Named for explorer Gasper de Portola, Portola Valley is a small com munity in San Mateo County and has recently been rated one of the top forty wealthiest towns in the United States. A mostly wooded area off of Interstate 280, Portola Valley has large lot-sized homes and a magnificent trail system suitable for horses. The Portola Valley Loop provides hikers, bikers and horseback riders with seventeen miles of breathtaking views and serene surroundings. The town was incorporated in 1964 with a clear vision of the need for open space and environmental protection, and that remains the town's focus even today. The quaint rural town center hosts a community hall, library, and recreational fields providing the community with art exhibits, book readings and community hikes. The perfect balance of tree-lined streets and flowering meadows makes Portola Valley a superb place to call home.