Burlingame

Burlingame stretches from the San Francisco Bay shoreline to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains along the mid-Peninsula, combining a walkable downtown on Burlingame Avenue, tree-canopied residential streets, and proximity to San Francisco International Airport. Within San Mateo County, Burlingame has long served as a first-tier suburban address — close to San Francisco, well served by Caltrain, and distinctive for the mature eucalyptus and oak corridors that frame its neighborhoods.

Indigenous / Early History

Ramaytush Ohlone people lived along Peninsula creeks and bayshore marshes for millennia before Spanish contact. The area that became Burlingame offered freshwater sources, shellfish gathering at the bay edge, and upland acorn harvesting in the oak woodlands. Mexican-era land grants divided the region into ranchos; American settlers later acquired portions of Rancho San Mateo and adjacent holdings that would be subdivided for suburban development.

Founding & Early Development

Railroad access defined Burlingame's early identity. Wealthy San Franciscans built summer and year-round homes within a short train ride of downtown San Francisco, establishing the residential character that persists along the city's shaded avenues.

Twentieth-Century Growth

Burlingame expanded steadily through the twentieth century, filling the flats between El Camino Real and the bay while extending into hillside neighborhoods. World War II and postwar employment growth on the Peninsula increased demand for single-family housing and apartments near transit.

Economy & Employment

Burlingame's local economy includes retail and dining along Burlingame Avenue and Broadway, professional offices, and hospitality businesses serving airport travelers. Many residents commute to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and airport-related employers. Biotechnology and technology firms in South San Francisco and the broader Peninsula employ a significant share of the city's working population.

Market & Housing Context

The 2020 U.S. Census recorded 31,386 residents and 13,170 total housing units in Burlingame. Census data show approximately 46 percent owner-occupied and 54 percent renter-occupied households — a relatively balanced tenure split for a Peninsula city. Housing stock includes historic homes near the rail corridor, hillside single-family neighborhoods, and apartment buildings along El Camino Real. The mix reflects both long-established owner neighborhoods and transit-accessible rental housing.

Living in Burlingame

Farmers markets, holiday parades, and library programs along Primrose Road add seasonal rhythm to Burlingame's civic calendar. The city's bayfront segments, though limited, connect to regional trail networks toward Coyote Point and the broader San Francisco Bay Trail system.

Downtown Burlingame features independent shops, restaurants, and the Burlingame Avenue Caltrain station. Washington Park and the Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia add civic and cultural touchpoints. The waterfront at Burlingame's bay edge includes parks and trails with views toward the East Bay hills. Public schools are operated by the Burlingame Elementary School District and San Mateo Union High School District. The Peninsula Library System maintains a branch on Primrose Road.

Burlingame Today

Geography & Environment

Burlingame's terrain rises gently from the filled bayshore to low foothills in the west. Eucalyptus trees — planted in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries — define many streetscapes and contribute to the city's "City of Trees" identity. Mediterranean climate patterns bring dry summers and mild, wet winters typical of the Bay Area coast.

Regional agencies including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, SamTrans, and Caltrain coordinate service improvements that affect daily commuting patterns for residents employed throughout the Bay Area. City officials participate in these forums to represent local priorities on transit funding, highway maintenance, and Peninsula growth management.

Transportation & Connectivity

U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 280 flank Burlingame, providing freeway access to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Burlingame and Broadway stations on the Caltrain Peninsula corridor offer frequent commuter rail service. San Francisco International Airport lies immediately north. SamTrans bus routes supplement rail and freeway connections for local and regional trips.

The Broadway station area includes a mix of older commercial buildings and newer office uses that serve Peninsula professionals seeking Caltrain access without San Francisco rents.

Burlingame participates in countywide emergency alert systems and joint powers agreements for water supply through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and local providers.

Looking Forward

Burlingame's housing element and downtown specific plan address state mandates for new residential construction, particularly near transit. City officials evaluate mixed-use proposals along El Camino Real while preserving residential neighborhood character in the hills. Bay shore adaptation planning addresses long-term sea-level rise along the city's limited waterfront.

The city's tree preservation ordinance protects mature specimens that line Peninsula avenues planted during the railroad era, requiring review before removal on both public and private property.

The City's Character

Burlingame blends small-town downtown warmth with full participation in the Peninsula's regional economy. Its tree-lined streets, rail connectivity, and airport proximity create a civic profile that is both residential and thoroughly linked to the greater Bay Area.

“"Burlingame grew where the railroad met the eucalyptus — a Peninsula town that has welcomed each new generation of commuters without surrendering the shade of its avenues."

From morning trains on Burlingame Avenue to evening walks through Washington Park, residents experience a mid-Peninsula community with deep roots in the rail era and a continuing role as a connected, livable address within San Mateo County.