Burlingame
Burlingame is one of the most desirable suburban cities in the Bay Area, and for good reason. It’s beautiful homes, commute-friendly location, excellent public schools and popular downtown are just a few of the things that add to the price and desirability of this Peninsula town.
The land that is now Burlingame was sold to William C. Ralston in 1856 (builder of Ralston Hall in Belmont and namesake to Ralston Avenue). Ralston decided to name the land after his friend and US Ambassador to China, Anson Burlingame. After the major 1906 earthquake, many San Franciscans needed to relocate out of the city and hundreds of lots were sold here.
You can feel that history as you navigate the leafy, tree-lined streets with their range of architectural styles and higher concentration of historic homes, built mostly in the 20s and 30s. Though homes may be older, their yards and facades are well-attended to, adding to Burlingame’s endless curb appeal. There is less new construction and modern-style remodels than surrounding areas. People like living here and tend to stick around so housing inventory is often low. You’ll find apartment buildings and other multi-family housing along El Camino, as well as rows of eucalyptus trees. These are one of the tree varieties that give Burlingame its designation as a Tree City USA.
San Francisco International Airport is minutes away in Millbrae. Burlingame has a row of hotels along the bay that are popular with business travelers and others flying into SFO. To the west of 101 is an industrial area and Auto Row, a cluster of car dealerships that line Rollins Road, Carolan Avenue and California Avenue. Burlingame has been known for its dealerships since the 1920s. In 1979, two automobile enthusiasts opened The Candy Store, which evolved into a private club where members could gather and safely store their collectible cars. It is located in a Spanish-style building that was formerly a Packard dealership.
Burlingame has two downtowns—Broadway and Burlingame Avenue. Downtown Burlingame Avenue stretches from the Caltrain station at California Drive to El Camino, and has a small town luxury feel. There are more chains here, including an Apple Store, Athleta, Pottery Barn and Sephora. There are no shortages of good places to eat but some highlights are Il Fornaio, Mingalaba (Burmese), Stella Alpina Osteria and Copenhagen Bakery. Traditionally, Broadway has been more of a mom-and-pop shop downtown. One of the places that embodies this is Preston’s Candy & Ice Cream, a family-owned company that has been in business for over 60 years. They make candy every day on-site and even offer a behind-the-scenes tour with chocolate tasting.
One of my favorite things to do is walk from the downtown on Burlingame Avenue to Broadway, and into Easton Addition. This chunk of land is endlessly interesting to me with its beautiful tree-lined streets and variety of historic single-family homes. The Burlingame Main Library (established 1909) is also an idyllic property.
Burlingame is known for having fantastic public schools and that draws a lot of young families to the area. Burlingame School District is made up of six elementary schools and one middle school. Burlingame High School (part of San Mateo Union High School District) is also known for its academic excellence and has some well-known alum, including Salesforce founder, Marc Benioff, and Glee actress, Dianna Agron.
For private schools, there is Our Lady of Angels (K-8), St. Catherine of Siena (K-8) and Mercy, an all-girls Catholic high school located in the Kohl Mansion. This now historic landmark was completed in 1914 with a 63-room Tudor-style home on 40 acres of land. The Kohl family lived there for just two years and it was eventually sold to the Sisters of Mercy in 1924. It’s available for event rentals and has even made a couple Hollywood appearances, including the Robin Williams movie, Flubber.
Golf and recreation facilities are aplenty with Poplar Creek Golf Course and Coyote Point marina directly to the south in San Mateo, the Bay Trail and Burlingame Golf Center along the bay, Burlingame Country Club, Crystal Springs Golf Course and Sawyer Camp Trail up by Interstate 280 and Green Hills Country Club in Millbrae.
The southernmost stop for BART is just to the north in Millbrae, making it an easy commute to San Francisco or the east bay. There are two Caltrain stations in Burlingame, the main one at Burlingame Avenue and one with less frequent stops at Broadway.
Here’s a look at some of the neighborhoods that make up Burlingame:
Easton Addition, Burlingame Park:
To the west of El Camino, you’ll find two of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Burlingame. Easton Addition is my absolute favorite. It embodies all that is so charming about the city. Every street is a new discovery with a range of architectural styles and historic homes set on Burlingame’s signature tree-lined streets. You’ll find a little bit of everything from small charming bungalows to spacious Tudor-style manors. Private schools, Our Lady of Angels (K-8) and Mercy High School, are in this neighborhood as well as an additional Easton branch of the Burlingame Library. Burlingame Park is to the south and benefits from being walkable to downtown. Homes here tend to be more spacious on large lots with a mix of original architecture and some modern remodels. There is multi-family housing along El Camino, and a Mollie Stone’s, Safeway and Walgreens right at the mouth of downtown.
Mills Estates, Burlingame Hills:
If you want a spacious 3- to 5-bedroom home with a bay view then these are the areas to consider. These two hilly residential communities run alongside 280 with Mills Estate bordering Millbrae and Burlingame Hills next to Hillsborough. You’ll feel a little bit of that elite vibe here with large lots, woodsy landscaping and more privacy. Mills Canyon Park is in the middle of the two with an 18-acre wildlife area and loop trail that will completely immerse you in nature. Mills Estates is one of the “newer” neighborhoods in Burlingame with most homes built in the 60s, including about 100 Eichlers, which are especially notable because—like the rest of the neighborhood—they tend to be larger 4- or 5-bedroom homes.
Ray Park:
To the east of Mills Estates and on the border of Millbrae, you’ll find Ray Park. Its minutes from BART and walking distance to great public schools, making it a likely choice for families and/or commuters. One-story, 3-bedroom homes are the norm here with some apartment buildings along Truesdale. Mills-Peninsula Hospital is on El Camino, next to a shopping center with a Lunardi’s market and other conveniences.
Burlingame Village, Burlingame Grove, Burlingame Terrace:
These picturesque neighborhoods are wedged between El Camino and California Drive, and come with a lot of character. The area consists primarily of tree-lined streets with modest-sized single-family homes. Broadway Street separates the Grove and Terrace areas, making many shops and restaurants just a walk away. Like the rest of the city, you’ll find multi-family housing along El Camino. If you smell chocolate in the air, it could be coming from Guittard Chocolate Co or the See’s Candy Factory which are just opposite Burlingame Village in the industrial area of town.
Burlingame Gardens, Burlingables, Lyon Hoag:
East of California Drive, from north to south, you’ll find Burlingame Gardens, Burlingables and Lyon Hoag. These are walkable neighborhoods with the shopping and restaurants on Broadway at one end and Downtown Burlingame Ave at the other. Caltrain, Burlingame High School and Washington Park are also walkable for many residents. Just on the other side of Highway 101, you’ll find the bay and its many amenities—Bayside Park, the Bay Trail, a dog park and driving range. Traditionally, this eastern section is home to some of Burlingame’s more affordable homes—but these areas are only growing in desirability and prices reflect that.