Westridge

The Westridge neighborhood is a long arcing stretch of a neighborhood that stretches from Portola Road all the way to Alpine Road (nearly to Highway 280), all along the northern side of Westridge Drive. There are homes spread throughout the neighborhood, but virtually every lot has quite a bit of land so that no homes are right against each other. It is the sort of place where your neighbors will probably not know your business.

There are a few outright mansions in this area. For example, right now there is an 8,000 ft. 4-bedroom on the western end of Westridge that is going for $25 million. It sits on an 11.5+ acre lot and has a pool, tennis court and what looks like a vineyard. (By the way, in case you are wondering, your estimated monthly payment on a $25 million house is $121,000 PER MONTH—now that’s what I call a mortgage payment.)

Of course, most homes here in Westridge are not $25 million mansions, but none is inexpensive. For example right now, the least expensive home for sale here is on the market at $1.8 million. That is no where near $25 million, but it is not exactly cheap. The home, which is located on the far eastern end of the neighborhood near the freeway, is basically an elongated Ranch home on a big lot.

In the middle, the median priced home is just below $5 million. For that price you can get a pretty good home here, with nice views, a pool and a relatively manageable 2 and a half acre property.

On the far eastern end of the Westridge neighborhood you find yourself right by the Ladera marketplace where you can do things like get groceries and pick up a pizza. None of this is fantastic in itself, but given the remoteness of things here, it is always good for you to know that you can get the basics of life without having to drive too far.

Alpine is also the road that you follow to get to Highway 280 to head to work. (I’m not sure there is really anything by way of public transportation here.)

The nearest schools are Ormandale Elementary, La Entrada Middle School and Woodside High—all of which are above average schools.

Put simply, if you are loaded and like your privacy—you will probably love the Westridge neighborhood.

There really isn’t much to Westridge. It’s just a reasonably wealthy ranch land that hugs Central Portola Valley, but offers nothing you want in a secluded getaway. Unless...all you want is seclusion. But for those perspective home buyers, you’ll be living in a virtually desolate savannah grassland occupied by no more than 100 people. In fact, the neighborhood only encompasses about a half dozen long, country roads of which are made up of hidden residences and dense ranch land. So you must truly be a recluse, if you’re thinking about living here.

Although you wouldn’t think it, Westridge’s homes are pretty pricey. Maybe because properties (or ranches) can stretch for miles, or that they own a small little orchard/vineyard in their backyard. It’s hard to say considering most homes are concealed by either the bushy trees that line the country roads or the long driveways that carve up into the hillside. But in both cases, you’ll have to pay a steep price.

Westridge, which is part of the greater San Mateo County, follows Westridge Drive and extends from Alpine Road to Portola Road. It is most definitely part of the secluded countryside that Portola Valley is so adamantly known for. And to prove my point, the neighborhood is surrounded by national preserves that saturate Santa Cruz’s eastern slope. Its one fortunate luxury is its proximity to Searsville Lake. Many locals tend to go camping, hiking and fishing at this hot spot during summer days.