City, San Mateo County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Code: 94066
Bedroom
town located just west of San
Francisco International Airport. Rises from the flats to the hills. In 2003,
opened a BART station near its large mall, Tanforan, which was renovated and
reopened in 2005. Among additions: a movie house with 20 screens. Population 43,444. www.mccormacks.com
The city's
name was probably inspired by Bruno Heceta, Spanish explorer who sought to
honor his patron saint. In its initial years, San Bruno was situated near a
toll road and a railroad junction and popular with duck hunters and all this,
in a small way, encouraged the building of homes. The town in 1914 incorporated
as a legal city with a population of 1,000.
Much of
the housing was built right after World War II, and styles will remind you of
the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Many of the homes were sized (two- and three
bedrooms) and priced for veterans coming into the market.
Click for regional or detailed map
San Bruno
added 3,544 residents in the 1980s and about 2,700 in the 1990s. Between 2000
and 2007, it took on another 2,000 residents and built 525 housing units, many
of them on a former military base and a closed school. In 2007, the city, near
the Tanforan Mall, completed a complex of 228 apartments for seniors.
San Bruno,
especially near the Tanforan Mall and the BART station, is tearing down the old
and replacing it, often, with large apartment complexes, some intended for
seniors. The site is also situated near a freeway interchange — in sum, a
good place for apartments and condos.
Town is
aging gracefully. Because of location, San Bruno is considered a desirable
address. In appearance it comes across as a blue-collar town but the school
scores, which are influenced by demographics, say middle plus. Older, cheaper homes with small garages
will generally be found near El Camino Real and the downtown. As you move into
the hills, the homes get slightly bigger and occasionally turn up a two-story
structure. www.mccormacks.com
Many
Bayside cities stop at Interstate 280. San Bruno extends well on the other side
of this freeway. From some western streets, you can see the Pacific, but most
views are pointed toward the Bay. San Bruno rises and falls over small hills
that climb to the mountains. Valley or ravine homes … no views. Hill homes, mix
of views, depending on how home was positioned.
San
Francisco jail is hidden in hills.
San Bruno
in 2008 counted 15,917 residential units, of which 9,155 were single homes, 566
single-family attached, 6,174 multiples, 22 mobiles. One condo-apartment
complex, called Shelter Creek, has about 1,300 units.
Median age of residents is 36. Kids
under 18 account for 23 percent of inhabitants; over 55 years, 20 percent. Just
about as many old as young (census 2000).
Weather is
a little tricky. Coast mountains are not that high near San Bruno, which allows
the fog to move all the way to the Bay. If driving Highway 101 on a summer
afternoon, look west toward the San Bruno ridge-line. The fog will be cresting
the ridge and spilling down into the lowlands, but the farther it advances, the
more it falls prey to the sun. Pattern changes from neighborhood to
neighborhood. Those west of Interstate 280 might get a good amount of fog. If
shopping for a home, talk to neighbors about weather. www.mccormacks.com
One
library, 19 parks including major county park, Junipero Serra. Nearby is
Crystal Springs Reservoir, pretty and nice for hiking. Seniors center. Town
pool. Annual festival draws about 50,000. Municipal dog run, a place where
Rover and pals can exercise and take care of business. Skyline Community
College is a big plus, day and evening classes. Schools supply playing fields. San
Bruno has a large poker parlor, Artichoke Joe's, that helps with the city’s tax
revenues.
Shopping
at Tanforan, Bayhill, Towne Center plazas, main sources of sales tax revenue
for San Bruno. Tanforan is remembered for what it used to be: a race track and
place where local Japanese, at start of World War II, were gathered before
being shipped to internment camps. Tanforan retained its Sears, Penneys and
Target and a giant Barnes and Noble bookstore. New police headquarters was
located at the BART station, also at Tanforan. The Tanforan is bordered by
Interstate 380, which connects Highway 101 and Interstate 280. Also many stores
along El Camino Real.
Downtown shops
(San Mateo and San Bruno Avenues) face strong competition from malls but seem
to be holding their own. Real mix; many restaurants, several coffee cafes.
Golden
Gate National Cemetery, about 125,000 graves, is located in the northern
section of San Bruno. Also situated in the city: the Federal Archives and
Records Center, favorite haunt of researchers.
One
homicide each in 2005, 2004 and 2003, five in 2002, zero in 2001, one in 1999
and in previous years, zero, zero, zero, two, zero, zero, zero, one, one, zero,
one, zero, two, four. In 2002, the bodies of four murder victims were found in
a San Bruno apartment. Suspects arrested. See Crime. www.mccormacks.com
San Bruno elementary
schools score from the 50th to the 90th percentile. Capuchino
High, the local school, part of the San Mateo Union High School District,
scores in the 70th percentile. See Schools.
San Bruno elementary
district in 1998 passed a $30 million bond to renovate the elementary schools.
In 2000,
after several tries, the high school district passed a $138 million bond to
renovate all its schools and in 2006 passed a $298 million bond to replace old
classrooms, plumbing, roofs and wiring. Capuchino High to get a new humanities
building (28 classrooms) and a remodeled and expanded theater with more
classrooms for music.
Space
permitting, the high-school district allows students to transfer to school of
choice.
Good
commute. Two freeways, Highway 101 and Interstate 280 (connected by Highway
380). Skyline Boulevard and El Camino Real move a lot of traffic, Caltrain,
SamTrans buses, BART station. If
you miss a plane from this town, you’re beyond help. www.mccormacks.com
Downtown
traffic often congests, a problem of narrow streets, active rail line and
freeway exits that dump too many vehicles into the downtown.
Ask
neighbors about plane noise. Money may be available for sound insulation for
homes. Airport officials say noise is within state limits.
A town
with a little bing, bang, boom. Fireworks allowed at the Fourth of July.
Chamber of
commerce (650) 588-0180.
City web
site: www.sanbruno.ca.gov
