Chic vs. Geek: Love Where You Live

It’s the holiday season, and that means a visit to the Los Altos Festival of Lights. We both love this annual celebration – for different reasons, of course!

CHIC (PEARL)

Every year around this time, we look forward to attending the Festival of Lights Parade in Los Altos. Unfortunately, COVID kept us from holding a festival last year, so we knew the 2021 edition would be extra special. It got even more special when I got to ride on a Compass-themed “float” in the parade!

GEEK (KEVIN)

So what was I doing while Pearl was having all the fun? Taking these wonderful photos to document the occasion! Seriously, though, I love seeing everyone in our community join in the spirit of the season. It’s just another reminder of how awesome it is to live where we live. Get out and enjoy it!

Introducing: Los Altos

Tree-lined streets and a “small village atmosphere” characterize Los Altos, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, just 40 miles south of San Francisco and adjacent to Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and other thriving urban centers. Los Altos is primarily a residential community, with boutique retail districts featuring local small businesses a short walk from any home. The city remains an enclave in a sea of development, the perfect spot for a retirement retreat!

The history of modern Los Altos dates back to 1906, when a Southern Pacific Railroad executive and friends purchased 140 acres of land owned by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the inventor of the Winchester rifle. The group planned a new town to serve the new Southern Pacific Railroad cutoff between Mayfield and Los Gatos and named it Los Altos (Spanish for the heights) because the land was the highest on that cutoff.

Learn more in the Neighborhoods section of our website.

Introducing: Millbrae

In the 1860s, Darius Ogden Mills purchased land from José de la Cruz Sánchez to build a country estate. Bordered by what is now Skyline Boulevard, the Bayshore Highway, Millbrae Avenue, and Trousdale Drive, the estate became known as "Millbrae" from "Mills" and the Scottish word "brae," which means "rolling hills" or "slope."

Millbrae's economy is driven in part by its proximity to local transportation options including San Francisco International Airport. The city’s transit center provides quick connections to anywhere you want or need to go in the Bay Area, and tourists often choose to stay in Millbrae to take advantage of shops, restaurants, and more along El Camino Real and Broadway Avenue.

Learn more in the Neighborhoods section of our website.

Introducing: Hillsborough

The Town of Hillsborough is a primarily residential community west of U.S. 101 and east of I-280, a short commute away from San Francisco and minutes from SFO, with easy access to Caltrain. Incorporated more than 100 years ago, the town has retained its charm and continues to serve as an escape from the pressures of the big city.

In addition to a generally quiet, peaceful atmosphere, Hillsborough also offers award-winning schools and high quality public services. Once dominated by large estates, the town is home to several historic mansions that hearken back to a more regal time. Meanwhile, nearby cities of Burlingame and Foster City give Hillsborough residents options for a night out.

Learn more in the Neighborhoods section of our website.