RELOCATION GUIDE FOR THE COUNTY OF
SAN MATEO SERENO
W E LC O M E TO T H E P E N I NS U L A
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SA N M AT E O COUNTY MAP
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AT H E RTO N BELMONT
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B R IS B A N E B U R L I N GA M E COLMA
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DA LY C I T Y E AST PA LO A LTO E L G R A N A DA
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F OST E R C I T Y H A L F M O O N B AY
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H I L LS B O R O U G H L A H O N DA M E N LO PA R K
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MILLBRAE M O N TA R A M OSS B E AC H
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PAC I F I CA
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P O RTO L A VA L L E Y R E DWO O D C I T Y
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SA N B R U N O SA N CA R LOS SA N M AT E O
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S O U T H SA N F R A N C IS C O WO O DS I D E
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Welcome to the Peninsula Bordered by the Pacific on the west, San Mateo County consists of nearly 800,000 residents, the majority of which owe their livelihoods to the county’s neighbors. On the northern border sits San Francisco, owner of the most valuable piece of real estate in San Mateo County, the San Francisco International Airport. San Francisco stores its water supply in San Mateo and to assure its purity, has placed thousands of acres in watershed. Nine out of every ten residents reside in 20 cities, which are Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, Colma, Daly City, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Pacifica, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco and Woodside.
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Hills and mountains run down the spine of San Mateo County, with thousands of residents enjoying picture perfect shorelines and some of the tallest waves in the world crash against its 55 miles of Pacific coast.
BRISBANE
DALY CITY COLMA
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PACIFICA SAN BRUNO MILLBRAE
On the southern border sits Santa Clara County, home of Stanford University and Silicon Valley, which has spread into San Mateo County, home to Genentech, Sun/Oracle and VISA. San Mateo County encompasses 440 square miles, about one-third the size of Santa Clara County, and about nine times the size of San Francisco. From north to south, the county runs about 40 miles, and from east to west, at the widest point, about 15 miles. The highest point, elevation about 2,600 feet, is a place called Long Ridge, on the south side of the county, in the coastal mountains. Running up the center of the county is the San Andreas Fault. Yes, this is earthquake country. In its informal 2009 tally, the state numbered the county’s residential units at 268,908 of which 153,917 were single homes, 22,896 single attached, 88,514 apartments/hotel rooms and 3,581 mobile homes. Single homes make up 66 percent of the housing stock and apartments- hotel rooms 33 percent. To comfort and shelter travelers, hotels have sprung up in the cities around the airport. Because of its location and beauty, San Mateo County is considered one of the most desirable addresses in the state. Many homes sell for over $700,000.
MONTARA HILLSBOROUGH
FOSTER CITY SAN MATEO
MOSS BEACH
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BELMONT EL GRANADA
SAN CARLOS REDWOOD CITY
MILES OF PRISTINE PACIFIC COAST
EAST PALO ALTO ATHERTON HALF MOON BAY
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SQUARE MILES, 9X LARGER THAN SAN FRANCISCO
2,600
FEET, THE HIGHEST POINT OF ELEVATION
66%
PERCENTAGE OF SINGLE HOMES IN SAN MATEO
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BURLINGAME
MENLO PARK
WOODSIDE
PORTOLA VALLEY
LA HONDA
San Mateo County
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Atherton
Burlingame
One of the most prestigious addresses in the Bay Area, it’s known for its character as a scenic, rural, thickly-wooded, residential area, with abundant open space and streets designed primarily as scenic routes rather than for speed of travel. Atherton is located on the peninsula nestled between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The town begins in the flatlands then moves westward to the hills, until it reaches Highway 280. Beautiful foliage, elegant gardens and heritage trees dominate this quiet small community.
Originally settled by wealthy San Franciscans looking for more space and a nicer climate, Burlingame has evolved into a charming city known for affluent residents, incredible homes and a vast expanse of natural beauty. With over 18,000 trees that are owned, protected and maintained by the city, Burlingame is also known as the “City of Trees.” Stunning examples of original Victorian architecture can be seen all throughout the city, as well as many buildings reflecting Spanish influence. Burlingame is a progressive city
Belmont In the midst of the culturally rich and technologically thriving Bay Area, Belmont is a charming city known for its beautiful hills and wide-open spaces. The city’s name translates into “Beautiful Mountain.” A strong, active community enriches the small-town ambiance and makes this tranquil destination a desirable place to live. Belmont is a central location for anyone visiting the San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, as well as anyone interested in seeing the beautiful coastline or the City of San Francisco.
Brisbane Brisbane is called “The City of Stars” because of a holiday tradition established over 65 years ago. At the start of the Christmas/Hanukkah season, many residents and business owners place large, illuminated stars, some as big as 10 feet (3.0 m) or more in diameter, on the “downhill” sides of homes and offices throughout Brisbane. As Brisbane is built on the eastern slope of San Bruno Mountain, visitors and residents entering at night are treated to a star-studded mountain vista. Brisbane is located on the lower slopes of San Bruno Mountain, next to the San Francisco Bay and near the San Francisco International Airport.
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that has recently adopted a “think green” policy. Striving to reduce carbon emissions, water consumption and energy usage, this city has created everything from bicycle transportation plans to recycling events. The Burlingame Trolley provides free transportation between the most popular shopping and dining districts, and the subway, trains and buses provide great methods of transport to neighboring cities like San Francisco and Palo Alto.
Colma A small, incorporated town at the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, Colma is a unique destination known for auto dealerships, retail establishments and, of course, its 17 cemeteries. Often referred to as “the City of the Silent,” Colma has a higher population below ground than above it. The beautiful cemeteries represent numerous religious beliefs and cultures, and include historic structures and districts known on local and national levels. Famous “silent”
residents of Colma include Wyatt Earp, Joe DiMaggio and William Randolph Hearst. In fact, Colma is so widely regarded as a popular Northern California resting place that it’s easier to read a list of famous San Franciscans not buried in Colma than to scan through the lengthy list of those who are. Colma’s status as a cemetery city has led to a humorous motto among residents: “It’s good to be alive in Colma!”
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Foster City
Daly City Daly City is a unique city with a rich history. Due to its mild and consistent climate, Daly City was an early farming community for California settlers. Since those days, it has appropriately been nicknamed the “Gateway to the Peninsula” for its convenient location and passageway, Highway 280, which links San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties. Daly City is only eight miles south of downtown San Francisco, making it an ideal settling point for anyone who frequents the city but doesn’t want to live there.
East Palo Alto Roughly halfway between San Francisco and San Jose and intersected by highway 101, East Palo Alto has enjoyed some major changes and improvements over the years. Once known for its high level of crime, East Palo Alto is now seeing a trend towards being known more for its retail and shopping areas as well as, by Bay Area standards, affordable housing. In addition to being close to Stanford University, East Palo Alto is also the quickest and easiest way for Peninsula residents and commuters to get to Alameda County via the Dumbarton Bridge. Despite its name, East Palo Alto is actually north and not east of Palo Alto and borders Menlo Park and Palo Alto.
Carefully constructed to offer the best of all worlds, Foster City is a planned community of the finest kind. Located on the Peninsula of the San Francisco Bay Area, this luxurious city offers an appealing blend of fashionable neighborhoods, stunning parks and quaint businesses, all situated around or on a 212-acre lagoon. In addition, Foster City is within easy driving distance of Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco and San Jose. While affluent Foster City is perhaps most known for being the world
headquarters of VISA International, it is also hailed as one of the nation’s safest cities. Locals have even referred to Foster City as the “Wisteria Lane” of the Peninsula for the delicate homes, manicured lawns and picturesque suburban atmosphere. Like most of the other cities that line the area between Highway 101 and the San Francisco Bay, Foster City has a year round mild climate that makes it one of San Mateo’s more desirable places to live.
Half Moon Bay A picturesque city on the coast of California, Half Moon Bay is a dream destination for travelers of every class. Located less than 30 miles south of San Francisco, this beautiful community enjoys untouched hills on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other; the opportunities to absorb nature at her finest are endless. Half Moon Bay is also home to incredible surfing and to one of the
most famous surfing hotspots in the world, Mavericks. While Half Moon Bay may be rich with the small-town vibe, it is a city that is proud of its progressive ways and ecofriendly thinking. Roadside stands, farmers markets and festivals that run throughout the year promote the consumption of organic foods and the preservation of nature.
El Granada Overlooking picturesque beaches and rugged coastal bluffs, El Granada is a quaint destination that enjoys the best of Northern California’s weather and natural beauty. This charming seaside community sits on the western edge of the San Francisco Bay, just 25 miles south of San Francisco, 45 miles north of Santa Cruz and 40 miles northwest of San Jose. Both residents and visitors enjoy not only the sandy retreats of El Granada, but also the close proximity to the beautiful beaches and sparkling coves of Montara, Moss Beach and Half Moon Bay, El Granada’s neighboring towns. El Granada serves as a coastal retreat for anyone looking for breathing space from the high-tech lifestyle and on-the-go world of Silicon Valley. Quaint bed & breakfasts, outdoor activities, wellness centers and delicious restaurants make El Granada ideal for vacations centered on peaceful living. 8
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Millbrae
Hillsborough Located on the San Francisco Peninsula, Hillsborough is located seventeen miles south of San Francisco on Interstate 280 and El Camino Real. This stretch of Interstate 280 is said to be part of “the most beautiful freeway in the world.” Hillsborough is home to some of the Bay Area’s wealthiest people and, in 2007, was declared to have the highest median household incomes in the country. Like many other communities in California, Hillsborough is fond of “thinking green” when it comes to growth. Ardently promoting the preservation of the rural setting and natural beauty, the town of Hillsborough is adored for careful maintenance of lush greenery and beautiful woodlands broken only by the occasional winding road. This quiet, back-tonature atmosphere makes Hillsborough an extremely desirable place to visit or live.
La Honda La Honda is a tight, rural community located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The beautiful setting is rich with lush redwood and chaparral forests and many dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. La Honda is close to the La Honda Open Space Preserve. Most notably, La Honda has also in many circles been considered to be the birthplace of the psychedelic era.
Once a Spanish ranch and then a country estate for wealthy Californian Darius Mills, Millbrae is today a thriving, family-oriented community between San Francisco and San Jose. Framed by preserved wetlands along the bay shore and defined by gentle, rolling hills studded with homes, neighborhoods and the San Andreas Lake (ringed by a popular hiking and biking trail), Millbrae is best known to outsiders are the place to stay when traveling through San Francisco International Airport for business trips to Silicon Valley. Famously, the BART, Caltrain and SamTrans intersect near historic downtown Millbrae, making Millbrae one of the Bay Area’s most accessible towns.
Montara Framed by dramatic coastal rock formations, Montara is a beachfront community on California’s stunning central coastline. Just 20 miles south of San Francisco and 50 miles north of Santa Cruz, Montara’s weather is pleasant nearly the entire year. Originally established in 1875 as a fog station, the Point Montara Lighthouse is still standing today and serves as a hostel for visitors looking to explore all the natural wonders of Montara. Mt. Montara also offers hikers, bike riders and horseback riders some of California’s most breathtaking views while being close enough to Half Moon Bay to explore a neighboring vibrant coastal town.
Moss Beach Moss Beach is a San Mateo County coastal town with a naturally foggy microclimate. The nearmystical majesty of Moss Beach’s fog also helps insure the weather at Moss Beach, even in the summer, remains cool and mild. Covered with ancient cypress groves and overlooking the rocky seashore, the Moss Beach bluffs and the Fitzgerald Marine Preserve (with a geological bounty of tidal and bird life) are ideal attractions for hiking and taking in panoramic views. For the more extreme, sea kayaking is a popular Moss Beach activity.
Menlo Park
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Menlo Park is a beautiful tree lined community in San Mateo County, just moments from hightech Silicon Valley and fashionable big-city, San Francisco. The classy, yet playful, suburban atmosphere combined with a wonderful climate make Menlo Park a desirable destination most any time of year. Fine restaurants, great shopping destinations and a selection of vivacious bars and nightclubs keep both residents and visitors entertained. Menlo Park is also a proud Tree City USA community, actively supporting “green” ideals and promoting community-wide care and maintenance of the city’s trees. Menlo Park further supports eco-friendly ideals by being conscious of environmental impact and being concerned with sustainable practices. There are restaurants in Menlo Park where residents and visitors can enjoy locally grown organic greens and meats produced at environmentally friendly and animal friendly farms. The Caltrain system that runs through Menlo Park is also ideal for reducing the smog incurred by the carloads of people commuting to San Jose or San Francisco.
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Pacifica Pacifica means “peaceful” in Spanish. Pacifica’s name was the product of a contest held in 1957 to find a name for the newly incorporated coastal city. The winning name was based on an 80-foot statue by sculptor Ralph Stackpole, created as the theme lady for the Golden Gate International Exposition. The Exposition was held on Treasure Island in 1939-40. The statue was destroyed after the fair was over but two of the sculptor’s working models have been saved. One is over the front stairs at City Hall;
the other sits in the City Council Chambers. Pacifica is located just 12 miles south of San Francisco along the scenic coast of the Pacific Ocean. Known for its natural beauty, Pacifica is filled with numerous hiking trails through rolling hills that overlook the ocean surf and forested canyons. Rich in history, beauty and community spirit - we have something for everyone!
Portola Valley Named after the famed Spanish explorer, Gaspar de Portola (who led the first European expedition to explore the San Francisco Peninsula in 1769), Portola Valley’s tree lined roads and flowering meadows offer the perfect setting for cyclists to explore the very same area that was originally searched over 200 years ago. Just west of Stanford University, Portola Valley boasts an extensive trail system,
scenic roads, open space and natural views that add to the feeling of being in the country. Portola Valley also has architectural guidelines that stress a “blending in” with the natural surroundings. Commercial activity is allowed to the extent that it directly serves the Portola Valley community, allowing the affluent community to retain its secluded appeal.
Redwood City A waterfront Bay Area city and the seat of San Mateo County, Redwood City is a hot spot of revitalization to rival Oakland in the East Bay. Covering a large swath of San Francisco Bay shoreline and reaching into the Santa Cruz Mountains, Redwood City covers diverse terrain and is itself a dynamic Bay Area city. Downtown, the historic Redwood City Courthouse has been reborn 12
as the new Redwood Courthouse Square, a revitalized and restored historic building amid landscaped grounds that acts as the centerpiece of Redwood City and plays host to community, art and music events. Surrounded by shopping and restaurants, downtown Redwood City also features a new 20-theatre cinema and retail center. 13
South San Francisco Geographically separated from San Francisco by the sweeping San Bruno Mountain, “South City” (as it’s known to its diverse population of locals) is the official motherland of biotech and is still home to Genentech, the international company specializing in biology and technology. Just north of San Francisco
International Airport and minutes from San Francisco along Highway 101 or the scenic I-280, South San Francisco is a convenient stop over for international travelers to the Bay Area and features a variety of business friendly hotels.
Woodside
San Bruno Over 130 million years old, the dominating feature of the San Bruno skyline is the San Bruno Mountain, separating San Francisco from the central Bay Area. Now a dedicated open space graced with miles of hiking and biking trails and home to two species of endangered butterflies, the San Bruno Mountain Park boasts breathtaking views
of the San Francisco skyline, San Mateo County and, of course, the jets flying over San Francisco International Airport, located on the San Bruno waterfront. An affordable and diverse Bay Area community, San Bruno is also a convenient stop over for international travelers.
Once part of the expansive Rancho de las Pulgas holdings and now a major biotech hub, “The City of Good Living” is a charming and central peninsular town with a quaint, historic downtown, local museums and acres of open space. Along revitalized Laurel Avenue, amiable shops and restaurants bustle with locals. The newly built San Carlos
Museum houses artifacts from the Ohlone Indian and Spanish eras and the nearby Hiller Aviation Museum is a must for flight buffs. Overlooking neat streets lined with single family homes stretching to the Bay Shore, San Carlos’ Pulgas Ridge offers miles of scenic hiking and biking trails.
Woodside is one of the country’s wealthiest enclaves. Redwood, oak and eucalyptus groves grace this affluent woodland of mansions and Silicon Valley professionals, a serene community nestled between the San Francisco Bay, Pacific Ocean Beaches, Santa Cruz Mountains and the Monterey Bay.
A country escape for the rich, either for old-gold money or on crystalline silicon solar and advanced energy, common sites in Woodside includes well heeled equestrians and well-equipped rides cruising along unhurried, tree-lined streets.
San Carlos
San Mateo The largest city in its namesake San Mateo County, San Mateo is a vibrant community just south of San Francisco and in the heart of Peninsula. With a large Central Park, the famous Coyote Point Museum featuring local Bay Area plants and wildlife (including the 14
River Otter), a charming downtown area lined with historic buildings, destination restaurants and upscale shopping at the Hillsdale Shopping Mall, San Mateo is also well known for its historic Bay Meadows Race Track and the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. 15
NOTES:
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