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When Lorraine and Noble Hancock moved to the Westridge neighborhood in 1957, Mapache Drive stopped at their house on the third lot.

The neighborhood retained its rural, small-town feel as development continued, with a sense of camaraderie that Mrs. Hancock says came from local mothers' coffee dates and shared efforts to pick neighborhood children up from school.

"In the first five years, there were many children of the same age, and it was a treat for our five children and for all of the mothers at home."

Developed back in the 1920s after serving as ranch land, Westridge is an oasis that feels far removed from the hustle and cramped conditions of Silicon Valley. Each lot in the rolling hills and oak-tree dotted neighborhood is a minimum of 2.5 acres, and bridle path easements on each property preserve the open-space feel.

"Originally, the neighborhood catered strongly to horse owners, and so each lot has natural trails for horse rides. There aren't as many horses anymore, but now the trails are being used by others," Mrs. Hancock says.

Over ten miles of trail attract hikers, bicyclists, and riders.

Keeping the natural allure of Westridge alive is a priority for the residents' association, which sponsors annual clean-up days and a picnic and barbeque as well as holding an annual meeting in the winter.
"We cherish our open spaces, and I regret that some people have been digging out the natural landscaping and digging wells," Mrs. Hancock says.

Homebuilders must adhere to strict design guidelines enforced by the Westridge Architectural Supervising Committee, which aims at preserving the rural character of the neighborhood.
Adaline Jessup, was 26 when she moved to Westridge Drive with her pediatrician husband in 1951, has seen the community evolve since its early days. She has hosted around 60 students, mostly medical students, in the apartment off of her garage.

She and her husband chose Westridge for its openness and natural space, which she and her husband picnicked on before they decided to develop a lot. "We had two children when we moved in, and promptly got a dog. Then came the sheep, goats, and chicken, and even a boarded a horse."

While the neighborhood has since become more developed, grasslands have grown wooded, and the demographics have changed, Westridge is again attracting new families.

"Kids kind of disappeared for awhile," Mrs. Jessup says "Now there are many kids, and it makes me realize how much I missed hearing children's voices."

-- Sarah Trauben


FACTS
CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOLS: Windmill Preschool, 4141 Alpine Road, Portola Valley; Ladera Community Church Preschool, 3300 Alpine Road, Portola Valley; Carillon Preschool at Christ Church, 815 Portola Road, Portola Valley; New Horizons (after school care), 200 Shawnee Pass, Portola Valley
FIRE STATION:Woodside Fire Protection District, Portola Valley Station, 135 Portola Road, Portola Valley
LOCATION:Westridge Drive between Alpine and Portola roads
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION:Westridge Architecture Supervising Committee
PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
Portola Valley School District -- Ormondale School (K-3), 200 Shawnee Pass, Portola Valley; Corte Madera School (4-8), 4575 Alpine Road, Portola Valley
Sequoia Union High School District -- Woodside High School, 199 Churchill Ave., Woodside
SHOPPING: Nathhorst Triangle, Portola Road at Alpine Road; Village Square, 884 Portola Road; Ladera Shopping Center, 3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley
==BMEDIAN 2011 HOME PRICE:==$3,350,000 ($3,210,000-$4,450,000)
==BHOMES SOLD:==3

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