Los Altos Real Estate Blog

Several eateries in Los Altos are participating in the Dine Out for Packard event to help raise money for the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.  The event takes place on April 19th, all day, at the following places:

• Spot - A Pizza Place
• Marie Callender's
• Baskin-Robbins
• Bumble Los Altos
• New Wing Wah Restaurant
• Peet's Coffee
• Rick's Cafe
• Round Table Pizza

Merchants will take 10-20% of their sales that day as a donation to the cause.  There are a few conditions for some vendors.  Marie Callender's and Bumble require a printed flyer from the website (see link above) and Peets is only donating from their bean sales.

Overall, this is a very easy program to help support.  The Lucille Packard Children's Hospital has done amazing work over the years and is a true asset to the local community.  If you have a chance to support this effort, please visit those merchants.

Have you been missing the downtown Los Altos farmer's market?  Well, it comes back on May 3rd, 2012 starting at 4PM and ending at 8PM.  There is lots of quality produce, entertainment for kids, and other products available.  If you've never been, come down an enjoy the lively atmosphere while shopping for quality produce, flowers, fish, and other products.

Make It An Outing

What I've seen for years and advise new shoppers to do is make a night of it.  Head downtown and have a nice dinner (there are lots of places to go) before heading to the farmer's market.  You can then do your shopping before heading home.  Rather than a quick stop, it becomes a destination.  It just gets better as the weather warms up because you can stay later.

Tips On Produce

Just like restaurants getting first pick produce, the best selection is available to those who arrive early.  The earlier you arrive, the more selection you have of everything.  If you get there right at 4PM, you should have the best pick of everything you need and it won't be so busy you can't talk to the seller about their recommendations.

The Neutra House in Los Altos is an example of mid-century modernism architecture designed by Richard Neutra.  Finished in 1939, it was one of three small homes built on a half-acre orchard on Marvin Avenue.  Each of the first two, one-bedroom homes contained approximately 750 square feet, small even for the time.  The final third smaller home was built later.  The location on Marvin Avenue isn't far from the current location on Hillview, where the current "Neutra House" was moved to city land a few years ago.  The restoration project was completed in 2008.

The home was extensively renovated with donations from community supporters.  Since the home was completely restored, it has been made available as a community center available for conferences, meetings, or other events.  There is also a complete HDTV A/V system available for presentations and other similar displays.  Visitors can see the history of Richard Neutra and other modern homes in Los Altos.

This home is one of many fascinating structures in Los Altos that offers insight into early 20th century architectural standards.  There is a concerted effort in Los Altos to retain homes that offer some historic qualities or reflect unique architectural interest relative to the town.  This house is one of the highest quality examples in the town since it was moved and restored.

For more information and details on seeing the property, visit The Neutra House Project website.  You'll find links to details about the life of Richard Neutra, the restoration project, and who was involved. 

Yes.  Very simply, we need them because they provide a valuable service to the community.  We have a nice variety of banks including national and local brands.  There's a debate in City Hall about the presence of two banks at the corner of 3rd and Main Streets in downtown Los Altos.  There is a committee being formed to discuss the merits of removing those banks.  The idea is that they take up a lot of space, don't generate much foot traffic, and break up the retail on Main Street.  That's all true, but...

We need those banks downtown.  They offer an important service that our residents need.  They also do bring foot traffic as people come downtown for the banks then head off to run other errands.  So, the solution to this issue is to approach these banks and the land owners with a proposition:

• Identify locations on 1st-3rd streets as alternate locations
• Identify smaller spaces that cost less to operate (better for the banks)
• Work with the bank on a relocation strategy
• Work with the land-owners of the existing sites on future uses
• Develop a real plan to implement strong retail at those corner locations

Personally, a bank located in a smaller space next to a high-traffic retail store is a huge win for both the bank and the town.  However, this has to be approached as a partnership all the way around.  If we want Anthropologie or Pottery Barn where the Chase Bank is located, that's a HUGE win for Los Altos.  It could be a big win for the bank too with more people just walking by who might need their services.  That's the sort of "co-location" strategy that creates a winning proposal for everyone.  It just needs to be discussed openly with everyone involved and not just a unilateral debate in City Hall.

My advice for everyone involved in this is to sit down and really hash out something along the lines of the proposal above.  Identify the "wins" for everyone and work out a real strategy to implement them.

The latest news on parking in downtown Los Altos is that another study will be done to assess where and how to add more parking downtown.  It's really not hard to figure out since this topic has been studied to death for years on end but who knows, maybe they'll get it done right this time.

There has been a significant lack of parking in downtown Los Altos for years.  When major events happen, parking is nearly impossible to get.  It's hard enough when the Farmer's Market happens, let alone a festival.  The issue is well know and many studies, both formal and informal, have been done in recent years.  Among the many suggestions was a serious of underground parking spots in the city owned lots running behind the Main Street shops.  That proposal was pretty good and would have put in plenty of spots to address current a long term needs.

Here's my suggestion based on what I've seen from various groups over the years:  stop analyzing it and just do it.  The studies are just politics, not a path to solving the problem.  I'd venture to say there are those (wink, wink) who want the studies to run on forever so parking doesn't happen and chain stores don't come to town.  That said, the last suggestion for parking I saw was this:

• Tear out all the large lots behind the Main Street shops.  Start down by San Antonio.
• Offer a $1M bonus to the contractor for on-time completion.
• Excavate one block at a time every 45 days.
• Build out 1 level down with construction complete every 90 days (per block)

The result is a completed project in a little over a year and the problem solved for years.  Hundreds of spots added!  Can this aggressive project be done?  Yes.  Let's repeat:  YES.  If a freeway in LA can be rebuilt on a faster track and a skyscraper in China can be built that fast (faster actually) then it can be done here.  C'mon Los Altos, let's get this parking issue solved so we can bring in the new businesses!

One of the biggest issues with downtown Los Altos has been the lack of large chain stores.  Many of the property owners have wanted to keep the "village" feel and only have small, local shops present - especially on Main Street.  Of course, time and countless lessons learned by other towns has shown that that trend is prone to failure.  Look at the number of vacancies downtown and you'll see what happens when small businesses with little economic backing do.  A recent article in the Los Altos Town Crier talked about this issue, which is what prompted this blog.

What chains could we possible want downtown that would augment the retail experience?  Interestingly enough, Apple was mentioned as was Niketown.  However, I think we could use a few others that would appeal.  We have one major sumbling block before they show up - small properties!

There are 3 major owners downtown who still hold narrow lots, some adjoining.  If those owners would sell those lots, and merge them, we'd have more wide lots with 3000+ sf of store space to accomodate these chains.  The town is is desparate need of more, better stores - c'mon owners, get with the program!  Is keeping the Los Altos "village" feel so important that you'll sink the town's economy to do it?  I think we can have a successful mix of chains and small businesses, very much like Los Gatos.  If they can do it, so can we!

My suggestions for appealing chains include:

• Children's Place (clothes)
• Coldwater Creek (clothes)
• Ed Hardy (clothes)
• Gap (clothes)
• Justice (clothes)
• Pottery Barn (housewares)
• Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or any other steakhouse chain
• Lego (toys)

There are several others but these, in my opinion, fill a gap in what we already have downtown without seriously impacting existing merchants.  In particular, we don't have a serious steakhouse in town and that's popular with many folks.  We have one toy store and the Lego products would probably augment their business instead of taking away from it by bringing more "toy focused buyers" downtown.  The clothes are a no-brainer and these stores are very popular right now.

I'd like to get some more exciting restaurants downtown too.  A theme restaurant that's family oriented would be interesting but I'm not sure where to put it.  Something like "Rainforest Cafe", you know what I mean?  Something with a little flash.  A little "sizzle" downtown would really attract consumers.  Sleepy little villages don't tend to make much money.

Yes, that's right, you heard it -- the new Safeway has finally been approved by the Los Altos City Council!  It's a huge improvement over the existing store with more than 45,000 s.f. in a 2-story configuration on the existing site.  The downside is that the store will go away for a while but the good news is that downtown will have a modern store that encourages visitors and potential downtown residential growth.

The Los Altos Town Crier has a great story about the new Safeway store.  I'm glad the city was finally able to work out a deal that didn't hold the store to the required number of parking spots.  The city also stands to get a short term infusion of cash - $500,000 - and assurances the store will be built.  Now it's just a matter of setting a timeline for construction.

The whole downtown area is really starting to come together.  It's taking a while but it seems well worth it as the town continues transforming into a more vibrant destination.  Having a major new grocery store is especially important to anyone thinking of building more residential units downtown.  When zoning for Main Street was changed, part of that was driven by the idea of creating a "European-style" village with residential units above retail.  That will be more appealing once this new store is completed.

The Bus Barn Stage Company is a small theater company that has been operating in near downtown Los Altos for amost 17 years (founded in 1995).  It offers professional-quality actors and products in a small theater right near town.  The company itself offers a wide range of productions.  The current product is Doubt, A Parable with a compelling story line and experienced cast.  I had an old classmate actually act in one of their productions years ago.  You just never know who you'll get as they do try-outs twice a year.  Lots of good actors and actresses.

They're located at 97 Hillview just off San Antonio Road and within easy walking distance of downtown.  So, in a way, Bus Barn Stage Company is it's own little Los Altos theater district.  You go downtown for dinner and then head over for a show.  Very few communities offer a similar experience, without driving to San Francisco or San Jose.

If you are a theater enthusiast, they offer various subscriptions that get you access to several shows through the season and a range of prices.  All the prices are quite reasonable and enjoy a variety of benefits.  Being a subscriber means you lock in your seat and you know you can always see the latest production.  It also supports community theater by guaranteeing you'll be there.  Part of what makes Los Altos such a great town is it offers fun and interesting entertainments such as theater.

Visit their website and take a look.

When you grew up, did you always wonder what it would be like to actually meet Santa?  Of course, and you got a chance to at the mall.  How about actually having breakfast with him?  Well, kids have the chance to actually do that at Maltby's restaurant in Los Altos!  When you go to the Breakfast with Santa event at Maltby's in Los Altos on December 17th at 9AM, you and your child will get to actually meet and greet with Santa.

You can purchase tickets at the following locations:

• Adventure Toys
• Cranberry Scoop
• Los Altos Village Association
• Maltby's

Seating is limited and always sells out.  The location has changed from year to year so make sure you remember that it's at Maltby's this year.  All kids must be accompanied by a parent, no drop-offs.  Ticket prices are $20 per person, either kids or adults and of course, includes breakfast.  You'll want to get there early to get a good seat.  Each child will get a chance to meet Santa in person in a unique environment. You'll have a chance to take photos and capture the moment forever.

This event is only 2 days away so I strongly suggest calling now to get your spot.  Visit the Breakfast with Santa website for details.

Residents have been enjoying old-fashioned carriage rides in Los Altos during the holidays for years.  They've actually grown in popularity is recent times as people realize it's a nice way to enjoy a special memory and see all the bright lights in the slightly Dickensian downtown area.  Los Altos lights up all the trees on State and Main Streets to set up most of the path used for the carriage rides.  Rides are scheduled every 30 minutes from 5PM - 9PM on the following dates:

• December 16, 17, 18th
• December 23, 26, 27th

The carriage is a spacious white coach with enough space to comfortably seat 4 adults and 2 children.  The carriage is open so you'll want to dress warmly.  If you need to, bring gloves, mittens, or hand warmers.  It's perfect for a family outting but just as nice for a romantic treat.  Either way, there's plenty of time to take pictures before or after the ride so you have something to remember the event by.

The cost if $80 per ride (no matter how many people in the carriage) and once booked, it's non-refundable.  Call 650-949-5282 to make reservations.  Also note that weather is not a factor in cancellations or refunds.  If it rains, the ride goes on.  This event is put on by the Los Altos Village Association and is usually sold out quick.  Give them a call today.