Communities

San Mateo County, neighborhood by neighborhood

Between the bay and the ocean, San Mateo County packs a lot of variety into a small area: walkable downtowns, wooded hills, lagoon-front homes, and surf towns. I grew up here, and these are my honest notes on the cities I work in and the neighborhoods inside them.

764KCounty population
12Cities covered
78Neighborhoods profiled
1976Our family brokerage, since
Why the Peninsula

What makes this area different

Microclimates

Fog in Pacifica and sun in San Carlos, sometimes on the same afternoon. Weather really does change from town to town, and it shapes where people want to live.

Strong schools

Many of the county's districts are among the most in-demand in California. Attendance lines can move a home's value, so we always verify by address.

Between two job centers

San Francisco to the north, Silicon Valley to the south, with biotech in South San Francisco and tech in Menlo Park in between.

Single-family homes

From mid-century starter homes on the coast to estates in Hillsborough. The range across the county is wide.

Condos & townhomes

Downtown San Mateo, Redwood City, Foster City, and Bay Meadows offer walkable options for first-time buyers and downsizers.

Open space

Crystal Springs, Edgewood, Mori Point, and the Bay Trail. You're rarely more than a few minutes from a trailhead.

Explore

Find your community

Pick a region, tap a city on the map, or jump straight to a neighborhood.

Map of the San Mateo County cities Drew Lehr serves Pacific Ocean San Francisco Bay Burlingame Hillsborough San Mateo Foster City Belmont San Carlos Redwood City Menlo Park Half Moon Bay Pacifica Daly City South San Francisco

Simplified map, not to scale.

Median = single-family sale price, last 12 months, as of September 23, 2026. Source: MLSListings.

Not sure which neighborhood fits?

Tell me what matters to you, like commute, schools, yard, or budget, and I'll give you a short list with honest trade-offs.

Get in touch Call 650-787-3481