Sunnyvale

Streets like Peacock, Nightingale, and Parrot Avenue are what gave Birdland Neighborhood its unique name. Birdland is bounded by Dunholme Way and Dunford Way on the north, Lawrence Expressway on the east, Homestead Avenue on the South, and Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road on the west.

Birdland began in the 1960’s with the construction of these humble homes. These three or four bedroom, two bathroom, single story homes range in size from 1,300 to 1,600 square feet on lots of 6,000 to 8,000 square feet. Following a trend throughout Sunnyvale, later in the decade, larger, more luxurious two story homes were built here, that were 2,000 to 2,700 square feet on spacious 8,000 to 10,000 square foot lots. Many of the homes have retained their original character and size, giving the neighborhood a modest, understated presence. In spite of this modesty, Birdland has become a neighborhood of choice due to its locale. Just two blocks from access to Interstate 280 and Highway 85, it is a dream place for commuters to call home. Bird land is an especially attractive locale for Apple employees because it is just across Homestead Avenue from the new Apple campus.

Besides an easier commute, Birdland’s two high performing elementary schools draw homebuyers who seek long term security in real estate investment as well as a high daily quality of life. Stocklmeir Elementary with an API score above 970 and Laurelwood Elementary with and API above 940, provide the foundation of Birdland’s value. These elementary schools feed into Cupertino Middle School and then Fremont High School, with API scores of above 930 and above 760, respectively. Groceries, dining, and services are nearby. Ranch 99 Market and Homestead Square Shopping Center as well as the dozens of locally owned, small ethnic restaurants and businesses are within a few minute drive. Kaiser Permanente Medical Center is just minutes away as well.

In addition to excellent schools and daily life conveniences, Birdland is also graced with two fabulous parks and a unique community supported farm. The two parks are located in the middle of the neighborhood so you are never more than a five minute stroll from one or the other. In the over 18-acre Ortega Park, you can picnic in the gazebo, watch your children jump around in the spray pool, play tennis on the lighted courts, and even partake in a game of cricket. Raynor Park also offers an array of standard amenities along with an inline skating rink. Full Circle Farm offers another level of enrichment and recreation that is unique to the area.

Full Circle Farm is a volunteer-run community farm that advocates natural and sustainable food production and provides education and training to that end. On this 11-acre farm, visitors can learn the full circle of food production, from soil preparation to harvesting and cooking the fruits of one’s labor. Visitors come to the farm for internships, team building events, tours, weekly harvest share food purchase programs, or just casually picking up the harvest of the day from the produce and egg stand. In the fall, the Farm becomes the neighborhood’s pumpkin patch and corn stock maze which is popular with young families.

Median Home Price: 

Single Family Homes

Parks: 

• Ortega Park – 636 Harrow Way, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087
• Raynor Park – 1565 Quail Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087
• Full Circle Farm -1055 Dunford Way, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Public Schools: 

Laurelwood Elementary School              grades K-5    API 946

955 Teal Drive, Santa Clara, CA. 95051    

Louis Stocklmeir Elementary School         grades K-5     API 974

592 Dunholme Way, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087    

Cupertino Middle School                 grades 6-8    API 934

1650 S Bernardo Ave, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087    

Marian Peterson Middle School             grades 6-8    API 885

1380 Rosalia Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087        

Fremont High School                    grades 9-12    API 767

1279 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087         

Adrian Wilcox High School                 grades 9-12    API 767

3250 Monroe St, Santa Clara, CA 95051

Central Sunnyvale is a vibrant community that offers the best of both worlds in terms of peaceful living and valuable life conveniences. Its boundaries are El Camino Real and Old San Francisco Road on the north, Wolfe Road and Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road on the east, Dunholme Way and Homestead Road on the south and Hollenbeck Avenue on the west.

Within this populous Central Sunnyvale region are sub-neighborhoods with an eclectic mix of home types and styles. This area consists mostly of single family homes, but also one to two story town homes. The single family home styles include traditional Ranch, spacious two story contemporary, and modest sized mid-century modern homes and all were built over the course of a decade starting in the mid 1950’s. These homes have three to five bedrooms, range from 1,500 to 2,300 square feet, and have an average lot size range of 6,000 to 9,000 square feet.

These sub-neighborhoods offer a nice balance of seclusion and access to necessary amenities. The streets in these areas are strategically partitioned so that through traffic is minimized, creating pockets of homes with ample privacy and tranquility. At the same time these sub-neighborhoods are surrounded by pathways to major commute arteries and daily life amenities. They are a mere five minute drive to Interstate 280, Lawrence Expressway, Central Expressway, and The Sunnyvale Caltrain Station. Groceries, dining, and services can be had at the urban chic Cherry Orchard Shopping Center, anchored by Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, and the iconic and historic C.J. Olsen Cherries fruit stand and gift shop. Other large shopping centers include West Sunnyvale, Pavlina, and Hacienda.

Many schools serve Central Sunnyvale because the region is so large. There are four area elementary schools: Ellis and Braly with academic performance indices in the low 800’s and the stronger schools, Cumberland and Stocklmeir with API’s in the 950’s and 970’s range, respectively. Middle schools consist of Peterson and Sunnyvale both of which have API scores in the 860 range and Cupertino Middle with the strongest API in the 930’s. There are three high schools: Fremont and Wilcox, both with similar API levels over 760. The third high school, Homestead, is the leading one with an API score above 870’s.

Central Sunnyvale has three parks of differing size, theme, and amenities. Panama Park offers five acres of an open green field and picnic stations. Braly Park, on the Braly Elementary School campus in the Braly Corner area, offers standard park amenities, in addition to more unique ones such as a sand volleyball court, lagoon, and spray pool. Heritage Park, with its apricot orchard, located at the Sunnyvale Community Center, serves as a nostalgic link to Sunnyvale’s ubiquitous orchard past. Vintage era harvest equipment is displayed in the open air, and relics from that era can be seen in the Park’s Sunnyvale Heritage Museum.

The Sunnyvale Community Center is the City’s crown jewel. There is something for everyone in the community. A multitude of cultural programs and recreational activities and events for seniors, after school children, adults, and summer time programs are all held here. Framed by a serene pond and grassy knolls that make up The Sunnyvale Community Park, The Community Center complex includes a Performing Arts Center, general Recreation Center, Creative Arts Center, Indoor Sports Center, and Arboretum. The Center boasts a 200-seat, state-of-the-art theater, and 300-seat internet-ready conference room.

Median Home Price: 

Single Family Homes

Parks: 

Panama Park – 755 Dartshire Way Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Braly Park – 704 Daffodil Court, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Heritage Park – 550 East Remington Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Sunnyvale Community Center – 550 East Remington Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Public Schools: 

Braly Elementary                     grades K-5    API 807

675 Gail Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA.  94086      

Cumberland Elementary                 grades k-5    API 947

824 Cumberland Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Stocklmeir Elementary                grades K-5    API 974

592 Dunholme Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94087    

Sunnyvale Middle School                 grades 6-8    API 866

1080 Mango Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087        

Fremont High School                    grades 9-12    API 767

21370 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA. 95014

Cherry Chase Neighborhood is a highly sought after neighborhood in Sunnyvale. It is made up of El Camino Real on the north, Mary Avenue, Remington Avenue and Hollenbeck on the east, Fremont Avenue on the south, and Highway 85 on the west. Cherry Chase is a peaceful neighborhood with tree lined streets. The streets curve and meander, deterring speeding which makes the neighborhood safer for young children. The numerous cul-de-sacs also enhance safety for children and provide a haven for them to congregate, play, and cultivate a tight neighborly bond and friendship.

The close-knit Cherry Chase Neighborhood Association fosters a strong sense of community. The association allows neighbors to gather for block parties, coffee in the park, and holidays. It promotes sharing and trading of garden harvests and recipes originating from across the globe due to the culturally diverse membership. It also creates a tight knit neighborhood where residents watch out for one another and discuss and implement security measures.

Consisting of about 2,500 homes built in the late 1950’s and early 60’s, the majority of these Cherry Chase “Charmers” are Eichlers and cozy ranch style homes with delightful curb appeal. These homes have three to four bedrooms, two bathrooms and range in size from 1,400 to 2,000 square feet, on lots averaging 6,000 to 8,000 square feet. There are also larger two story homes that sit on 9,000 to 10,000 square foot lots.

As for schools, Cherry Chase provides numerous desirable options. Cherry Chase Elementary School is the neighborhood gem. With an excellent API score over 950, Cherry Chase Elementary draws many parents. Students can continue on to Sunnyvale Middle School with an API score of over 860. The high school is Homestead which has an API score of over 870, making it the strongest of the three high schools in Sunnyvale. Besides these great public schools, Cherry Chase also has several private schools, each filling a unique niche.

Stratford School, serving elementary and middle school students, offers accelerated curriculum programs focused on core subjects while incorporating engineering, technology, art, and physical education. In addition, Advance Computer Science and Engineering courses are also available to middle school students.

Community First School specializes in infant, pre-school, and elementary level curriculum with an emphasis on parent participation and age appropriate learning. The school also offers summer sessions with engaging, educational field trips.

Cherry Chase residents can enjoy access to two great parks. Mango Park, located on the Sunnyvale Middle School campus, has a running track, baseball and kickball diamond, long jump pit, swimming pool, and six lighted tennis courts. The other park is DeAnza, a 9.4 acre, Aztec theme park that has an array of amenities including a baseball field, basketball court, recreational building, horseshoe pits, athletic fields, racquetball courts, and an outdoor skate board park, one of just two in Sunnyvale.

Median Home Price: 

Single Family Homes

Parks: 

De Anza Park – 1150 Lime Drive, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Mango Park – 950 W. Remington Drive Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Public Schools: 

Cherry Chase Elementary School              grades K-5    API 946

Sunnyvale, CA 94087    

Sunnyvale Middle School                 grades 6-8    API 873

1080 Mango Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087        

Fremont High School                    grades 9-12    API 767

1279 Sunnyvale Saratoga Road, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Private Schools: 

Top Educational Institution

1112 S Bernardo Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087        

Community First School

1098 West Remington Drive     Sunnyvale, CA 94087        

Stratford School

1196 Lime Drive, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

One of Sunnyvale’s premier neighborhoods is Cumberland Neighborhood. Its roughly 700 homes lie within its boundaries of El Camino Real on the north, Hollenbeck Avenue on the east, Remington Avenue on the south, and Mary Street on the west.

Like most of Sunnyvale, in the early 1800’s Cumberland was vast wheat fields. In the 1870’s fruits orchards replaced these fields and thrived through the mid 1900’s. Reminders of this agricultural past can be seen in street names such as Nectarine, Persimmon, and Fig. Cumberland homes were built in multiple phases over the course of two decades, starting in the mid 1950’s. The majority of these homes are ranch style, with three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and range in size from 1,200 to 2000 square feet, sitting on lots ranging from 5,700 to 7,700 square feet.

Towards the end of the second decade of construction, in the late 1960’s, Ditz Crane developed larger and grander two story homes as buyers desired more space. These homes typically have five bedrooms, are 2,000 to 2,700 square feet, and built on lots ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 square feet.

Another great draw of Cumberland is access to quality schools, particularly elementary and middle. Cumberland Elementary is amongst the highest performing schools in the state with an API score in the mid-900’s. A few miles away is Sunnyvale Middle School, with an API score in the high 800’s.

Just a couple turns from nearby major thoroughfares take you into this tree-lined, family friendly neighborhood with easy access to parks and recreation at some of Sunnyvale’s 18 award-winning parks. Two of these are walking distance for Cumberland residents. Las Palmas Park on Russett Drive is over 24 acres of Polynesian themed landscaping with towering palm trees and an iconic pond. Residents can enjoy a multitude of recreational activities on the seemingly endless multi-use grass fields, picnic stations, children’s play structures, and baseball field. In addition to these fantastic standard amenities, Las Palmas is heavenly for tennis enthusiasts, canines, and kids with its impressive tennis center with 16 lighted courts, a dog park, and kids’ pool.

Mango Park, on the Sunnyvale Middle School campus located at the corner of Remington Drive and Mary Avenue, is a great place for students and residents to hone their skills in various sports. It has a running track, baseball and kickball diamond, long jump pit, and six lighted tennis courts.

In terms of location, Cumberland is ideally located for ease of commute, obtaining daily necessities, and community and civic services. The neighborhood is about five blocks from Highway 85, just over a mile from the Evelyn Caltrain Station and Central Expressway, and a few blocks away from other major thoroughfares. Groceries, fast food, and various ethnic restaurants can be found just around the corner at El Camino Real and Hollenbeck Avenue. Just across El Camino Real, residents have access to community services such as The Sunnyvale Public Library, Court House, Police Department, Chamber of Commerce, and The Teaching and Demonstration Garden.

Median Home Price: 

Single Family Homes

Parks: 

Las Palmas Park – 850 Russett Drive Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Mango Park – 950 W. Remington Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Public Schools: 

Cumberland Elementary School              grades K-5    API 946

824 Cumberland Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087    

Sunnyvale Middle School                 grades 6-8    API 873

1080 Mango Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087        

Fremont High School                    grades 9-12    API 767

1279 Sunnyvale Saratoga Road, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Sunnyvale’s Heritage District Neighborhood is a city center with historic homes, national historical landmarks, quaint Downtown dining, as well as community events. This neighborhood is bounded by Maude Avenue on the north, Wolfe Road on the east, Old San Francisco Road on the south, and Mathilda Avenue on the west.

The Heritage District Neighborhood is the historic heart of the city. Martin Murphy, Jr. is the founding father of Sunnyvale, being part of the first party to cross the Sierras in 1849 in a covered wagon, and built the Murphy Residence and named it after the glorious view, Bay View. He established a 4,800 acre orchard and granted permission Union Pacific Railroad to build through it, catalyzing California’s commerce and agriculture. He also forged the path for local education by spurring the establishment of Notre Dame College in San Jose and Santa Clara University. The Murphy Family residence, which was California’s first wood framed house, called Bay View, was the center of social and community celebrations. The family lived there for six generations, then sold it to the city of Sunnyvale in 1953. It was subsequently replicated, and now can be visited at the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum.

Most of the 69 historic homes or streetscapes in Sunnyvale lie within the district, along with four out of the eight landmarks included in The National Register of Historic Places – namely the Joshua Hendy Iron Works, Del Monte Building, Manuel Vargas Redwood Trees, and Murphy Avenue Historic District, which spans the 100 block of Murphy Street and is the city’s quaint dining and social and community event center. There, residents can enjoy the Saturday Famer’s Market, as well as annual events such as Wine Stroll, Art and Wine Festival, Howl’oween Pet Parade, and Christmas Tree Lighting.

The home style composition of The Heritage District Neighborhood has some condominiums and town homes but predominantly single family homes. The most prominent condominium complex is Santa Helena, located off of Arques Avenue and North Fair Oaks Avenue. Built in 1995, Santa Helen is comprised of 85 two or three bedrooms units that range 1,050 to 1,400 square feet, with monthly HOA fees that are approximately $400. As for town homes, Villas at Sunnyvale and The Classics at Fair Oaks, are the two largest and most notable. Both built in 2005, The Villas at Sunnyvale has two or three bedrooms and two and a half bath units that range from 1,450 to 1,570 square feet, and has monthly HOA fees of roughly $300. The Classics at Fair Oaks has 54 three bedroom and three bathrooms units, with 1,500 to 1,750 square feet, and HOA fees of just $75 a month.

The majority of the single family homes were built in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. These are modest, single story, bungalow style homes in original condition, with three or four bedrooms and one or two bathrooms, and are 800 to 1,400 square feet, and were built on 5,000-7,000 square feet lots.

Bishop Elementary and Ellis Elementary serve The Heritage District Neighborhood, with API scores in the high-700’s and in the mid-800’s, respectively. As for middle school, students would attend either Columbia with an API score in the mid-700’s, Sunnyvale or Pederson, both with an API scores in the mid-800’s. All three middle schools feed into Fremont High, which has an API score in the mid-700.

Two parks serve the Heritage District Neighborhood: Martin Murphy Historical Park and Victory Village Park. Murphy Park offers a recreational center, horse shoe pits, picnic tables, playground, and uniquely, a lawn bowling green and historical museum. Victory Village Park is a toddler park with picnic tables and fenced in playground.

Median Home Price: 

Sunnyvale West – Single Family Residence

Sunnyvale West – Town Homes

Sunnyvale’s Parkland Neighborhood is a desirable neighborhood that has both suburban and rural characteristics. Parkland is bounded by Reed Avenue on the north, Lawrence Expressway, Tamarack Avenue, and Thunderbird Avenue on the east, Dunford Avenue on the south and Wolfe Road on the west.

Driving through Parkland’s tree canopied streets gives you a feeling of being away from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley. This neighborhood is anchored by two prominent parks. In the northern half of Parkland, Ponderosa Park is the heart of the neighborhood. The majority of homes surrounding it are traditional one and two story homes. They were built in the 1960’s and 1970’s and have three to five bedrooms and range from 1,600 to 1,900 square feet, on modest 6,000 to 7,000 square foot lots.

The southern half of Parkland is anchored by Raynor Park. This area has more of a rural feel, created by the wider streets, larger lots, and a lack of sidewalks and curbs. Built in the 1950’s and 1960’s, a good percentage of these homes are on the smaller side, with a one story, simple, modern design, but sit on larger lots. It’s common to find a three bedroom, with one bathroom home with only 900 to 1,000 square feet yet on expansive lots averaging 9,300 square feet. The larger homes here range from 1,500 to 1,800 square feet with spacious lots over 10,000 square feet.

Parkland is served by a number of schools for all age levels. Elementary schools serving Parkland are Braly with an API score in the low 800’s, Ponderosa with a rising API score in the 850 range, and the highest performing, Laurelwood, with an API in the 940’s. Students go on to one of three middle schools: Peterson or Sunnyvale, both with API scores over 860 and Columbia Middle with a lower API score just over 730. For high school, it is either Fremont or Wilcox, both of which have API’s in the high 700’s. Private grade schools include South Peninusla Hebrew Day School, The French American School of Silicon Valley, and Challenger School.

Children and adults alike will enjoy the nine acre Ponderosa Park, which has something for most outdoor enthusiasts; be it baseball, basketball, horseshoe, picnicking, tennis, volley ball or bocce ball. At 14.7 acres, Raynor Park is Sunnyvale’s 2nd largest park. Here you will find two baseball fields, a recreational center, a roller skating rink, and other typical park amenities.

Parkland is especially attractive to golf enthusiasts. Just a block north of El Camino Real, off of Wolfe Road, is The Sunken Gardens Golf Course, a nine-hole, 1500 yard, executive course. The course also offers a driving range that’s geared for the beginner golfer. Open to the public 364 days a year and lit in the evenings, the 18 range stalls are available for warm-up or practicing. Loaner golf clubs are available for free. For family fun, Golfland USA is just across Wolfe Road. Young residents can celebrate birthdays here, playing miniature golf and in the arcade. I would take my 4 children here and they loved it.

The most remarkable neighborhood landmark is The Corn Palace. Located at White Oak Lane and Lily Avenue, this quaint, unassuming produce stand is one of the last bastions of Sunnyvale’s agricultural past. Since 1926, brothers Ben and Joe Francia co-owned the 20-acre working corn farm, selling corn, of course, along with firewood and other produce. In 2005 Joe passed away and his heirs sold his half of the land to developers.

Today, on Timberpine and Torreya Avenues, dozens of new homes replace rows of corn. Additional construction is slated, off of Dahlia Drive and Toyon Street, for a total of 51 new homes making Parkland a great option for buyers who desire new construction. However, Ben intends to continue growing his corn and working seven days a week until the very end so residents nearby can enjoy views of Sunnyvale’s history.

Median Home Price: 

Single Family Homes

Parks: 

Ponderosa  Park – 811 Henderson Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Raynor Park  – 1565 Quail Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Corn Palance – 1124 White Oak Lane, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Public Schools: 

Braly Elementary School                grades K-5    API 807

675 Gail Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA.  94086      

Ponderosa Elementary School            grades k-5    API 852

804 Ponderosa Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086                        

Laurelwood Elementary School            grades K-5    API 946

592 Dunholme Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94087    

Sunnyvale Middle School                 grades 6-8    API 866

1080 Mango Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087    

Peterson Middle School                grades 9-12    API 866

Fremont High School                    grades 9-12    API 767

21370 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA. 95014

Wilcox High School                    grades 9-12    API 767

Private Schools: 

Appleseed International Montessori School        (Chinese and English)

1095 Dunford Way, Suite 300 Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

School Champion Kinder International School     (Chinese and English)

1055 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Silicon Valley Academy     (English and Arabic)

1095 Dunford Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Sunnyvale East is the technological hub of Sunnyvale. The birthplace of Fry’s Electronics, this area also represents tech giants such as Advanced Micro Devices, Yahoo, and Lockheed Martin. This neighborhood is also a hotbed for companies in the pharmaceutical, software, electronic, computer graphic, and semiconductor industries. Many technology vocational universities have been established to serve these industries.

The majority of Sunnyvale East homes are small condominiums. Built in the 1970s, the Courtyard and Sunnyvale Meadows are the most desirable complexes, due to their lush surroundings, private patios, and generous distances between units. Units at these locations host one to three bedrooms, one or one-and-a-half bathrooms, and an average interior space between 800 and 1,100 square feet.

Newer townhome complexes, built since 2000, are larger and more luxurious. These complexes include Fusion, Evelyn Glen, 37 Degrees North, and Aster Place. Most homes in these complexes are tri-level residences with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 square feet.

Recreation

Resident park-goers may choose from a couple of relaxing options. Swegles Park is a small area that mostly serves the Fusion townhome community, while Fair Oaks Park spreads across 15 acres, making it one of the city’s primary parks, and accessing ball fields, basketball courts, a recreation center, a volleyball court, and a skate park.

Schools

Elementary schools include Braly, Ellis, or San Miguel with API scores between the high 700s to the mid-800s. Middle schools serving Sunnyvale East are Columbia with an API score averaging around 730, Peterson with an API score of 860, or Sunnyvale with an API score similar to Peterson’s. High school students attend either Fremont or Wilcox, both of which have API scores in the high 760s.

Median Home Price: 

Sunnyvale East – Town Homes

Sunnyvale North is a gentrifying neighborhood.  Over the past 20 years new luxury town homes have replaced some industrial complexes and communities of detached single family homes.  This gentrification is continuing with more town homes being built today.  The single family home region of Sunnyvale are also experiencing gentrification, as a result of more and more of these original properties being purchased and revamped by value conscientious buyers and investors.  Sunnyvale North is a triangular shaped neighborhood, formed by Freeway 237 running northeast and southwest, Calabazas Creek running north and south, and Duane Avenue and Maude Avenue running east and west.

Lakewood is an area of Sunnyvale North that has modest, single story homes built in the “Eichler” style, built in the late 1950’s. Located between Fair Oaks Avenue and Lawrence Expressway, the majority of the homes have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and range in size from 1,000 to 1,485 square feet in size. The lots are fairly uniform averaging 5,000 to 6,000 square feet. You can expect to see more and more construction sites in Lakewood in the next decade. These homes are the most affordable, detached single family homes in Sunnyvale; making them attractive to buyers who are willing to take on a renovation project, in order to reap the reward of increase home equity.

The second area of Sunnyvale North is called Tasman Crossings, and lies between Fair Oaks Avenue and Morse Avenue. This area features a dozen luxury, tri-level town home developments built since 1995. Traditions, a development of 169 units built in 1995, offers the most spacious living, with three bedrooms and two bathroom units that range from 1,850 to 2,150 square feet. The next wave of development came with the construction of The Danbury, Danbury II, City Park, and Verona, communities between 2004 and 2008. The units in these developments have two or three bedrooms and two bathrooms and average 1,400 to 1,650 square feet. The amenities of these developments typically include a green space, club house, swimming pool, and gym.

Sunnyvale North is centrally located for commuting. The Light Rail runs through the neighborhood with two stops: the Vienna and Fair Oaks stations. It is also a five minute commute to hundreds of companies, located on the other side of either Freeway 237 or Highway 101. The renovated Lakewood Shopping Center provides a number dining and retail options.

Another desirable characteristic of Sunnyvale North is the cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. Here you can visit the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple and Community Center, as well as the Indian Heritage Foundation. Faith communities includes Chinese Christian Church, New Hope International Church, Korean Presbyterian Church, and Iranian Assembly of God.

Three elementary schools serve Sunnyvale North: Fairwood Elementary with an API score in the mid 800’s, and Lakewood Elementary and San Miguel Elementary, both of which have API scores in the high 700’s. Middle school students attend Columbia Middle, which has an API score in the low 700’s. Fremont High School also serves Sunnyvale North. It has an API score in the mid 700’s.

Sunnyvale North has a robust recreational system featuring five parks, a greenbelt, and a community center. Fairwood Park and Columbia Park, both about 15 acres in size, have swimming pools, baseball fields, picnic tables, play structures, tennis and volleyball court, bike paths, jogging track, and parcourse. The local park system also has an outdoor skateboarding rink and sand volleyball court. In addition, the newest park, Seven Seas, was built mainly for the enjoyment of young children. Adults can enjoy tennis while young children have two play grounds and a spray pool. Seven Seas also provides recreation space for the canine member of the family with its dog park.

The Columbia Neighborhood Center, spanning 25 acres, is comprised of the Advanced Micro Devices Sports and Service Center building, a swim center, Columbia Middle School, Sunnyvale Preschool Center, and Columbia Park. All residents can enjoy The Center’s health, social, recreational, and educational programs and services, seven days a week, including evenings, year round.

Median Home Price: 

Sunnyvale North – Single Family Homes

Sunnyvale North – Town homes

Parks: 

The John W. Christian Greenbelt links Orchard Garden, Lakewood, and Fairwood Parks as well as several neighborhoods.  The belt, a 6.8 mile paved trail, affords access to the amenities of the neighborhood parks and connects to the Calabazas Creek Trail, Bayland Park, and Bay Trail, offering residents access to a wider system of trials beyond Sunnyvale.  Bicyclist and leashed dogs are welcome on the greenbelt. 

The Sunnyvale West neighborhood splits into three distinct zones. Dozens of companies have gathered at its most northern region, including those representing high-tech industries like medical software and cloud computing. Townhomes of various styles occupy the middle region, along with multi-family properties and a small number of modest, single-family homes. In the multi-residential zone, residents occupy duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes. Most of the homes in the southern region of Sunnyvale West are charming, single-family homes in original condition with lots averaging 5,500 square feet.

Recreation

Recreational opportunities abound here, with Encinal Park offering lighted tennis courts, volleyball courts, and a quarter-mile par course. In addition, Washington Park houses a swimming pool, and Sunnyvale Golf Course hosts a par-70, 18-hole course. Residents may also take classes at Sunnyvale Teaching and Demonstration Garden, or they may visit the Civic Center, which includes a public library.

Schools

The Sunnyvale West Neighborhood is served by four schools. For elementary schools, students attend either Cumberland or Vargas, with API scores in the high 940s and mid-770s, respectively. Students then go on to Sunnyvale Middle School, with an API score above 860, and then Homestead High School, which has an API score in the mid 870s.

Median Home Price: 

Sunnyvale West – Single Family Residence

Sunnyvale West – Town Homes

Sunnyvale’s West Valley Neighborhood affords a splendid option for home buyers with its desirable homes, high quality and diverse educational offerings, and life-enriching amenities. The neighborhood borders Los Altos on the west and Cupertino on the south. West Valley’s street boundaries are Fremont Avenue on the north, Hollenbeck Avenue on the east, Homestead Road on the South, and Belleville Avenue and Ashcroft Street on the east.

As you drive through West Valley, you see predominantly ranch style homes built in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Most of these homes have retained their original style and design over the decades. Typically, they have three to four bedrooms and two and a half baths. The average home ranges from 1,400 to 2,200 square feet. Lots are relatively spacious and span from 8,000 to 10,000 square feet. A small percentage of West Valley homes are larger; typically with two stories and upward of 2,400 square feet.

West Valley is conveniently located to dozens of restaurants, shops, medical facilities, and grocery stories. These establishments can be found at Homestead Square Shopping Center, Wrightmont Corner, and along Fremont and Hollenbeck Avenue, and all are just a short drive from the neighborhood. Whether you are in the mood for some Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese food or a good ol’ American cheeseburger, you can find it nearby.

West Valley’s younger residents enjoy exceptional quality education provided by the neighborhood public schools. West Valley Elementary has a phenomenal academic performance index score over 950. Elementary school students go on to Cupertino Middle School, which also has an excellent API score above 930. Homestead High School, where Steve Jobs went, has a strong API score over 870, rounds out the public school system that serves West Valley.

The neighborhood’s cultural and educational diversity are reflected in the area’s private schools. These schools include The French American School of Silicon Valley, Wonderland Chinese School, South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, Resurrection Catholic Elementary, and Challenger School. The performing arts education offerings include The Music School, Indian Dance School, Shine School of Music and Language Arts, and Harmony Dance Center.

West Valley is fortunate to have two fabulous parks. San Antonio Park, located off of Astoria Drive, is about 6 acres, most of which is a multi-use green field. The Park is surrounded by homes and some back up to it. Serra Park, a 12 acre oasis located at The Dales Avenue and Hollenbeck Avenue, is one of the city’s premiere parks. Residents in the surrounding streets can easily walk a couple blocks to enjoy its expansive green space, recreational building, picnic area, play structure, four lighted tennis courts, and even an inline skating rink and kids’ pool!

Median Home Price: 

Single Family Homes

Parks: 

San Antonio Park – 1026 Astoria Drive, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Serra Park – 739 The Dalles, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Public Schools: 

West Valley Elementary School              grades K-5    API 955

1635 Belleville Way, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087    

Sunnyvale Middle School                 grades 6-8    API 873

1080 Mango Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087        

Homestead High School                grades 9-12    API 873

21370 Homestead Road, Cupertino, CA 95014

Private Schools: 

The French American School of Silicon Valley – 1522 Lewiston Drive, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Wonderland Chinese School – 10931 Maxine Avenue, Cupertino, CA. 95014

South Peninsula Hebrew Day School – 1030 Astoria Drive, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Resurrection Catholic Elementary – 1395 Hollenbeck Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087

Challenger School – 1185 Hollenbeck Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA. 94087