Portola Valley

Nestled among the creek-fed ravines and canyons of the San Francisquito watershed, Portola Valley is on the northeastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains.  It is situated in the valleys and on the hillsides between Los Trancos Creek, Corte Madera Creek and Sausal Creek astride the San Andreas fault zone.  

Roughly 400 to 1200 feet above sea level, Portola Valley’s climate is sheltered from the more severe winter rains, fog and colder winds of the coast by the Santa Cruz Mountains.  Its picturesque ravines, oak covered hillsides and wildland meadows provide a rural transition between the redwood forests in the mountains to the west and the scrub vegetation of the flat Bay lands to the east.

The Town values its historic heritage, its excellent public schools, its long-term environmental commitment and its volunteer town government.

An extensive trail system, scenic roads, open space preserves and natural vistas contribute to the tranquility of its rural, unrushed setting, as do its land use policies and architectural guidelines. Commercial activity that meets the local needs of community residents is encouraged. These factors combined have enabled the town to retain a rural ambiance and pace amidst the increasingly frenetic urbanization of much of the San Francisco peninsula.