St Claire Gardens - Palo Alto, CA

Before the area experienced became the tech industry capital, it was home to returning soldiers and their families after World War II. The land on which St. Claire Gardens now sits was once an orchard and farmland owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco. The housing boom that hit after WWII brought significant changes to the area, namely the construction of new homes for area families. The homes built in the area were also some of the last Palo Alto homes built entirely from redwood trees.

For local culture, many residents head to the nearby Stanford University campus for its acclaimed Cantor Arts Center. This art museum features visiting exhibitions as well as the University's permanent art installations.

The vast majority of the area's best restaurants sit a block south of the neighborhood on El Camino Real. Popular restaurants dot this area, providing a number of dining options within walking distance from St. Claire Gardens.

Sichuan specialties are featured on the menu at Da Sichuan Bistro. If you enjoy spicy food, you can't go wrong with the Manchurian chicken. The Sichuan fish and twice-cooked pork also remain local favorites. This local favorite has a casual, welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal stop for a family meal or for an impromptu date night.

INDO Restaurant and Lounge serves as a upscale, trendy spot with unique spins on traditional Southeast Asian dishes. The breezy patio creates a welcoming hangout and offers the perfect backdrop for enjoying one of this restaurant's craft cocktails. Try the roti prata and the tuna tartare before moving on to a main course of nasi goreng. For cocktails, go for the pear and ginger mule.

On the north end of the neighborhood, Philz Coffee remains the local go-to for a quality "cup of love," as the cafe calls it. As you enter the store, you'll quickly realize this is not your average coffee shop. Locals enjoy the wide range of unique blends that you can't find anywhere else. Try the mint mojito iced coffee for a tasty way to start your day.

Transportation options are not hard to come by in this neighborhood. While most residents drive, buses, trains and cabs are all easy to come by. Walking and biking remain viable options as well. A number of bike lanes surround the neighborhood, giving cycling enthusiasts excellent options for travel in the area.

VTA buses have stops along all the roads surrounding the neighborhood as well as one stop inside the neighborhood, at the corner of Waverley and El Verano. This stop is also a pick up and drop off point for the free Palo Alto Shuttle Service which has a number of other stops throughout the city.

While VTA serves as the local option, Caltrain exists as the regional carrier. With trains running throughout the Bay Area, St. Claire Gardens residents need only to go a mile outside of the neighborhood to the California Ave Caltrain Station to catch a train.

Hailing a cab may be possible, depending on the time and where you are located. Calling ahead to one of the local cab companies ensures you'll be able to get a ride. Uber also services the area, giving you another option for quick, convenient travel.

In spite of all these options, driving remains one of the most popular. Highway 101 sits only a mile to the north and Interstate 280, 5 miles to the south, giving locals convenient access to nearby communities. Free street parking is available throughout the neighborhood.

J. Pierce Mitchell Park offers a little something for everyone with its 21.4-acre campus. Kids run around in the large, grassy park or play on the playgrounds and splash pad, adults compete on the tennis and handball courts as well as the horseshoe pits, and dogs are welcome as well in the fenced in dog run. BBQ pits and picnic areas make this an even more popular weekend hangout. Although no organized events or activities take place in the park, the many amenities provide year round fun for the whole family. This park is free to the public.

The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in St. Claire Gardens costs $2,350. While this area is beautiful, it does tend to be about 26 percent expensive than some of the other parts of Palo Alto.

On average, locals pay about 23 percent more at the pump compared to gas prices around the country. Expect to pay $2 for an average bus fare, but keep in mind that you might be able to take advantage of the free shuttle service in the area..

When heading out to a local restaurant in St. Claire, expect to pay at least $12 for a meal and another $5 for a beer.

Neighborhood residents usually head to either the Stanford Shopping Center or to nearby Mountain View for a day of shopping.. The Stanford Shopping Center features a Crate & Barrel, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Bath & Body Works, and an Apple Store, just to name a few options. Downtown Mountain View is home to many small boutiques and local shops, as well as a CVS Pharmacy.

Midtown Shoe Repair provides expert service for all shoe repair needs. The store also sells many different shoe accessories and offers custom fittings before and after any repairs are made.

Just a couple blocks north of the St. Claire neighborhood sits Swati's Couture Indian Fashions. This boutique sells custom saris perfect for all occasions. Indian locals also head here for exquisite wedding apparel.

Trader Joe's, Safeway and Whole Foods provide locals with plenty of options for grocery shopping. Sigona's Farmers Market, open every day, and Palo Alto Farmers Market, open Saturday mornings, provide more groceries opportunities for locals, especially those looking for farm fresh produce and specialty items.