“Cherished by residents, the rustic, secluded setting of North Fair Oaks is an amalgamation of architecture and neatly manicured lawns hidden behind untamed greenery.”
The unincorporated 1.2 square miles that comprises North Fair Oaks (MLS #311) a synthesis of Menlo Park, Atherton and Redwood City, of which it’s closely aligned, with a dash of Woodside and La Honda for good measure. The scarcity of sidewalks along with the secluded, often undomesticated landscape lend to the rural feel residents cherish.
The North Fair Oaks Beautification Association had its hand in reducing neighborhood traffic by convincing San Mateo County to install roundabouts and has planted over 350 trees, adding to the prized untamed greenery of which the area is known.
The sub-6,000 square foot lots and Redwood City schools, though well regarded, tend to make this borough more affordable than others in Menlo Park. North Fair Oaks offers up a diversity of home styles, from the every popular 1950s ranch, to more traditional homes of the 1920s and even new construction, not hindered by the city’s strict building codes.
Uniting assortment of home styles is the rustic, rural setting of North Fair Oaks. Residents pride themselves on their home’s curb appeal that includes meticulous lawns tucked behind gnarled oak trees and natural foliage.
Neighborhood Price Point
$600,000-$2,500,000
Favorable Attributes
- Rustic, secluded setting
- Diversity of architectural styles
- More lenient building guidelines allows for easier remodeling and rebuilding
- Lush, natural foliage and well manicured lawns
- Generally affordable neighborhood
- Well-regarded Redwood City schools
History of North Fair Oaks, Menlo Park
North Fair Oaks was part of Menlo Park during its original incorporation in 1874. In 1876, North Fair Oaks was again unincorporated once Menlo Park had secured the federal funds it needed for road repairs. It remains an independent district to this day.
North Fair Oaks is one of the original settlements in the Bay Area, with it first occupants setting down roots in the 1850s. Its population grew significantly after the 1960 earthquake, when more than a few city dwellers made their way from tumultuous San Francisco to the ‘safer’ lands of the peninsula.
Its final surge in population came in the wake of World War II. Post-war development brought smaller homes on lesser-sized lots laid out in an organized manner, significantly different than the pre-war, expansive houses hidden on large parcels. Low-rise multi-family apartment buildings and warehouses sprouted up soon after, primarily in the northern end of the district.
North Fair Oaks still retains much of it country character, particularly at its southern most end, where gnarled oaks far outnumber sidewalks.