Lawrence Station - Sunnyvale, CA

Before the Spanish arrived in the region in the 1770s, the Ohlone Native Americans inhabited the land. In 1842, Francisco Estrada and Inez Castro received the land later developed into Mountain View and Sunnyvale. After the railroad arrived in 1864, the community rapidly expanded. From its fruit farming origins to the introduction of military defense industries after World War II, the community thrived with each cultural and economic shift.

When it comes to arts and culture, residents only need to travel a short distance to find galleries such as Salle Bella Art and Design Artistry, located just a few blocks away. Nearby museums include the Chinese American Culture Center on Forgewood Avenue, the Intel Museum and the Digital Game Museum in Santa Clara. The entire Sunnyvale community comes together during its festivals, including the Magic of Sunnyvale, the Sunnyvale Art and Wine Festival and its summer music series.

While Lawrence Station has the reputation of being far from the action, residents can still choose from a diverse variety of restaurants and hot spots located nearby.

Grab lunch at Taco De Oro Taco Truck, which frequents Lawrence Station Road. Ample parking and a shady location add to the appeal, allowing you to enjoy a fast lunch. Choose from a variety of street tacos including pastor, carne asada, veggie or chicken. Another great lunch spot, Minh's Vietnamese Restaurant, specializes in warm, steaming bowls of flavorful pho ap chao, crisp cha gia, northern pork with noodles and zesty catfish stewed in a clay pot.

The surrounding area also houses upscale options, such as Lion & Compass Restaurant, which has a warm ambiance equally well suited for date night or an evening out with coworkers or clients. Specialties include ahi tuna sashimi, ginger sake steamed clams, seafood pot au feu, pan roasted filet mignon, venison stir-fry and rack of lamb.

Although this neighborhood's nightlife tends to be quieter than the hopping scene on Murphy Street in downtown Sunnyvale, you can still count on having some fun after the sun goes down.

Nightly live music keeps the crowd at Quarter Note Bar jamming, making it a great spot for anyone who plays an instrument or just enjoys listening to local talent. The Wave Magazine voted it as the "Best Bar in Town for Live Music." In addition to professionals, the bar welcomes amateur musicians to take the stage during its jam sessions. It also hosts events and has plenty of pool tables and televisions for watching the big game. For a laid-back night out, the karaoke, dartboards and pool tables at Bogart's Lounge and Tech Pub may just fit the bill. This friendly dive bar also has karaoke on Wednesday and Friday nights.

Access to commuter roadways and public transportation comprise part of the allure of living in Lawrence Station.

VTA services the Sunnyvale area with shuttles, buses and several rail lines, including Route 30, which runs from Sunnyvale to San Jose, with stops in Santa Clara, the San Jose Market Center and Monterey. Caltrain also provides commuter rail service to San Jose as well as service to points north, including Palo Alto, Redwood City and San Francisco. Additionally, you can leave the car at home and call a local taxi service or arrange a ride with Uber.

Proximity to Route 237 makes commuting to Silicon Valley or any of the high-tech businesses along the way fast and convenient. Although you can walk to a couple of shops, bars and restaurants, most residents of Lawrence Station rely on driving to get around the region. The community has its own secure parking garage, although spots can fill up quickly on specific floors.

On a beautiful day, many Sunnyvale residents enjoy taking a walk or bike ride. In addition to shared roadways and bike paths, portions of several area roads have a dedicated bike lane, including Manila Drive, Moffett Park Drive and Arques Avenue, making it safe and convenient to travel by bike for recreation or as an alternative transportation method.

When you want a little more space to spread out and play, walk or drive to Baylands Park located less than two miles away. With approximately 70 acres of developed land and another 150 acres of protected wetlands, this picturesque park situated along the sparkling San Francisco Bay, provides plenty to see and do. It has several playgrounds and play structures, open grassy spaces and access to the San Francisco Bay Trail. Expect to pay a parking fee from March through October, although pedestrians and cyclists always enjoy free admission. Because of the park's bountiful wildlife population, the park doesn't allow pets.

Life in Sunnyvale generally comes with a price tag approximately 32 percent higher than the state average and 15 percent higher than the average for San Jose. A pricey housing market accounts for a portion of the difference. For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Lawrence Station typically costs a median price of $2,143. When you take clients out on the town or if you just want to unwind with a cold one, expect to pay approximately $7 for a pint of beer at neighborhood bars and pubs.

Gas prices in the Lawrence Station vicinity hover about 14 percent above the national average, but approximately 7 percent below San Jose's prices. A single ride on VTA's light rail costs $2 and a day pass costs $6, and Caltrain fares cost $3.25 to $13.25 each way, depending on your destination.

Residents have a few specialty shops right in the immediate area, including BT Express Liquidators on Elko Drive. When you need some simple office furniture and don't want to spend a lot of money, come here for its expansive selection. It also features new and used options, reasonably priced tables, bookshelves and chairs. If you need a sari for a special occasion, look no further than Taal Boutique and Bridal on East El Camino Real. Taal carries a variety of saris, blouses, suits, shawls and jewelry, all with authentic Indian designs.

When you need to add a little high-end European flair to your wardrobe, take a quick trip to Oz Boutique located in nearby Los Altos. In addition to having a friendly, helpful staff, the fashions here will make you glad you made the trip. The owners import innovative styles from Italy and France from designers such as Aventures des Toiles and Komarev. Live music, fantastic food and a great selection of artisan breads, fresh produce and other goods keeps the Sunnyvale Farmers' Market hopping all year long. Additionally, Lawrenceville Station residents stock their pantries at nearby markets such as Haldiram Foods Indian grocery store or Chavez Supermarket.