Consistently ranking among the county’s most densely populated cities, San Mateo enjoys a centralized location that forms an urban bridge between the Peninsula, the East Bay, and San Francisco International Airport — just five miles away.

A community of good schools, attractive neighborhoods, outstanding libraries, and well-equipped parks, San Mateo takes pride in its reputation as a prime location for business and residential development. Newly remodeled shopping centers combine with financial and commercial centers to meet the needs for retail goods and convenient services. Facilities like the College of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Expo Center, home of the county fair and other major events, also serve the entire region.

Housing options offer a great deal of variety in style and price range, blending stately older homes with the clean lines of modern condominiums and townhouses. Property can vary from quiet, tree-lined streets in the heart of the city to hillside view lots or spectacular waterfront properties. An abundance of green space and playgrounds, a golf course, yacht harbor, and beaches crown the city with natural beauty and exceptional California-style recreational amenities.