At a glance
- Where it is: central San Mateo County, on the mid-Peninsula.
- Known for: the Laurel Street downtown, Caltrain access, and hillside views toward the bay.
- The environment: primarily residential with an unusually active small downtown core.
- What sets it apart: more downtown activity than Belmont, in a smaller and quieter package than Redwood City.
Housing character
- Single-family homes, many mid-century, on both flat and hillside lots.
- Newer condominium and townhome buildings near downtown and along El Camino Real.
- Larger homes on larger lots in the western hills.
Places within San Carlos
- Howard Park
- Flat, walkable streets close to downtown Laurel Street.
- White Oaks
- Established neighborhood between downtown and the hills with a mix of home ages.
- Devonshire Canyon
- Hillside area with larger lots and canyon terrain.
- Beverly Terrace
- Western hillside neighborhood with views toward the bay.
- Cordes / Alder Manor
- Flatter eastern neighborhoods closer to the freeway corridor.
Around town
- Laurel Street restaurants, shops, and the weekly farmers market.
- Burton Park, the city's central gathering space.
- Big Canyon and Eaton parks, with trails linking into the hills.
- San Carlos Airport and the Hiller Aviation Museum on the bay side.
Getting around
- San Carlos Caltrain station downtown.
- US-101 on the bay side; Interstate 280 to the west.
- El Camino Real runs the length of the city.
- SamTrans bus service and shuttle connections.
What to check
- Hillside streets are steep in places, affecting driveways and parking.
- Some neighborhoods sit close to US-101 or the rail corridor where noise is a factor.
- General aviation traffic from San Carlos Airport is audible in bayside areas.
- Older housing stock in many neighborhoods.
- Verify current transportation service, school assignment, permit requirements, hazard information, and total housing costs for the specific address.