Palo Alto, California

Professorville.

Palo Alto's beloved historic district, where Stanford professors built storybook cottages in the 1890s — and the streets still feel like a novel.

Explore the neighborhood Meet Simon

The neighborhood

The historic heart

Professorville is Palo Alto's designated historic district: shingle-style and Colonial Revival cottages from the 1890s line streets like Lincoln, Bryant and Kingsley, many still carrying their original Stanford-professor provenance. It is the city's most romantic neighborhood, steps from downtown.

Homes here are stewarded more than owned — buyers tend to be preservation-minded, and turnover is rare. PAUSD schools, downtown walkability and irreplaceable character make Professorville a true collector's market.

Historic district 1890s Stanford cottages

Downtown adjacent walk to University Avenue

Collector's market rare turnover, deep demand

At a glance: Professorville

Professorville is Palo Alto's 1890s historic district of Stanford professors' cottages near downtown, prized for irreplaceable character and PAUSD schools.

A sense of place

Why Professorville endures

They cannot build another Professorville. Historic designation, Stanford provenance and downtown adjacency make this Palo Alto's most singular residential fabric.

1890s cottages Shingle-style and Colonial Revival gems.

Stanford provenance Built by and for the university's founders.

Village stroll Downtown dining minutes on foot.

01 / Education

Schools near Professorville homes.

Public school placement is determined by the local districts and can change. Confirm the exact property address directly with the district before relying on an assignment.

Historic schoolhouse near Professorville, Palo Alto

District resources

Schools serving Professorville

Professorville is served by the Palo Alto Unified School District. Stanford's cultural life is a short walk or ride away.

Palo Alto Unified School District

One of California's top-ranked public districts; verify assignment by address.

Official site

Stanford University

World-class university shaping the city's culture, lectures and arts.

Official site

Foothill College

Highly regarded community college in Los Altos Hills, minutes away.

Official site

City of Palo Alto

Libraries, recreation programs and community services.

Official site

02 / Parks

Parks near Palo Alto homes.

Palo Alto pairs dense village life with an extraordinary park system, from baylands marshes to foothill preserves.

Garden park near Professorville, Palo Alto

Gamble Garden

A beloved 2.5-acre public garden in Old Palo Alto, free and open daily.

Official site

Baylands Nature Preserve

1,940 acres of marsh, trails and birding along the Bay.

Mitchell Park

Magical Bridge playground, library and playing fields.

Park hours and facility access can change seasonally. Check the city's official pages before visiting.

Nearby outdoors

Trails around Palo Alto.

Foothill ridges, bay levees and campus paths give Palo Alto residents trail options in every direction.

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

10+ miles of rolling grassland and oak trails off Arastradero Road.

Baylands trails

Flat levee loops for running, cycling and sunset birdwatching.

Stanford Dish loop

The iconic 3.5-mile hill loop above campus (open select hours).

Trail conditions, seasonal closures and access rules can change. Check the linked official resources before heading out.

03 / Local life

Everyday life in Professorville

Downtown's restaurants, Gamble Garden and the Baylands shape the week; the historic streets are the daily delight.

1890s shingle-style cottage in Professorville, Palo Alto — The Professorville cottage

Colonial Revival home in Professorville, Palo Alto — Stanford's founding streets

Downtown Palo Alto

University Avenue dining and Caltrain on foot.

Gamble Garden

A 2.5-acre public garden nearby.

Stanford campus

Museums, concerts and the Dish loop close by.

Map & getting around

Getting around Professorville.

Professorville sits just south of downtown Palo Alto around Lincoln and Bryant Streets, with immediate Caltrain and 101 access.

5 min

Downtown Palo Alto

5 min drive · Palo Alto area

Directions

7 min

Palo Alto Caltrain

7 min drive · Palo Alto area

Directions

10 min

Stanford University

10 min drive · Palo Alto area

Directions

10 min

Stanford Shopping Center

10 min drive · Palo Alto area

Directions

12 min

Googleplex, Mountain View

12 min drive · Palo Alto area

Directions

12 min

Meta, Menlo Park

12 min drive · Palo Alto area

Directions

22 min

San Jose Airport

22 min drive · Palo Alto area

Directions

Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic. Tap Directions for live routing.

Market snapshot

Home values in Professorville.

Professorville is Palo Alto's collector tier: citywide the median is about $4.13M, and historic cottages here trade at deep premiums for provenance, with premier properties reaching the city's high end.

$260K

Median household income

Citywide approx. · U.S. Census data

$4.13M

Median home price

Citywide approx. · Realtor.com, Sept 2026

$10M+

High-end price point

Citywide approx. · recent luxury-tier sales

Figures are approximate as of Sept 2026. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.com market data.

Buyer guidance

Buying a home in Professorville?

Buyers: historic homes need historic diligence. We verify designation status, approved alterations and what the review board allows before you write — surprises here are expensive.

Sellers: your home's story is the marketing. We research its provenance and present it editorially to preservation-minded buyers nationally.

Call (650) 274-1134 Email Simon

Seller guidance

Selling your Professorville home?

Buyers: many Professorville sales happen quietly. We maintain relationships on these streets so you hear about cottages before they list.

Sellers: staging should honor the period. We style to the architecture's era with modern comfort, photographed like a design magazine.

Call (650) 274-1134 Email Simon

Buyer & seller questions

Professorville real estate FAQ.

What is Professorville known for?

Professorville is Palo Alto's historic district of 1890s cottages built for Stanford professors, near downtown with irreplaceable character.

Which schools serve Professorville?

Professorville is served by the Palo Alto Unified School District. Confirm assignment by exact address with PAUSD.

How much do homes cost in Professorville?

Historic cottages trade at deep premiums above the city's ~$4.13M median, with premier properties at Palo Alto's high end.

Are there historic restrictions?

As a historic district, alterations face design review. Verify requirements with the city before planning changes.

How walkable is Professorville?

Exceptionally. Downtown Palo Alto, University Avenue and Caltrain are walkable from the district.

Continue exploring

Explore more Palo Alto neighborhoods.

Local guidance

Explore Professorville with Simon Sahi.

Explore Professorville's historic streets with an advisor who understands preservation value. Call or email for a private consultation.

Visit SimonSahi.com (650) 274-1134 SIMON@SPSILICONVALLEY.COM CA DRE #01953287