy lunch neighborhood is named. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School crowd and lots of activities in the evening, District — Bubb Elementary School, Graham Middle which is great.” Neighborhood Association, La Bouff oversees School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School And when Gefken wants a slower pace with the 750-member group, which holds a variety District — Mountain View High School family and neighbors, she can do that, too. of social events from picnics and holiday SHOPPING: Grant Park Plaza, Grant Road at El Camino Cuesta Park is a quiet, tight-knit community, celebrations to emergency response trainings. Real; Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Miramonte she said. She attributes the association to bringing Avenue at Cuesta Drive; Downtown Mountain View. “We have many family-oriented events, and residents together. everyone looks out for their neighbors. There is John Littig, who moved to Cuesta Park with a real sense of generosity and caring,” she added. his family in December 2016 about two months when he discovered the neighborhood with its Aileen La Bouff has lived in the area for after the birth of his second daughter, was large park and playground. 16 years. As president of the Cuesta Park looking for a larger home for his growing family Littig said his family spends much time there. — Crystal Tai, 2017 16 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Your home is where our heart is

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Martina Tolbert is community manager of Gemello Village Apartments — one of the largest housing complexes in the Gemello neighborhood, which has experienced a shift from ranch-style FACTS houses to higher-density housing in recent years. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Childrens Learning hen Jeanne Evilsizer moved to the Los Altos,” she said.”I enjoy walking as often as Cottage, 675 Escuela Ave.; Mountain View KinderCare, Gemello neighborhood in 1977, there possible, and I am able to walk to almost all of 2065 W. El Camino Real; St. Paul Lutheran CDC, 1075 El W Monte Ave.; Wonder World, 2015 Latham St. was a winery in the spot where today’s my necessary services.” Gemello Village retail complex now stands. Nearby are food stores, doctors offices, a FIRE STATION: No. 3, 301 N. Rengstorff Ave.; No. 1, A few years later, the Gemello Winery veterinarian, a gym, restaurants and a library. 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. disappeared when Mario Gemello sold the While most of the homes in Gemello are LOCATION: Bounded by El Monte Avenue, Jardin Drive, family business to his niece, who renamed it ranch-style houses, the neighborhood has seen Karen Way and El Camino Real. Obester Winery and moved it to Half Moon Bay. a shift as more and more apartment complexes PARK: Gemello Park, Marich Way and Solana Court. The surname Gemello, however, has stayed as have been built there in recent years, according POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. the name of the verdant neighborhood — and to Bonfert and Evilsizer. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Canterbury Christian School, 101 so has the semi-rural feel from when most of the “I don’t mind the living units,” Evilsizer said. N El Monte Ave.; The Waldorff School of the Peninsula, ranch-style homes were built there in the 1950s. “I’d rather have living units than businesses 180 N. Rengstorff Ave. Set back from El Camino Real near the Los in the neighborhood. The only problem is the PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School Alto border, Gemello is quiet neighborhood increased traffic... otherwise, this would be a District — Bubb Elementary School, Graham Middle with streetscapes blanketed by mature trees, perfect area.” School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School white picket fences window boxes and large One of the largest apartment complexes in District — Los Altos High School. front yards. Gemello is the Gemello Village Apartments and SHOPPING: Downtown Mountain View, Downtown Los “It’s a quaint neighborhood still, and has a Townhomes, located behind Gemello Village Altos, Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Gemello Village, nice family atmosphere. That’s why we’re still Shopping Center on El Camino Real. Clarkwood Center, San Antonio Shopping Center. here,” said Rick Bonfert, who moved to the The gated apartment complex has 52 units — area in 1998, and by neighborhood standards is that rarely are vacant, according to community considered a “relative newcomer” compared to manager Martina Tolbert, who said she’s seen a where Doganay works as a researcher. Evilsizer’s immediate neighbors, who were there rapid increase of higher-density housing in the While Doganay said housing costs are more when she moved in 40 years ago. neighborhood over the past seven years. expensive there compared to San Jose, it’s worth it. Evilsizer said she’s not surprised that the “Most of the residents in the community are “Here, I can put my baby boy in a stroller and neighborhood has so many longtime residents. young families,” Tolbert said. take long walks,” Doganay said. “There are many Gemello has a rare combination of convenience Soltan Doganay and her family rent a two- trees and few cars in the residential area.This and peacefulness, she said. bedroom condo about two blocks away from is what I really love about Gemello; it’s a kid- “I love the location with quick access to Gemello Village. They moved there from North friendly neighborhood.” shopping on El Camino Real and to downtown San Jose to be closer to Stanford University, — Crystal Tai, 2017

18 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Springer Meadows FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: n a typical Wednesday night in the Children’s House Springer Meadows neighborhood, of Los Altos, 770 Berry Ave.; Little Acorn School, 1667 O Miramonte Ave.; St. Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 children may be playing basketball Grant Road. with neighbors in their backyards. Weekend FIRE STATION: afternoons can be peaceful with residents No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive. trimming shrubs and people chatting in their LOCATION: Bounded by Marilyn Place, Marilyn Drive, driveways. Fordham Way and Barbara Avenue. These are just a few of the things residents of Natalia Nazarova NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS: Springer the Mountain View neighborhood like about Meadows Neighborhood Association, Justine Dachille, the place they call home. The community is chairman, [email protected]. a subset of the Blossom Valley area, located PARKS: Varsity Park, Duke Way and Jefferson Drive; Bubb between Marilyn Drive, Barbara Avenue, Park, 680 Barbara Avenue; Cuesta Park, Cuesta Drive. Marilyn Place and Fordham Way. Heather Quick (left) and her husband, Andrew POST OFFICE: Mail All Center, Blossom Valley, 809-B Heather Quick has lived in Springer Meadows Davidson, like to spend time with their three Cuesta Drive; Grant Park Plaza, 1250 Grant Road children at Varsity Park playground. for more than six years and she couldn’t be (inside Nob Hill Foods). PRIVATE SCHOOLS: happier. went over the fence.” The neighbor wanted to St. Joseph Catholic School, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; St. Francis High School, 1855 When she and her husband, Andrew warn her and her family not to let their pets out. Davidson, were looking for a home, they Miramonte Ave. “It’s kind of nice people are looking out for PUBLIC SCHOOLS: targeted areas with nice housing and good one another,” she said. “We’re really fortunate to (Eligibility for school districts school districts. As luck would have it, they depends on resident’s address) Los Altos School District have that in our neighborhood.” — Springer Elementary School, Blach Intermediate found Meadow Lane, a cozy, curved street with While everyone has busy lives, neighbors still trees, well-kept lawns and ranch-style homes. School; Mountain View-Whisman School District — find time to come together. Every September, Bubb Elementary School, Graham Middle School; Just around the corner is Marilyn Drive, a street the neighborhood association hosts a block Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — including several cul-de-sacs and multi-story party. Los Altos and Mountain View high schools. homes. If you ask Quick’s children what they like SHOPPING: Blossom Valley Shopping Center, “It’s a great pocket of Mountain View,” she most about their neighborhood, the decision is Miramonte Avenue and Cuesta Drive; Rancho Shopping said. “It’s very quiet. We really like that.” unanimous: the block party. It’s their second- Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Road; Grant What the mother of three enjoys the most favorite day of the year behind Christmas, Road Plaza Shopping Center, Grant Road and Phyllis about Springer Meadows is the connection Quick said with a smile. Avenue. to her neighbors. Just recently, one of her — TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton, 2016 neighbors alerted her via text: “big skunk just

Eastern Varsity Park FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Little Acorn ou can’t help but be impressed with the Christian Preschool, 1667 Miramonte Ave.; Abracadabra Ycaliber of street names in and around Child Care, 1120 Rose Ave.; St. Timothy’s Preschool, Eastern Varsity Park. Tulane wraps 2094 Grant Road. around Cornell and Duke, while Fordham Way FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive. parallels Lee. The streets embrace the tiny actual LOCATION: Between Fordham Way, Sladky Avenue, Varsity Park, a perfect neighborhood space Tulane Drive and Tulane Drive. with a well-maintained basketball court, several PARKS: modern play structures and swings. Lush grass Varsity Park, Duke Way and Jefferson Drive; Cuesta Park, Cuesta Drive. and shady trees surround the playground’s sand, Michelle Le POST OFFICE: bouncy rubber mats and concrete surfaces, with 1525 Miramonte Ave., Los Altos. benches scattered throughout the park. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Joseph Catholic School, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; St. Francis High School, 1855 Ashley Richards brings her niece and young Catherine Cowley relaxes on the porch of her nephew to the park almost daily in the summer. Miramonte Ave. Tulane Drive home in the Eastern Varsity Park PUBLIC SCHOOLS: “Daytime is very quiet here,” she said, “but neighborhood. Los Altos School District — Springer around noon, nannies and toddlers arrive, and at Elementary, Blach Intermediate School; Mountain View- 4 p.m. the older kids show up to play. Los Altos Union High School District — Mountain View Built in 1962, the tract is often referred to as the area for 10 years, purchasing a fixer-upper High School. SHOPPING: part of the Blossom Valley area, which includes with her husband. Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Springer Meadows, Eastern Varsity Park, Blossom “We bought this house by mistake,” she Miramonte Avenue and Cuesta Drive; Rancho Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Road; Grant Valley Estates and Gest Ranch. laughed. “We wanted to be in the Cuesta Park (area).” Park Plaza Shopping Center, Grant Road and Phyllis Today, the area is a mix of modernist remodels Avenue. boasting Sunset Magazine-worthy front yards. She said the neighborhood turned out to be Local real estate agent and resident Eric a wonderful place for their three children, who Fischer-Colbrie said half of the homes on Cornell became part of the bike-to-school culture. in the neighborhood has remodeled. We share and three-quarters of the homes on Tulane have Cowley said the original homes contribute architects and contractors, and tour each others’ been remodeled. to the closeness of the neighborhood. “The homes to see what’s been done.” Tulane resident Katie Cowley has been part of original walls are like cardboard, and you know everything about everyone! Nearly everyone — Ruth Handel, 2016

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 19 Old Mountain View Michelle Le

Located in the heart of downtown, Old Mountain View is among the most bustling areas of the city. Its close proximity to tech companies and startups and Castro Street’s bars and restaurants have FACTS made this neighborhood a hangout for young adults and professionals. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: YMCA Kids’ Place ld Mountain View is not quite living up parking in vain as young professionals look on at Landels School, 115 W. Dana St. to its name. Old trees line the sidewalks from restaurants’ outdoor seating. FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. O LOCATION: and populate the various parks, but The neighborhood also is home to the city’s Bounded by El Camino Real, Shoreline beneath their aged shade, new young families Pioneer Memorial Park, library, civic center and Boulevard, Evelyn Avenue and Highways 85/237. are out and about enjoying, once again, the the Mountain View Center for the Performing NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Old Mountain View perpetual blue skies. The patter of children’s Arts. Neighborhood Association, omvna.org. feet and the clacking and trilling of bikes People want to live here. Residents repeatedly PARKS: Dana Park, West Dana Street at Oak Street; and birds drift between the cottages that sit cite access to transportation and cultural Eagle Park & Pool, S. Shoreline Boulevard at Church peacefully behind freshly planted gardens. diversity as reasons why they moved to Old Street; Pioneer Park, Church and Castro streets; Mercy- Bounded by El Camino Real, Shoreline Mountain View. While being kid friendly, Old Bush Park, Mercy and Bush streets; Fairmont Park, Boulevard, Evelyn Avenue and Highways Mountain View is also a hangout for young Fairmont Avenue and Bush Street; Landels Park, West 85 and 237, this downtown neighborhood adults and professionals. The close proximity Dana Street near Calderon Avenue. includes some of the city’s earliest buildings of the world’s biggest technology companies, POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. that were erected in the1800s as Mountain View including Google, to Castro Street’s bars and PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School was evolving from a stagecoach stop into an restaurants attracts the regular patronage of its District — Landels Elementary School, Graham Middle agricultural center. Grand Victorian homes, employees. School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School farmhouses and cottages built in the early Real estate is in such demand here, many District — Mountain View High School. 1900s line the quaint streets alongside newer residents say they don’t ever plan to sell. SHOPPING: Downtown Mountain View, Grant Park apartments and townhomes. Roberta Goncalves, who had been living in the Plaza. The ethereality of Old Mountain View’s neighborhood with her husband since 2004, residential area is interrupted, though, by the said they don’t plan on selling anytime soon, “I moved here for the access to transportation dynamism of Castro Street that runs through even though they have moved out of the area and the restaurants on Castro Street,” Siddall the center of downtown. Here, dozens of to be closer to their children’s private school in said. “I won’t be able to drive forever and want restaurants and cafes, many of them younger Los Gatos. The two have rented their house and to be active. You can hear your heartbeat at than the children that run past, boast new, plan to return to Old Mountain View after their night in Portola, so I will probably have to get diverse flavors from Asia, the Middle East, children finish school in several years. Their used to the noise level here, but I like the idea of Europe and South America. Cars coast up tenant, Angela Siddall, is a retiree from Portola walking and eating around Castro at 9 at night.” and down the street, their drivers looking for Valley looking for a fresh change to her lifestyle. — Joshua Alvarez, 2014 20 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Thinking of Making a Move? Just Call Kim!

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Kieran Gonsalves waters his plot at the Willowgate Community Gardens located on Andsbury Avenue. There is typically a long waiting list to secure a plot in the popular garden. FACTS FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. esiding in a townhouse complex in Avenue, which includes 92 individual plots for LOCATION: Willowgate feels like living in a park, Mountain View residents and city employees Bounded by Central Expressway, Moffett R Blvd., Middlefield Road and Highway 85. according to Anna Kogan, a teacher to rent. Currently, there are no plots available, PARKS: who works in Menlo Park but has lived in the according to Shaun Chilkotowsky, recreation Jackson Park, Jackson Street and Stierlin Road; Willowgate neighborhood of Mountain View supervisor of the City of Mountain View. Willowgate Community Garden. with her family for eight years. “The waiting list is a mile long,” said longtime POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. “This is a nice little section, because of all the resident Barry Fujii. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School trees. It sort of feels like living in a park if you Fujii said his favorites places in the District — Landels Elementary School, Crittenden live in one of the townhouse complexes here, neighborhood include the Mexican restaurant Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High but it’s close to downtown Mountain View, close Tres Hermanos Taqueria and JL Produce School District — Mountain View High School. to a Safeway store, and close to the Stevens grocery store. The restaurant and the market ADULT SCHOOL: Mountain View- Los Altos Adult Creek Trail. That’s why we bought our place,” are both located at Moffett Central Shopping Education Center, 333 Moffett Blvd. Kogan said. Center on the northeast corner of Moffett SHOPPING: Moffett Central Shopping Center, Indeed, tall trees are ubiquitous in the Boulevard and Central Avenue. Downtown Mountain View, Sunday farmers market at neighborhood bounded by Central Expressway, Kogan also said she likes JL Produce for the Caltrain parking lot (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year round). Moffett Boulevard, Middlefield Road and store’s incredibly attractive prices and quick Highway 85. Towering redwood and magnolia turnover of inventories. sometimes takes ESL (English as a second trees shade the quiet streets, making them Owner Jose Ordaz, who bought the small language) classes at the Mountain View- Los walking, jogging, and biking friendly even supermarket from his uncle four years ago and Altos Adult Education Center at 333 Moffett during a hot summer day. changed its name from Oakmont Produce to JL Blvd., in walking distance from the studio Kogan likes jogging in the neighborhood Produce, said he kept everything else about the apartment, Sanchez said. before picking up her children from day care, store the same. “Rents were not so high when I was small. she said. “I used to live close by, but I moved to a more My mom and I used to live in a one-bedroom Besides townhouses like the one Kogan owns, affordable place in San Jose,” said Ordaz. “Rents apartment, but now we can barely afford a there are apartments, condominiums, and are crazy around here. I often hear customers studio here. We don’t want to move away traditional single-family homes in Willowgate, complain about their rent.” because we’ve always lived here, and we love which presents an eclectic mix of architectural Amelia Sanchez and her mother live in a it here. This is a beautiful and convenient styles. studio apartment in Willowgate for $1,900 per neighborhood,” she said. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is the month, the recent high school graduate said. Willowgate Community Garden on Andsbury Her mother, who works as a nanny, — Crystal Tai, 2017 22 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com 

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 23 Jackson Park Natalia Nazarova

Longtime resident Jim Holmes describes Jackson Park, which is named after the beloved park located in the center of the neighborhoood, as “a nice, quiet pocket in the middle of a bunch of FACTS commotion on all sides.” CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: The Wonder Years Preschool, 462 Stierlin Road. aren DeMello had planned to live in eclectic over the years. FIRE STATION: Station No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. Jackson Park for only a few years when The area includes single-family homes that K LOCATION: Bounded by Shoreline Boulevard, Stierlin she moved into the Mountain View have been there for about eight decades — neighborhood in 1988, but she liked the location including the house of the original owners of Road, Windmill Park Lane, Central Avenue, Moffett Boulevard and Central Expressway. so much that she purchased an empty lot, built Jackson Park before they sold the property to PARKS: a home and has never left. This year marked her developers — as well as condos and apartments Jackson Park, Jackson Street and Stierlin Road. 30th anniversary in the neighborhood. and newer buildings, such as the 100 Moffett POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. “It’s like you get the best of both worlds apartments, which were built two years ago. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School because you’re in a residential neighborhood, Markle said most parcels of land in the District — Theuerkauf Elementary School, Crittenden and you’re across the tracks from downtown,” neighborhood are small, so those who don’t Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High DeMello said. enjoy yard work or have limited time, don’t School District — Mountain View High School. Located between Shoreline Boulevard, Central need to worry about much maintenance. For SHOPPING: Moffett Boulevard, Downtown Mountain Expressway and Moffett Boulevard, the small those with children, Jackson Park’s proximity View, Bailey Plaza. community provides residents with both the means that the small backyards aren’t much of urban conveniences of nearby downtown a disadvantage. The Park includes benches and other services. Mountain View and the feel of a quiet residential playgrounds for kids, and a couple blocks away “Right now, it’s pretty diverse, and I love that,” suburb with tree-lined streets, white picket fences lies a pocket park. DeMello said. “We have a really nice mix in our and post-World War II houses. The neighborhood also is within walking neighborhood of all different sorts of types of “(If you move to Jackson Park) plan on staying distance of Stevens Creek Trail, which connects people, but I fear that might be going away as here forever because it’s just the perfect place to San Francisco Bay. people can’t afford to live here.” to be,” said resident George Markle. “It’s perfect DeMello said the neighborhood is so close to The median list price for homes (including location wise, climate wise, the availability of all so many activities that “every night there’s 10 condos) on the market in the seven-block kinds of resources, (it’s) intellectually stimulating things I want to do.” neighborhood was $998,000 during November, and culturally stimulating.” There’s also a wide range of businesses: Ones according to real estate site Redfin. A three- Markle, who heads the Moffett Neighborhood that have opened a few months ago, others bedroom home built in 1946 was listed for $1.8 Group that also represents Jackson Park, has that have been there for decades. For those in million. lived in the area since 1974. need, there’s a community services center in the He said the neighborhood has become more neighborhood that offers residents food and — Cameron Rebosio, 2018

24 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Moffett Boulevard Natalia Nazarova Natalia The Moffett Boulevard neighborhood is where “the future is invented. It’s the place to be if you have any shred of nerd in you,” says resident George Markle. FACTS FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd. n the 1970s, George Markle came to Mountain Markle has also lived in other parts of the LOCATION: Bounded by Central Expressway, West IView for a job — a similar story for many neighborhood, but Cypress Point Lakes will always Middlefield, San Veron Avenue, San Lucas Avenue and today. He originally chose Moffett Boulevard, bring back fond memories because that’s where he Highway 85. and specifically Cypress Point Lakes because of met his now wife, JoAnne. In the clubhouse many NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Moffett Boulevard the ease of commute. years ago, Markle met JoAnne at a party while he Neighborhood Group, George Markle, george@ Today, people will find the same proximity was dressed up as Santa Claus. The couple then proaccess.com, moffettneighborhood.org. to transportation options, including Caltrain, married at a surprise wedding in 1989. PARK: Jackson Park, Jackson Street and Stierlin Road. light rail and Highways 85 and 101. In addition, While not dressing up as Santa Claus much POST OFFICE: Markle said access to bike trails is excellent these days, Markle said he still connects with Mountain View, 211 Hope St. and the neighborhood has been earmarked for the community, but through the social network PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School further development to enhance bike lanes and Nextdoor.com. There he is the co-lead of the District — Landels Elementary School, Crittenden connections to companies on the north side of forum. This online community has helped the Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — Mountain View High School. Highway 101, such as LinkedIn, Microsoft and neighborhood connect and stay in the know about SHOPPING: Google. neighborhood matters. In 2013, they rallied to Moffett Boulevard, Downtown Mountain “This is where the future is invented,” he said. influence City Council, he said. Today, Markle View, Sunday farmers market at Caltrain parking lot. “And that’s why I still want to be here. It’s the place said the group is still active and has a core group of to be if you have any shred of nerd in you.” members, and if anything larger should come up, catch a James Taylor concert and more over at the But back at his condo at Cypress Point Lakes, they are ready. Shoreline Amphitheatre. one wouldn’t know high-tech companies and the Terrie Rayl, another Moffett Boulevard resident, “Everything is just so accessible,” she said. bustle of traffic share the same city. Here, redwood shares Markle’s love of Mountain View. She has Within the community, Rayl appreciates the trees reach toward the sky while ducks quack lived here for more than 15 years and really diversity of residents, from retirees to people just and float around on the little ponds within the appreciates the neighborhood’s location to food, starting out. development. Markle said they also have squirrels, entertainment and transportation options. She “It’s the only place I have ever lived in other birds and the occasional raccoon. walks to the downtown restaurants, snags fresh California,” she said. “Once I found it, I knew I had “It’s like you are up in the mountains at a resort,” produce at the farmers market on Sunday, catches found a little piece of heaven here.” he said. Caltrain for longer trips and hops on her bike to — Brenna Malmberg, 2015 Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 25 Stierlin Estates Michelle Le

Built in 1962, the Stierlin Estates development consists mostly of single-story homes. Residents say the “secluded little neighborhood” is within in a four-mile radius of everything you need. FACTS FIRE STATION: No. 5, 2195 N. Shoreline Blvd. t’s not uncommon to see people tending didn’t discover the diversity of our area until we LOCATION: Between Terra Bella Avenue, North Ito their gardens or children playing in moved to this neighborhood.” Shoreline Boulevard, West Middlefield Road, Moffett their front yards in the Stierlin Estates Carter said his immediate neighbors are Boulevard and Highway 85. neighborhood; that’s a typical weekend pretty social. However, some people tend PARKS: San Veron Park, San Veron Avenue and afternoon. to stay to themselves. Residents don’t have Middlefield Road. While bustling Middlefield Road and communitywide events, like block parties. POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St.; Mountain Shoreline Boulevard are nearby, the Mountain Flora Grimminger remembers when View Carriers Annex, 1070 La Avenida St. View community appears calm. From Shoreline Boulevard was named Stierlin Road PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School manicured lawns to the close proximity to life in Mountain View. District— Monta Loma Elementary School, Crittenden essentials, many who live here like the “tucked A resident of the neighborhood since 1969, Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High away” vibe. These are just some of the things she has seen the community transform over School District— Mountain View and Los Altos high that Ken Carter likes. the last 40 years. The subdivision, built in 1962, schools. Carter has lived in the quaint neighborhood once consisted of only single-story homes she SHOPPING: Bailey Park Plaza, 570 N. Shoreline Blvd. for 22 years. His brother-in-law actually lives said. four doors down from him. Carter and his “It’s changed,” Grimminger said. “There’s a lot wife, Georgia, used to live one mile away before of big buildings coming in. It was much quieter Perci Cardestam has lived in the moving to Stierlin Estates in 1978. when we moved here.” neighborhood since 1974. She said the location “It’s a secluded little neighborhood,” Carter Grimminger’s late husband, who grew up was appealing in terms of access to work and to said. “Kids have been known to play ball in the on a farm, was attracted to the rural feel of the school for her children, as well as many outdoor streets.” Mountain View neighborhood. At the corner of amenities such as parks and walking trails. Carter said the location of the neighborhood Moffett Boulevard and Middlefield Road there A native of the Philippines, Cardestam also is convenient as shopping and groceries are was an old farm house, and if one was lucky, had an uncle who lived about a mile away near close by. He commends the easy access to the one could see peacocks, she recalled. That rural Theuerkauf Elementary School in Mountain freeway and the location less than a mile from atmosphere no longer remains, as orchards and View. This was an additional draw as she was downtown Mountain View’s Castro Street. As a farmland have been replaced with businesses new to the country and wanted to be close to retiree, this is a bonus, he added. and additional housing. family. She is glad she stayed. “Everything you need is within a four-mile They moved to Mountain View from the “It’s really a great area,” Cardestam said. “It’s a radius,” he said. East Coast. The location of the property was nice quiet neighborhood.” Another aspect of the community that Carter nice, with easy access to U.S. Highway 101 — a Perci and her husband, Perr, like that it is a is fond of is its ethnic diversity. For example, benefit considering her husband worked for the safe community. Cardestam said her family just across the street from him lives a Japanese San Francisco International Airport. used to travel often and would be away for family and to the left of them resides a Filipino “That’s what sold us on the home,” she said. weeks at a time. They would simply ask their family, he said. His neighbors behind his home While Grimminger is not a fan of the neighbors to keep an eye on their property and are Russian and the family to the left of his increased nearby traffic and construction, she nothing ever happened, she said. home hails from Taiwan. believes the influx of development is due to an “You can trust (your neighbors),” she said. “It’s quite diverse,” he said. “I like that part. I increased need for housing. — TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton, 2016

26 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com North Whisman Brenna Malmberg Brenna North Whisman is about as close as a residential neighborhood can get to Google’s main campus. Since the tech giant moved in down the street, the neighborhood has seen a building boom, and FACTS home prices have skyrocketed. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: German orth Whisman is about as close as a Kelley Ketchmark, president of the Wagon International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; residential neighborhood can get to Wheel association, describes the area as Kiddie Academy, 205 E. Middlefield Road; NASA Ames N Child Care Center, 270 R T Jones Road, Mountain View. Google’s main campus. And while the “eclectic.” Single-family homes, town houses, high-tech company’s buses may make getting condominiums and apartment complexes all FIRE STATION:No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road. onto Highway 101 a problem at times, North co-exist along the streets. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: North Whisman is still a great place to live, said Lisa “It has great access to the highways,” Whisman Neighborhood Association, Jessica Burns, who has lived in the neighborhood for Ketchmark said. “We also have easy access Gandhi, [email protected]; Wagon Wheel 29 years and has witnessed the area’s increased to the Hetch Hetchy and Stevens Creek Neighborhood Association, Kelley Ketchmark, traffic, new housing developments and trails,which are great for walking, running and [email protected]. PARKS: skyrocketing home prices since Google moved biking.” Whisman Park, Easy Street and Middlefield in down the street. Cynthia Sanchez, who grew up in the Road; Devonshire Park, 62 Devonshire Ave. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the neighborhood, said escalating housing prices POST OFFICE: Moffett Field, Bldg. 67. neighborhood’s close-knit community feeling, have made it more difficult for her family to PRIVATE SCHOOLS: German International School of Burns said. remain in the area. Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St. “Neighbors know each other and look out for “The cost of living has gone up too much here PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School one another,” said Burns, who joined the Wagon in the past four or five years,” said Sanchez, who District — Huff, Landels or Monta Loma elementary Wheel Neighborhood Association — one of two is a cook at Google. schools, Crittenden Middle School; Mountain View-Los associations in the area — more than a decade In recent years, the city provided some Altos Union High School District — Mountain View ago to help preserve that quaint neighborhood relief in the neighborhood and opened Tyrella High School. character. Garden Apartments, an affordable-housing SHOPPING: Strip mall on Leong Drive; retail centers on In 2008, the association successfully defeated community developed, owned and managed by Middlefield Road and Whisman Road. a high-density, three-story development that Midpen Housing. would have been built on land once owned by There were no vacancies in the 56-unit not have been able to stay in the neighborhood the Public Utilities Commission, she said. As apartment complex, property manager Daniel without Tyrella Garden. a result, a new developer is building a much Gutierrez said when interviewed for this story. “Rent out here has gotten ridiculous,” Schulz smaller project with input from residents. Besides affordable housing, Tyrella Garden said. “There is no way a low-wage worker or a Neighbors say the Wagon Wheel and North also offers free after-school programs for low-income retiree can afford these rent prices Whisman neighborhood associations have children, as well as adult education classes and any more.” been instrumental in pulling the neighborhood recreational activities. together as it experiences growth and change. Mark Schulz, who is retired, said he would — Crystal Tai, 2017

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 27 Wagon Wheel Michelle Le

Steve Bell holds Spencer, as he and his wife, Vicki Chang, swing Sebastian in front of their home in the Wagon Wheel neighborhood. The area gets its name from Walker’s Wagon Wheel, FACTS a local watering hole back in the day whose patrons were some of the engineers from Fairchild CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: German Semiconductor, Intel and National Semiconductor. International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; Kiddie Academy, 205 E. Middlefield Road; NASA Ames Child Care Center, Moffett Field. n Friday nights, Steve Bell calls in to can easily walk to the smaller Devonshire Park, FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road. place an order at Mario’s Italiano. Right which is great for younger kids, or Whisman O LOCATION: Bounded by East Middlefield Road, Tyrella away, he is asked if he wants the usual, Park, which is much larger, Chang said. Nearby and he replies, “Yes, that would be great.” trails also welcome those up for more adventures. Avenue, Fairchild Drive and North Whisman Road. For Bell (or “Friday Night Steve” as he is “We love the area, but ... we feel the only NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Wagon Wheel known at Mario’s) and his family, that small- thing lacking is a school,” said Chang, who Neighborhood Association, Kelley Ketchmark, town feel is one of the many reasons they helped campaign for the reopening of Slater [email protected], wp.wagonwheelna.org. PARKS: are glad they moved to the Wagon Wheel School, which closed in 2006. The Mountain Devonshire Park and Whisman Park. neighborhood in 2009. Bell and his wife, Vicki View-Whisman School District board voted in PRIVATE SCHOOLS: German International School of Chang, looked all over for a new home, but 2015 to open an elementary school on the Slater Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St. decided on this area for affordability and the campus. The new school, named after Mountain PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School appeal of its “nerdy” history, Chang said. View High School graduate and Pulitzer-prize District — Huff, Landels or Monta Loma elementary The neighborhood gets its name from winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, is schools, Crittenden Middle School; Mountain View-Los Walker’s Wagon Wheel, a local watering hole scheduled to open in 2019. Altos Union High School District — Mountain View back in the day whose patrons were some of the Gary Rosen, a resident of Wagon Wheel for High School. engineers from Fairchild Semiconductor, Intel more than 20 years, said the lack of schools is and National Semiconductor, Bell said. The definitely a problem. His own child actually That diversity can be seen in its houses — stories live on, even though the building was attended Slater School many years ago, and from apartments to single-family homes — and demolished in 2003. knows that families with kids will appreciate the its residents. To bring everyone together, the “It’s really cool to drive along and see streets new school. community uses its Yahoo group to talk about named after Fairchild and National,” Bell said. Since his time in the neighborhood, he has issues, such as Slater School, and plan activities, “That’s all a part of our neighborhood. I just also watched it grow as companies have moved such as community breakfast or pumpkin love it.” into the area. He understands that people want decorating around Halloween. Today, the neighborhood is still next door to to live near their work because he chose Wagon “We had so many people come out to decorate tech companies, such as Google, but that’s not Wheel for that very reason. that we kept running out of pumpkins,” Rosen all it offers. Now that the couple has two boys, “It’s definitely a lot more congested now,” he said. “It was fun to see.” Sebastian and Spencer, the family enjoys that they said, “but there is a lot of diversity.” — Brenna Malmberg, 2015 28 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Slater Veronica Weber Bounded by State Route 85, Central Expressway, North Whisman Road and East Middlefield Road, Slater has experienced rapid growth in the past five years. Its proximity to Stevens Creek FACTS Trail, which connects to downtown, is a big attraction. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: German International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; ssi Romem and his family often use the years, according to Williams and his wife, Marty. Kiddie Academy, 205 E. Middlefield Road; NASA Ames IStevens Creek Trail to walk downtown “It’s progress, I guess,” said Marty. “There are Child Care Center, Moffett Field; Google Children’s on the weekends, and his children love bound to be changes.” Center at the Woods, 325 Gladys Ave. Creekside Park, according to the Slater Even so, the neighborhood has retained much FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road. resident, who sometimes takes Caltrain to get of its original Western-style character in terms LOCATION: Bounded by Hwy. 85, Central Expressway, to his workplace in San Francisco. of architecture, according to the Williamses. North Whisman Road, East Middlefield Road. “The neighborhood’s within walking range The couple expressed deep concerns about NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Robert Rich, of Caltrain, and within a short commute of the traffic on Easy Street. They said many cars president, [email protected]. my wife’s job. It’s also a shade more affordable coming out of Central Expressway drive too PARKS: Whisman Park, Easy Street and Middlefield than some other nearby neighborhoods,” said fast and hardly stop at the stop sign at the Road; Devonshire Park, 62 Devonshire Ave.; Creekside Romem while naming the reasons for his intersection of Easy Street and Gladys Avenue. Park, 200 Easy St.; Slater School Park, 220 N Whisman choice to move into the neighborhood bounded The Williamses suggested putting up a traffic Road. by Highway 85, Central Expressway, North light at the intersection to prevent accidents, POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. Whisman Road, and East Middlefield Road. especially given Creekside Park is located on PRIVATE SCHOOLS: German International School of “The proximity to downtown Mountain View one corner of the intersection. Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St. and Creekside Park, as well as the shopping “When they kept building more houses in the PUBLIC SCHOOLS: center at Middlefield and Whisman are neighborhood, they didn’t consider how much Mountain View-Whisman School District — Huff, Landels or Monta Loma elementary definitely pros,” added Romem, who moved to traffic the housing developments would bring,” schools, Crittenden Middle School; Mountain View- Slater three years ago. Williams added. Whisman School District — Mountain View High By contrast, Kenneth Williams has lived in Traffic is also of concern to Romem, though School. the area for 64 years. The longtime resident said he likes the neighborhood’s quick access to SHOPPING: strip mall on Leong Drive; retail centers he’s seen tremendous changes over the years. It Highways 85, 101 and 237. on Middlefield Road and Whisman Road; downtown only cost him $24,500 to buy a big house near “The commute to San Francisco is miserable, Mountain View. Creekside Park, and his house is now 117 years whether you take Caltrain, drive to Daly City old, the 90-year-old veteran said. BART or drive all the way into the city via 101 “Central Expressway wasn’t here; Highway or 280,” said Romen. “But commuting within ends meet, and others avoid moving here for 85 wasn’t here. The Stevens Creek Trail hadn’t the area is reasonable. The easy access to 101 is the same reason,” said Romen. “Single-family been built. Middlefield was half gravel. Gladys very convenient, especially on the days I am too homes should give way to more townhouses, Avenue used to be all the way through,” late to park at Caltrain.” condos and apartment buildings. The more, the said Williams, when describing the Slater While recognizing the traffic issue caused by better. Sooner rather than later.” neighborhood six decades ago. overpopulation, Romem believes there needs To this day, homes in Slater are generally Slater started going through a sharp increase to be more new housing to keep housing prices one- or two-story buildings. Apartments are no in population about 15 to 20 years ago, and the from skyrocketing. taller, hidden behind lush trees. growth has been the most rapid in the past five “Many people must leave if they want to make — Crystal Tai, 2017

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 29 Whisman Station Magali Gauthier

The Whisman Station planned neighborhood was part of the city’s vision to transform industrial land near Moffett Federal Airfield into a housing and transportation hub. Today, the area boasts FACTS tree-lined streets, manicured picnic areas, tot lots, community pools and two acres of public parks CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: surrounded by a mix of condos, townhouses and single-family residences. Residents regularly meet Kiddie Academy, 205 E. Middlefield Road; Building Kidz, 250 E. Dana St.; up at the neighborhood’s Chetwood Park for a daily “dog party.” German International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; Yew Chung International School, 310 Easy St. hen the first Whisman Station transform industrial land near Moffett Federal FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road. residents moved into their newly Airfield into a housing and transportation W LOCATION: Central Expressway, Ferguson Drive, streets constructed homes in the planned hub. The neighborhood’s eponymous off Kent Drive, Snyder Lane, N. Whisman Road. Mountain View community in 1998, Google Whisman Light Rail Station, located in NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Whisman was still a fledgling company operating out the center of the neighborhood, offers a Station HOA, Brian Emery, manager, community of a Menlo Park garage. Five years later, the convenient solution to residents’ traffic-related management services, 408-559-1977, bemery@ internet company emerged as a tech giant and headaches. communitymanagement.com. opened its permanent headquarters 2 miles Last November, David and Nicole Miller PARKS: Magnolia Park, Magnolia Lane and Whisman away from Whisman Station — establishing relocated to the neighborhood from Campbell, Park Drive; Chetwood Park, Chetwood Drive and the young neighborhood as a prime location citing public-transit accessibility as a reason Whisman Station Drive; Light Rail Trail, from station to for Silicon Valley tech workers. for the move. Middlefield Road; three mini parks, two tot lots, four “A lot of the people I meet around here are “I look at (the traffic) and I’m like, ‘Why swimming pools, three clubhouses. Googlers,” resident Emily Geiger said. on earth are you driving cars?’” Nicole said. POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. Geiger, a college student who grew up “There are so many better options.” PRIVATE SCHOOLS: German International School of in Los Altos and attended Mountain View David, who previously commuted by car, Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; Yew Chung International High School, moved to Whisman Station now enjoys a commute by bike and light School, 310 Easy St.; St. Stephen Lutheran School, 320 with her family in 2016. Geiger said she has rail from his home in Whisman Station to Moorpark Way. noticed a staggering influx of commuters and northern San Jose. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School transplants from other parts of Silicon Valley “One thing I enjoy so much about the light District — Landels Elementary School, Crittenden Middle coming into Mountain View over the past rail is not actively doing anything,” David said. School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School decade. “My brain can go somewhere else.” District — Mountain View High School. “It’s made the area so crowded,” Geiger said. Nicole and David appreciate the way the SHOPPING: El Camino Real, Downtown Mountain View. “Even 10 years ago, we didn’t have this much neighborhood is insulated from hectic urban traffic all the time.” life, yet close to nearby shopping and dining Part of Whisman Station’s appeal lies in destinations in downtown Mountain View. walking distance, but we’re not right on top of its proximity to public transit. The planned “This is a comfortable and engaging place to Castro Street.” community was part of the city’s vision to be,” David said. “There’s plenty of stuff within — Josh Code, 2018 30 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com WE MEASURE QUALITY BY RESULTS Is Quality Important to You?

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 31 Sylvan Park Magali Gauthier

Marty Brewer lives in Sunset Estates, a mobile home park in the Sylvan Park neighborhood, which is centered on the spacious park that gives the neighborhood its name. She says Sylvan Park has it FACTS all — a diverse mix of housing options, a strong sense of community and a multitude of shops and CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: restaurants nearby (the neighborhood is a stone’s throw from downtown Mountain View). Little Prodigy Preschool & Daycare Center, 830 El Camino Real; Jeena’s Preschool, 833 Bourbon Court; YMCA Slater, ylvan Park residents say it’s tough to find relocated to Sylvan Park from Palo Alto’s Midtown 325 Gladys Ave. Sa neighborhood that’s closer-knit than the neighborhood in 2009. They were looking for a FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road. one they live in. Whether it’s preventing change a pace: Living in an area with fewer high- LOCATION: Bounded by West El Camino Real, Highway burglars from breaking into a neighbor’s density developments and close proximity to the 85, Highway 237 and the Sunnyvale border. house, watching outdoor movies together or services they need. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Linda Reynolds, celebrating the Fourth of July in the park, the Because the neighborhood is near highways chairwoman, [email protected]. Sylvan Park area has always banded together as 237, 101 and 85, “you can get anywhere from here, PARKS: Sylvan Park, located at Sylvan Avenue and a community. and most of things we need are not too far away. It DeVoto Street. “The Realtors brag about how close everyone is convenient,” Bob said. POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. in the neighborhood is,” said Linda Holroyd, who The Palo Alto Medical Foundation is a mere PRIVATE SCHOOLS: has lived in the area for 19 years. “None of our 15-minute walk from Sunset Estates, he added. St. Stephen Lutheran School, 320 Moorpark Way. kids can act up because all the parents know each And although the Greenes said Sylvan Avenue PUBLIC SCHOOLS: other. Everyone who moves here gets integrated has considerably more traffic than Midtown, the Mountain View-Whisman School into the community.” couple can’t hear the traffic from their home. The District — Landels Elementary School, Graham Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School The diverse mix of housing options — mobile neighborhood is mostly quiet, they said. District — Mountain View High School. home parks, apartments, duplexes and single- The crowning jewel of the neighborhood, SHOPPING: family homes all within a few square blocks — is however, is Sylvan Park. Americana Shopping Center Lucky Stores. another reason why residents say they chose to “We live in the front of Sylvan Avenue and we settle in the area. have a nice view of the park,” Martha said. “It’s nice said. “We take over the park.” “Sylvan Park is a residential area with lovely to see people of different nationalities, old people, However, like many other neighborhoods in the homes, so I was surprised to find a mobile home babies, young people walking by and playing with Bay Area, housing prices have increased. Brewer park here,” said Marty Brewer, who lives in Sunset one another.” said he feels lucky to have gotten a plot before Estates — one of Sylvan Park’s two mobile home Neighbors use the park for dancing, soccer and prices skyrocketed. parks. Brewer said she prefers living in a mobile volleyball games and group exercises. The City “Before I moved here, I was told, ‘You don’t want home park because they feel more community of Mountain View also hosts an outdoor movie to live in a mobile home park, because you can’t oriented than most residential areas. screening at the park in the summer and an sell,’” Brewer said. “Well, I payed about $68,000 “You are right in the same area at the same time annual picnic and parade each year on the Fourth for this home, and now the places are going for and see the same people,” the 32-year resident said. of July. $150,000 a plot.” Her neighbors, Bob and Martha Greene, “It’s an old-fashioned Fourth of July,” Holroyd — Alicia Mies, 2018 32 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com YOUR SUCCESS CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS IS OUR BUSINESS! CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL BROKERS

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 33 Martens-Carmelita nce an unincorporated part of FACTS OSanta Clara County, the Martens- Carmelita neighborhood is one CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Baby World, 1715 of the only neighborhoods in Mountain Grant Road; Montecito Preschool, 1468 Grant Road; St. View where families can find a particular Timothy’s Preschool, 2094 Grant Road; YMCA — Huff amalgamation of a near pin-drop quiet noise Kids’ Place, 253 Martens Ave. level, a hodgepodge of cottages, midcentury FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive. moderns and two-story homes partitioned by LOCATION: Martens Avenue and Carmelita Drive and tall hedges and ranch-inspired fences, tiny Michelle Le nearby streets. cul-de-sacs, large lot sizes and only half a NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Martens-Carmelita street’s worth of sidewalks. Neighborhood Association, Sheila Reddy, shereddy@ “The housing side has no sidewalk because With a hodgepodge of cottages, midcentury gmail.com. that was formerly county. The school side moderns and two-story homes on large lots, PARKS: Huff Park, Martens Avenue. has a sidewalk. And when you go back past the Martens-Carmelita neighborhood retains POST OFFICE: Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. Barcelona Court, that’s the newer houses — much of the rural feel from when it was part of PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Simon Catholic School, 1840 codes require that they put sidewalks back unincorporated Santa Clara County. there. Carmelita itself ... they don’t have a Grant Road, Los Altos. sidewalk, so that’s unique,” said Tori Atwell, PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School a real estate broker whose children attended because of the neighborhood’s large yard District — Huff Elementary School, Graham Middle the neighborhood’s former Abracadabra sizes. School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School daycare center, which is now Frank L. Huff Not surprisingly, many of the residents District — Mountain View High School. Elementary School. within the neighborhood have lived there SHOPPING: Grant Park Plaza, Grant Road at El Camino Many of the rustic cottages on the C-shaped for a number of years, or are families with Real; Mountain View Shopping Center, El Camino at street of Carmelita feature backyard storage children who have attended the local school. Grant Road. sheds large enough to be visible from the “It’s just got that kind of country, rural feel. You know it’s a great location for kids, street. Although some of the families may now it’s so expensive that now it makes sense if you have your kids at the school. And also have converted the sheds into “granny units,” to build if you like your neighborhood. So if you want to build,” Atwell said. “It used to many of the residents may have originally people stay where they are.” retained the sheds for yard equipment be that when people wanted a bigger home, they would go out and buy a bigger home, but — Chrissi Angeles, 2015 Cuernavaca hose living under the red-tiled roofs with FACTS Ttailored green landscapes appear content in the community Irv Statler calls his CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: St. Timothy’s “Camelot.” Statler and his wife, Renée, have Nursery School, 2094 Grant Road; El Camino YMCA — lived in the Cuernavaca neighborhood for Huff Kids’ Place, 253 Martens Ave. about 30 years. FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive. Homes were still under construction when LOCATION: Off Crestview Drive, near El Camino Real the Statler family decided to move to the Weber Veronica and the Sunnyvale border. Mountain View neighborhood in August 1988. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: To him, they could not have chosen a better Cuernavaca Homeowners Association, Lisa Tenover, president; Lisa place to live. Lenoci, CMS property management, 408-559-1977, “I’ve seen it grow for more than 30 years. We Spanish-style homes with red-tiled roofs cuernavacahoa.com. didn’t realize at the time the perfect retirement dominate the streetscape in the 30-acre PARKS: Green belt on the property. home we have,” Irv said. Cuernavaca neighborhood, which was POST OFFICE: Nob Hill Foods, 1250 Grant Road. The development was completed in 1989 developed in five phases during the 1980s. through five phases. It consists of 170 Spanish- PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Stephen Lutheran School, 320 style homes that rest on 30 acres of land. Moorpark Way. Homes vary in design and size with floor plan community. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School options ranging from 1,500 square feet to 2,500 “There are families with small children; there District — Huff Elementary School, Graham Middle square feet. are retirees like us and everyone gets along School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School Located off Crestview Drive near the very, very well,” Renée said. District — Mountain View High School. Sunnyvale border, the nearest hospital is less The neighborhood includes a main circle SHOPPING: Cala Center, 1111 W. El Camino Real than half of a mile away. Grocery stores and with five cul-de-sacs stemming from the circle. in Sunnyvale; Grant Park Plaza, 1350 Grant Road, restaurants are within walking distance. Just Amenities include a playground, clubhouse, Mountain View. one block away from bustling El Camino exercise room, spa, pool and tennis courts. Access to main thoroughfares such as Real, the Cuernavaca neighborhood is its own “We’re the original owners. What we like Interstate 280 and the community vibe are just hamlet tucked away from the rest of the city. most is the sense of community,” Peter said. two factors that attracted Peter Panfili to the While Renée enjoys this element of solitude, “You really get to know your neighbors.” what she likes most is the diversity of the neighborhood. He and his wife, Natalie, have lived there since 1987. — TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton, 2015

34 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Dutch Haven FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: El Camino YMCA, ot a week has gone by in which Dutch 2400 Grant Road; Mountain View Parent Nursery NHaven resident Rohit Sawhney hasn’t School, 1325 Bryant Ave.; Primary Plus, 333 Eunice Ave.; used the local YMCA or the Stevens St. Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 Grant Road; YMCA Creek Trail. Having these recreational Way to Grow Full-Day Preschool, 1501 Oak Ave., Los opportunities nearby appealed to Sawhney and Altos (nearby). his family as they sought a new home in 2005. FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive.

“We thought, ‘How nice that we can just walk Brenna Malmberg LOCATION: Bounded by Carol Avenue, Grant Road, across the street to these places,’” he said. Sleep Avenue and Villa Nueva Way. Besides the local amenities, Sawhney said the NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Dutch Haven sense of community was apparent right away, Association, Susie Go, [email protected]. especially because they were seeking a safe place PARKS: Cooper Park, 502 Chesley Ave. to raise a family. Leaves change color during the fall at a home POST OFFICE: Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. Throughout the year, the Sawhneys build on in the Dutch Haven neighborhood. their neighborhood relationships by attending PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Joseph, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; the summer social and progressive dinners. Plus, St. Francis High School, 1885 Miramonte Ave. Halloween is a big event, with pumpkin carving Susan Chang, who has lived in Dutch Haven PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mountain View-Whisman School and trick-or-treaters roaming the neighborhood. for more than 14 years, also points to the District — Huff and Bubb elementary schools, Graham The residents of the neighborhood also stay community’s involvement and local facilities Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High connected through an email thread, which as a highlight of the neighborhood. Chang and School District — Mountain View High School. includes fun social topics and city matters. her family make the most of them by biking SHOPPING: Blossom Valley Shopping Center, In recent years, residents have attended City around the neighborhood or walking over to Miramonte Avenue at Cuesta Drive; Grant Park Plaza; Council meetings to stay advised of projects Cooper Park for a baseball game. While out Nob Hill Shopping Center, Grant Road; Downtown Mountain View. (such as the El Camino Real expansion) and and about, Chang said she can see the age voice their concerns. diversity in the neighborhood, from longtime “We know we will be staying in our residents to school-aged children. And as traditions,” Chang said. “People get creative neighborhood,” Sawhney said. “We know our Sawhney mentioned, the special neighborhood to get people out. It’s a very family-oriented neighbors, and it’s sometimes hard to find that activities bring even more people out into the neighborhood.” elsewhere. It wouldn’t be the same.” community. “Generations have created and passed on — Brenna Malmberg, 2015 Waverly Park aura Brown has seen a lot of the changes FACTS L in the Waverly Park community since she moved into the neighborhood in 1986. CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: El Camino YMCA, She said most of the original residents whose 2400 Grant Road; Mountain View Parent Nursery homes were built there in the 1960s have left School, 1325 Bryant Ave.; Primary Plus, 333 Eunice Ave.; the area, and new families have moved in. St. Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 Grant Road; Parent The once-iconic expanse of undeveloped Observation, 1299 Bryant Ave.; YMCA Way to Grow land known locally as “The Farm” also is gone. Natalia Nazarova Full-Day Preschool, 1501 Oak Ave., Los Altos. The land, which was used for a pumpkin patch FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive. every October, now houses single-family LOCATION: bounded by Grant Road, Highway 85 and homes on large lots. There are lots of kids and Sleeper and Bryant avenues. families there now, she said. For longtime residents of Waverly Park, the PARKS: Cooper Park, 502 Chesley Ave. “Waverly Park is a great family community is remembered as one full of POST OFFICE: Nob Hill Foods, 1250 Grant Road. neighborhood with good schools. (It’s) just a apricot orchards, a local pumpkin patch and PRIVATE SCHOOLS: very pleasant place,” said Brown, who serves as St. Joseph, 1120 Miramonte Ave.; regular block parties. St. Francis High School, 1885 Miramonte Ave. president of the neighborhood association. “I PUBLIC SCHOOLS: like everything about it, it’s hard for me to put Mountain View-Whisman School my finger on any one thing.” as well as a daycare center, walking paths and District — Huff and Bubb elementary schools, Graham Middle School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High Brown described the neighborhood as an off-leash area for dogs. Cuesta Park is on the opposite side of Grant Road from the School District — Mountain View High School. close-knit despite its large size. It’s difficult SHOPPING: to hold events that include all residents, so neighborhood, but is still easily accessible. Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Miramonte Avenue at Cuesta Drive; Grant Park Plaza; the neighborhood feels like it’s composed of “We have great neighbors, and the parks are wonderful,” said Cynthia Voytek, who has lived Nob Hill Shopping Center, Grant Road; Downtown several “mini communities from area to area,” Mountain View. she said. in the neighborhood for 18 years.” Made up of mostly single-family homes, Voytek said another benefit of living in Waverly Park neighborhood is its location. Waverly Park includes several resources for The commute is great and it provides easy Situated near Highway 85 along the children and families, including high-ranking access to almost everywhere, Voytek said. southernmost border of Mountain View, schools, El Camino Hospital, daycare centers “I love my neighborhood,” Voytek said. “I’d the neighborhood offers quick access to and multiple parks. stay here as long as I can.” the neighborboring cities of Los Altos and The neighborhood’s Cooper Park features — Cameron Rebosio, 2018 sports fields, tennis courts and a playground, Sunnyvale. Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 35 et me help

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hat once was a brief stop on the Mountain View and Los Altos Hills. Highways W Southern Pacific Railroad evolved have replaced local railroad service, with easy FACTS after World War II to a tree- access via Highway 85 and Interstate 280 to 2018-19 GENERAL lined city providing a quiet housing enclave nearby metro centers. OPERATING BUDGET: for Silicon Valley. Since incorporation in Known for its excellent schools and $38.5 million 1952, Los Altos has grown to a community neighborhoods replete with mature trees, Los POPULATION: 31,402 of mostly single-family homes, rather than Altos supports seven commercial areas serving MEDIAN AGE: 47.7 apricot and plum orchards, a winery and its more than 31,000 residents. And for those HOUSEHOLDS: 11,204 ranch land. still yearning for apricot orchards, a weekly HOMEOWNERS: 83.2 percent Today, Los Altos encompasses seven square farmers market offers a chance for neighbors MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $3.49 million (single-family, September miles, stretching from Palo Alto to Sunnyvale to interact while shopping for local produce 2018) and Cupertino, sandwiched between and flowers.

Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 37 North Los Altos FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Children’s Corner, hey say real estate is all about location, 97 Hillview Ave.; Children’s Creative Learning Center, T location, location, and residents in North 700 Los Altos Ave.; Los Altos Parents Preschool, 201 Los Altos believe they have found their Covington Road; Tiny Tots Preschool, 647 S. San Antonio haven. Within this area, bordered by North El Road. Monte Avenue, El Camino Real and Foothill FIRE STATION: No. 15, 10 Almond Ave. Expressway, people can find a large library, LIBRARY: 13 S. San Antonio Road. community center, a performing arts center for LOCATION: children, a downtown filled with restaurants Bounded by Foothill Expressway, El Monte Magali Gauthier Road, El Camino Real and Adobe Creek. and shops, great public schools and more. PARKS: Almost everyone in the area lives within easy Village Park, Edith Avenue at San Antonio walking distance of these attractions. Road; Shoup Park, 400 University Ave.; Lincoln Park, University at Lincoln Avenue. Deb Stricharz and her husband grew up in POST OFFICE: Southern California and moved to Los Altos North Los Altos is considered a haven 221 Main St. after her husband finished his medical training for those looking for close proximity to PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Los Altos Christian School, 625 at UCLA and landed a job at El Camino downtown’s amenities. Almost everyone in Magdalena Ave.; Canterbury Christian School, 101 N. El Hospital. She chose Los Altos because of its the neighborhood lives within easy walking Monte Ave. proximity to her husband’s job in Mountain distance to downtown’s restaurants, shops, PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — Santa View and her job as a children’s transplant nurse library and community center. Rita or Almond elementary schools, Egan Intermediate at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. Even after School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — Los Altos High School leaving Los Altos for Kentucky, Strichartz knew as many years as Strichartz. Even though she SHOPPING: she would return. worked in the Palo Alto Unified School District, Downtown Los Altos, Los Altos Village “We took a detour. This is where we felt at home. Strock moved to North Los Altos for the same Court and San Antonio Center. When we moved back, there was no question that reasons as Strichartz. we would live anywhere else,” she said. “We heard the schools were really good and While the neighbors have changed, families Strichartz moved back to Los Altos in 1996 also it was very close proximity to downtown,” still organize a block party at least once a year. after two years in Kentucky. She chose Sioux Strock said. “We love having young families in our Lane because it was a cul-de-sac, close to Strock moved with her husband and children neighborhood as it keeps us all young. ...We downtown, and because she “wanted to walk to to the quiet neighborhood on Frances Drive in continue to love our proximity to town, and our Peet’s Coffee in the mornings.” She also picked 1978. house, which always seemed small, is now just North Los Altos because of the schools her two “We were the youngest people when we moved right,” Strock said. daughters would be attending. in, and now we are the oldest people,” she said. — Lisa Kellman, 2015 Ginny Strock has lived in Los Altos for twice

Old Los Altos FACTS very couple of months, Sip & Stitch CHILD CARE: Children’s House of Los Altos - Gardner Epotlucks bring women together to get to Bullis, 25890 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills. know their neighbors in Old Los Altos. FIRE STATION: No. 15, 10 Almond Ave. And a couple of times a year, the guys hang out LIBRARY: Los Altos, 13 S. San Antonio Road. at Burp & Slurp, sometimes to watch a sporting LOCATION: Between El Monte and Edith avenues, event. Foothill Expressway and Los Altos Hills border. Located just west of Foothill Expressway and PARKS: Village Park, W. Edith Avenue at San Antonio an easy walk to downtown Los Altos, Old Los Road; Shoup Park, 400 University Ave.; Lincoln Park, W. Altos is no post-war tract. Instead, homes range Michelle Le Edith and University avenues; Redwood Grove Nature from a mega-million-dollar Italianate Revival to Preserve, 482 University Ave. Craftsman, Tudor, Spanish and a few Victorians. POST OFFICE: 221 Main St. Although Nomi Trapnell served on the Nancy Bremeau stands in front of her home in PUBLIC SCHOOLS: board of the Los Altos History Museum and Los Altos School District — the Old Los Altos neighborhood, located just Gardner Bullis School, Egan Junior High School; now on the Los Altos Historical Commission, west of Foothill Expressway across from where Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — she and her husband Frederick (Fritz) weren’t the old railroad stop once operated. Los Altos High School; Bullis Charter School. drawn to Old Los Altos in 1993 because of its Preserve that introduced Nancy and Christian SHOPPING: The Village (the triangle bordered by Edith, historical significance, but rather its location. San Antonio and Foothill). They spent the next two years building their Bremeau to Old Los Altos. Each day, as she new home. dropped off their 5-year-old son, she’d get a good With two teenagers at home, they soon glimpse of the neighborhood. Soon she spotted attracts from 10 to 40 people each time. jumped into getting to know their neighbors. an overgrown lot — and the Bremeaus also built “We use it to talk about issues,” she said. Trapnell noted that “before, in north Los a new home and moved to the area in 2011. Other social events bring the neighbors Altos, we knew a few neighbors but there were “We loved the proximity to downtown,” together. Both Trapnell and Bremeau mentioned few events. (Here) neighbors know each other.” Nancy Bremeau said, adding that their son, now the “alley party” behind homes that face Orange She has hosted Sip & Stitch, where “no a teenager, often heads downtown with friends. and Palm avenues. Typically held on Labor Day, stitching goes on, mostly sipping and food.” “That independence that they have. ... Los Altos the party features a big potluck, karaoke and Participants range from their 30s to their 80s, is such a safe town. Everyone knows everyone, games. looks out for each other’s kids,” she added. she added. — Carol Blitzer, 2016 It was nature camp at Redwood Grove Nature Bremeau also has hosted Sip & Stitch, which 38 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com STEPS TO SUCCESS

COMMUNICATION Communication is key. Things will crop up and the market can change on a dime. Knowing market trends and local activity is crucial, and keeping my sellers and buyers informed and up to date on the most subtle nuances is of paramount importance.

EDUCATION To whom are you selling? From whom are you buying? Who is the agent on the other side of the transaction? What’s happening in the neighborhood? What’s happening with the market? The more knowledge you have, the stronger position you will be in.

PREPARATION In our pent up and competitive market, you’ve got to be able to make quick decisions and move with speed and confidence. Whether a buyer (understanding values, location, recent market activity) or seller (preparing your property for the market), being primed, poised, positioned and ready are only a few of the essential elements to your success!

NEGOTIATION Taking the first step is easy, just Everything is negotiable. Not only the price, but the terms of the contact Siobhan! Knowledgeable, contract, the length of escrow, allowances for repairs, seller rent- back... and so much more. Asking for what you want and knowing prepared and driven, she’ll help what to ask for helps ensure your success. you get the best results possible!

BUYERS – J & C SELLER – LL “We had already put offers in on a couple of homes and lost “As a Feng Shui master, I have worked with many out in multiple offer situations. Because of her collaborative Realtors in the Bay Area for decades. We chose relationships with fellow agents, Siobhan found us a property Siobhan as our agent because she offers a personal that was not yet listed on the MLS and we were able to get approach to marketing her listings and her strong our great house, in one of the best neighborhoods of RWC, video skills really helped to tell our story; the videos without crazy multiple-buyer competition!” showcased and highlighted all of the special aspects of our home that we wanted to share with would-be owners and this certainly helped to generate multiple offers and get us Top Dollar... achieving record breaking results for our neighborhood!”

SIOBHAN O’SULLIVAN License# 01298824 650.776.5445 [email protected] | osullivanteam.com Loyola Corners Michelle Le

Michel Szarindar with his wife, Beatriz, stand in front of their Loyola Corners home with their children. FACTS

hen Michel Szarindar and his family compact town with its own shopping district, a CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: KinderCare Learning moved from London to Los Altos’ post office, three parks and a cluster of medical Centers, 2310 Homestead Road, Suite E; Mountain W View Parent Nursery School, 1535 Oak Ave., Los Altos; Loyola Corners three years ago, they offices. The residential streets that wind through St. Simon’s Catholic Church Extended Day Care Center, were excited about the tree-lined, open streets the neighborhood resemble wide country roads 1840 Grant Road. that gave the neighborhood a village feel. They with no sidewalks and lots of low-hanging trees. FIRE STATION: did not, however, expect to be surrounded by Mary Anne and Jeff Dazel moved to No. 16, 765 Fremont Ave. LIBRARY: other Europeans. Richardson Avenue in 1978 when Mary Anne Los Altos, 13 S. San Antonio Road; Woodland, After moving into their home on Richardson was pregnant with their daughter. Although 1975 Grant Road. Avenue, they quickly discovered that they nearly 40 years that have passed since then, LOCATION: A triangle roughly bounded by Fremont were part of an eclectic mix of neighbors with Mary Anne thinks that newer residents come Avenue, Miramonte Avenue and Clinton Road. families from around the world, including to Loyola Corners for the exact same reason PARKS: McKenzie Park, 707 Fremont Ave.; Heritage France, Spain and Belgium. she did: to let their kids grow up in a safe and Oaks Park, Portland and Miramonte avenues. Szarindar, who is originally from France, said comfortable community where they can express POST OFFICE: Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. he thinks the neighborhood’s large lots and themselves. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Canterbury Christian School, abundance of greenery make the neighborhood The longtime resident said she is worried that 101 N. El Monte Ave.; Los Altos Christian School, 625 particularly attractive for those looking to with new construction and planned upgrades Magdalena Ave.; Ventana School, 1040 Border Road; move into the area. There’s much less concrete to the commercial district, the neighborhood Pinewood School, 327 & 477 Fremont Ave.; Saint in Loyola Corners than other neighboring may lose its rural charm. She praised the 2016 Francis High School, 1885 Miramonte Ave., Mountain communities, he said. renovation of the Loyola Bridge that connects View. “It was really a nice coincidence to have the neighborhood to the country club across PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — three French people on the road,” he said. Foothill Expressway, but is leery about a mixed- Loyola Elementary School, Blach Intermediate School; “Everybody’s really interested to know us as use project near the commercial center that the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — well, which is good.” city is reviewing. Mountain View High School. Located in south Los Altos, Loyola Corners is “I can see fixing things up,” she said. “There SHOPPING: Loyola Corners, Rancho Shopping Center. located about 10 minutes from the new Apple are some two-stories that are well constructed Campus and 15 minutes from the Googleplex in and keep with the flavor of everything...There of the new buildings has yet to be determined. Mountain View. Loyola Corners started out as a are some two-stories that are horrible. So that’s For Szarindar, whose family spends many train stop for the Southern Pacific Railway, but what kind of scares (me).” happy hours outdoors, the barring of three- when the city incorporated in 1952, attention In the past, residents have clashed with story buildings is important to preserve the shifted north to building up the city’s downtown the city council and developers over plans to history and idyllic beauty of the neighborhood. business district. Once out of the spotlight, revitalize the area’s commercial businesses His two boys often “bike-pool” to school with Loyola Corners remained relatively unchanged and provide more affordable housing. (Los other kids on the block, and his wife sometimes in the following decades, and the residential Altos’ median home price is $2.8 million). Last runs the eight miles to work. He also would like neighborhood that grew around the former April, the council scrapped a potential plan to see the neighborhood’s above-head power station retained that rural feel from the city’s to build more housing units after residents lines put underground. earlier era. voiced concerns over the size and scope of the “Progress can be a good thing, but take a Roughly bounded by Clinton Road and dwellings. In October, the council ultimately breath,” Dazel said. “Take a deep breath, and Fremont and Miramonte avenues, the approved the addition of 20 housing units that take it slow — everybody wants the same thing.” triangular-shaped neighborhood is like a were smaller in height and scope. The location — Fiona Kelliher, 2017 40 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com 2018 REPRESENTATIVE SALES

PALO ALTO ESTATE 1250 CAÑADA ROAD, WOODSIDE 135 WILLOWBROOK DRIVE, PORTOLA VALLEY Offered at $19,950,000 Offered at $13,500,000 Offered at $6,550,000

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1116 RAMONA AVENUE, PALO ALTO 152 MELVILLE AVENUE, PALO ALTO 863 MELVILLE DRIVE, PALO ALTO Offered at $4,650,000 Offered at $4,500,000 Offered at $3,998,000

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The Rancho neighborhood, which lies south of downtown, has retained much of that small-town, rural feel from when it was first developed with ranch-style homes. FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: helley Rosenthal moved to Edge Lane in The booming tech industry also has brought Children’s House of the Rancho Neighborhood of Los Altos in change to the neighborhood. Rosenthal tells Los Altos, 770 Berry Ave.; Los Altos Christian Preschool, S 625 Magdalena Ave.; Los Altos Parent Preschool, 201 December 1995, but she called Los Altos an all-too-familiar story about living in Silicon Covington Road; Los Altos United Methodist Children’s her home long before that. Valley: Center Preschool, 655 Magdalena Ave. “I was raised in Los Altos, but it’s changed so “It’s crazy. The housing market has just FIRE STATION: No. 16, 765 Fremont Ave. much, so it’s really not the same town it was when exploded,” she said. She described the incredible LIBRARY: I grew up... downtown is now bustling,” Rosenthal jump in her home’s value and how tech workers Los Altos, 13 S. San Antonio Road; Woodland said. eager to buy a home in the area have offered to Branch Library, 1975 Grant Road. While there have been some changes to the buy her house even though it isn’t on the market. LOCATION: Bordered by Foothill Expressway, Parma streetscape in the Rancho neighborhood, which Rosenthal said she and many of her neighbors Way, Riverside Drive and Springer Road. lies south of downtown, the area has retained plan on holding onto their properties as long as PARKS: Rosita Park, 401 Rosita Ave.; McKenzie Park, much of that small-town, rural feel that Rosenthal they can. 707 Fremont Ave. remembers from her childhood. The ranch-style “They’re going to stay until they can’t do POST OFFICE: Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. homes she admired are still a predominant fixture the stairs or need the money for retirement,” PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Pinewood School, 327, 477 & along Rancho’s wide, often curving streets lined Rosenthal said, “I don’t see a big turnover. We 26800 Fremont Ave.; Los Altos Christian School, 625 with lush foliage. see houses pop up for sale, but I don’t see a huge Magdalena Ave.; Canterbury Christian School, 101 N. “We moved here because we loved the ‘Rancho’ amount of real estate out there.” El Monte Ave.; Saint Francis Catholic High School, 1885 feeling,” Rosenthal said. Bob Jacobsen, who moved into the Miramonte Ave., Mountain View. The longtime resident described the area as “a neighborhood in 1974, said in addition to PUBLIC SCHOOLS:Los Altos School District — Loyola community of family-oriented, neighborhood- the staggering jumps in housing prices, the or Springer elementary schools, Blach Intermediate friendly, low-key, educated people.” demographic has shifted, too. School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School But like other neighborhoods in the area, When Jacobsen moved to the area, he said the District — Los Altos or Mountain View High School. Rancho hasn’t stayed frozen in time. Rosenthal neighborhood was mostly Hewlett Packard and SHOPPING: Rancho Shopping Center, Loyola Corners, said over the years, more and more nontraditional Lockheed Martin engineers. Downtown Los Altos. two-story homes have popped up between Now, Jacobsen estimated that of Rancho’s the cozy clusters of single-story homes. While residents, “maybe one-third of the people are “In terms of my daily needs, everything is close some of these, like Rosenthal’s, attempt to blend retired.” by, “ Rosenthal said. the simplistic ranch-style into a subtle two- While the neighborhood’s rural, tight-knit Ultimately, Rancho has enough to keep some story dwelling, others have foregone that style feel may have initially attracted Jacobsen and residents around for the long haul. completely giving some streets an eclectic look Rosenthal to the area, both said they like the “I love Los Altos, because I still feel like it’s a that includes everything from original ranch- many amenities Rancho provides. small town and not a big city. You can get to know style homes and wood A-frames to villas with “There’s a lot that’s accessible,” Rosenthal said. any one of your store owners. The whole milieu of fountains. With Rancho Shopping Center, McKenzie and the Bay Area is changing, but Los Altos is fighting “Some of the new houses are tasteful for the Rosita parks, and the post office right around the to keep it a friendly, home-style town.” Rancho area and some of them are kind of corner, residents, for the most part, have what ridiculous, unfortunately,” she said. they need right at their fingertips. — Alexandria Cavallaro, 2017 42 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com www.DENISE-WELSH.com

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167 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos | apr.com 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; St. Everybody knows him, and he knows the Timothy’s Nursery School, 2094 Grant Road; Little Acorn name of everybody here. He’s like what the 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. Mary and her husband moved from Michelle Le LOCATION: 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 Central Los Altos boasts quarter-acre lots and Avenue; Marymeade Park, Fremont Avenue at Grant interactions among neighbors — helped their an abundance of green space. Road; McKenzie Park, 707 Fremont Ave.; Rosita Park, 401 new home feel like one. Rosita Ave. POST OFFICE: The McCuskers picked their neighborhood thumb,” she said. Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave., largely for the reputed school district to which Other reasons for the Eders — who had Mountain View; Rancho, 1150 Riverside Drive; Main, 100 First St. it belonged. Beyond their backyard fence previously lived in Southern California and LIBRARY: stand playing fields adjoined to Covington San Carlos — include the “absolutely fantastic” Los Altos, 13 S. San Antonio Road; Woodland, Elementary School. school system and friendly neighbors. 1975 Grant Road. The McCuskers enjoy watching the The annual cookie exchange allows PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Canterbury Christian School, neighborhood kids’ evening walk home from neighbors to exhibit and share their recipes 101 N. El Monte Ave.; Pinewood School, 327 and 477 school. Mary knows some of them especially for holiday sweets. The tradition was started Fremont Ave.; St. Simon Catholic School, 1840 Grant Road; St. Francis High School, 1855 Miramonte Ave. well, as she offers to babysit for recent, young by a neighbor of the Eders and now reaches PUBLIC SCHOOLS: move-ins. beyond the neighborhood around Covington Los Altos School District — Larger lot sizes was partly what attracted Elementary School. Covington, Loyola, Oak or Springer elementary schools; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District — Los Noelle Eder when she and her family moved “Sixty to 70 people bring a few dozen of their back to the Bay Area in 2010. Altos or Mountain View high schools. home recipes for holiday cookies. It’s a great SHOPPING: “There’s more green space and room per way to get together with and meet people.” Blossom Valley Shopping Center, Miramonte property. My husband is a gardener, so a Avenue and Cuesta Drive; Downtown Los Altos; Rancho — Pierre Bienaimé, 2016 quarter acre allows him to wield his green Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Road.

Country Club topiary golfer stands sentinel on the FACTS Alawn of a stately home overlooking the Los Altos Golf and Country Club, as if CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Los Altos Christian enjoying the view of the verdant rolling hills of Preschool, 625 Magdalena Ave.; Los Altos United the private, member-owned club that gives the Methodist Children’s Center, 655 Magdalena Ave. neighborhood its longtime moniker. Formally FIRE STATION: 765 Fremont Ave. known as Loyola, the area was nearly the site LIBRARY: Woodland, 1975 Grant Road. Magali Gauthier of Santa Clara University; the 1906 earthquake LOCATION: derailed the plan, giving way to the golf course Bounded by Magdalena Avenue, Foothill Expressway, Permanente Creek and Interstate 280. and home development. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Richard Blanchard, vice president of the Nelson Hansen: San Antonio Hills Neighborhood Association, President, San Antonio Hills Inc. Homeowners The Country Club neighborhood features Association, 650-941-5406. arrived in 1978. hiking trails and scenic green views of PARK: Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, Cristo “The area was incorporated in the late ‘40s,” he surrounding Rancho San Antonio Park. said, “and the single-family dwelling provision Rey Drive has helped Loyola maintain this country charm.” POST OFFICE: Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. The neighborhood has a variety of home styles. private wooded setting.” PRIVATE SCHOOL: Los Altos Christian School, 625 Blocky modernist homes are comfortable amidst Bounded by Interstate 280 and Foothill Magdalena Ave. classic ranchers, newer Craftsmen and singular Expressway, the neighborhood is a close hop to PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — Loyola architectural designs. Mature trees line the neighboring cities and shopping, but popular Elementary, Blach Intermediate, Mountain View; Los streets, and heavily laden branches of well-tended local spots include the Los Altos Golf and Altos Union High School District — Mountain View fruit trees grace yards. Country Club, a classic vintage diner at Loyola High School. Jennifer Stasior has lived in the neighborhood Corners, and the Rancho Shopping center, where SHOPPING: Loyola Corners, Miramonte Avenue, for seven years. kids gather for after-school treats. The Country Rancho Shopping Center. “We wanted more space for guests, a more Club is one of the few commercial entities within private setting and buffer between homes,” she Loyola, along with several church congregations. “People come from all over to enjoy the festive said. “We discovered this unique area that was With its towering pine trees that line Arbor decorations,” Stasior said. close to downtown and walking distance to Avenue, the neighborhood is a hot spot for Loyola Corners, but with larger lots and a more Halloween. — Ruth Handel, 2015 44 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com DETAILS  Keen negotiating skills Broad network of As a long time resident  professional associates of Los Altos Hills with and contacts 23 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

161S. SAN ANTONIO ROAD, LOS ALTOS DIRECT: 650.917.7983 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: WWW.VICKIGEERS.COM Woodland Acres/The Highlands FACTS CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: KinderCare Learning n the middle of 1981, Patti and Phil Rose Centers, 2310 Homestead Road, Suite E, Los Altos. were driving around Los Altos, looking I FIRE STATION: No. 16, 765 Fremont Ave. for a larger home for their family that then LIBRARY: included two pre-schoolers. Woodland, 1975 Grant Road. They soon found Woodland Acres and The LOCATION: Between Foothill Expressway and Highlands, two neighboring areas west of Interstate 280, Beechwood Lane and Permanente Creek. Foothill Expressway at the south end of town. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Patti Rose,

They were especially drawn to Woodland Acres, Michelle Le president, Woodland Acres Association, 650-968-7211. an enclave of 123 homes on lots that ranged PARKS: Montclaire Park, St. Joseph Ave.; (nearby) Grant from 1/4 acre to an acre. Park, 1575 Holt Ave.; Rancho San Antonio Preserve, According to the history put together by Cristo Rey Drive. Residents Bob and Diane Claypool walk their POST OFFICE: J.L. Pritchard in 1963, the land was once part dog, Annie, through the Woodland Acres Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. of Rancho San Antonio. Ultimately, about neighborhood, an enclave of 123 homes on lots PRIVATE SCHOOL: St. Simon Catholic School, 1840 100 acres were held by Edward Hohfeld from that range from 1/4 acres to one acre. Grant Road. 1927 to 1948, when he sold 86 acres to Serra PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Cupertino Union School District — Development Co. Lots were sold and the them repaved, and that worked out really well,” Montclaire Elementary School, Cupertino Middle School; original homes built between 1950 and 1957. she said. Fremont Union High School District — Homestead High The name, Woodland Acres, wasn’t blindly Neighbors used to get together for a “traveling School. chosen. During his tenure, Hohfeld tried dinner” potluck held at three different homes, SHOPPING: Foothill Crossing; Loyola Corners; Rancho to rehabilitate an old orchard, but soon but now there’s an annual Christmas party. Shopping Center; Woodland Plaza. began planting (and caring for) hundreds of “Everybody brings something, it’s held at ornamental trees that joined the native oaks. different houses (each year),” Rose said, noting Patti Rose is now head of the Woodland Acres that there have been as many as 90 people and group. We have young, middle-aged and old. Association, which meets every three months to as few as 50 attending. A committee organizes the setup and cleanup. deal with current issues ranging from speeders, “It’s a social function for everybody in the It works like clockwork. It’s fun to see people’s burglaries and barking dogs to repaving the streets. neighborhood. Some people come every houses.” “Our streets were a problem. The city of Los year, some once in awhile. ... We’ve had lots “Everybody who lives in this neighborhood Altos and the association worked together to get of seniors, but now we have a real eclectic feels very lucky that they live here,” she added. — Carol Blitzer, 2016 FACTS South Los Altos CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Children’s Creative Learning Center, 2310 Homestead Road, Suite E; obin and Lou Fries never planned on Enlighten School, 1919 Annette Lane; Mountain View Rliving in South Los Altos. The New Jersey Parent Nursery School, 1535 Oak Ave., Los Altos; St. transplants, who moved into their home Simon’s Catholic Church Extended Day Care Center, 31 years ago, said they were saddled with the 1840 Grand Road; YMCA, Way to Grow Full Day task of finding a place to live in three days after Preschool, 1501 Oak Ave. Lou was offered a position. FIRE STATION: Loyola Fire Station , 765 Fremont Ave. Their midcentury modern home — LIBRARY: Woodland, 1975 Grant Road anecdotally the abode where architect Joseph LOCATION: Bounded by Grant Road, Homestead Road, Eichler took up residence while the Eichler Stevens Creek, Joel Way, Harwalt Drive, Oak, Truman, enclave where they now live was under Miravalle Avenues.

construction — was the first they looked at, but Natalia Nazarova PARKS: Grant Park, 1575 Holt Ave.; Marymeade Park, it wasn’t love at first sight. Fremont Avenue at Grant Road. “We looked all over the Bay Area, and we saw POST OFFICE: Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave. some really lovely homes in some nice areas,” PRIVATE SCHOOL: said Lou. “We felt that this area with the schools St. Simon Catholic School, 1840 Grant Road. and the proximity to where I would be working Robin Fries and her dog sit in the atrium of PUBLIC SCHOOLS: was a much better fit.” her Eichler house in South Los Altos, which is Los Altos School District — “It had everything,” added Robin. “It was home to 37 custom Eichlers built during the Oak Elementary School, Blach Intermediate School; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District an established town. It was an established famed architect’s later years after he formed J.L. Eichler Associates. — Mountain View High School; Cupertino Union School neighborhood with good schools. There were a District — Montclaire Elementary School, Cupertino whole bunch of kids the ages of our sons living Middle School; Fremont Union High School District — nearby, and they developed instant friendships.” Recently, there was a movement to make Clay Drive and Alexander Way — which is home Homestead High School. Bounded by Cupertino, Mountain View and SHOPPING: to 37 custom Eichlers built during the famed Foothill Crossing, Homestead Road; Sunnyvale, and flanked by Highway 85 and Greenhaven Plaza, Grant Road. Foothill Expressway, South Los Altos offers architect’s later years — a historical area, but the easy access to nearby communities. Vintage topic has been tabled for the time being. ranch-style homes mix with Mediterranean and “The biggest disadvantage (of the Altos, but it will be a struggle. If you’re not in Craftsman styles, with midcentury-modern neighborhood) is that the prices are high so it’s high tech or at one of the big companies with homes sprinkled throughout. Remodels and new really difficult for young families,” said Robin. large bonuses, it’s difficult.” “We have two sons who grew up here and both homes abound, with one-story-modern takes on — Melissa McKenzie, 2018 the classic rancher that remains popular. have the goal of bringing their families to Los 46 | Mountain View Voice | mv-voice.com Easy access to the care you need when you need it

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Neighborhoods | Mountain View Voice | 47 Real Estate Market Report

Total Inventory - San Mateo County

Homes Sold 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

JFMJFAN AMJJ A SO N D M MJJ A SO 2017 2018 Average Sold Price

$ 4,500,000 $ 4,000,000 $ 3,500,000 $ 3,000,000 $ 2,500,000 $ 2,000,000

JFMJFAN AMJJ A SO N D M MJJ A SO 20201717 20201818 Selling Price Per Sq. Ft.

33MoA Mo Avgvg $1,600 $1,500 $1,400 $1,300 $1,200 $1,100

JFMJFAN AMJJ A SO N D M MJJ A SO 2017 2018

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Low Inventory and High Prices means you get the best ROI for your home.

Schedule your appointment today with Terri Couture, your Winter Market Specialist.

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