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Larger lots and the prospect of more privacy were big draws to Lynette Lee Eng, when she and her family moved to South Los Altos from Sunnyvale in 1995.

Sandwiched between Grant Road and the Sunnyvale border at Stevens Creek, Homestead Road and the Waverly Park neighborhood of Mountain View, South Los Altos is an enclave of ranch-style homes mostly built in the mid-'50s, with a few Eichlers tucked in on Fallen Leaf Lane and Christine and Clay drives.

Many South Los Altos children attend school in the Los Altos district, but some are assigned to the Cupertino district. Eng's son is enrolled in the Mandarin Immersion program there. "It's nice to have alternative education offered," she said.

Although there is no formal neighborhood association, many neighbors got to know each other when the city of Los Altos acquired land for Grant Park. "An informal group originated through Friends of Grant; we all still remain in touch," she said.

Today the park houses a community center, which is used for after-school programs and Boy Scouts. Eng would like to see a room allotted for seniors to use.

Other ways the community connects are through Neighborhood Watch groups and through an e-mail newsletter. "The e-mail communication has really helped keep the community informed," she added.

Since 2006, the neighbors have organized an early-evening summer concert at Grant Park, featuring a variety of bands. "We make sure we catered to everyone's taste," Eng said, adding that in 2007 they brought back California Beach Party and added Scion, a jazz band.

Eng was so interested in the Grant Park process that she volunteered to serve on the Park, Art and Recreation Commission. "I felt it was important that (the city council) heard from members of our side of town," she said.

Megan Satterlee, who was elected to the Los Altos City Council in 2007 after serving on the planning commission, moved to South Los Altos from Sunnyvale in 2003. She had served on Sunnyvale's planning commission for five years before that.

She too was drawn to the larger lots. "We just found a house we like," she said.

"My neighbor had started a neighborhood women's group, so I was immediately integrated by joining," Satterlee said, noting that her group has the full gamut of ages, original residents with grandchildren to newcomers with small children.

While campaigning, she walked all around Los Altos and heard directly what her neighbors are interested in: "use of Grant Park, safe routes to school, pedestrian access to Trader Joe's and Starbucks," she said.

She has found the neighborhood very friendly. "It's very walkable, to Starbucks, or Trader Joe's, or the park. There are lots of trees, it's close to the freeway — I have no complaints."

Eng agrees that the renovated Foothill Crossing shopping center is a real plus. "It's nice because it's within walking distance. It really brings people out."


FACTS


CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: CCLC Preschool, 2310 Homestead Road; Mountain View Parents Nursery School, 1299 Bryant Ave., Mtn. View; St. Simon's Catholic Church Extended Day Care Center, 1840 Grant Road; YMCA — Way to Grow Full-Day Preschool, 1501 Oak Ave.

FIRE STATION: No. 16, 765 Fremont Ave.

LIBRARY: Woodland, 1975 Grant Road

PARKS: Grant Park, 1575 Holt Ave.; (nearby) Marymeade Park, Fremont Avenue at Grant Road

POST OFFICE: Loyola Corners, 1525 Miramonte Ave.

PRIVATE SCHOOL: St. Simon Catholic School, 1840 Grant Road

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Los Altos School District — Oak Elementary School, Blach Intermediate School; Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District — Mountain View High School; or Cupertino Union School District — Montclaire Elementary School, Cupertino Middle School; Fremont Union High School District — Homestead High School

SHOPPING: Foothill Crossing, Homestead Road; Greenhaven Plaza, Grant Road

MEDIAN 2008 HOME PRICE: $1,600,000 ($1,183,700-$2,495,000)

HOMES SOLD: 33

— Carol Blitzer