San Jose metro, CA relocation guide
Moving to Palo Alto, CA
About Palo Alto
Palo Alto (~68,000 residents) is the Peninsula's prestige address — tree-lined streets, the University Avenue and California Avenue downtowns, Stanford University on its edge, and the Baylands Nature Preserve on the bay. One of the most expensive housing markets in the country, it draws buyers for venture-capital proximity and a genuinely walkable small-city feel.
Home prices in Palo Alto
The median listing price in Palo Alto is $2,950,000.
Top places in Palo Alto
- University Avenue — downtown shopping, dining, and the Varsity Theatre.
- Stanford Shopping Center — open-air luxury retail.
- Baylands Nature Preserve — 1,940 acres of marsh and bay trails.
- Gamble Garden — historic garden estate open to the public.
- California Avenue district — farmers market and neighborhood dining.
- The HP Garage — the "birthplace of Silicon Valley" landmark (private, viewable from the street).
- Palo Alto Baylands Sailing Station — windsurfing launch on the Bay.
Commuting from Palo Alto
- Approximate drive to downtown San Jose: ~17 miles / ~25–30 minutes via US-101 (approximate; longer with traffic).
- Caltrain: Palo Alto and California Avenue stations with service to San Jose Diridon in roughly 25–35 minutes depending on train.
- US-101 and I-280 both serve the city; Page Mill Road and Oregon Expressway feed the freeways.
Schools in Palo Alto
Public schools: Palo Alto Unified School District. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.
Palo Alto FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Palo Alto, CA?
The median listing price in Palo Alto is $2,950,000. Median listing price (September 2026 research snapshot) - How is the commute from Palo Alto, CA?
Approximate drive to downtown San Jose: ~17 miles / ~25–30 minutes via US-101 (approximate; longer with traffic). - Which school district serves Palo Alto, CA?
Palo Alto is served by Palo Alto Unified School District. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
Town links
Schools
Transit
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.