540 N California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA

Property CA
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1

Property Overview:

540 N California Ave is a single-family home in Old Palo Alto, CA, built in 1946. It features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2,230 sq. ft. of living space on a 6,800 sq. ft. corner lot. The home includes a two-car garage with EV charging, a fireplace, basement storage, and a mature, drought-tolerant garden.

Neighborhood Highlights:

  • Community:

    • Population: 15,402 (17% growth since 2000)
    • 50% families with children
    • Largest age group: 45-54 years (15.56%); second largest: 25-34 years (13.36%)

  • Crime Rate:

    • Personal crime risk: 4.4% (lower than state average of 11.8%)
    • Property crime risk: 10.7% (slightly lower than state average of 10.8%)

  • Schools:

    • Top-rated: El Carmelo Elementary, Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle, Palo Alto High, Walter Hays Elementary, and proximity to Stanford/Packard Children’s Hospital
    • Average SAT score: 1221 (well above state average of 975)

  • Job Market:

    • 80.8% white-collar jobs, 19.2% blue-collar jobs
    • Unemployment rate: 2.1% (lower than state average of 4.7%)

  • Cost of Living:

    • Median household income: $132,129
    • Average annual spending: $83,423

  • Natural Disaster Risk:

    • Moderate flood risk
    • Low tornado risk
    • High earthquake risk

  • Weather:

    • Average temperature: 51.7°F (January), 87.6°F (July)
    • Average rainfall: 17.3 inches/year
    • Average snowfall: 0.1 inches/year

Property Features:

  • Remodeled ranch home with bright, spacious rooms and charming design details
  • Living/Dining Room:
    • Hardwood floors, cove ceilings with accent lights
    • Built-in bookshelves and fireplace
    • Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass door to garden/patio
  • Chef’s Kitchen:
    • Recycled glass-cement or quartz countertops
    • High-end stainless steel appliances
    • Ample cabinet space and dining nook
  • Bathrooms:
    • Remodeled with oversized showers
    • Primary suite: Double vanity with quartz counters, clawfoot soaking tub, large shower
  • Garage:
    • Two-car capacity
    • EV charging station
    • Laundry area with sink
    • Epoxy floors and recessed lighting
    • Basement storage access
  • Outdoor Space:
    • Mature, drought-tolerant native California garden
    • Two patios and new lawn
  • Expansion potential due to large lot size

Location Benefits:

  • Prime Old Palo Alto location on a tree-lined street
  • Close to downtown Palo Alto, California Avenue, and Rinconada Park
  • Easy access to bike paths and multiple shopping centers
  • Top-rated Palo Alto schools
  • Ideal for family living, entertaining, and enjoying the California lifestyle
2

Price and Status History

date type price
1985-01-04 Off Market 325000
2016-05-02 For Sale 3895000
2016-05-24 For Sale 3595000
2016-06-01 Pending NaN
2016-06-13 Sold 3300000
2018-09-23 Rental 7498
2018-11-19 Sold 2880000
2025-02-19 For Sale 4498000
2025-02-28 Pending NaN
2025-03-13 Sold 4850000
3

Superfund Enterprise Management System

SITE NAME ADDRESS FEDERAL FACILITY NPL STATUS NON-NPL STATUS CONTAMINANTS SEMS EPA ID DISTANCE (MILES)
VARIAN ASSOCIATES 601 North California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA N N NF 0 CAT080010804 0.08
OREGON EXPWY UNDERPASS & Oregon Expressway, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA N N NF 0 CAD982399800 0.59
HEWLETT PACKARD CO MFG DIV 395 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306-2065, USA N N NF 0 CAD009122557 0.67
DURA-BOND 3201 Ash Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306-2240, USA N N NF 0 CAD014440648 0.86

Toxic Release Inventory

FACILITY NAME ADDRESS TOTAL FORMS LAST FORM YEAR RISK SCREENING FACILITY ID DISTANCE (MILES)
LITTON ELECTRON DEVICES 601 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1101, USA 38 1994 N/A 94304VRNMG601CA 0.94

Integrated Compliance Information System - Air

No data found within 1.0 miles for this property.

4

Flood Risk Info

fld_zone very high impact: up to 0.0001 miles high impact: up to 0.2 miles moderate impact: up to 0.5 miles low-moderate impact: up to 1.5 miles
A 0 0 0 8
AE 0 0 0 2
AH 0 0 0 2
AO 0 0 0 0
VE 0 0 0 0

Flood Zone Type

code meaning
A 1% annual chance flood zone determined using approximate methods. No BFEs shown. Flood insurance and management standards apply.
AE 1% annual chance flood zone determined by detailed methods. BFEs shown. Insurance and floodplain management required.
AH Shallow flooding (ponding) zones with depths between 1-3 feet. BFEs shown. Insurance and management required.
AO Shallow flooding (sheet flow) zones with depths 1-3 feet. BFEs or average depths shown. High-velocity areas may exist.
VE Coastal 1% annual chance flood zone with wave action. BFEs shown. Insurance and management required.

Earthquake Risk Info

zone_name quad_name very high impact: up to 0.0001 miles high impact: up to 2.0 miles moderate impact: up to 10.0 miles
San Andreas - Peninsula Mindego Hill 0 0 1
San Andreas - Peninsula Palo Alto 0 0 2
San Andreas - Peninsula Woodside 0 0 1

Landslide Risk Info

lscat very high impact: up to 0.0001 miles high impact: up to 0.04 miles moderate impact: up to 0.1 miles low-moderate impact: up to 0.2 miles
8 0 0 0 0

Liquefaction Risk Info

Suscept very high impact: up to 0.0001 miles high impact: up to 0.05 miles moderate impact: up to 0.5 miles low-moderate impact: up to 1.0 miles
High 0 0 0 0
Very high 0 0 0 1

Wild fire Risk Info

haz_class very high impact: up to 0.0001 miles high impact: up to 0.5 miles moderate impact: up to 1.5 miles low-moderate impact: up to 3.0 miles
High 0 0 0 0
Very High 0 0 0 0
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Traffic Noise by Hour x Weekday

Not enough data points

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Airplane Noise by Hour x Weekday

hour_of_day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
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