Overview
Portola Valley is on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. The city is in San Mateo County and is south of Woodside and west of Menlo Park.
1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Palo Alto)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SQL San Carlos Airport, San Carlos — 9 mi away. Directions
- SJC Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
There is only 3 main ways to enter Portola Valley, Highway 280, taking Sand Hill Road, or taking highway 35.(Skyline BLV)
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
There is only 3 main ways to enter Portola Valley, Highway 280, taking Sand Hill Road, or taking highway 35.(Skyline BLV)
There's no public transit to speak of, just a couple of once-a-weekday bus routes from the local schools.
Get around
Portola Valley is a smaller town, and typically has less crosswalks or public transportation. There are 3 shopping centers in Portola Valley, and able to reach them from Portola Road, or Woodside Road. Sam Trans also runs routes to Portola Valley, though mainly used for Corte Madera School.
See
There is many hikes around Portola Valley, including Portola Redwoods State Park.
Do
Hiking is one of the main activities you can do within Portola Valley.
Drink
Drink Alpine Inn
The only Bar in Portola Valley, and able to be reached from San Hill Road, and Portola Valley.
Alcohol is also available at other restaurants (except Portola Valley Deli) And also available at Roberts Market (On Portola Road.)
Sleep
There are no hotels in Portola Valley. However, lodging is available in nearby Menlo Park and Woodside.
Go next
Going onto Highway 280 is your best bet of leaving Portola Valley. Highway 280 leads to bigger towns and cities, such as San Francisco. You can also use Highway 84 to reach the coast, but usually takes longer.
Nearby
Woodside
City / town · 8 listings · 3 mi away
Los Altos Hills
City / town · 2 listings · 5 mi away
Menlo Park
City / town · 75 listings · 6 mi away
Palo Alto
City / town · 53 listings · 6 mi away
Los Altos
City / town · 28 listings · 8 mi away
Redwood City
City / town · 24 listings · 8 mi away
Mountain View
City / town · 55 listings · 8 mi away
San Carlos
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
My experience
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