Originally, early settlers came to California due to the area's natural beauty and rustic charm. Menlo Park, a part of the San Francisco Bay Area of California, embraces the best of both worlds found in California today. The average commuter time is about 24 minutes, emphasizing a balance of work and play found here.
Many Menlo Park communities represent a rural setting that isn't too far from urban conveniences such as bustling shopping districts and a lively cultural district. More than 32,000 people call Menlo Park home. Santa Cruz Avenue serves as the town's version of Main Street, housing everything from local schools and libraries to community parks and town council offices. One thing you will notice about Menlo Park is the mix of high-tech business opportunities and small town appeal.
Menlo Park has a population density of 1,839 people per square mile. There are just over 12,000 households in town with 97 percent of the population spread throughout local communities. The population is evenly distributed among age ranges with an average household size of 2.53. The town has been designated a Tree City USA community thanks to more than 10,000 trees throughout local neighborhoods. Top employers include Facebook, SRI International, Tyco Electronics, Intuit, and Pacific Biosciences. The town is also home to Google Inc. and home to its co-founder, Sergey Brin.
The Menlo Park Presbyterian Church dates to 1873 and the town's train station is the oldest in California. Clearly, Menlo Park represents an eclectic mix of royal and urban characteristics with an appreciation of history, but an eye on the future.
Menlo Park was first incorporated in 1874 when the area was founded by Dennis J. Oliver and his brother-in-law D. C. McGlynn. The Irish immigrants gave the town its name and settled here. It was the town's train station that attracted businessmen to the town, many of whom decided to settle here with their families. The town was eventually unincorporated, before becoming reincorporated in 1927. For this reason, the town recently celebrated its 83rd birthday, recognizing the second incorporation as the date of the town's official beginning.
During the town's second life, businesses continued to flock to Menlo Park due to the area's natural beauty and easy access to main transportation routes. It is this combination that has made Menlo Park an extension of the Silicon Valley in many ways, with many tech firms either directly in town or nearby.
There is no shortage of things to do in Menlo Park. A summer concert series isn't really much of a surprise, especially since Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac are among the town's distinguished citizens. Others include author Nancy Farmer, actress Courtney Thorne-Smith, composer Henry Cowell, and folk singer Joan Baez. Community involvement is a big part of life in Menlo Park. Many communities hold annual barbeques, block parties, festivals and community celebrations. Business prospers and the community thrives in Menlo Park. See for yourself why this thriving community is a great place to visit or call home. Bookmark this site for the latest Menlo Park, California information.