California Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Hillsborough, California

Population: 10,825

Located in San Mateo County

Renowned for its wealth, this San Mateo County town of approximately 11,000 residents in many ways deserves its reputation, but the "old money" in town is often very understated. The Tudor, Mediterranean, Colonial and Spanish-style mansions are all very evident, but many of the homes are upper-middle class functional and practical one-level ranch-style homes.

Hillsborough is a town for tycoons, high-tech and Internet princes certainly, but also a town with many resident doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, and other professionals. The trees are tall, full and abundant. The lawns are manicured and well maintained, and the landscaping is lush and imaginative and often serves to ensure privacy for its residents.

Much of Hillsborough is ensconced behind gates, high walls and tall hedges. The town's three public elementary schools are among the highest scoring in the state. Several years ago, Crocker Middle School was named by the Swedish Academy of Sciences as one of the four best in the world.

The commute to San Francisco is relatively convenient. Highway 280 runs along the top of Hillsborough, about 21 miles to downtown San Francisco. Neighboring Burlingame has a train depot with trains and buses to San Francisco. San Francisco International Airport is also nearby.

Up until the 1940s, Hillsborough had fewer than 400 residences, thus ensuring the utmost privacy and exclusivity. However, after the war major growth came to the town. Hillsborough added 1,100 homes in the 1950s, 600 in the l970s and 400 in the 1980s. The town is now almost completely built out. Total Hillsborough residences currently number about 3,850.

The town of Hillsborough provides its residents with a high standard of living. An ethnically diverse city, Hillsborough in recent years has welcomed many Asians and Asian Americans. A strong sense of community abounds and is evident in the many school-sponsored and community events that fill the town's social calendar each year. Education is a high priority. A schools foundation and a parents' club raise about $700,000 a year for the community's four schools.

From the clean, quiet, and safe streets to the towering trees and immaculate homes that line them, it is evident that this town is a uniquely beautiful place to call home.