Most Walkable Cities

Which neighborhoods in San Mateo County offer the best walking experiences? Whether you're pushing a stroller, teaching your kid to ride a bike, or just looking for a stroll to the park or downtown, let me show you the most walkable neighborhoods on the North Peninsula, based on my criteria for what makes an area truly walkable.

I'm Raziel Ungar, and I've been a realtor here for 18 years, representing hundreds of buyers throughout San Mateo County and selling over $1 billion of real estate. I grew up in Burlingame and have always worked here on the Peninsula. In my 20s, I lived in San Francisco for eight years because Burlingame and the rest of this area aren't as fun when you're young. During my time in the city, first in North Beach for four years and then in Noe Valley for another four years, I really valued being able to walk everywhere. If you live in San Francisco now or are relocating here from somewhere else and want to live in a walkable neighborhood, stay tuned.

First, let's talk about Burlingame. Burlingame has the most number of neighborhoods that I call super walkable. Here you can see an outline of Burlingame. Downtown Burlingame includes Burlingame Avenue and Broadway, the main areas, both of which are super flat and walkable. The Burlingables neighborhood is particularly noteworthy with its tree-lined streets backing up to Washington Park. This area is within walking distance to Burlingame Avenue and features a $52 million community center hosting after-school activities, summer camps, a STEAM lab, and a ballroom for community events.

The community center is adjacent to basketball courts, the Peninsula Tennis Club, and the high school campus, which includes the largest public swimming pool between San Francisco and Santa Clara, and eight tennis courts available for community use outside school hours. The Burlingables neighborhood, with about ten sales per year, tops the price per square foot in Burlingame. South of this is the Lyon Hoag neighborhood, where two-bedroom homes start in the high $1 million range, three-bedroom homes are about $2 million to $3 million, and four-bedroom homes start at $3.5 million to mid-fours. Cul-de-sacs in Burlingables backing up to the park add to the neighborhood’s appeal.

The most walkable neighborhood in Burlingame is Burlingame Terrace, located south of Broadway, east of El Camino, west of California, and north of Burlingame Avenue. This area is home to many condos and apartments. It is equidistant to both Broadway and Burlingame Avenue and close to Burlingame High School and McKinley Elementary School. North of Broadway is the Burlingame Village neighborhood, which, though not walkable to downtown or Broadway, is near Village Park, known for its beauty and facilities like basketball courts and preschools.

Ray Park and Easton Addition are also worth mentioning. Ray Park is flat and walkable, with homes slightly pricier than those east of El Camino. Easton Addition, one of Burlingame’s most expensive neighborhoods, features homes ranging from $2 million for two bedrooms to $6 million for new construction four-bedroom homes. The area is popular for trick-or-treating and is at the top of many people’s lists. Burlingame Park, another flat and walkable neighborhood, is the most expensive due to its large homes, new constructions, and tree-lined streets.

Next, let's take a look at San Mateo. With 100,000 people and 27 neighborhoods, San Mateo offers several walkable areas. San Mateo Park, Hayward Park, and San Mateo Village are among the most walkable neighborhoods. San Mateo Park, the most expensive neighborhood, allows for easy access to downtown Burlingame. With wide streets and about 60 islands, homes here can go up to $7 million to $8 million, with a sweet spot between $3 million to $5 million.

Baywood and Aragon are the second most expensive neighborhoods in San Mateo, known for their flat, walkable streets. They provide easy access to downtown San Mateo, which boasts 171 different restaurants offering diverse cuisines. Baywood Elementary, Aragon High School, and Borel Middle School are within walking distance. Homes in these areas offer better value than comparable neighborhoods in Burlingame.

Beresford Park, located west of El Camino and south of 92, includes the San Mateo Terrace and Beresford Manor neighborhoods. These areas are pancake flat and walkable, with prices starting in the mid to high $1 million range. Beresford Park itself features tennis courts, bocce ball courts, a playground, a skate park, and a community garden.

Hayward Park, south of downtown San Mateo and close to Central Park, offers affordable homes and easy access to downtown amenities. The neighborhood is centrally located, making it convenient for commuting via El Camino and 92. Fiesta Gardens and Bay Meadows are notable for their master-planned community feel, offering good shopping, parks, and dining options, though they come with higher property taxes due to Mello-Roos districts.

Moving on to Belmont, while it lacks a downtown, it offers rolling hills and neighborhoods like Hallmark, which backs up to Water Dog Lake. San Carlos, known for its community vibe, offers walkable neighborhoods like Howard Park and White Oaks. Burton Park is a highlight, offering tennis courts, bocce ball courts, a playground, and a community garden.

Redwood City, particularly the Edgewood Park neighborhood, offers historic homes and walkability to downtown, which has been revitalized over the past decade. The area features good dining, a movie theater, the Fox Theater, and the San Mateo County Historical Museum, creating a fun, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Millbrae, located between Burlingame and San Bruno, has a vibrant downtown with excellent Asian restaurants and top-ranked schools. The neighborhood west of Broadway is flat and walkable, offering better value than Burlingame with two-bedroom homes selling slightly over $2 million and three-bedroom homes starting in the low $2 million range.

I hope you enjoyed this overview of some of my favorite walkable neighborhoods in San Mateo County. I'd love to be your Peninsula real estate resource of choice. Please reach out to me via email or shoot me a text, and I’d love to connect with you. See you in the next video.