The Islands Foster City Homes and Neighborhood Guide
Also known as Neighborhood 5,Explorers (street name theme)
Foster City neighborhood guide
The Islands is Foster City's Neighborhood 5, wrapped around the city's central lagoon. Its streets are named for explorers, like Balboa Lane and Coronado Lane.
The Foster City Historical Society notes it was the first neighborhood built out of order, in the 1970s, and that it is made up of condominium and cluster developments rather than detached houses.
Many homes look out over the water, and Edgewater Place and Catamaran Park are a short walk or bike ride away.
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The Islands is shaded. Borders follow MLSListings area lines. Zoom in for street detail, or see the Foster City map for the full picture.
At a glance
- Neighborhood 5 in Foster City's master plan
- Streets named for explorers
- Built in the 1970s
- Condos and townhome clusters, many with lagoon views
- Beach Park Elementary sits on the former Charter Square site
Homes and Streets
Housing here is condos and townhomes, many with water views across the central lagoon. Local listings place communities such as Winston Square, Winston Village, Lido Isle and The Islands complex, which sits off Beach Park Boulevard on Balboa Lane and Portofino Lane and connects by a short bridge.
Most communities date to the 1970s, and HOAs typically maintain shared grounds, pools and landscaping.
See current homes for sale in Foster City →
History on Film: The Islands
A look back at the history of The Islands and the places nearby, from local historical societies and archives.
Construction of Foster City, 1960 to 1980
Rare footage of the city being built, narrated by its former Public Works Director.Source: San Mateo County Historical Association
Foster City, Chapter 2: Land
Dredging and filling the land Foster City sits on.Source: City of Foster City
Parks and Open Space
Public Schools Nearby
School assignments vary by address and can change, so confirm with the San Mateo-Foster City School District and SMUHSD before you buy.
Nearby Neighborhoods
The Islands FAQ
Are there single family homes in The Islands?
Neighborhood 5 is made up mostly of condominium and townhome cluster developments, so most homes here are attached.
When was The Islands built?
It was developed in the 1970s and was the first Foster City neighborhood built out of the original numbered order.
Is there a school in The Islands?
Beach Park Elementary opened in 2021 on Shell Boulevard, on the site of the former Charter Square shopping center. Assignments vary by address.
Do homes in The Islands have water views?
Many do, since the neighborhood sits on Foster City's central lagoon.
How can I find homes for sale in The Islands?
Browse current listings in Foster City on Joseph Suarez's site, or join his off-market list to hear about homes before they are listed publicly. Thinking of selling? Request a free home valuation for a local estimate based on recent nearby sales.
Thinking about The Islands?
Whether you are buying or selling, Joseph Suarez can walk you through recent sales, street by street pricing and what is coming up before it hits the market.
See homes for saleWhat is my home worth?Get off-market listingsContact Joseph← Back to the Foster City neighborhood guide or browse all Peninsula neighborhoods
Updated November 2026 by Joseph Suarez, Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Burlingame, DRE 02085594.
Sources: Foster City Historical Society: Foster City Neighborhood 5, City of Foster City General Plan: Community Profile (Table 1-3 neighborhoods and street themes), Realtor Notes on the Islands of Foster City, Homes.com: The Islands neighborhood, San Mateo County Properties: Foster City Condos and Townhouses (complexes by neighborhood number), Wikipedia: San Mateo-Foster City School District, HMC Architects: SMFCSD opens new Beach Park Elementary School, Juliana Lee Team: Foster City Parks, City of Foster City: Schools. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.