Neighborhood

Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA

Neighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood Rating
4.6 /5

Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $6.06M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Overvalued
    $100k
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    20%

At a glance

Old Palo Alto is ranked #4 of 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto with an overall score of 4.6/5. Its standout factors are curb appeal (5.0/5) and schools (4.8/5, 15th of 27 in Palo Alto), at a median home price of $6.06M, which Houseberry currently rates as overvalued by about $100,000. No factor scores below 3.6/5, its weakest being nearby merchants, with prices running about 36% above the Palo Alto median.

Neighborhood Reviews & Questions

Neighborhood Review
Key Words: Historic Elegance, Celebrity Residents, Lush Greenery

Old Palo Alto has a reputation for being one of the most affluent (and expensive) neighborhoods not just in Palo Alto, but in all of Silicon Valley. With past and present residents like Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and other tech magnates, it has a storied history of housing the area's most successful people. Here, the architecture is diverse but consistently luxurious, featuring grand estates and historic residences that have often been painstakingly restored. Tudor, Colonial, and Mediterranean styles are common, adding layers of character to the streetscape. The neighborhood is graced by an abundance of greenery, from mature oaks to flowering gardens. Gamble Garden is a notable public space, a 2.5-acre horticultural foundation featuring themed gardens, where locals can often be seen enjoying the blooming seasons.. It's a full-on horticultural retreat with themed gardens, educational programs, and community events. Residents don't just go for a jog here; they come to learn and be part of a community-focused project. Though not directly in the neighborhood, Town & Country Village is just a stone's throw away and offers a curated retail experience unlike any other in Palo Alto. From upscale boutiques to gourmet eateries, it's a shopping destination that complements the elite status of Old Palo Alto. Given the concentration of influential residents, Old Palo Alto is often considered a networking hub as much as a residential area. Whether it's a casual neighborhood gathering or a more formal event, the opportunities for professional mingling are unparalleled. Old Palo Alto offers a rich tapestry of architectural styles, community amenities, and networking opportunities, making it one of the most sought-after and unique neighborhoods in Palo Alto.

See City Review for: Palo Alto

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Neighborhood Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    3.6

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    4.3

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    5

Overall Amenities score: 4.4

Neighborhood Weather

79%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight this spot gets in a year, 79% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
Old Palo Alto ranks 17th of 27 for sunshine in Palo Alto, though it still out-suns about half of the Bay Area. Its warmest month is August, averaging 79° highs, and it gets about 16 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low temperature
80°65°50°35°JFMAMJJASONDAug 79°
Avg highAvg low
Rank in Palo Alto
17th of 27
Across the Bay Area
50th percentile
Rain per year
16 in
Warmest month
Aug 79° avg high
Summer day
56° → 78°F
Winter day
43° → 60°F
Sunshine and temperature figures are 30-year climate averages for this neighborhood's location.

Neighborhood Photos

Schools serving this Neighborhood

School NameTypeGradesHouseberry School Score
Walter Hays Elementary PrimaryK-5
Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle Middle6-8
Palo Alto High High9-12

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

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

Median Price

Old Palo Alto FAQs10 answers

Is Old Palo Alto a good place to live?

Old Palo Alto ranks 4th of 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto with an overall Houseberry score of 4.6 out of 5. Its strongest factors are curb appeal (5.0/5) and schools (4.8/5). The trade-off is a median home price of $6.06M against the Palo Alto median of $4.44M.

Is Old Palo Alto safe?

Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto scores 4.7 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 6th of 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto.

What do homes in Old Palo Alto cost?

The median home price in Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto is $6.06M, compared with $4.44M for Palo Alto as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it overvalued by about $100,000 against comparable neighborhoods.

Are home prices in Old Palo Alto rising or falling?

The median home price in Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto is up about 17.6% over the past 12 months, from $5.15M to $6.06M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.

Which schools serve Old Palo Alto?

Schools serving Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto include Walter Hays Elementary (4.8/5), Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle (4.6/5) and Palo Alto High (5.0/5).

What is the weather like in Old Palo Alto?

Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto receives 79% of its possible sunshine, 17th of 27 in Palo Alto. Summer days run 56° to 78°F and winter days 43° to 60°F, August is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 16 inches a year.

Is Old Palo Alto walkable to shops and restaurants?

Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto scores 3.6 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 4.3 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 4.4 out of 5, 1st of 27 in Palo Alto.

What is Old Palo Alto known for?

Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto is associated with Historic Elegance, Celebrity Residents and Lush Greenery. Its highest-scoring factors are curb appeal (5.0/5) and schools (4.8/5).

How does Old Palo Alto compare to other Palo Alto neighborhoods?

Old Palo Alto ranks 4th of 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto. It ranks 15th of 27 in Palo Alto for schools (4.8/5) and scores lowest on nearby merchants (3.6/5). The next-ranked neighborhoods in Palo Alto are South of Midtown and Triple El.

What are the downsides of living in Old Palo Alto?

Old Palo Alto, Palo Alto scores lowest on nearby merchants (3.6/5). Its median home price of $6.06M runs about 36% above the Palo Alto median of $4.44M.

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Neighborhood Photos

Top Neighborhoods in Palo Alto, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Duveneck - St. Francis, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Duveneck - St. Francis is a family-oriented enclave where tree-lined streets ser... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Greenmeadow, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Greenmeadow in Palo Alto is an exceptional example of what a planned community c... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Leland Manor - Embarcadero Oaks - Garland Drive, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.7
Leland Manor stands out for its strong family orientation. The neighborhood is h... See Full Page

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