Woodside, California

Woodside, California is a small, affluent town located in San Mateo County, near Palo Alto and Menlo Park. The town is situated in the San Francisco Peninsula, close to Stanford University and Silicon Valley. Woodside is known for its rural atmosphere, with many equestrian trails and horse farms, and is home to many notable residents, including Larry Ellison, Gordon Moore, and John Hennessy. The town is also near the Filoli Historic House & Garden, a historic estate owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Geography

Woodside is located at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, near the Sawyer Camp Trail and the Crystal Springs Reservoir. The town is surrounded by Redwood City to the north, Atherton to the east, and Portola Valley to the south. The San Andreas Fault runs through the town, and the area is prone to earthquakes, including the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Woodside is also near the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which are managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Palo Alto.

History

The area that is now Woodside was originally inhabited by the Ohlone people, who were later displaced by Spanish settlers. The town was founded in the late 19th century, and was named after a Woodside in New York. Woodside was officially incorporated in 1956, and has since maintained its rural character, with a strong emphasis on conservation and preservation. The town is home to many historic buildings, including the Woodside Store, which was built in 1854 and is now a National Historic Landmark. Woodside is also near the San Francisco de Asis Mission, a historic mission that was founded by Saint Junipero Serra and is now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Woodside was approximately 5,300 people, with a median household income of over $250,000. The town is known for its affluent residents, including many tech industry executives, such as Mark Zuckerberg and Sergey Brin. Woodside is also home to many notable venture capital firms, including Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins. The town has a high percentage of residents with advanced degrees, including many graduates of Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Economy

The economy of Woodside is driven by the tech industry, with many residents working at companies such as Google, Facebook, and Apple Inc.. The town is also home to many horse farms and equestrian centers, including the Menlo Circus Club and the Woodside Horse Park. Woodside is near the Sand Hill Road corridor, which is home to many venture capital firms and private equity companies, including Andreessen Horowitz and Greylock Partners. The town is also close to the San Francisco International Airport and the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, which provide easy access to Silicon Valley and the rest of the world.

Education

Woodside is served by the Woodside Elementary School District and the Sequoia Union High School District, which operate several highly-rated schools, including Woodside Elementary School and Woodside High School. The town is also near several top-ranked universities, including Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. Many residents of Woodside also attend private schools, such as the Menlo School and the Woodside Priory School, which are both highly-regarded independent schools. The town is also home to the Filoli Center for Arts and Education, which offers classes and workshops in art, music, and gardening.

Transportation

Woodside is located near several major highways, including Interstate 280 and U.S. Route 101. The town is also served by the Caltrain commuter rail system, which provides easy access to San Francisco and San Jose. Woodside is near the San Francisco International Airport and the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, which offer flights to destinations around the world. The town is also close to the Dumbarton Bridge and the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, which provide access to the East Bay and the Central Valley. Many residents of Woodside also use alternative modes of transportation, such as bicycling and horseback riding, to get around the town and surrounding area. Category:San Mateo County, California