San Mateo, California , is conveniently located to the south of San Francisco, north of San Jose, and west of the East Bay area. The city has a mild year round climate, averaging 68 degrees, with about twenty inches of rain each year. San Mateo has a diverse array of festivals, events, and recreational activities for its residents. It also has an excellent public school system, neighborhoods and public libraries.

San Mateo supports a population of approximately 680,000 residents, making it the eleventh most populated city in California. The average age of a resident here is 38 years old, with an annual household income of around $65,000 per year. Home values in the area have continued to grow at a steady pace, making them a great investment for their owners. The 2000 Census listed the median home value in San Mateo at $477,300. The largest employment sector in this area is professional services, technology and the sciences. Retail trade is the second most active sector, followed by manufacturing.

One of the biggest events each year is the San Mateo County Fair. It features a live music series, petting zoo, fine arts, and flower and garden competitions. There is a chili cook-off, and guest chefs offering demonstrations, quilting, and crafts. There are folk dancing demonstrations and horse races. With the diversity of offerings, the San Mateo county fair draws thousands of folks from every age group.

For those who enjoy shopping, San Mateo has several newly renovated shopping centers, including Bridgepointe and Hillsdale, the largest shopping center with over 150 stores and four restaurants. There are neighborhood shopping districts, full of unique shops and boutiques. And the downtown commercial district is a great place for shopping, dining, or a pleasant stroll.

The downtown district contains over 800 businesses, and beautifully maintained historic buildings. Here you will find specialty retailers and independent boutiques, carrying everything from home furnishings to one of a kind art to the latest fashions. Downtown also has over 100 restaurants to choose from. You can dine in a casual setting, or enjoy fine dining, and sample cuisine from every corner of the globe. Whether you want Mexican, Cajun, Italian, Vietnamese, Spanish, Thai, or Japanese, downtown has a restaurant for everyone.

The B Street Cinema District located between Second and Third Avenues is the area's emerging area for entertainment, dining and retail. New restaurants and amenities continue to establish themselves in this corner, and cinema patrons benefit from having a lively surrounding to make plans before or after their trip to Century 12. In the evening, this area really comes to life at places like the La Fiesta Supper Club, Moon's Family Sports Bar and O'Neill's Irish Pub.

A newly added, and much appreciated, amenity in the area is the "Parents' Night Out" option offered by the Junior Gym. Located within the B Street Cinema District, this program is offered on Friday evenings between 6:30 and 9:30, offering parents the opportunity to enjoy a movie, a romantic dinner, or some peaceful shopping. With plenty of activities for children, it's hard to tell whose "special night out" this really is!

Within easy walking distance of the cinema district is Central Park, containing an exceptional Japanese garden, tennis courts and playgrounds. During the summer, Central Park is the gathering spot for San Mateo's outdoor concert series. Even on popular event nights, residents find downtown to be relatively easy to navigate. There is plenty of parking and two trolleys that provide shuttle services to various destinations throughout the city center.

San Mateo is a community that continues to grow at a steady pace, but is committed to maintaining both its environmental resources and its residents' quality of life. Although the city has a fairly large population, it maintains the feel of a small town.


San Mateo is a quaint, affordable and beautiful place to live, work or raise a family. This is a community with a high quality of living for all of its residents. If you're thinking of moving to San Mateo, California, our relocation packet is yours for the asking!