Atherton is a small, affluent town located in San Mateo County and was one of the original stops for the Southern Pacific Railroad running down the Californian coastline. Although there was an opportunity for Atherton to become incorporated into Menlo Park, residents of Atherton against doing so to keep the neighborhood completely residential.

As you might expect from a town choosing to stay independent, there’s a distinctive community feel and people are exceedingly friendly. Atherton’s 2002 plan was “to preserve the town's character as a scenic, rural, thickly wooded residential area with abundant open space.”

The've succeeded: there are almost no commercial activities, restaurants, pubs, or otherwise in Atherton apart from the Menlo Circus Club, a polo club where residents frequently have social meetups and spend their leisure time. This club dates back to 1926 and is a reminder that this has always been a wealthy area.

True to its objectives, the town has an almost rural feel about it despite being on the outskirts of Silicon Valley. There’s plenty of nature to enjoy and the overall vibe is one of tranquility.

Luckily, Menlo Park and Palo Alto are only a few miles away if you want to get out and explore shops, bars, and restaurants. While a bike offers an easy and serene way to get around Atherton, you’ll need a car to get to these nearby destinations for grocery shopping and eating out.

As you'd guess from the lack of things to do, Atherton isn't exactly a draw for young people looking for some excitement. More than half the population is older than 45, and 75% of households are married. Less than a third of households have children under the age of 18 living with them. This is definitely an older community, and it shows.

Despite this, young people who do choose to come here will find a peaceful, outdoorsy atmosphere to enjoy. Atherton's easy access to the rest of Silicon Valley and the Greater Bay Area means plenty of recreational and cultural activities. Just make sure you've got a healthy bank account.

Atherton is bordered on the west and north by Redwood City, on the east by Menlo Park, and on the south by Woodside.