10 Popular Sunnyvale Neighborhoods: Where to Live in Sunnyvale in 2024

Part of the San Francisco Bay Area, Sunnyvale, CA, is a great area to call home that’s just west of San Jose. It’s also easily accessible to many of the other cities located in the area – Mountain View, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and more. Home to Baylands Nature Preserve, a charming downtown area, and many of the integral technology companies in the region, there’s so much that makes Sunnyvale what it is.

For example, the median home sale price is $1,480,500, while the average rent in Sunnyvale is $3,015. If you’re looking for a place to buy a home or rent an apartment in Sunnyvale, this guide is for you. Here are some of the most cool, picturesque, and historic Sunnyvale neighborhoods to check out this year.

1. Birdland

Birdland, also called Birdland Neighbors, is located southeast of downtown Sunnyvale and borders the city of Cupertino. It’s primarily a residential neighborhood, but there are plenty of shops, dining, and parks to check out. Birdland’s housing options include single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and apartment complexes.

Median Sale Price: $2,203,500

Homes for sale in Birdland | Apartments for rent in Birdland

2. East Sunnyvale

East Sunnyvale is made up of many sub-neighborhoods and is a great area to consider living in. There are plenty of parks, shops, and outdoor activities in this area. It’s also conveniently located by the Lawrence Expressway and the CalTrain stations. In East Sunnyvale you can find single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. Many of the single-family homes and townhomes are one-to-three stories and have outdoor spaces.

Median Sale Price: $1,555,000

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,943  | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,690

Homes for sale in East Sunnyvale | Apartments for rent in East Sunnyvale

3. Heritage District

The Heritage District is Sunnyvale’s historic downtown area. Here you’ll find landmarks like Plaza Del Sol and Historic Murphy Avenue, a diverse array of restaurants, bars and breweries, and the Sunnyvale CalTrain Station. The Heritage District is the most walkable neighborhood in the city, with a Walk Score of 74. It’s also a great area for bikers, with a Bike Score of 85. There are various types of single family homes in the Heritage District, specifically Victorian, Craftsman, and ranch-style homes. You can also find some duplexes, townhomes, condos, and apartments.

Median Sale Price: $1,585,000

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $3,432 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,930 

Homes for sale in the Heritage District | Apartments for rent in Heritage District

4. Lakewood

The Lakewood neighborhood is located on the north end of Sunnyvale, close to Baylands Park. There are lots of nice walking trails and parks like Lakewood Park. There are also some fantastic restaurants in Lakewood that offer everything from Turkish and Pakistani to Indian and Mexican cuisine. You can find all kinds of housing in Lakewood from single-family homes, condos, townhomes, apartments, and mobile homes.

Median Sale Price: $1,340,500

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,349  | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,887

Homes for sale in Lakewood | Apartments for rent in Lakewood

5. Lowlanders

Lowlanders is a residential neighborhood, but there are a few restaurants and markets within the area. It’s conveniently located to the rest of Sunnyvale and Silicon Valley. Most of the homes in the area are single-family homes in various styles like ranch and Craftsman.

Median Sale Price: $1,152,500

Homes for sale in Lowlanders | Apartments for rent in Lowlanders

6. Panama Park

Panama Park is another great residential neighborhood in Sunnyvale. Home to Panama Park, a great green space to spend the afternoon, this neighborhood is a great option for those looking for a laid-back area. Panama Park mainly consists of single-family homes, ranging from two-story homes to single-story ranch houses.

Median Sale Price: $1,601,000

Homes for sale in Panama Park | Apartments for rent in Panama Park

7. Ponderosa Park

Ponderosa Park is bordered by the El Camino Real, so it’s conveniently located to the rest of Silicon Valley. There are a few parks in the area including Ponderosa Park where you can find tennis and bocce ball courts. You can also find numerous shops and restaurants along El Camino Real. Ponderosa’s single-family homes range from two-story homes to single-story bungalows. While these are the most common housing types, you can also find some condos and apartments.

Median Sale Price: $2,025,750

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,095 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,400

Homes for sale in Ponderosa Park | Apartments for rent in Ponderosa Park

8. San Miguel

San Miguel is a great residential neighborhood to live in Sunnyvale. You can find some great restaurants, shops, and parks in the area. It’s also close to the 101 Freeway and the Lawrence Expressway.

Median Sale Price: $1,290,000

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,295 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,295

Homes for sale in San Miguel | Apartments for rent in San Miguel

9. Snail

The Snail neighborhood is located just west of San Miguel. In this area, you can find Columbia Park and Columbia Neighborhood Center, as well as a few local restaurants. You can find apartments featuring one-to-three-bedrooms in the Snail neighborhood. There are also lots of charming older single-family homes as well as modern townhouses and renovated homes.

Median Sale Price: $1,508,000

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,194 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $2,420

Homes for sale in Snail | Apartments for rent in Snail

10. Sunnyvale West

Sunnyvale West encompasses the western part of Sunnyvale, bordering Mountain View on the west and Cupertino to the south. There is a great mix of parks, local restaurants, well-known shops, and hidden gems in this neighborhood.

Median Sale Price: $2,140,000 

Average Rent for 1-Bedroom Apartment: $2,605 | Average Rent for 2-Bedroom Apartment: $3,750

Homes for sale in Sunnyvale West | Apartments for rent in Sunnyvale West

Methodology: All neighborhoods must be listed as a “neighborhood” on Redfin.com. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during December 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com during December 2022. Walk Score, Bike Score, and Transit Score from Walkscore.com during January 2023.