Portola Valley, California

Ladera

A 284-acre cooperative-spirited community of 535 homes on Spanish-named streets, tucked between Alpine Road and Jasper Ridge.

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The neighborhood

Ladera Portola Valley homes for sale in a singular setting.

Ladera — Spanish for hillside — is a 284-acre unincorporated community adjacent to Portola Valley’s northeastern border, just south of Highway 280 and west of Alpine Road. Its roughly 535 homes sit on winding, Spanish-named streets that translate to Meadowlark, Peach Tree and Dove.

Born in 1946 when Stanford professors formed the Peninsula Housing Association to build a cooperative community, Ladera keeps that engaged spirit: residents run the Ladera Community Association and gather at the Ladera Recreation District’s pool, tennis courts and community center. Buyers find a close-knit, walkable-feeling enclave with quick freeway access; sellers trade on community, not just property.

Cooperative rootsFounded 1946 by Stanford professors

Community hubLadera Recreation District pool & tennis

ConvenientMinutes to 280, Stanford and Sand Hill Road

A sense of place

Hillside history, neighborly present.

Ladera’s culture is its calling card. Neighbors walk kids to the bus stop together, the listserv hums with block parties and hand-me-downs, and the recreation district at 150 Andeta Way anchors summer life. Homes — fewer than half still original — range from mid-century ranches to reimagined contemporaries on quarter- to full-acre lots.

ArchitectureMid-century ranches and reimagined contemporaries, many updated.

LandscapeRolling hills, Spanish-named streets and garden-framed lots.

Daily lifeRec district summers, bus-stop socials and Alpine Road errands.

01 / Education

Schools near Ladera Portola Valley 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.

Modern school building on a California campus

District resources

District and campus resources for Ladera buyers.

School placement in Ladera follows the local public districts and can vary by address — the community’s homes are assigned within the area’s highly regarded public schools. Confirm the exact property address directly with the district before relying on an assignment.

Portola Valley School District

Nearby district and enrollment resources

Official site

Ormondale School

Grades K–3 · 200 Shawnee Pass, Portola Valley

Official site

Corte Madera School

Grades 4–8 · 4575 Alpine Road, Portola Valley

Official site

02 / Parks

Paths, pool and open space.

Ladera’s own network of walking paths threads the community, the recreation district adds pool and tennis, and Jasper Ridge and Windy Hill bring the wild.

Oak woodland trail near Ladera, Portola Valley

Ladera Recreation District

Pool, tennis courts, community center · 150 Andeta Way

Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve

Stanford-operated preserve bordering Ladera’s west edge

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

1,335-acre preserve · 555 Portola Road

Official site

Facilities and access conditions can change. Review the official preserve and town listings before visiting.

Nearby outdoors

Hiking & Trails

Ladera’s internal walking paths connect the whole community, and the foothill preserves start minutes away.

Ladera walking paths

A community network of paths linking Spanish-named streets.

Windy Hill trails

Spring Ridge Trail to 1,900-foot summit views.

Official site

Alpine Road cycling

A classic Peninsula route rolling past Ladera’s edge.

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

03 / Local life

Amenities near Ladera Portola Valley homes.

The Ladera Country Shopper covers daily needs on Alpine Road, with Stanford, Sand Hill Road and Menlo Park minutes away.

Craftsman style home exterior in Ladera, Portola Valley area — Ranch home on a tree-lined Ladera street

Backyard garden landscaping at a Ladera home — Garden living in the Ladera hills

Dining

Ladera Country Shopper tables

The Ladera Country Shopper’s restaurants — including Portola Valley Kitchen and longtime local favorites — make Alpine Road a dining stop, with Alpine Inn’s beer garden a short drive south.

Shopping

Bianchini’s & beyond

Bianchini’s Market anchors the Country Shopper with old-fashioned local-market charm, joined by a coffeehouse, dry cleaner and services. Stanford Shopping Center is minutes east.

Community

Recreation district life

The Ladera Recreation District — pool, tennis, swim team and summer programs — is the community’s social hub, open to nonresidents for a higher fee.

Map & getting around

Getting around Ladera.

Ladera sits just south of Highway 280 off Alpine Road, adjacent to Portola Valley’s northeast border. These are the everyday destinations Ladera residents drive to most.

3 min

Ladera Country Shopper

3 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions

5 min

Alpine Inn

5 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions

6 min

Portola Valley Town Center

6 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions

10 min

Stanford University

10 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions

12 min

Downtown Palo Alto

12 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions

18 min

Palo Alto Airport

18 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions

22 min

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport

22 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions

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

Market snapshot

Home values in Ladera.

Portola Valley commands some of the Peninsula’s strongest home values. Here’s a quick snapshot of the market around Ladera.

$250K+

Median household income

Citywide approx. · U.S. Census ACS 5-year

$4.0M

Median home price

Citywide approx. · Zillow & Redfin market data

$20M+

High-end price point

Citywide approx. · recent top sale $56M, Nov 2025

Figures are approximate as of Sept 2026. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Zillow/Redfin market data.

Buyer guidance

Buying a home in Ladera?

Ladera homes reward a property-by-property approach. Compare lot, updates, indoor-outdoor flow and street setting, then consider how the community’s paths, recreation district and Alpine Road access fit your daily life.

School assignments and property details should be verified for the exact address, as district placement can vary. Local guidance can help you evaluate comparable sales and understand how an original ranch or a reimagined contemporary fits the community.

Call (650) 274-1134 Email Simon

Seller guidance

Selling your Ladera home?

A Ladera marketing plan should lead with community. The cooperative history, engaged neighbors, recreation district and Spanish-named streets give Ladera an identity no listing should leave out.

Thoughtful preparation starts with the specific home, its updates and relevant comparable sales. From pricing and presentation to launch strategy, the goal is to connect the property with buyers who want Ladera’s neighborly spirit.

Call (650) 274-1134 Email Simon

Buyer & seller questions

Ladera real estate FAQ.

What types of homes are found in Ladera?

Ladera’s roughly 535 homes include original mid-century ranches and extensively reimagined contemporaries on quarter- to full-acre lots along Spanish-named streets.

What is the Ladera Recreation District?

Organized in 1958, the district maintains a swimming pool, tennis courts, community center and play area at 150 Andeta Way, with lessons, swim team and summer programs for residents.

What is Ladera’s history?

In 1946 Stanford professors formed the Peninsula Housing Association to build a cooperative community on the former Ormondale Ranch land, choosing the name Ladera — Spanish for hillside.

What should buyers consider when comparing Ladera homes?

Compare the lot, updates, layout and street setting, then independently verify school placement and property-specific details for the exact address before making a decision.

How should a Ladera seller prepare for the market?

A strong plan should present the home’s updates and the community’s identity — history, neighbors, recreation district — clearly, supported by property-specific pricing and marketing guidance.

Continue exploring

Explore more Portola Valley neighborhoods.

Local guidance

Explore Ladera with Simon Sahi.

For a property-specific view of Ladera homes, school placement, neighborhood edges and nearby amenities, begin with the exact address and a thoughtful local conversation.

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