Maple St, Crescent Park

Maple Street is the last cul-de-sac on the north side of Palo Alto's Crescent Park neighborhood before arriving downtown, which has some perks attached to it. It is further from the interstate but still protected from any through traffic by being a dead end. The houses are essentially mansions that just happen to be closer together, but it is still close enough to downtown that one can walk or bike. And, oh yeah, it is in one of Palo Alto's most desirable neighborhoods.

Given the size of the houses and the location, this neighborhood is indeed family-oriented - if you are a wealthy, hip, tech-savvy family. Palo Alto is unique in that it is comprised more of new Silicon Valley dollars than traditional old money, but that is still a certain niche role. It is very hard to get into, given how expensive it is, and the houses are still abnormally close together for residences of this size and affluence - but such is California.

Overall, probably one of the nicest places in town - if you can afford it.