November 21, 2003

Street Scene: Chateau Drive

What was once just rolling hills of grass is today the gently curving Chateau Drive. It is a street sheltered under the shade of a variety of mature trees in a quiet, peaceful, family-oriented neighborhood.

When Diana and David Link married and were looking for a home three years ago, they fell in love with Chateau Drive. “It’s peaceful being on the golf course and up against the hills,” Diana enthuses, “It’s a well maintained street. Everybody has pride of ownership here–it’s beautiful.” Diana, whose 13-year-old son attends Bret Harte Middle School, considers Chateau a great family neighborhood. “I never lived on a street where I knew so many people,” she shares, “We take turns hosting holiday parties and an end-of-the-summer blues party.” Neighbors here are more than just neighbors; they are friends. “We run together, play tennis, and cycle together,” she reflects. “I think we’ll stay here for a long time.”

Jack and Patti Perkins have lived in the “Chateau Highlands” since 1980. Their home backs against the golf course, which is just the way they like it. “Someone else takes care of your backyard and you don’t have to mow the grass,” Jack says with a grin. Living on the 13th tee can make life exciting–a golf ball recently blocked up their rain gutters and one once shattered their skylight–but Jack takes it all in stride. “We get to keep all the stray golf balls,” he notes with a twinkle in his eyes. “This sums it up. This is why we live here,” Patti remarks, surveying the golf course, which is her own backyard.

Dana Dinno considers Chateau Drive an ideal place to raise kids. “Visitors describe this block as a ‘Leave it to Beaver’ neighborhood,” she enthuses. “We have close families. We have an incredible mix of young and old, with mutual respect for each side. We all feel comfortable that we can knock on any door in an emergency.” Dinno credits the close proximity of the homes with part of the closeness the neighbors feel. “People tend to spend a lot of time outdoors and that’s how we get to know each other,” she reveals. “We held a July 4th parade, a prayer service for 9-11, and block parties with a neighbor playing in a live band. If you want to get involved and have fun with your neighbors, this is an ideal place.”

Karen Zimmerman has lived on Chateau Drive for 14 years. “It’s a great street, and a beautiful location,” Zimmerman observes. “We have an oak tree in our front yard, a view of beautiful hills, Mt. Umunhum, and the golf course. We even have deer that wander around our yard.” Zimmerman also appreciates her relationship with her neighbors. “We can count on each other,” she reflects. “We’ve had baby showers and seen our children go off to college. All three of my children were born here and grew up here with friends on the street. It’s great.”

When the La Velles needed a larger home, they decided to build one down the block. Having lived here for 16 years, Janice is familiar with Chateau Drive’s history. “It was one of the original developments in Almaden Valley. The Del Webb Corporation bought the land and built an 18-hole golf course, and a few streets; Chateau being one of them.” Sadly, three homes have recently been sold on Chateau when their original owners passed on or moved to retirement homes. “It is sad when people die,” Janice notes, “but so many babies are born here, too. It’s a little slice of life.” Janice appreciates her life on Chateau. “It’s more than a community or a neighborhood,” she enthuses. “It’s a family. I can’t imagine ever leaving.”

Charlie McNamee, who will turn 94 in January, was the first homeowner on Chateau Drive. “I moved in back in 1961,” he recalls. “My home was built in five months and at that time, cost $35,000.” Today, homes along Chateau Drive sell for $1.1 million. “Back then, there was just this house and a few spec houses on the street,” Charlie notes, “There were about 30 homes around the Almaden Country Club, which was just a golf course.” As an incentive to buying his home, Charlie’s request for a larger garage for his workbench and a golfcart was granted, and he happily moved in. He and his family were avid golfers, and Charlie still plays regularly with five of his neighbors–but he never did buy that golf cart.

To Sandy Lorion, Chateau Drive resembles the kind of neighborhood she grew up with and wants for her children. “It’s a place where kids still play outside and neighbors still talk with each other,” she reflects. Among the special events the neighbors share is a “Booing” at Halloween. “We secretly deliver plates of candy or goodies to two houses with a ‘Boo-d’ sign,” Sandy explains. “Once a house has been boo-d, they post a sign on their door, and deliver treats to two more neighbors who haven’t been boo-d yet. Hopefully, by Halloween, everyone on the block’s been boo-d.”

Edie Fisher moved to Chateau Drive six years ago. “I had twin newborns and a 6-year-old,” she recalls. “I wanted a safe, family-friendly neighborhood.” On Chateau Drive, Fisher found what she was looking for. “I wanted the children to be able to run between yards and to know the neighbors,” she asserts. “We all borrow eggs and sugar from each other.” Fisher is moving right next door when the construction is finished on her new home. “This will be our last home,” she declares. “We love the area. This is really home.”

By Lorraine Gabbert