The New Burlingamers Guide to Burlingame
Now that you've settled in Burlingame, I've prepared a "New Burlingamers Guide to Burlingame" to help you figure out where things are, what's going on, and how you can start enjoying your new community.
Utilities
Water: You can sign up in person at the Utility Billing Office located at City Hall. Or you can use any of the other methods.
Garbage and Recycling: Call Recology at (650) 595-3900 or sign up online
Gas and Electric: Call PG&E at 800-743-5000 or sign up online
Dining Options
Here's a snippet from my favorite bakery:
Burlingame Community News
Sign up for the Burlingame e-News newsletter published by the City of Burlingame. A weekly no-frills update of upcoming activities and City related news enjoyed by many residents.
Check out my Burlingame Buzz videos for a refreshing one stop shop to learn everything Burlingame.
Check out the Burlingame Voice blog, written by Joe Baylock, a longtime Burlingame resident. Joe closely follows the happenings in town and I enjoy reading it.
Neighborhood Safety & Getting to Know Your Neighbors
The Burlingame Neighborhood Network is broken down by area and is designed to help you better know your neighbors, and develop a plan in case of emergency.
Sign up for San Mateo County's Community Alert System (SMC Alert) -- it will notify you via text message or email of emergencies like mountain lion sightings, oil spills, etc. I usually only get one or two messages a month.
Sign up for the City of Burlingame Rapid Notify community alert system.
Schools
Trying to figure out how to register for a public elementary or middle school in Burlingame? Visit the Burlingame School District Website.
Burlingame Public Library events
Subscribe to the Library's e-newsletter to stay informed about all of its wonderful, expansive programming.
Exercise Options
We have 15 public parks in Burlingame with lots of activities
Washington Park (popular playground area, basketball and tennis courts) is adjacent to Burlingame High School and all of its athletic facilities (state of the art seven lane track, multiple grassy fields, baseball stadium (with ivy covered fences that make you feel like you're at Wrigley Field!)
Burlingame Fitness is a locally owned private training gym that offers personal training at the highest level, plus they have an awesome large outdoor exercise area, and it's only two blocks off Burlingame Avenue.
Prime Time Athletic Club is Burlingame's oldest athletic club, and has tennis courts, basketball, a swimming pool, racquetball, and squash courts
The Burlingame Aquatic Center at Burlingame High School is one of the gems of the community, and it's the biggest public swimming pool between San Francisco and Santa Clara. It's typically in use during the school day but is open to the public for early in the morning and again later in the day. For those who enjoy a structured Masters program or are interested in adult water polo, check out the Burlingame Aquatic Club's website. To check community lap swim times, click here.
Best Places to go for a Walk or Run
One of Burlingame's kept secrets is the paved trail along the bayfront where all the airport hotels are located. Once you drive over the Broadway overpass, there's plenty of places to park along the water (or any hotel parking lot that has public access). You can walk, run, jog, or bike along a beautiful breezy stretch of the Bay, and the trail goes all the way down to Redwood Shores too.
Crystal Springs/Sawyer Camp Trail in San Mateo along the Crystal Springs Reservoir
Walk through the streets of Hillsborough around the Burlingame Country Club near Sharon & Eucalyptus
Do you have kids or are you expecting?
The Burlingame Mothers Club has approximately 1,900 members -- all moms who are expecting or have children who are 5 and under -- and the membership is drawn from the Burlingame, Hillsborough, and San Mateo communities. I have many clients who are members of the Mothers Club and they've told me it's a great way for them to connect with other mothers to make friends, play dates, and get connected to the community.
Sports leagues for children: AYSO soccer, BYBA (Burlingame Youth Baseball Association), Burlingame Soccer Club
Awesome children's story times (nearly 400 a year!) at the Burlingame Public Library on Primrose (two blocks north of Burlingame Avenue) and the Easton Branch in the Easton Addition neighborhood
Farmer's Market
The market runs every Sunday morning from the third week of January through the Sunday before Christmas, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and every Thursday afternoon from May through October from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burlingame Fresh Markets are certified markets featuring California growers who deliver seasonal produce and flowers, including many organic items. There are also retail stalls presenting local food products.
Make sure to check out the Farmer's Market which is almost year round which starts next to the Apple Store on Burlingame Avenue -- Thursday nights and Sunday mornings! From the Chamber of Commerce website:
The market runs every Sunday morning from April through December, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and every Thursday afternoon from May through mid- September from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Burlingame Fresh Markets are certified markets featuring California growers who deliver seasonal produce and flowers, including many organic items. There are also retail stalls presenting local food products. Operated by the Chamber of Commerce, the market is known to have musical entertainment, a balloon man for the children and local artisans.
Cultural Events
Music at Kohl is the peninsula's longest running chamber music series, and it takes place at Kohl Mansion right in the heart of the East Addition. Events are typically monthly.
Yearly Events:
Art in the Park (June), Burlingame Criterium road cycling event (July), Jazzfest on Burlingame Avenue, Roosevelt Elementary School's Chili Cook Off, Burlingame Pet Parade
Grocery Stores
We're fortunate to have so many quality grocery stores within a few minutes of practically every home in Burlingame.
In downtown Burlingame: Safeway, Mollie Stones; on Broadway - Adeline Market - quick things in Easton Addition
Closest Hospital
Not only are we fortunate to have our own hospital, but we have one of the newest ones in California, and the most seismically safe one in the state. Opened in early 2011 at a cost of nearly $700 million, this state of the art place run by Sutter Health is an excellent place to seek medical care (though I haven't been treated there myself, only heard). If you need to go to the ER, it's the closest one to go to.
Auto Repair
Yes, I am often asked this question which is why it's here. I highly recommend A+ Japanese Auto Repair in San Carlos, right near the REI on Industrial Road off of 101. Though they're not in Burlingame (I wish they were!), they do have a complimentary pick up and drop off service which makes their location negligible. Their rates are fair and I've always had positive reviews from the many clients and friends I've referred to A+. The shop is owned by two brothers, Eric and Adam Sevim, and they're all about making sure their customers have a positive experience with them. I am sure there are some great auto repair shops in Burlingame, though I just don't know any personally.
History
Are you curious about our history? Watch my two minute Burlingame Buzz video for a fun step back in time.
Real Estate News
Read my latest market analyses and see the latest stats for Burlingame.
Are you curious about a particular project around town? Learn more by viewing the interactive projects story map online.
This tool maps Community Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works projects that are planned, currently under construction, or recently completed. But don't worry, you don't need to know all those details. Just go to the map, zoom into the general location of the project, and click on a project to learn more. It's quick and easy!
Projects Around Town Story Map
This article is copyrighted by Raziel Ungar and may not be reproduced or copied without express written permission.
