You've probably seen that massive "The Industrial City" sign carved into the hillside while stuck in traffic on the 101. It’s iconic. But honestly, if you're looking for cities in South San Francisco, you’re likely hitting a bit of a naming snag. See, "South San Francisco" is a specific city with its own mayor and a massive biotech tax base, but most people use the phrase to describe the whole cluster of towns sitting on the Peninsula between SF proper and Silicon Valley. It's a weird quirk of Bay Area geography.
If you tell a local you're headed to "South San Francisco," they’ll assume you’re going to Genentech or maybe getting a sandwich at Little Lucca. But if you're actually looking for the best places to live or visit south of the San Francisco city limits, you're looking at a patchwork of about 20 different jurisdictions. Each has a totally different vibe.
The Confusion Between the City and the Region
Let’s clear this up immediately. South San Francisco (the city) is often called "South City." It was once a meatpacking hub, hence the industrial branding. Today, it's the undisputed biotech capital of the world. Seriously. If you walk through the East of 101 sub-area, you're surrounded by billions of dollars in R&D labs.
But when people search for cities in South San Francisco, they’re usually thinking about the Peninsula. This is San Mateo County territory. It starts with Daly City—where the fog literally pours over the hills like a slow-motion waterfall—and stretches all the way down to the billionaire enclaves of Atherton and the tech offices of Menlo Park.
The geography is basically a sandwich. You have the "Bayside" cities along the 101 and the Caltrain tracks, and the "Coastal" cities like Pacifica and Half Moon Bay tucked behind the Santa Cruz Mountains. Living in one feels like a high-speed urban hustle; living in the other feels like you're in a sleepy surf film from the 70s.
The Northern Tier: Daly City, Colma, and Brisbane
Right at the border of SF, things get interesting. Daly City is the largest city in this northern pocket. It’s famous for the Westlake district—which inspired the song "Little Boxes"—and for having some of the best Filipino food in the United States. If you haven't had sisig at a spot near the Serramonte Center, you're missing out.
💡 You might also like: January 14, 2026: Why This Wednesday Actually Matters More Than You Think
Then there’s Colma. This place is wild. It’s known as the "City of the Silent" because the dead outnumber the living by about a thousand to one. When San Francisco banned burials within city limits in 1900, everyone (literally) moved here. It’s a quiet, beautifully manicured town mostly made up of cemeteries.
Brisbane is the "City of Stars." It’s tucked into the side of San Bruno Mountain. It feels like a small village where everyone knows each other, even though it’s minutes away from the airport. It’s one of the few places in the area where you can still find a bit of that "old California" quirkiness.
The Mid-Peninsula: Where the Money (and the Sun) Is
As you drive further south, the fog starts to thin out. Burlingame and San Mateo are where things get a bit more polished. Burlingame is essentially the "downtown" of the upper Peninsula. Burlingame Avenue is packed with high-end boutiques and people carrying very expensive lattes. It’s also home to some of the most preserved Victorian and Tudor-style homes in the region.
San Mateo itself is a major hub. It’s big. It’s diverse. It’s got a downtown that actually stays alive after 8:00 PM.
- Central Park has a Japanese Tea Garden that's legitimately peaceful.
- Hillsdale Shopping Center is a massive retail anchor.
- The Borel Estate area has some of the most interesting architectural history in the county.
Just west of these is Hillsborough. Don't expect to find a Starbucks or a grocery store there. It’s strictly residential, featuring massive estates and winding roads. It’s one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country, and the local police are known for being... very attentive.
📖 Related: Black Red Wing Shoes: Why the Heritage Flex Still Wins in 2026
Tech Hubs and Waterfront Living
Moving toward the South Bay transition, you hit Redwood City. Their slogan is "Climate Best by Government Test," which sounds like a weird flex, but the weather really is significantly better there than in Daly City. It has a massive, thriving downtown and is the seat of San Mateo County. It’s also where you’ll find Box and Oracle (technically in Redwood Shores).
Foster City is a bit of an outlier. It’s a planned community built on reclaimed land. It’s full of lagoons and wide streets. If you like windsurfing or electric "Duffy" boats, this is your spot. It feels very different from the hilly, tree-lined streets of Belmont or San Carlos just to the west.
The Reality of 2026: What’s Changing?
Honestly, the "commuter" lifestyle is shifting. In 2026, we're seeing more people treating these cities in South San Francisco as destination hubs rather than just bedroom communities for SF or San Jose.
The housing market is still tight. According to the 2026 San Mateo County Housing Market Forecast, inventory remains below a two-month supply. While national trends are cooling, the Peninsula is buoyed by the "biotech effect." Even with some remote work, the labs in South City and the VC firms on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park keep the demand for local housing incredibly high.
There's a massive push right now for the "Housing Element" updates. Most of these cities are being forced by the state to rezone for higher density. You’ll see more five-story apartment buildings popping up near Caltrain stations in places like Millbrae and San Bruno. It’s changing the skyline, and not everyone is happy about it.
👉 See also: Finding the Right Word That Starts With AJ for Games and Everyday Writing
Quick Reference: Which City is Right for You?
| City | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| South San Francisco | Industrial & Modern | Biotech pros and easy SF access |
| Pacifica | Gritty & Coastal | Surfers and hikers |
| San Mateo | Urban Suburban | Families and foodies |
| Burlingame | Upscale & Historic | Boutique shopping and walkability |
| Daly City | Foggy & Diverse | Commuters and Filipino cuisine |
| Menlo Park | Intellectual & Wealthy | Tech execs and Stanford affiliates |
Things to Know Before You Move or Visit
Traffic on the 101 and I-280 is a real thing. Don't believe the GPS when it says 15 minutes at 5:00 PM. It’s lying.
Also, the "Microclimate" thing is not a myth. You can be shivering in a parka in Pacifica and sweating in a t-shirt in Redwood City twenty minutes later. If you're exploring these cities, layer up. Seriously.
If you’re looking for a weekend plan, skip the tourist traps in SF. Go to the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos or hike the Sweeney Ridge Trail in San Bruno. You get a view of the Bay and the Pacific at the same time. It’s one of the few spots where you can see the sheer scale of the Peninsula.
How to Navigate the Area Like a Local
- Use Caltrain: It's often faster than driving, especially with the electrified fleet fully operational in 2026.
- Eat Local: Every city has a "Main Street" or "Broadway." That's where the non-chain gems are.
- Check the Fog: Use the "Mr. Chilly" app or local webcams before heading to the coast.
- Respect the Sign: If you hike up to the "Industrial City" sign in South City, stay on the trails. The local habitat is protected.
The cities in South San Francisco are more than just a transition zone. They are the engine of the Bay Area's economy and offer a quality of life that—if you can afford the "Sunshine Tax"—is pretty hard to beat anywhere else in California.
Next Steps for Your Search:
To get a better feel for the area, look into the specific school district ratings in San Mateo County, as they vary wildly between adjacent zip codes. You should also check the current BART extension schedules if you're planning to rely on public transit for a commute into the East Bay.