Simon Sahi Real Estate — Real Results

Portola Valley, California

Santa Maria
/ Russell

Established streets near the Sequoias, where gracious homes on manicured lots sit minutes from the Town Center.

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The neighborhood

Santa Maria / Russell Portola Valley homes for sale in a singular setting.

The Santa Maria and Russell avenues area is an established central Portola Valley pocket near Portola Road, close to The Sequoias’ 42-acre campus and a short drive from the Town Center. Streets here are quiet and manicured, lined with gracious traditional homes and updated residences on well-kept lots.

Buyers value the area’s polished, in-town feel: Windy Hill’s trailheads are minutes south, top-ranked Portola Valley schools are close, and Highway 280 is an easy hop. For sellers, the neighborhood’s established elegance and central convenience are the selling points.

EstablishedGracious homes on manicured central lots
In-townNear the Sequoias and the Town Center
ConvenientQuick to 280, Stanford and Palo Alto

A sense of place

Established, elegant and in-town.

Santa Maria and Russell feel like Portola Valley’s classic core — settled streets, mature landscaping and homes with presence. It is a neighborhood of dinner parties and garden clubs rather than trailheads, though Windy Hill’s open space is still only minutes away.

ArchitectureGracious traditional homes and updated residences.
LandscapeManicured lots, mature trees and garden-framed streets.
Daily lifeTown Center errands, market Thursdays and neighborhood gatherings.

01 / Education

Schools near Santa Maria / Russell 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.

California elementary school campus building framed by trees
District resources

District and campus resources for Santa Maria / Russell buyers.

The Santa Maria / Russell area is served by the Portola Valley School District for kindergarten through eighth grade, with high school through the Sequoia Union High School District. Confirm the exact property address directly with each district before relying on an assignment.

Portola Valley School District

Official 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

Manicured streets, wild hills nearby.

The Sequoias’ landscaped 42 acres border the area, the Town Center’s grove and fields are minutes away, and Windy Hill rises just south.

Golden grassland hiking trail with hills near Portola Valley
01

The Sequoias grounds

42 landscaped acres bordering Windy Hill · 501 Portola Road

Official site
02

Portola Valley Town Center

Redwood grove, playground and fields · 765 Portola Road

03

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

From Santa Maria and Russell, Windy Hill’s trailheads are a six-minute drive — the wild is close even here.

01

Windy Hill trails

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

Official site
02

Town Center grove paths

Redwood-shaded loops beside the playing fields.

03

Portola Road walking routes

Valley-floor strolls past heritage oaks.

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

03 / Local life

Amenities near Santa Maria / Russell homes.

The Town Center anchors daily life minutes away; the Alpine Inn, Stanford Shopping Center and downtown Palo Alto are a short drive.

Luxury home exterior at dusk in Portola Valley
Gracious traditional home on a manicured lot
Modern patio and outdoor living space at a Portola Valley home
Gardens designed for entertaining
Dining

Alpine Inn & local tables

Alpine Inn’s historic beer garden at 3915 Alpine Road is a local institution, with Portola Valley kitchens and Palo Alto dining minutes away.

Shopping

Town Center & Stanford

The Thursday farmers’ market at 765 Portola Road and Stanford Shopping Center cover the weekly shop.

Everyday

Groceries & services

Bianchini’s Market in Ladera, Roberts Market in Woodside and the town library are all within a short drive.

Map & getting around

Getting around Santa Maria / Russell.

The Santa Maria / Russell area sits in central Portola Valley near Portola Road and The Sequoias. These are the everyday destinations residents drive to most.

3 min

The Sequoias Portola Valley

3 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions
3 min

Portola Valley Town Center

3 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions
6 min

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

6 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions
7 min

Alpine Inn

7 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions
14 min

Stanford University

14 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions
15 min

Downtown Palo Alto

15 min drive · Portola Valley area

Directions
28 min

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport

28 min drive · Portola Valley area

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

Market snapshot

Home values in Santa Maria / Russell.

Portola Valley commands some of the Peninsula’s strongest home values. Here’s a quick snapshot of the market around Santa Maria / Russell.

$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 Santa Maria / Russell?

Santa Maria / Russell homes reward a property-by-property approach. Compare lot, setting, improvements and architectural presence, then consider how each address connects to Portola Road, the Town Center and school routes.

School assignments and property details should be verified for the exact address. Local guidance can help you evaluate comparable sales and understand how a gracious traditional or an updated residence fits the neighborhood.

Call (650) 274-1134Email Simon

Seller guidance

Selling your Santa Maria / Russell home?

A Santa Maria / Russell marketing plan should bring established elegance into focus. Manicured grounds, architectural presence, updated interiors and in-town convenience all shape how the home is presented.

Thoughtful preparation starts with the specific home, its setting and relevant comparable sales. From pricing and presentation to launch strategy, the goal is to connect the property with buyers who want Portola Valley’s classic core.

Call (650) 274-1134Email Simon

Buyer & seller questions

Santa Maria / Russell real estate FAQ.

What types of homes are found in Santa Maria / Russell?

The area includes gracious traditional homes and updated residences on manicured lots along the Santa Maria and Russell avenues near Portola Road.

Which public school districts serve Santa Maria / Russell?

The area is served by the Portola Valley School District for grades K–8 and the Sequoia Union High School District for high school. Buyers should confirm the exact property address directly with each district.

What is The Sequoias Portola Valley?

The Sequoias at 501 Portola Road is a 42-acre continuing-care retirement community on landscaped grounds bordering Windy Hill Open Space Preserve.

What should buyers consider when comparing Santa Maria / Russell homes?

Compare the lot, setting, improvements and architectural presence, then independently verify school placement and property-specific details before making a decision.

How should a Santa Maria / Russell seller prepare for the market?

A strong plan should present the home’s elegance, grounds, improvements and central location clearly, supported by property-specific pricing and marketing guidance.

Continue exploring

Explore more Portola Valley neighborhoods.

Local guidance

Explore Santa Maria / Russell with Simon Sahi.

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

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