City, San Mateo County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Code: 94070
Located
mid peninsula. Bay town that rises to hills and is divided by a large ravine
that is broken up by several small ravines. This has created many sites to
position homes that command views of the Bay. Population 28,857. www.mccormacks.com
Peaceful. Bedroom community that has
picked up some Silicon Valley-type industries. Small airport east of the
freeway, on the Bay, away from homes.
In 1998, the Hiller Aviation Museum was opened at the airport, 40
aircraft, including a 1912 biplane and an 1883 hang glider.
Several attempts
were made around the turn of the century to get San Carlos going as a suburb
but the town did not jell until about World War I.
Subdivision
in 1924 aimed for upper end of market, and San Carlos has remained an
upper-middle town. Incorporated as city in 1925, San Carlos slumbered along
until it got a big surge of suburban housing after World War II.
Click for regional or detailed map
Between 1950 and 1960, the city
increased its population by 50 percent to 21,370, then gradually filled in.
Added 1,457 residents in 1980 and 1,551 in the 1990s. Between 2000 and 2007 the
town added 256 housing units and 921 residents.
Median age
of residents is 40. Kids under 18 account for 23 percent of town; over 55
years, 24 percent. Rounded demographics, old and young about equal. www.mccormacks.com
Residential
units number 11,960, of which 8,285 are single homes, 609 single attached, 3,050
multiples, 16 mobiles (2008 state figures). Just about built out and is
revamping itself to squeeze in more homes. Among proposals: 250 to 300 condos
and townhouses near the train station.
San
Carlos, to a large extent, built west from its train station. Near the station,
the land is flat and contains pre-World War II homes and many apartment
complexes. Moving west, the homes become newer, 1950s and 1960s designs, and as
you move more west and further into the hills, 1970s and 1980s designs show up.
At the top, the newest homes and duplexes, on Crestview Drive.
Many of
the homes have been remodeled and upgraded. Many are positioned on their lots
to command views. Residents spend a lot of time in their back yards and on
their decks.
Despite
the building, San Carlos somehow seems to have a lot of open space. Many of the
hillsides are too steep for home construction. Large parks or preserves border
the town on the west side.
Crime low.
Zero homicides in 2005, one in 2004, zero from 1994-2003, one each in 1993,
1992, 1991 and 1990, zero in 1989, 1988, 1987, two in 1986, zero in 1985. See Crime. www.mccormacks.com
School
rankings high, mostly 80s and 90s. Day care at all elementary schools.
Educational foundation and Chickens Ball raise money for schools. Older kids
move up to Carlmont (Belmont) or Sequoia (Redwood City) High schools, part of
Sequoia District. This district in 1996 won voter approval of a $45 million
bond, the money used to renovate and rewire all schools in the district. In
2001 and 2004, voters passed two more renovation bonds for the Sequoia
district. See Schools.
San Carlos
Elementary District in 1997 won approval of a $21 million bond to improve all
schools and renovate a closed school so it could be reopened. In 2003, voters
approved a parcel tax to maintain elementary instructional quality and
electives. Parcel taxes are hard to win because they require two-thirds
approval.
In 2005, voters
passed yet another bond ($38 million) for more renovations and additional
classrooms for all the elementary schools.
In sum,
good support of schools.
Elementary
district in 1994 opened a charter school. New attempt to give teachers more
flexibility on how school is run and to get parents more involved in education. www.mccormacks.com
Central
Middle School in 2006 won a national Blue Ribbon for its academic endeavors.
Library,
seniors center, dog run, 15 parks, 4 playgrounds, museum. New library opened in 1999. The
children's section was expanded. Also in 1999, San Carlos opened a youth
center, which includes a gym, computer room, crafts area and game room. City is
paying for field upgrades at the schools; the fields are used for soccer,
softball and other sports.
Downtown spruced up: remodelings, new
facades, signs. Restaurants, stores and coffee houses along El Camino Real, Laurel
Street and San Carlos Avenue. Nice little downtown, which seems to have held
its own against shopping malls. Trader Joe's. Christian Science room, library,
city hall.
The usual
two freeways to San Francisco but San Carlos looks more toward Silicon Valley
than the City. Caltrain to San Francisco, Silicon Valley; shuttle buses to
Caltrain station. SamTrans (buses). Not far from airport and bridges to East
Bay.
In recent
years San Carlos has built railroad underpasses or overpasses and improved
freeway exits and approaches along Brittan Avenue. This has helped internal
traffic. Highway 101 has been widened. www.mccormacks.com
The city
is reviewing plans to build a large medical center and retail complex near
Holly Street and the rail line. Many favor the projects and it’s likely they
will go through but proponents concede that unless road improvements are made
congestion will worsen.
Several
San Mateo cities have similar problems. The rail line runs close to Highway
101, which is heavily traveled. The cities built their downtowns near the train
stations. Traffic comes off the freeway and gets slogged by the train tracks or
passing trains or the narrow streets or all three. Even when underpasses are
built, problems persist.
Around San
Carlos, another failing that shows up in several other towns. Some two-lane
roads, foremost Alameda De Las Pulgas, are being asked to carry more traffic
than they can handle.
Chamber of
commerce (650) 593-1068.
• San
Carlos is working on a plan to connect its hiking trails to regional trails.
• Large
unincorporated neighborhood called Palomar Park to the southwest of San Carlos.
Hills. Many view homes. Streets that curve around hills and ravines. www.mccormacks.com
City web
site: www.cityofsancarlos.org
