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Foster City is a city in San Mateo County, California, on the San Francisco Bay shoreline of the mid-Peninsula, about midway between San Francisco and San Jose. Its population was 33,805 at the 2020 census. Incorporated in 1971, it is regarded as California's first master-planned city, built on reclaimed bayland and former marshland along the Bay. The city's defining feature is its lagoon system, a network of man-made waterways that wind through residential neighborhoods and serve both recreation and storm drainage. Homes back onto these lagoons, and residents paddle, kayak, and use small watercraft within the city itself, a distinctive quality for a Bay Area suburb. At least ten bridges cross the lagoons, Highway 92, and the bay. Foster City's economy is anchored by technology and life sciences. Gilead Sciences, one of the region's largest biotechnology companies, is headquartered here, and the city's location between Silicon Valley and San Francisco places a broad range of employers within a short drive. The San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, part of State Route 92, carries traffic across the Bay to the East Bay, making the city a practical base for commuters in both directions. Students attend the San Mateo-Foster City School District for elementary and middle grades and the San Mateo Union High School District for high school. Recreation centers on Leo J. Ryan Park, the lagoon waterfront, and the Bay Trail, and organized youth sports and community events are woven into daily life. For homebuyers, Foster City offers planned, family-oriented suburban living with a waterfront character, strong schools, and unmatched regional connectivity on the Peninsula.

Population 33,805

County San Mateo County

Active Listings 42

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Foster City in?

Foster City is in San Mateo County, California, on the San Francisco Bay shoreline of the mid-Peninsula, about midway between San Francisco and San Jose and near San Francisco International Airport.

What is Foster City known for?

Foster City is known as California's first master-planned city, incorporated in 1971 and built on reclaimed bayland around a network of man-made lagoons used for recreation and storm drainage that wind through residential neighborhoods.

What school district serves Foster City?

Students attend the San Mateo-Foster City School District for elementary and middle grades and the San Mateo Union High School District for high school. Both districts are based in and around the city.

What companies are headquartered in Foster City?

Gilead Sciences, a major biotechnology company, is headquartered in Foster City. The city's mid-Peninsula location also places many Silicon Valley and San Francisco employers within a short commute via Route 101 and Highway 92.

City Guide

About Foster City

Real Estate & Housing

Foster City's housing stock is the product of its 1970s-era master planning. The city is built around its lagoons, with single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums arranged in cohesive residential neighborhoods, many with waterfront or water-view settings. Housing ranges from original mid-century planned-unit homes to newer townhome and apartment development near the city center and Metro Center area. The lagoon frontage is a defining premium, with many properties having direct water access. The market is predominantly single-family and owner-occupied, family-oriented, and consistently in demand, reflecting the city's schools and mid-Peninsula location.

Neighborhoods

Foster City is organized around its lagoon system, with residential neighborhoods distributed across the man-made waterways. The central district, near Leo J. Ryan Park and the civic center, anchors community life, while the Metro Center and its office and retail cluster sit along the city's commercial spine. Neighborhoods fan out toward the bayfront and the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge approach, with the Bay Trail along the shoreline. The city's planned layout gives it a uniform, walkable structure—an uncommon quality for a Bay Area suburb—with homes, schools, and parks connected by trails and lagoon crossings.

Lifestyle in Foster City

Foster City offers a family-oriented, amenity-rich suburban lifestyle with an unusual waterfront character. Residents use the lagoons for kayaking, paddleboarding, and casual boating, and the city's parks, trails, and Bay Trail access encourage an active, outdoor culture. The community is known for its strong schools, well-maintained public spaces, and sense of safety. Dining and shopping cluster around the city center and nearby San Mateo, while the mid-Peninsula and Silicon Valley provide employment and cultural options. It appeals to families and professionals seeking planned, low-stress living between San Francisco and San Jose.

Schools & Education

Foster City is served by the San Mateo-Foster City School District for kindergarten through eighth grade and the San Mateo Union High School District for grades nine through twelve. The districts are regarded as a key draw for families, with neighborhood elementary and middle schools across the city and high school assignment to San Mateo Union campuses. The school district's offices are based in Foster City, underscoring the city's central role in the regional system. Private and parochial options in the mid-Peninsula add further choice. The combination of strong public schools and a family-focused layout is central to the city's identity.

Getting Around

Foster City sits at a regional crossroads. State Route 92 runs through the city and over the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge to the East Bay, while U.S. Route 101 passes just west, connecting San Francisco and Silicon Valley. San Francisco International Airport is a short drive north, and Caltrain service is available in nearby San Mateo and Hillsdale. The city's internal street grid and lagoon bridges make local travel straightforward, and commuters reach major Peninsula employment centers within minutes. The bridge's East Bay connection distinguishes Foster City from many Peninsula cities, offering two-sided regional access.

Parks & Recreation

Recreation in Foster City is centered on the lagoons and the bayfront. Residents kayak, paddleboard, and boat within the city's waterways, and Leo J. Ryan Park, the city's central waterfront park, offers open space, paths, and community events. The San Francisco Bay Trail runs along the shoreline for walking and cycling, and the city maintains extensive parks and athletic fields. Organized youth sports are a major part of community life. Nearby, the Coyote Point Recreation Area and the hills of the Peninsula offer additional outdoor options, while the Bay itself supports sailing and windsurfing.

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