Silicon Valley’s tech capital is a quiet, suburban town home to one of the nation’s wealthiest zip codes.

Considered the tech capital of Silicon Valley, Menlo Park is an upscale, family-friendly city located on the eastern edge of San Mateo County. Menlo Park also encompasses Atherton, a small, rural, residential town and one of the nation's wealthiest zip codes. In 1854, two Irishmen, D.C. McGlynn and Dennis J. Oliver, purchased approximately 1,700 acres of land that would later become the start of what we know as Menlo Park. They constructed two houses with a shared entrance with their newly acquired land, later naming their estate “Menlo Park.”

Once part of Rancho de las Pulgas, Atherton was initially known as Fair Oaks until it was renamed in 1923 after 19th-century landowner Faxon Dean Atherton. Today, Menlo Park is a sleepy suburban city home to many tech employees, and the ultra-affluent Atherton is known for its billionaire residents and multi-million dollar mansions.

What to Love

  • An upscale, affluent city

  • Family-friendly area

  • Ideal for commuters

  • Highly-educated population

  • Facebook Headquarters

  • Lots of parks and outdoor space

People & Lifestyle

Menlo Park and Atherton are attractive places to live for creatives, couples without kids, retirees, families, and tech moguls. Many Facebook employees and tech billionaires purchase homes here. Billionaires tend toward Atherton because of its reputation for wealth, with mega-mansions adorning every corner. Residents appreciate that Menlo Park is a quiet, easygoing neighborhood with a nice downtown area and several independently-owned shops.

There isn’t a notable commercial side to the city, which is how residents prefer it. Most Menlo Park and Atherton residents are highly-educated professionals seeking the peaceful respite of this primarily residential community. What Menlo Park lacks in businesses and nightlife it makes up for in abundance with numerous parks and vibrant green spaces featuring walking paths, off-leash dog areas, tennis courts, skateboard zones, sports fields and more.

And while Atherton is known for its palatial estates and mansions, Menlo Park offers more variety in housing types with a mixture of duplexes, single-family residences, and apartment complexes.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Classic Californian cuisine and rustic dining go hand-in-hand at Camper, a farm-driven mainstay in downtown Menlo Park. The team works hard to develop a diverse menu that highlights the county's best produce and freshest flavors, including organic vegetable-centric dishes, roast chicken, and hand-cut pasta.

For something more upscale, try Flea Street, a fine-dining mainstay known for Californian-New American fare serving Silicon Valley since 1980. Flea Street offers innovative yet approachable cuisine that highlights the best of the season.

Casual diners looking for a relaxed, cozy spot to catch up with friends flock to places like The Refuge and Dutch Goose. The Refuge is a lively gastropub with some of the world's best Belgian and craft beer on draught, while Dutch Goose is your standard sports bar, serving burgers, pizza, and brews since 1966.

Every day the staff at Café Borrone starts from scratch to prepare the menu, choosing raw ingredients, sustainably-sourced fish, and organic meats to support local farms. Guests can choose to dine indoors in view of the latest art exhibit or outside near the landmark fountain. Menlo Park is also home to Madera at the Rosewood, an acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant serving California cuisine. The restaurant is housed inside of an upscale hotel.

Things to Do

Whether you're looking for a staycation or resort treatment, The Rosewood Hotel is a highly rated hotel located on 16 private acres near Palo Alto. From upscale rooms featuring lavish amenities to dining options ranging from fine dining to a casual grill, The Rosewood Hotel is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the luxury lifestyle.

Menlo Park is home to the Facebook Headquarters, and while you can't go inside the building without knowing someone who works there, the sign outside of the Menlo Park campus makes for the perfect photo op. 

Beginning as a small independent bookstore in 1955, Kepler's Books has evolved into a community stalwart that attracts readers from all over, especially students from nearby Stanford University. This local bookstore features many titles and magazines, plus author events and book clubs. Cheeky Monkey Toys is a great place to shop if you have kids or you're looking for the perfect gift. This indie store sells a wide selection of games, crafts, and interactive toys for children of all ages. 

Located in Sharon Heights, Sharon Park is a beautiful and tranquil spot for sunbathing, picnics, or even sightseeing from the landscaped slopes and sparkling lake. Sharon Park includes a playground, trails, gazebo, benches, and a natural wooded area perfect for long walks or bird-watching.

Schools

Menlo Park is home to several top-notch public and private schools, plus Menlo College, a small, private, non-profit school that focuses on business education.