San Carlos

San Carlos hillside neighborhood overlooking the bay, with distant hills in warm evening light.

Welcome to San Carlos

San Carlos is situated about halfway between San Francisco and San Jose in San Mateo County. Known as the ‘City of Good Living, this small city offers an array of great things to see and do for the whole family from museums and art galleries to wineries, breweries, parks, reserves, and more. You can enjoy a pedestrian lifestyle in its vibrant downtown.

Did You Know?

The Reading Bug is a local, family-owned, independent bookstore that sells a wide range of children's books, music, toys, and accessories. Founded by Diane and Lauren Savage in 2008, the family-friendly bookstore is imaginatively designed and decorated like an enchanted forest and creates unique and memorable experiences for children and their families through a love of literacy. Offering comfortable seating in the form of toadstools and boasting surprises around every corner, The Reading Bug bookstore hosts an extensive calendar of special events such as book clubs and craft days, author visits, sing-alongs, story times, and discussion groups, and has dedicated event space for special occasions and functions.

Housing and Real Estate Current Market

Residential areas in San Carlos are a mix of modern condos in the downtown flat area and in the southwestern hillsides. More classic mid-century and contemporary single-family homes are located in the hills with plenty of breathtaking views of the Bay.

Here’s a peek at San Carlos’ Real Estate Market fluctuations. For a more in-depth analysis visit my San Carlos Market Watch page.

San Carlos Market Action Index gauge showing 48 on a 0–100 buyer's-to-seller's market scale.

Overview for San Carlos, CA

30,696 people live in San Carlos, where the median age is 41.6 and the average individual income is $126,162. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

30,696

Total Population

41.6 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density
This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$126,162

Average individual Income

Around San Carlos, CA

There's plenty to do around San Carlos, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

17

Car-Dependent

Walking Score

26

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Bed & Breakfast Burrito, Grand Bazaar Grocery & Meat, and Elia.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Bed & Breakfast Burrito page on Yelp	Dining	0.06 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Grand Bazaar Grocery & Meat page on Yelp Search 751 Laurel St on Google Maps	Dining	0.79 miles	44 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Elia page on Yelp Search 727 Laurel St on Google Maps	Dining	0.79 miles	169 reviews	4.2/5 stars
Visit the Rouge Lounge page on Yelp Search 890 Laurel St on Google Maps	Dining	0.81 miles	84 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the El Tulense Truck page on Yelp Search Old Country Road And Bransten on Google Maps	Dining	0.84 miles	2 reviews	3.5/5 stars
Visit the Sunny & Fine's Breakfast Burritos page on Yelp Search 920 El Camino Real on Google Maps	Dining	0.88 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Muller Dick page on Yelp	Shopping	0.06 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Rachael's Mobile Swim School page on Yelp	Active	0 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Tower Personal Training page on Yelp	Active	0 miles	102 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Cherry On Top Parties page on Yelp	Active	0.06 miles	34 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the World Cup Soccer Camps & Clinics By Ruedi Graf page on Yelp Search 2600 Melendy Dr on Google Maps	Active	0.34 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Heather Dog Exercise Area page on Yelp Search 2760 Melendy Dr on Google Maps	Active	0.51 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Arguello Park page on Yelp Search 260 Wellington Dr on Google Maps	Active	0.68 miles	12 reviews	3.8/5 stars
Visit the M&M Youth Sports page on Yelp Search 276 Fir St on Google Maps	Active	0.72 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the 7v7 Flag page on Yelp Search 809 Laurel St on Google Maps	Active	0.81 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Fitwize 4 Kids page on Yelp Search 638 El Camino Real on Google Maps	Active	0.83 miles	1 review	3/5 stars
Visit the Love Heal Thrive page on Yelp	Active	0.84 miles	21 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Vibe 365 Pilates page on Yelp Search 362 Clifton Ave on Google Maps	Active	0.85 miles	30 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Jyoti Angresh page on Yelp	Active	0.87 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Vision Parkour page on Yelp Search 1067 E San Carlos Ave on Google Maps	Active	0.92 miles	12 reviews	4.7/5 stars
Visit the Orchid Room page on Yelp Search 678 Laurel St on Google Maps	Nightlife	0.78 miles	98 reviews	3.4/5 stars
Visit the Cigars And More page on Yelp Search 636 El Camino Real on Google Maps	Nightlife	0.83 miles	61 reviews	4.7/5 stars
Visit the I'm Faded Barbershop page on Yelp Search 548A El Camino Real on Google Maps	Beauty	0.85 miles	49 reviews	3.7/5 stars
Visit the Eric Taylor page on Yelp Search 993 Laurel St on Google Maps	Beauty	0.87 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for San Carlos, CA

Population Households Employment

San Carlos has 11,331 households, with an average household size of 2.7. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in San Carlos do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 30,696 people call San Carlos home. The population density is 5,015 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

30,696

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

41.6 years

Median Age

48 / 52%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

11,331

Total Households

2.7

Average Household Size

$126,162

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in San Carlos, CA

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby San Carlos. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Neighborhoods

Palo Alto
Los Altos Hills
Los Altos
Redwood City
San Carlos
Menlo Park
Atherton
Hillsborough
Burlingame
Portola Valley
Woodside
San Mateo
Redwood Shores
Foster City
Belmont
Mountain View
Sunnyvale
Millbrae
Half Moon Bay
Pacifica
San Bruno
South San Francisco

Explore Palo Alto

The City of Palo Alto has almost 4,000 acres of open space to explore, recreate, and relax in.
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Explore Los Altos Hills

People often think of Los Altos Hills as a sub-part of Los Altos, but that is not the case.
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Explore Los Altos

Los Altos is now an affluent residential town on the western edge of Silicon Valley.
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Explore Redwood City

Redwood City is known for its great climate and plenty of foothills to enjoy the great outdoors.
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Explore San Carlos

Known as the ‘City of Good Living, this small city offers an array of great things to see and do for the whole family.
Read More
Explore Menlo Park

Offers that small-town charm and it’s only 25 minutes away from the buzz of San Francisco.
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Explore Atherton

An idyllic town regularly ranked as the most expensive ZIP Code in the United States.
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Explore Hillsborough

Prides itself on lovely winding roads, lush landscaping, and gorgeous multi-million-dollar mansions.
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Explore Burlingame

Offer tree-lined streets, charming local shops, designer boutiques, and fine art galleries.
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Explore Portola Valley

A small, quiet, and wealthy community nestled on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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Explore Woodside

One of the wealthiest small towns in the United States and the best place to live in California.
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Explore San Mateo

The City of San Mateo is located south of San Francisco in the Silicon Valley tech hub.
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Explore Redwood Shores

There is not much going on for restaurants, bars, and shopping but it's a great and safe place to live.
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Explore Foster City

Foster City has a distinctive look and feel due to its unique architecture and numerous bridges crossing over its beautiful lagoons.
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Explore Belmont

Known for its wooded hills, views of the San Francisco Bay, and stretches of open space.
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Explore Mountain View

Enjoying a Mediterranean climate, Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street.
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Explore Sunnyvale

Offers picnic areas, waterfront paths, boat launches, and a playground perfect for families!
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Explore Millbrae

37.5985° N, 122.3872° W
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Explore Half Moon Bay

37.4636° N, 122.4286° W
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Explore Pacifica

37.6328° N, 122.4901° W
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Explore San Bruno

37.6305° N, 122.4111° W
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Explore South San Francisco

37.6547° N, 122.4077° W
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