Laidback, small-town living between Silicon Valley and San Francisco
With a walkable downtown district, community parks and well-established neighborhoods, it’s no wonder San Carlos is known as the “City of Good Living.” Located on the San Francisco Peninsula, its streets stretch from Bayside flats to wooded, brush-laden hillsides dotted with midcentury homes. It’s in a prime spot for commuting, as it sits just north of Silicon Valley and is a 45-minute drive to San Francisco. “It’s an old, established town that’s stayed a small town. It doesn’t feel like a suburb, which you can’t say for some of the other cities in this area,” says Realtor David Young of Coldwell Banker Realty, who’s lived in the city for 35 years and sold hundreds of homes there. “We’ve got this quaint, Mayberry-like downtown that’s filled with independent shops and restaurants. You’re not going to see many chains here.”
Hillside homes with sweeping views define Alder Manor’s serene suburban charm.
Boutique shopping on Laurel Street in San Carlos, showcasing unique gifts below Alder Manor.
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Independent shops and restaurants in Downtown San Carlos
Downtown San Carlos spans about 10-square blocks along El Camino Real. It’s home to a handful of cozy cafes, local restaurants, boutique shops and independent grocers. The dining scene is quite diverse and has everything from Parisian-style bakeries and cafes to authentic Burmese cuisine. Bianchini’s Market is a family-run favorite in town for groceries and deli sandwiches, but there are also major chains nearby like Trader Joe’s and Safeway.
Graffeo Leather on Laurel Street, below Alder Manor, offers handcrafted goods in San Carlos.
The Devonshire Little store is a historic hidden gem in Beverly Terrace.
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Flat streets close to downtown, winding roads in the foothills
The median home price in San Carlos is $2.4 million, putting it on par with nearby Silicon Valley cities but well above the Bay Area median. There are a variety of neighborhoods in the San Carlos — Howard Park 's flat, gridded streets are within walking distance to downtown shops and restaurants, while neighborhoods like Beverly Terrace and Alder Manor are perched in the hills with winding roads etched into slopes and forests. It’s not uncommon for homes in the hills to shaded by dense tree canopy or to have wide views of the Peninsula and the Bay stretching out below.
Autumn colors brighten the residential streets of Alder Manor, San Carlos.
Beverly Terrace also has larger homes for bigger families.
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Community parks and sprawling hillside hikes
There are nine parks in San Carlos nestled along residential streets with a variety of sports fields, playgrounds and green space. Burton Park is a favorite community gathering spot, just south of downtown. “It’s a real hangout for kids and parents. If you’ve just moved here, it’s a great place to meet new friends and neighbors,” Young says. The southwestern edge of the city is dominated by rolling hills where residents will find hiking, biking and other outdoorsy adventures. Rugged trails crisscross the slopes and canyons at Eaton Park, Edgewood Park & Natural Reserve and Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. San Carlos is also known for its excellent weather, Young says. “If you go too far north, it chillier and foggy. South can get really hot in the summer. We’re in a nice pocket where you have solid, consistent weather throughout the year,” he says. The city is home to the Hiller Aviation Museum, which has more than 40 aircraft on display as well as flight simulators and an indoor are for people to fly drones.
Burton Park features a playground for families in the neighborhood of San Carlos
Explore Redwood City's Stafford Park—playful adventures await at the vibrant playground.
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Highly rated Silicon Valley schools
San Carlos is known for its stellar public schools. The San Carlos Elementary School District gets an A rating from Niche. The district has six elementary schools and two middle schools, all of which earn A grades. Older students attend either A-rated Sequoia High School or A-plus-rated Carlmont High School.
Clifford School is a great place for new students in San Mateo.
Sequoia High School provides education in the neighborhood of
Roosevelt, Redwood City, CA.
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Getting around the San Francisco Peninsula
San Carlos has long been sought-after for its location between Silicon Valley and San Francisco, making it an ideal place to commute from. It has its own Caltrain station, which shuttles passengers from Downtown San Francisco to south of San Jose. Drivers also have easy access to State Route 101 and Interstate 280. The nearest hospital is just a few miles away at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center, a highly rated 149-bed hospital.
Low crime rates in San Mateo County
San Carlos doesn't have its own police force, partnering instead with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office for its law enforcement needs. The county’s violent and property crime rates are slightly lower than the national average and have steadily improved over the past decade, according to FBI stats.
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
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
