Atherton

Welcome to Atherton

An entirely residential wooded community with luxurious estates

Nestled amongst a blanket of oak, redwood, cedar and pine trees sits Atherton- an entirely residential affluent community that hosts opulent estates with sprawling properties. 

The history of Atherton dates back to it being one of the original stops for the Southern Pacific Railroad running down the California coastline. In 1923, Menlo Park had an opportunity to incorporate its lands to include Atherton, which was known as Fair Oaks at the time, and the residents of Fair Oaks were against doing so and voted to keep the neighborhood completely residential.

The town was soon named after Faxon D. Atherton, a trader who was originally from Massachusetts His friend and business associate had written to him about the opportunities for family and business on the San Francisco Peninsula and in 1860 Atherton purchased over 600 acres. His home Valparaiso Park was built several years later. The mayor of San Francisco, Thomas H. Selby purchased over 400 acres and built his estate. Attorney John T. Doyle built an estate along with several other pioneers. 

In 1926, Menlo Circus Club was founded as a polo club where residents could frequent to have social meetups and to spend their leisure time. In 1928, Edward E. Eyre reigned as the first mayor of Atherton and residents voted to build a town hall, which is still used presently. To this day, the Menlo Circus Club and the town hall remain the only public establishment in Atherton. 

Over the years, Atherton has continued to advocate its tranquil and secluded aesthetic. In 2002 the community’s plan was “to preserve the town's character as a scenic, rural, thickly wooded residential area with abundant open space.” 

Today, Atherton embodies serenity and lavish sophistication. With the most expensive real estate of any United States’ zip code, Atherton also has the nation’s highest income of any small community. Home to a bountiful of high-tech executives, Atherton is located 20 minutes away from the headquarters of Facebook, Google and a number of other technology firms. For those who want to explore shops, bars and restaurants, neighboring cities Menlo Park and Palo Alto are only several miles away.


Attributes

  • Entirely residential

  • Sophisticated luxury

  • Wooded estates

  • Quiet and serene town​​​​​​​​​​​​​​


The Market

With median home prices above $6 million, Atherton has been named the most expensive zip code in America. The town’s magnificent estates sit on sprawling multi-acre properties that are surrounded by stunning views of mature foliage. Artisanal homes feature remarkable architecture and come with state-of-the-art amenities. An entirely residential community with secluded lots offers the utmost privacy making it a desirable place for high-level tech executives, venture capitalists, celebrities and the international elite to call home.


People & Lifestyle

Atherton breathes sophistication and seclusion and its community members cherish the tranquility that persists. Home to many busy high-tech executives and international moguls, the streets of Atherton are often empty and residents keep to their homes, embodying the essence of a rural and peaceful retreat. For a day of errands or a night out, neighboring Menlo Park offers a variety of dining and shops for enjoyment. 


Dining

Atherton is not zoned for any commercial activity, however neighboring towns offer a diverse selection of dining options.

  • Cafe Borrone cultivates culinary creations from scratch; choosing fresh raw ingredients, supporting local farms and selecting sustainable fish and organic meats. This cafe is dedicated to delivering delicious meals in a family-friendly environment. 

  • Oak & Violet is an upscale farm to table restaurant that provides authentic hospitality and a personalized dining experience. Seasonal specials are made from locally-sourced ingredients and are paired with curated wine or a craft cocktail.

  • Come brighten your day by eating a tasty and colorful meal at Son & Garden. Enjoy a whimsical breakfast or brunch that serves creations made with fresh organic ingredients.

  • Bringing the culture of Thailand, Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine offers eats from Thai Street Food to comfort regional cooking. Using fresh, organic local ingredients, meals are created to be fun and artistic and are sure to leave customers' bellies and hearts full. 

  • Exuding Hollywood Charm, Selby’s boasts a glamorous fine-dining setting that features American continental fare. A sharply dressed service team provides a superb experience to guests in a poised manner. Dishes range from steakhouse signatures to Maine lobster and are followed with an array of options of decadent dessert.  

  • Enjoy natural and fresh home-style Mexican food at Celia’s- a relaxed chain with a lengthy menu of high quality options. Celia’s Offers fresh salsa or guacamole, handmade tamales, fresh margaritas and more. 

*This is a partial list of restaurants. If you are a local restaurant and would like to be listed, please reach out to collaborate.


Health & Fitness

  • Arrillaga Gymnasium is located at Stanford University and serves as a host for Basketball, Volleyball and Badminton games, tournaments and classes. Adult classes are available to the public. Additionally the fitness center offers an outdoor pool, a rock climbing wall and a spin studio.

  • Embodying a holistic approach, SBM Fitness offers health classes and one-on-one coaching. Concentrated on an exploration of mind-body connection, this fitness studio focuses on each area of the physical body and how it relates and contributes to creative, mental, emotional and spiritual health Focusing on how each area of the physical body relates and contributes to mental and spiritual health. 

  • Come visit a welcoming and tranquil setting with a staff who is dedicated to making their guests feel better. Holistic Health Center is a group of health care practitioners who offer a range of holistic services from acupuncture, herbs, and naturopathic medicine to therapeutic massage and chiropractic services, all alleviating the body of pain to help individuals reach optimal health.

  • The largest hydrafacial Provider since 2003, Total Glow is home to the best hydrafacial and skincare experts in the business. Based on the latest modern technology, as well as the best of Asian Traditions of Ayurveda eastern healing science, the Total Glow team provides its customers with a personalized integrative plan that results in beautiful skin and overall well being. 

  • Stretch Works is the Northern California center for Resistance Flexibility, the most powerful and revolutionary stretching system available. Located in Redwood City, this fitness studio offers private sessions to those who are looking to increase physical and mental flexibility for peak performance of body and mind. Stretch Works also includes yoga and osteopathy as complimentary services. 

*This is a partial list of health and fitness related businesses. If you are a local health and fitness related business and would like to be listed, please reach out to collaborate.


Events & Arts

  • Atherton is an equestrian community and many homes have private horse facilities. Horses can also be boarded at the Menlo Circus Club. Founded in the 1920s by local youngsters staging pony shows for their parents, the club has grown eminently  in the century since and is now a premier equestrian facility that hosts polo matches and horse shows. 

  • Fioli Historic House & Gardens is an enchanting attraction that sits in neighboring Woodside. Originally built as a private residence in 1917 and later opened to the public in 1977, the Fioli estate exults 654 acres of breathtaking beauty. Over the years, the main home has been known as a renowned filming location for many movies and television series. Today you can find spectators touring the 54,000+ square-foot Georgian revival-style mansion, strolling through the 16 acres of exquisite Renaissance gardens, wandering the 6.8 acre Gentlemen's Orchard and exploring the the trails and land that connect them all.

  • Located on the campus of Menlo-Atherton High School, the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center is a performing arts venue that incorporates a dynamic hybrid program of practice, rehearsal and performance spaces alongside a dining hall. Engaging workshops are offered to enhance the creative activities and interactions of the actors and musicians who perform there. The Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center has the only professional-caliber stage in the region and has hosted diverse productions from musical theater to orchestral performance, including the San Francisco Opera and Music at Menlo.

  • For a worldly and memorable experience, visit Atherton Fine Art- your destination to view original works of art, created by remarkably unique artists. Whether becoming mesmerized by strokes of watercolor painting or enthralled by the passionate colors of intricacy of an oil painting, one’s emotions are sure to be evoked after leaving this gallery.

  • The Allied Arts Guild features a whimsical collection of shops, gardens, artists’ studios and a cafe all quaintly tucked in the corner of a residential community. The Allied Arts Guild is a perfect venue for garden weddings, celebrations, birthdays, corporate events and seminars.

*This is a partial list of events and arts. If you host a local event or art production and would like to be listed, please reach out to collaborate.

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Nature

  • Holbrook Palmer Park- Boasts a 22-acre garden setting that features a ball field, tennis courts, playgrounds and walking paths.

  • Nealon Park- Named in honor of James J. Nealon, a long-term chairman of the San Mateo County Youth Activity Committee who devoted great efforts to provide local boys with athletic opportunities including basketball and baseball. Nealon Park presents 9 acres of land that offers tennis courts, a softball field, a playground and picnic tables and is dog-friendly. 

  • Burgess Park- A recreation center highlighting a pool, skateboard park, athletic fields and a family-friendly gym. Originally a part of the Dibble Hospital Facilities and purchased in 1948, Burgess Park is one of the first city-owned recreation areas in Menlo Park.

  • San Francisquito Creek- An exceptionally undeveloped oasis under the trees. This creek developed in 1776 and flows through the southwest San Francisco Bay.

  • Arizona Garden- A historical garden that is home to a myriad of unusual plants. Also known as the Cactus Garden, during the early years of Stanford University, this location is historically known as the meeting place for many students.


Schools

Atherton is served by the Menlo Park City Elementary and Sequoia Union High School Districts which both take pride in offering a highly rated curriculum.


Libraries


Publications

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