Small Bay Area city with plenty of transit options
Located in the heart of the San Francisco Peninsula, Millbrae is a Bay Area suburb ideal for commuters. "Its proximity to San Francisco is a big reason people move to Millbrae. A lot of people work in the city, more so than Silicon Valley," says Carmen Miranda, a Realtor with Compass who has over 30 years of experience in the area. "Because of the proximity to San Francisco, they can just get in their car and go." Residents have several options for commuting, including two highways and multiple public transit services. In addition to the convenience of Millbrae, Miranda cites the highly rated Millbrae Elementary School District and the lower cost of housing as factors that buyers would consider. While access to the greater San Francisco region is a plus, this suburban city of approximately 23,000 people can still feel like a small town. Downtown offers a mix of local businesses and community events, while scenic parks provide a retreat into nature in the middle of one of the nation's largest metro areas.
Green Hills is tucked next to the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills.
The trails at nearby San Andreas Lake attract Green Hills nature lovers.
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Planes, trains and highways around the Bay Area
The Millbrae station is the largest intermodal transit center west of the Mississippi and provides services to several public transit options. It serves as the terminus for the Red and Yellow Lines of Bay Area Rapid Transit, which take riders north to San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond and Antioch. It's also a stop for the Caltrain commuter rail line, which provides service north into San Francisco or south to San Jose. Plus, multiple SamTrans buses serve the community. For those who prefer to drive, U.S. Route 101 offers a 15-mile trip into San Francisco, and Interstate 280 runs north-south through the city.
San Francisco International Airport is just north of Millbrae and offers nonstop flights throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Despite the proximity to the airport, noise is not an issue in the city. "Some residents are initially concerned about noise from the airport, but it's not as much of a concern once you get used to it, especially if you have dual pane windows and sound resistance," says Ramez Tabri, a real estate agent with Century 21 and over five years of experience in the area. "The benefits of the location outweigh the noise." The airport also has a first-of-its-kind Noise Insulation Program, which replaces doors and windows on homes around the airport.
Midcentury one-story homes and Mediterranean Revivals
The city is made up of midcentury bungalows and Mediterranean and ranch-style houses. Many have been remodeled to include modern features. Most neighborhoods in Millbrae have suburban layouts, with homes close together on walkable streets with sidewalks. The Highlands and Mill Estates neighborhoods feature hilly terrain, offering views of the San Francisco Bay to the east. The roads in this part of the city are full of mature trees, adding a natural feel to the neighborhoods. The median housing price in Millbrae is around $1,950,000, up by 9% over the past year. That price is higher than the nearby cities of San Bruno and San Mateo but lower than Burlingame. Homes sell quickly, staying on the market for an average of 22 days, much faster than the national average of 45 days.
Hillcrest Blvd. winds through the center of the Highlands neighborhood.
Highlands homes sit on gently sloping streets.
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Highly rated Millbrae schools
Millbrae Elementary School District receives a B-plus rating from Niche. The district serves approximately 2,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It operates four elementary schools and one middle school throughout the city. Schools in the district have won several awards, including California Distinguished School and National Blue Ribbon. High schoolers might attend Mills High School, which gets an A-plus from Niche. The school is home to approximately 1,100 students and has a strong academic reputation, with higher average SAT and ACT scores than the rest of its district. About 87% of students go on to some form of higher education, and in 2025, the school had three National Merit Scholar semifinalists.
Nearby Taylor Middle School serves Green Hills students.
Mills High School is a large education center at the edge of Green Hills.
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Parks and trails around Millbrae's hills
Multiple parks and natural areas provide plenty of room for recreation throughout Millbrae. Central Park is the top recreation destination with a large open field, a playground, tennis courts and walking paths. It's also home to the Millbrae Recreation Center, which has event spaces, a fitness center and a game room. The park hosts free city events like Millbrae Goes to the Movies. Junipero Serra Park is just north of the city and offers a vast natural area with views of the Bay, the airport and Mount San Bruno. The park has picnic shelters and multiple hiking trails. San Andreas Lake is just across I-280 from Millbrae and provides drinking water throughout the San Francisco Peninsula. While recreation is not allowed on the lake, the multiple segments of the Crystal Springs Regional Trail meander along the lakeshore for cyclists, walkers and runners. The private Green Hills Country Club has a par-71 golf course along with a restaurant, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
Your kids will never want to leave the playground at Millbrae's Central Park.
The Green Hills Country Club has an 18-hole Alister MacKenzie designed golf course.
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Main Street-style shopping on Broadway
Downtown Millbrae is the city's hub of shopping and dining, with locally owned shops and restaurants lining Broadway. Millbrae Pancake House has been serving breakfast in the area since 1959. Wonderful is a small Chinese restaurant serving Hunan cuisine. Sixteen Mile House is a Western-style saloon that traces its history to a former roadhouse on the highway from San Jose to San Francisco where stagecoach horses and passengers could rest and get refreshments. Stores along Broadway include jewelry, furniture, and wine shops. The Millbrae Farmers Market occurs every Saturday in a parking lot on Broadway. The city's summer concert series, Beats, Brews, & Vines—takes place downtown and features live music and drinks.
The Millbrae Farmer's Market is an excellent place to grab produce.
The Millbrae Pancake House is a favorite spot for Green Hills diners.
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Crime and environmental risks in Millbrae
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Department has provided law enforcement for Millbrae since 2012. While there is no crime data for Millbrae specifically, the sheriff's department reported decreases in violent and property crimes in 2023, with some crimes decreasing by 40%. According to data from the FBI, San Mateo County has lower crime rates than the statewide and national averages. Millbrae also faces environmental risks, such as wildfires, floods and earthquakes. The city has adopted San Mateo County's Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which provides strategies for emergency response, preparedness and hazard mitigation.
Robert Pedro is the proud owner and Broker of Signature Realty with offices in Redwood City and Foster City, California where he currently serves as president and broker officer. His responsibilities include managing the strategic direction of its operations, overseeing the professional development of its family of Agents, and staying true to the mission of the company, “Have fun while helping people build wealth with real estate.” Robert has direct experience with coordinating real estate sales and management of residential and investment properties. Other professional experience includes representing Buyers, Sellers, Housing Providers and Tenants. In 2013 Robert was chosen from over 2700 Realtors in San Mateo County, California to be named Realtor of the Year. Robert has served Realtors in the following capacities: Director for San Mateo County Association of Realtors, Director for California Association of Realtors, and has chaired numerous committees. Robert has also served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Robert served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1988 to 1999. He was a two-time recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal which is awarded for exceeding performance and leadership standards. Robert is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with concentrations in real estate. He also has become the first SAMCAR Broker to earn the coveted Master of Real Estate Degree from REALTOR® University. Robert places a high premium on exceeding his clients’ expectations. His knowledge and expertise in real estate sales is only exceeded by his sense of service to his God, Family, Country and Clients. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mOQgUG4-Po
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