Living in San Mateo

San Mateo gives you a little of everything the Peninsula offers: a lively downtown, one of the area's best loved parks, newer communities near the train, and established tree lined blocks in the hills.

With more than 100,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest cities in the county, yet it rarely feels that way. The city grew up around its downtown, incorporated in 1894, and still centers on Central Park, a 16.5 acre green space with a Japanese tea garden that holds gifts from its sister city of Toyonaka, Japan.

On the south side, the former Bay Meadows racetrack has been reborn as an 83 acre neighborhood of homes, offices, shops and parks next to the Hillsdale Caltrain station, with Hillsdale Shopping Center just across El Camino Real. East toward the water, Coyote Point offers trails, a marina and the CuriOdyssey science and wildlife center.

105,000+residents, per the 2020 census
3Caltrain stations inside city limits
670 acresof bayfront park at Coyote Point
1894year San Mateo incorporated

San Mateo Neighborhood Map

Every neighborhood I cover in San Mateo, numbered and outlined. Tap an area to open its guide.

San Mateo Park Bowie Estate and Woodlake North Shoreview North Central Downtown San Mateo Eastern Addition South Shoreview Baywood Hayward Park Sunnybrae 19th Avenue Park Parkside Mariners Island Harbortown Aragon Baywood Knolls Homestead Fiesta Gardens Lakeshore Foothill Terrace Beresford Manor Bay Meadows Los Prados Beresford Park San Mateo Village Glendale Village Lauriedale San Mateo Terrace San Mateo Woods and Bayridge Westwood Knolls Hillsdale Laurelwood Sugarloaf Baywood Park and Enchanted Hills (unincorporated) San Mateo Highlands (unincorporated) SAN MATEO 1. San Mateo Park1 2. Bowie Estate and Woodlake2 3. North Shoreview3 4. North Central4 5. Downtown San Mateo5 6. Eastern Addition6 7. South Shoreview7 8. Baywood8 9. Hayward Park9 10. Sunnybrae10 11. 19th Avenue Park11 12. Parkside12 13. Mariners Island13 14. Harbortown14 15. Aragon15 16. Baywood Knolls16 17. Homestead17 18. Fiesta Gardens18 19. Lakeshore19 20. Foothill Terrace20 21. Beresford Manor21 22. Bay Meadows22 23. Los Prados23 24. Beresford Park24 25. San Mateo Village25 26. Glendale Village26 27. Lauriedale27 28. San Mateo Terrace28 29. San Mateo Woods and Bayridge29 30. Westwood Knolls30 31. Hillsdale31 32. Laurelwood32 33. Sugarloaf33 34. Baywood Park and Enchanted Hills (unincorporated)34 35. San Mateo Highlands (unincorporated)35 101 92 El Camino Real Caltrain San Francisco Bay N 1 mile Neighborhood borders are approximate

San Mateo

  1. 1San Mateo Park
  2. 2Bowie Estate and Woodlake
  3. 3North Shoreview
  4. 4North Central
  5. 5Downtown San Mateo
  6. 6Eastern Addition
  7. 7South Shoreview
  8. 8Baywood
  9. 9Hayward Park
  10. 10Sunnybrae
  11. 1119th Avenue Park
  12. 12Parkside
  13. 13Mariners Island
  14. 14Harbortown
  15. 15Aragon
  16. 16Baywood Knolls
  17. 17Homestead
  18. 18Fiesta Gardens
  19. 19Lakeshore
  20. 20Foothill Terrace
  21. 21Beresford Manor
  22. 22Bay Meadows
  23. 23Los Prados
  24. 24Beresford Park
  25. 25San Mateo Village
  26. 26Glendale Village
  27. 27Lauriedale
  28. 28San Mateo Terrace
  29. 29San Mateo Woods and Bayridge
  30. 30Westwood Knolls
  31. 31Hillsdale
  32. 32Laurelwood
  33. 33Sugarloaf
  34. 34Baywood Park and Enchanted Hills unincorporated
  35. 35San Mateo Highlands unincorporated

Disclaimer: neighborhood borders shown on this map are approximate. Neighborhoods on the Peninsula have no official boundaries and names and lines vary by source. These shaded areas follow San Mateo County Assessor parcel lines, grouped by the original subdivision tracts, and city limits come from San Mateo County GIS. They are for general reference only and are not official city, school or MLS boundaries, so please confirm the neighborhood, school assignment and jurisdiction for any specific address. Freeways, El Camino Real and Caltrain come from San Mateo County GIS. Numbers circled with a dashed line are unincorporated county areas that share a mailing city. Tap any area to open its neighborhood guide.

Neighborhood by Neighborhood

Numbers match the pins on the map above.

1

San Mateo Park

Laid out between 1902 and 1904, with tree planting credited to Golden Gate Park's John McLaren. Expect large lots and planted street islands first designed to guide carriages around corners.

2

Bowie Estate and Woodlake

The Bowie subdivision dates to 1897. Next door, Woodlake was completed in 1965 with nearly 1,000 homes arranged around a central lake, with landscape design by Lawrence Halprin.

3

North Shoreview

East of Highway 101 and north of Third Avenue, with compact post war homes close to Poplar Creek Golf Course and Coyote Point.

4

North Central

Between El Camino Real and Highway 101 just north of downtown, with early 1900s bungalows, Craftsman homes, Victorians and condos, plus Martin Luther King Jr. Park and San Mateo High School.

5

Downtown San Mateo

The heart of the city along B Street, with hundreds of shops and restaurants, the San Mateo Caltrain station and Central Park a few blocks away.

6

Eastern Addition

Blocks first laid out in the 1860s, just east of downtown and often grouped with it.

7

South Shoreview

Single family homes near Shoreview Park, with its tennis courts and skate park, and Seal Point Park, which has a dog park and a boardwalk over the marsh.

8

Baywood

John Parrott's 1860s estate was opened for homes in the late 1920s, and curving streets now follow the hills near Bay Tree Park, named for the estate's bay trees. Schools include Baywood Elementary, Borel Middle and Aragon High.

9

Hayward Park

Former estate land of Alvinza Hayward, subdivided in 1904. It includes the Glazenwood Historic District of Spanish Colonial Revival homes from the early 1920s and its own Caltrain stop.

10

Sunnybrae

Modest single family homes near Sunnybrae Elementary and the neighborhood's own Sunnybrae Playground.

11

19th Avenue Park

An Eichler neighborhood of about 235 homes built from 1953 to 1955, with Concar Playground as its neighborhood park.

12

Parkside

Homes along Marina Lagoon near Parkside Aquatic Park, with its swimming and boating, and the pool at Bayside Joinville Park.

13

Mariners Island

Homes along the lagoon and Mariners Island Park, close to Bridgepointe shopping and Highway 92.

14

Harbortown

A condo and townhome community near Mariners Island Boulevard, close to Bridgepointe shopping and Highway 92.

15

Aragon

Homes between El Camino Real and the Alameda, near Aragon High School.

16

Baywood Knolls

A small hillside pocket west of Baywood along Parrott Drive and the Alameda.

17

Homestead

Part of Antoine Borel's country estate, near where Highway 92 meets El Camino Real.

18

Fiesta Gardens

Ranch homes from the 1950s on modest lots. The homes association runs a shared pool, cabana and tennis courts, and Fiesta Meadows Park is close by.

19

Lakeshore

Homes and condos between Highway 101 and Marina Lagoon, centered on Lakeshore Park with its ball field and basketball court.

20

Foothill Terrace

Hillside streets west of the Alameda near Highway 92, with some bay views.

21

Beresford Manor

Homes south of Highway 92 between El Camino Real and the Alameda, close to Beresford Park and Beresford Elementary.

22

Bay Meadows

Built on the 83 acre site of the Bay Meadows racetrack, which ran from 1934 to 2008. Construction began in 2012 around Bay Meadows Park, the Nueva upper school campus and the Hillsdale Caltrain station.

23

Los Prados

Ranch homes and condos between Highway 101 and the lagoon, centered on Los Prados Park with its courts, fields and dog park.

24

Beresford Park

Homes around Beresford Park, which has a skate area, bocce courts, tennis courts and a recreation center.

25

San Mateo Village

Mostly single family homes east of the Caltrain tracks near the Belmont line, close to George Hall Elementary.

26

Glendale Village

Next to San Mateo Village, with Casanova Park and its playground and basketball court at its center.

27

Lauriedale

Condos and townhomes beside Laurie Meadows Park, with its fields and dog park, near the Belmont line.

28

San Mateo Terrace

Streets near Hillsdale High School, which opened in 1955 and became a model for Bay Area campus design.

29

San Mateo Woods and Bayridge

Hillside streets near the College of San Mateo and West Hillsdale Boulevard.

30

Westwood Knolls

Homes around West 39th Avenue, close to Abbott Middle School and Hillsdale High.

31

Hillsdale

David Bohannon acquired 848 acres here in 1939 and 1940. Hillsdale Shopping Center followed in 1954, and Indian Springs Park is a local favorite.

32

Laurelwood

Homes near Laurelwood Park, the gateway to the trails and open space of Sugarloaf Mountain, home of the rare mission blue butterfly.

33

Sugarloaf

Homes beside the Sugarloaf Mountain open space. School assignments vary here, so check them by address.

34

Baywood Park and Enchanted Hills

Wooded hills west of Parrott Drive with larger homes. This is unincorporated county land with a San Mateo mailing address.

35

San Mateo Highlands

More than 700 Eichler homes built from 1956 to 1964 on the ridge above Highway 92, with the Highlands Recreation Center pool and tennis courts. Unincorporated, with a San Mateo mailing address.

Video Tours in San Mateo

A few of the San Mateo homes I've walked through on camera. Press play for a quick look inside.

Craftsman in San Mateo Park
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1925 Tudor in San Mateo Park
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Mid century modern in the San Mateo Highlands
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See all of my home tours on Instagram →

A Short History

The Ramaytush Ohlone lived along these creeks for thousands of years. Spanish missionaries built an outpost at San Mateo Creek in 1793, and in 1849 Nicolas de Peyster opened the town's first business, an inn and stagecoach stop on the old mission site.

The railroad arrived in 1863, and San Francisco bankers and investors including John Parrott, Alvinza Hayward and Antoine Borel built country estates that would later become today's neighborhoods. San Mateo incorporated in 1894. Bank of America founder A.P. Giannini made his home here, and Seabiscuit won back to back races at Bay Meadows in 1937 and 1938.

Schools, Parks and Local Favorites

Public Schools

Most homes are served by the San Mateo Foster City School District and the San Mateo Union High School District, with San Mateo, Aragon and Hillsdale High in town. A few addresses near the city edges may fall in other districts, so always check by address.

Private Schools and College

Junipero Serra High, the Nueva upper school at Bay Meadows, St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School and The Carey School, plus the College of San Mateo on its 153 acre hilltop campus.

Central Park

Bought by the city in 1922, Central Park has a miniature train running since 1948, a Japanese Garden designed in 1966 with gifts from sister city Toyonaka, rooftop tennis courts and free summer concerts.

Coyote Point

A large bayfront park with a marina, a yacht club dating to 1941, Magic Mountain Playground and the CuriOdyssey science and wildlife center.

San Mateo Market Report

Home sales for San Mateo pulled directly from MLSListings, the Bay Area's MLS: how many homes sold, what they sold for, and price per square foot.

Last 30 days

September 26 to October 25, 2026

52homes sold
$1.88Mmedian sold price
$1,122median price per square foot
$545K to $6.8Msold price range

Last 90 days by home type

July 28 to October 25, 2026

Home type Homes sold Median price Median price per sq ft
All homes 179 $1.72M $1,059
Single family homes 107 $2.3M $1,379
Condos and townhomes 61 $900K $776

Last 12 months, single family homes

October 26, 2025 to October 26, 2026.

488homes sold
$2.24Mmedian sold price
10 daysmedian days on market
$1,321median price per square foot

Source: MLSListings closed sales for San Mateo, CA, all residential property types, as of October 25, 2026. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Ask me for a full report on your street or price range.

What Is My Home Worth?Get a Custom Market Report

Getting Around

Caltrain stops at San Mateo, Hayward Park and Hillsdale. Highway 101 and Interstate 280 run north and south, and Highway 92 crosses the bay to the East Bay.

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San Mateo FAQ

What neighborhoods are in San Mateo?

This guide covers 35 San Mateo neighborhoods, including San Mateo Park, Bowie Estate and Woodlake, North Shoreview, North Central, Downtown San Mateo and Eastern Addition. See the map above for boundaries and a short write-up on each.

What schools serve San Mateo?

Most homes are served by the San Mateo Foster City School District for TK through 8th grade and the San Mateo Union High School District for high school, with San Mateo, Aragon and Hillsdale High in town. The elementary district also runs choice programs, including Spanish and Mandarin immersion, Montessori and a STEAM and STEM academy. School assignment follows your address, so check each district's school locator for a specific home.

Is there Caltrain service in San Mateo?

Yes. San Mateo has three Caltrain stations: San Mateo downtown, Hayward Park and Hillsdale. US 101, Highway 92 and Interstate 280 all pass through the city.

What is my San Mateo home worth?

Every San Mateo street prices a little differently. Request a free home valuation and Joseph will send a local estimate based on recent nearby sales. Request a free home valuation

How can I hear about San Mateo homes before they hit the market?

Join Joseph's off-market list. You'll hear about coming-soon and off-market homes that match what you want before they're listed publicly. Join the off-market list

Sources

The facts on this page come from the public sources below. Neighborhood names and borders vary by source, and details like school assignments change, so please confirm anything important for a specific address.

  1. City of San Mateo: More History1793 mission outpost, de Peyster's 1849 stagecoach stop, October 1863 rail service, 1894 incorporation
  2. Wikipedia: San Mateo, California2020 census population of 105,661, incorporation date, Bay Meadows 83 acre redevelopment begun 2012, three Caltrain stations, Toyonaka sister city, Giannini's Seven Oaks home
  3. City of San Mateo: Parks and Picnic AreasAmenities at Shoreview, Lakeshore, Los Prados, Beresford, Casanova, Laurie Meadows, Bayside Joinville, Parkside Aquatic and other city parks
  4. City of San Mateo: Seal Point ParkSeal Point dog park, Bay Trail and marsh boardwalk
  5. Wikipedia: Central Park (San Mateo)1922 purchase, 16.5 acres, miniature train since 1948, 1966 Japanese Garden by Nagao Sakurai, Toyonaka gifts, rooftop tennis courts, summer concerts
  6. Wikipedia: Coyote Point Recreation Area670 acre county park, marina, 1941 yacht club, Magic Mountain Playground, CuriOdyssey
  7. Wikipedia: Bay Meadows RacetrackRacetrack years 1934 to 2008 and Seabiscuit's Bay Meadows Handicap wins in 1937 and 1938
  8. The Cultural Landscape Foundation: WoodlakeWoodlake completed 1965, nearly 1,000 units, Lawrence Halprin landscape design
  9. City of San Mateo: Gum Street Historic ReportSan Mateo Park laid out 1902 to 1904, Bowie subdivision 1897, Hayward's Addition 1904
  10. Wikipedia: Hillsdale Shopping CenterBohannon's 848 acre purchase in 1939 and 1940 and the center's 1954 opening
  11. Hillsdale High School: History1955 opening and status as a prototype for Bay Area school design
  12. Wikipedia: Highlands, CaliforniaMore than 700 Eichlers built 1956 to 1964, unincorporated status, recreation center pool and tennis
  13. San Mateo Foster City School District: SchoolsCurrent school names and addresses, including Baywood, Borel, Beresford, George Hall, Sunnybrae and Abbott
  14. College of San Mateo: About CSM153 acre hilltop campus
  15. MLSListings: closed sales data for the market reportMarket report figures

Header photo: Japanese Tea Garden in Central Park, San Mateo, by Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

San Mateo Market Trends

Sold Number

Market Trends are calculated using MLS® sold listing data