Hillsborough / Burlingame

 

 

Hillsborough and Burlingame are adjacent San Mateo County communities located to San Francisco’s south. Hillsborough offers a nature-filled atmosphere with large estates enjoying great views over the San Francisco Bay and even out to San Francisco itself. The community was developed in the 1800s as a summer getaway for the San Francisco elite, and Hillsborough’s real estate includes a wealth of truly spectacular homes. Homes within Lower Hillsborough are particularly prized, while Upper Hillsborough is more isolated and mountainous. Hillsborough homes combine rural natural scenery and outdoor recreation with proximity to Downtown San Mateo and convenient commuter access to SF and Silicon Valley via Highway 101, 280, and El Camino Real. Hillsborough’s sister neighborhood of Burlingame has a more suburban feel. The powerful private estates within Hillsborough and Burlingame offer residents access to hikes and bike rides through beautiful natural scenery in a prime spot centrally located between San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

 

• Grand architecture
• Surrounded by nature and open space
• Ideal location between SF and Silicon Valley
• Access to Burlingame and San Mateo downtowns
  
  

Hillsborough has a prestigious reputation as the place of choice among some of the West Coast’s wealthiest residents. The grand homes here were built for some of the most prominent figures in industry and commerce at the turn of the 20th century. Its present-day proximity to both San Francisco and Silicon Valley means that both Hillsborough and Burlingame remain home to some of the nation’s most sought-after real estate. But despite the highest of high statuses, you will find Hillsborough and Burlingame are friendly and welcoming communities. Hillsborough is almost exclusively residential, while Burlingame offers a wide range of shops and restaurants.

 

Burlingame has two main commercial areas. The largest is the main downtown district centered on Burlingame Avenue. Here, you’ll find a mix of brand-name stores, boutiques, and exceptional restaurants. Zagat-rated Stella Alpina Osteria is a standout, serving rustic Northern Italian cuisine in a romantic setting. Other local favorites include Peruvian restaurant Limon Rotisserie Burlingame and elegant Italian eateries Rise Pizzeria and Il Fornaio.

 

A smaller commercial strip running south from the Broadway Caltrain station features independent boutiques, antique stores, and gift shops. Popular restaurants here include the Broadway Grill for mouthwatering steaks and live jazz music and Ristorante Rocca for delicious Northern Italian cooking.

 

Burlingame and Hillsborough are also within easy reach of the diverse shops and restaurants located in Downtown San Mateo. San Mateo’s eclectic dining scene is especially noteworthy for its excellent Japanese restaurants. Star attractions include the Michelin-starred Sushi Yoshizumi and Wakuriya and Michelin Guide-featured Ramen Dojo.

 

The rolling hillsides and open space that surround Hillsborough and Burlingame are home to two spectacular golf courses. The private 18-hole championship course at Burlingame Country Club was designed in the 1890s by World Golf Hall of Famer Robert Trent Jones Sr. Members of this exclusive country club also enjoy access to exceptional tennis facilities. The 18-hole championship golf course at Crystal Springs Golf Club is nestled within a wildlife refuge and is open to both members and the public. Crystal Springs Golf Course was designed by famous British architect William Herbert Fowler in the 1920s and provides stunning views over Crystal Springs Reservoir and the surrounding mountainsides. Other amenities at Crystal Springs include a pro shop and a bar and grill.

 

The six-mile Sawyer Camp Trail runs past Crystal Springs Reservoir and serves as one of the Bay Area’s most popular scenic nature trails. This paved trail winds through gorgeous natural scenery and is open to hikers, strollers, cyclists, and skaters.

 

Hillsborough is known for its abundance of grand architecture, with landmark homes including newspaper heir George Hearst’s spectacular Western White House and properties designed by star architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright. Despite stiff competition from homes designed for some of the West Coast elite’s wealthiest families, the Carolands Chateau is undoubtedly the area’s most impressive home. This lavish residence spans 46,050 square feet on grounds covering almost six acres. Carolands is a mesmerizing example of Gilded Age American Renaissance and Beaux-Arts design. Tours are available of the incredible chateau and its magnificent gardens, which are landscaped in a style inspired by the Palace of Versailles.

 

Public schools within Hillsborough and Burlingame belong to the Hillsborough Elementary and Burlingame Elementary Public School Districts. Both districts are very highly rated. Highlights include

 

• South Hillsborough School, Public, K-5
• North Hillsborough School, Public, K-5
• West Hillsborough School, Public, K-5
• Burlingame Intermediate School, Public, 6-8
• Crocker Middle School, Public, 6-8
• Burlingame High School, Public, 9-12