Table of Contents
Introduction: Is Moving To Burlingame CA Right For You?
If you're seriously moving to Burlingame CA, you probably have a dozen priorities running through your head: commute, schools, parks, restaurants, and whether the community feels like a true neighborhood instead of a faceless suburb. I grew up in Burlingame, and I still live here because it checks so many of those boxes. This guide pulls together the practical details and the local flavor you need to decide whether moving to Burlingame CA makes sense for your family and lifestyle.
What To Expect When Moving To Burlingame CA
- Population:
About 30,000 people—small town feel with big-city access.
- Location:
Roughly 20 minutes south of San Francisco and 20 minutes north of Palo Alto.
- Climate:
Mediterranean-like year round—mild, pleasant weather most of the year.
- Greenery:
Tree City USA for over 30 years with more than 16,000 public trees.
- Price:
Expensive—expect higher-than-average prices on the Peninsula.
Why People Choose Burlingame
There are practical reasons people consider moving to Burlingame, CA
and emotional ones that are harder to quantify. Practically, Burlingame is centrally located on the Peninsula with fast access to the major commuter routes, Caltrain, and SFO airport. Emotionally, it feels like a classic small town—tree-lined streets, vibrant downtowns, and parks within a short walk of most neighborhoods.
Burlingame brings a rare combination of highly-rated public services (including a top-ranked library system and public schools), vibrant dining and bakery scenes, and a true sense of community. If you value neighborhood character and being outdoors, moving to moving to Burlingame, CA
often lands near the top of the list.
Burlingame CA Neighborhoods
One of the first decisions when moving to moving to Burlingame, CA
is choosing between flatter, walkable neighborhoods or the hillier, more private areas. Each offers a different lifestyle and different price points.
Flat and walkable neighborhoods
These areas are ideal if you want to walk to cafes, shops, and parks. Popular choices include:
- Burlingame Avenue area
and Broadway—vibrant retail corridors with restaurants and boutiques.
- Burlingame Terrace
—equidistant to both downtowns and especially flat and bikeable.
- Burlingame Grove and Burlingame Village
—near Village Park and close to Caltrain, making commuting straightforward.
- Burlingame Gables and Lyon Hoag
—close to Washington Park and highly desirable for families.
Flat neighborhoods usually have smaller lots and higher price per square foot, but the tradeoff is great walkability and immediate access to downtown amenities.
Hilly, private neighborhoods
If privacy, views, and larger lots are important, the hills are attractive. The two key hill neighborhoods are Burlingame Hills and Mills Estates. Burlingame Hills tends to feel wooded and private with fewer sidewalks and more mature trees. Mills Estates is more gridlike, suburban, and generally developed in the 1960s onward.
Expect larger lots and more separation from neighbors if you choose the hills. That often means a higher sense of privacy for residents who value it.
Parks, Outdoor Life, And Dog-Friendliness
Burlingame is built for being outside. Wherever you live, you are likely within a few blocks of a park. Parks are central to community life here and host seasonal events like concerts and movies in the park.
Major parks to know
- Washington Park:
Near downtown, with baseball fields, basketball courts, a large playground, and a new community center. The park hosts music and movie nights in summer and seasonal family events.
- Ray Park:
In northern Burlingame with open fields, dog areas, and a big play structure.
- Village Park:
In Burlingame Village, a neighborhood favorite for families.
- Bayside Park:
Down by the bay with multiple baseball fields and beautiful coastal views.
- Seal Point (nearby in San Mateo):
A great bayfront trail and picnic space, just a short drive from Burlingame neighborhoods near the bay.
Burlingame is very dog-friendly, with multiple off-leash times or fenced areas at parks including Washington Park, Ray Park, Murray Field, and bayside spaces.
Food, Coffee, And The Bakery Scene
For food lovers, moving to Burlingame, CA
is a treat. The town punches above its weight for a city with fewer than 30,000 people. The bakery culture alone is impressive.
Bakeries and coffee
- Copenhagen Bakery:
A longstanding favorite known for its Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake, affectionately called "chocolate pizza" by locals.
- Backhaus:
A recent addition that quickly became popular across the Peninsula.
- Maison Alyzée:
Praised for croissants that many locals compare favorably to those in Paris.
- Nearby favorites:
Bonjour Bakehouse in neighboring areas is beloved for scones and pastries.
Lunch, dinner, and treats
Kid-friendly lunch spots include Maverick Jack's and Crepevine. Pizza options are plentiful: Blue Line Pizza (the Burlingame incarnation of the Little Stars family), Pizzeria Delfina, and Rise Pizza are local go-tos. For ice cream and gelato, choices include Cafe Stellato, Salt & Straw, Baskin Robbins, and longstanding neighborhood spots like Preston's.
Schools, Libraries, And Community Services
Families often ask whether schools and services make it worth moving to Burlingame CA. The short answer is yes—public schools are strong and community resources are excellent.
Public schools
Burlingame has six public elementary schools—each with its own personality and size. For younger families, McKinley and Hoover illustrate the range: McKinley is larger with roughly 500 students, while Hoover is a smaller school with about 220 children. There is one public middle school, Burlingame Intermediate School, and one public high school, Burlingame High School, which is known for its attractive campus and athletic facilities including the largest public aquatic center between San Francisco and Santa Clara.
Overall, most families report similar experiences across the different elementary schools—the district maintains consistently good standards. If a specific school matters for your home search, you can easily check district maps online to see which school a home feeds into.
Library system
The library system is a standout benefit for families and lifelong learners. Burlingame ranks among the top library systems in California for cities under 40,000 residents. The libraries host more than 250 story times per year, career workshops, study spaces, and community events. The library foundation also does strong fundraising through book sales and community support, making the system an active and well-funded resource.
Burlingame CA Housing Costs
Cost is the reality many face when moving to Burlingame CA. The Peninsula is one of the most expensive regions in the Bay Area, and Burlingame sits near the top for median home prices in San Mateo County.
Price ranges and what to expect
- Under $2 million:
Rare, but possible for smaller two-bedroom homes or condos. Expect limited inventory.
- $1.7 million to $2.3 million:
Typical range for two- to three-bedroom homes that are on the smaller side—older homes or modest remodels.
- $2.5 million to $3.2 million:
Comfortable three-bedroom homes, sometimes with larger yards, or updated 3,000+ square foot homes in the hills.
- $3.5 million to $5 million and up:
Larger lots, newer construction, or homes with premium floor plans and finishes. Modern open-concept layouts or newer infill houses usually fall here.
If you have a budget of $5 million or more, most homes that fit that range will be newer construction under ten years old or extensively remodeled properties. Because lot sizes in Burlingame tend to be smaller than those in towns like Hillsborough, ultra-high-end sales above $6 million are uncommon.
Examples of what recent sales show
Recent local sales illustrate the market: a remodeled three-bedroom near Village Park sold around $2.3 million; a two-bedroom in Burlingame Grove closed near $1.7 million; a 3,000 square foot house in the hills with a large, private lot sold around $3.2 million; and a recently built five-bedroom in the eastern neighborhoods with an open floor plan fetched about $4.2 million.
Commuting And Transit In Burlingame CA
Location is one of the biggest advantages when
moving to Burlingame CA. The town sits strategically between San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Many residents commute via Caltrain or drive on Highway 101/280. The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is practically in the backyard, which is convenient for frequent travelers.
Commuting times vary. With Caltrain, train-station neighborhoods like Burlingame Village offer straightforward access to San Francisco and down the Peninsula. Driving times depend on traffic, but the relatively central location makes Burlingame an excellent base for people working across the Peninsula.
Local History And Character
Burlingame was incorporated in 1908 and grew as a bedroom community for San Francisco. The historic train station and several mature neighborhoods tell that story. At one point, a local plant nursery shipped hundreds of thousands of flowers a month to the San Francisco flower market, and traces of that horticultural tradition remain in the lush tree canopy and well-kept gardens around town.
Practical Tips If You Are Moving To Burlingame CA
- Decide on the lifestyle you want:
Choose walkable neighborhoods if you want to be near shops and parks; choose the hills if you want privacy and larger lots.
- Set realistic expectations with budget:
Inventory moves quickly at many price points—get preapproved and be ready to act.
- Consider school assignment:
If schools matter to you, confirm the address-to-school mapping early in your search.
- Plan for yard size:
Typical lot sizes are 5,000 to 6,000 square feet, with a quarter of lots larger than that—especially in the hills.
- Explore by walking:
Spend time in Washington Park, downtown Burlingame Avenue, and the bakery-lined streets to get a feel for the community.
VIEW HOMES FOR SALE IN BURLINGAME, CA
Final Thoughts
For many people, moving to Burlingame CA strikes the balance between a small-town, tree-lined neighborhood vibe and convenient access to the Bay Area's job centers and airports. It is expensive, yes, but the town offers excellent public services, strong community life, a robust food scene, and an abundance of parks and outdoor spaces. If those attributes matter to you, Burlingame is well worth considering.
Ready to make Burlingame, CA your next home? Call or text us at 650-822-7088
to get personalized advice and schedule a neighborhood tour. We're here to help every step of the way.
FAQs About Moving To Burlingame CA
How expensive is it to buy a home when moving to Burlingame CA?
Expect higher-than-average Peninsula prices. Two-bedroom starter homes typically begin around $1.7 million. Three-bedroom homes usually start in the low to mid $2 millions and can go up to $3 million or more. Larger homes, newer construction, or premium floor plans commonly reach $4 million and above. If your budget is under $2 million, options will be limited.
Are Burlingame schools good for families moving to Burlingame CA?
Yes. Burlingame public schools are well-regarded. The district's elementary schools each have different sizes and flavors but maintain solid educational standards. There is one middle school and one high school; the high school campus is especially notable for its facilities.
What neighborhoods are best if I want to walk to shops and restaurants after moving to Burlingame CA?
Look at Burlingame Avenue, Broadway, Burlingame Terrace, Burlingame Grove, and Burlingame Village. These flat neighborhoods are the most walkable and put you close to cafes, bakeries, and parks.
Is Burlingame dog friendly for someone moving to Burlingame CA?
Very much so. Multiple parks offer off-leash times or fenced areas, and the community is generally welcoming to dog owners. Washington Park, Ray Park, Murray Field, and bayside parks are popular dog spots.
How long is the commute from Burlingame to San Francisco if I'm moving to Burlingame CA?
Driving times depend on traffic, but Burlingame is roughly 20 minutes to San Francisco in light traffic. Caltrain provides a reliable alternative with quick downtown access, especially if you live near the Burlingame Village station.
What amenities make Burlingame stand out when moving to Burlingame CA?
Standouts include an outstanding library system, strong public schools, abundant parks, a lively downtown with bakeries and restaurants, proximity to SFO, and a mature urban canopy of trees. The town balances small-town charm with high-quality public services.
Read More: Burlingame vs San Carlos: Which Peninsula Town Is Right for You?
