Atherton is a small incorporated town in San Mateo County that’s known for its affluence and exclusivity. This community of around 7,500 individuals and 2,500 households has consistently been ranked among the wealthiest in the country. Its ZIP code of 94027has been listed in Forbes Magazine’s top 3 most expensive ZIP codes in the US.
In the late 1800s, Atherton was a summer getaway for affluent San Franciscans and was named after Faxon D. Atherton, one of the area’s earliest estate owners. Since that time, the town’s sprawling estates have been subdivided into smaller properties. In keeping with the community’s high-end heritage, however, lot sizes in the area are kept to a minimum of one acre.
The community is strictly residential, with hardly any commercial activity. Atherton’s Town General Plan calls for preserving the community’s “scenic, rural, thickly-wooded, residential area with abundant open space and with streets designed primarily as scenic routes rather than for speed of travel.”
Atherton has around 50 miles of road lined with a thick canopy of live oaks and white oaks, redwoods, cedars and other types of trees. While it has a general air of seclusion, Atherton is actually centrally located and residents are within close proximity to the shopping, dining and entertainment options of neighboring communities like Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Redwood City.
School-age children go to the well-regarded schools of the Menlo Park, Las Lomitas, Redwood City and Sequoia Union school districts, as well as some of the prestigious private schools in the area. The town also has well-equipped facilities where residents can meet and hold private events.
Atherton homes for sale
Luxury is the norm in Atherton. The townhas five distinct neighborhoods where you will find some of the grandest mansions and manors in the Bay Area.
Many properties are gated, providing even more privacy and exclusivity for residents. The exception is the neighborhood of Lindenwood, where homes with magnificent landscaping can be seen from the streets.
The average age of homes in Atherton is about 56 years. You will find a number of properties built in the early to mid-1900s, but there are also quite a few recently built ones. The homes in Atherton feature the finest finishes, as well as top-end amenities like swimming pools, gourmet kitchens, guest houses, finished basements, theaters, and recreation rooms.
Home values in Atherton have been consistently accelerating over the years. And because many homeowners are high-profile personalities, you may not find homes for sale on regular listing sites. If you’re interested in buying a home in Atherton, get in touch with theZach TrailerGroup today.
Attractions and activities in Atherton
As a strictly residential community, commercial establishments in Atherton are rare. The recreation destinations in nearby communities of Palo Alto, Redwood Park and others, though, are easily accessible.
Atherton residents do enjoy some topnotch attractions within or just outside the town, including:
- Menlo Circus Club
Opened in 1920, this members-only club features a swimming pool, a gym, tennis courts, and an equestrian facility. It also has dining facilities and venues for private events.
- Menlo Park Market
This year-round farmers’ market takes place every Sunday in Downtown Menlo Park, and features fresh produce from farmers all over California.
- Holbrook-Palmer Park
This 22-acre park is found at the heart of Atherton. It’s the site of many community events and programs, such as Little League baseball, a privately-run playschool, lacrosse games, fencing and music classes, Easter egg hunts, tennis tournaments, and more.
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