This California Town Near San Francisco Has Two Charming Downtowns And A Waterfront Most Visitors Overlook
Most people heading toward San Francisco have their eyes on the big city. That means they can drive right past a smaller destination with plenty of reasons to pull over.
What makes this town especially interesting is that it offers two distinct downtown shopping areas instead of just one.
Both have their own character, with inviting storefronts, places to grab a bite, and streets that reward a little aimless wandering.
But shopping is only half the appeal. Just outside San Francisco, one California town combines lively downtown streets with a quieter waterfront that deserves more attention.
The bayside setting offers a welcome change of pace after browsing shops or stopping for lunch.
You can trade busy sidewalks for open water views and enjoy a different side of a community that many travelers barely notice.
It is an appealing combination for a relaxed day trip, especially when you want variety without spending hours on the road.
Why Burlingame Has Two Different Downtown Shopping Districts
Two downtowns in one small city might sound unusual, but the reason goes back about a century.
Burlingame absorbed its northern neighbor, a town called Easton, roughly 100 years ago.
Easton already had its own business street, so the combined city ended up with two separate shopping areas instead of one.
Burlingame Avenue is often seen as the original downtown. Over time, it has grown into a more upscale district with a long list of shops and places to eat.
Foot traffic here tends to be steady, and the street often feels busy and bright.
Broadway, which sits in the old Easton area, kept a more traditional feel. Grocery stores, pharmacies, classic restaurants, and independent boutiques line the blocks.
The city allows sidewalk dining and parklet seating in both districts. Those outdoor tables can make it easy to slow down, grab a bite, and watch the street for a while.
Planning a visit around both areas gives a fuller sense of the town. A morning on one street and an afternoon on the other may feel like two different trips in a single day.
Burlingame Avenue And Its Walkable Streets Filled With Shops And Restaurants
Leave the car parked and let your feet do the work here.
Burlingame Avenue serves as the commercial heart of the downtown area, and the layout is built for walking.
Redfin has given Downtown Burlingame a walk score of 90 out of 100, which falls into the Walker’s Paradise range.
The mix of businesses is wide. Jewelry stores, floral and design shops, coffee and tea spots, ice cream parlors, and juice bars share the blocks.
Children’s boutiques, art galleries, salons, and wellness studios fill in the gaps.
Because so much sits close together, a visit can flow naturally. Coffee can turn into a browse through a gallery, then lunch, then a stop for something sweet, all without moving a car.
Outdoor dining adds a relaxed, sociable feel to the sidewalks. On sunny days, the hum of conversation and clinking dishes may drift along the street.
Weekends can feel noticeably busier than weekday mornings. Visitors who prefer more elbow room might aim for earlier hours, though crowd levels can vary.
Comfortable shoes are a smart choice, since wandering side streets is part of the fun. Small finds often pop up just around the corner from the main stretch.
Take time to look up, too, because the trees overhead soften the light and keep the walk pleasant.
Broadway’s Historic 1927 Arch And Old-School Shopping Atmosphere
Few street signs come with a backstory as winding as this one.
The arch that welcomes people to Broadway near California Drive first went up in the early 1920s on Howard Avenue and El Camino Real. Back then, it promoted the Pacific City amusement park.
After the amusement park closed, the sign was saved. The Broadway Development Association acquired it and changed the wording to read Broadway-Burlingame in 1927.
Decades later, in 1987, a community effort restored the arch. It was then moved about 50 feet west in 1987 and 1988 to make room for infrastructure changes.
Walking beneath it feels like stepping into a slower-paced part of town. Broadway is known for its mom-and-pop businesses, local grocery stores, pharmacies, and classic restaurants.
Independent boutiques and specialty shops give the street a personal feel. Shop owners may know their regulars by name, which adds to the neighborly vibe.
Compared with Burlingame Avenue, the energy here is calmer. That makes Broadway a nice pick for unhurried browsing or a casual meal.
Snapping a photo of the arch is almost a rite of passage. Afternoon light can make the lettering stand out clearly against the sky.
The City’s Nickname As The City Of Trees
More than 18,000 public trees stand within city limits, and that number explains the town’s proud nickname.
Burlingame calls itself the City of Trees, and the title is backed by real effort. A Heritage Tree Ordinance passed in 1975 protects trees considered distinctive.
The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the city as a Tree City USA for 34 straight years. That kind of streak shows long-term care rather than a passing trend.
The tree story started early. Founders Anson Burlingame and George Howard hired landscape architect John McLaren to plant trees on their estates, both for beauty and to cut down on wind.
Some of the most striking examples are the eucalyptus groves along El Camino Real.
They were named a heritage grove in 1975 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 as the Howard-Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows.
Driving or walking under those tall trunks feels almost like passing through a green tunnel. The air may carry a light, fresh scent on warm days.
Neighborhood streets offer plenty of shade too, which makes strolling comfortable even in the afternoon.
The Waterfront Walking Paths With Views Across San Francisco Bay
Plenty of visitors stick to the shopping streets and never realize how much shoreline sits just a short drive east.
Burlingame has a significant stretch of waterfront along San Francisco Bay. The San Francisco Bay Trail, a paved multi-use path, runs along the edge of the water.
Views from the trail can include open water, marshlands, and the San Francisco skyline on clear days. Fog sometimes rolls in, so the scenery may shift from hour to hour.
Nearby sections of the trail loop around Anza Lagoon and continue toward Coyote Point Recreation Area. Those stretches give walkers a chance to cover as much or as little ground as they like.
The flat, paved surface works well for walking, jogging, and cycling. Strollers and casual walkers can usually move along without much trouble.
Several access points line the shore. A popular starting spot sits near the Shorebird Sanctuary, which makes it easy to combine a walk with a bit of birdwatching.
Breezes off the bay can feel cool, even on sunny days. Bringing a light jacket is a simple way to stay comfortable.
Watching Airplanes Take Off And Land Near The Shoreline
Kids and grown-ups alike tend to stop mid-sentence when a big jet rumbles overhead.
San Francisco International Airport sits right next door, which turns the Burlingame waterfront into a handy spot for plane-spotting. Aircraft can be seen climbing out or lining up to land throughout the day.
Bayside Park, Anza Lagoon, and Robert E. Woolley State Park all offer bayside outlooks. Each spot gives a slightly different angle on the action.
Coyote Point Recreation Area provides wide views across the water as planes come and go. Bayfront Park is another option with clear lines of sight over the bay.
Even the San Francisco Bay Trail itself works as a viewing area. Walkers often pause to watch a plane glide past before continuing on.
Flight patterns can change with the weather and wind, so the best viewing spot may vary from day to day. Patience usually pays off, since traffic at a major airport tends to be steady.
Bringing binoculars can make it easier to spot airline logos and tail designs.
The sound can be loud up close, so little ones with sensitive ears may appreciate some extra distance.
Washington Park And Its Shady Green Spaces
Picnic blankets, tennis rackets, and happy dogs all find a place on these lawns.
Washington Park, located at 850 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame, CA 94010, covers 15 acres in the center of town. It is the oldest park in the city and works as its main community green space.
Mature trees spread shade across wide lawns. Some of those trees date back to the former Gunst Estate, which adds a touch of history to an ordinary afternoon.
Families may head straight for the large, recently renovated playground. A dedicated dog-park area gives four-legged visitors room to run.
Reservable picnic sites come with barbecue stations. Tennis courts, pickleball courts, baseball fields, and softball fields keep active visitors busy.
Paved walking paths, benches, and restrooms make longer stays more comfortable. A newer community center within the park offers modern facilities for a range of programs.
Weekends might bring more activity on the fields and courts. Quiet weekday mornings may feel calmer for reading under a tree.
The park sits within walking distance of Burlingame Avenue shops, so grabbing takeout and eating on the grass is an easy plan.
Soft grass and cool shade make it a pleasant reset between busier stops.
The Burlingame Fresh Market And Its Local Food Vendors
Sunday mornings in downtown have a delicious rhythm of their own.
The Burlingame Fresh Market sets up on Park Road at Burlingame Avenue. Many residents treat it as a regular part of their week.
The market runs year-round on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. From May through November, a Thursday market also takes place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
California growers bring seasonal produce and fresh flowers to their stalls. What shows up on the tables changes with the time of year, so each visit may look a little different.
Spring and summer can bring bright, colorful displays. Cooler months may lean toward heartier vegetables and greens.
The market adds energy to the downtown area, especially on weekends. Nearby outdoor dining spots make it easy to shop and then sit down for a meal.
Bringing a reusable bag helps carry finds without juggling armfuls of fruit. Small bills can also make quick purchases smoother, though payment options vary by vendor.
Arriving earlier often means a wider selection before popular items sell out. Later visits may feel a bit more relaxed.
Either way, chatting with growers is a nice way to learn what is in season.
Mills Canyon And Its Wooded Hiking Trails
Trading pavement for dirt trails takes only a few minutes from downtown.
Mills Canyon Park sits in the foothills within Burlingame city limits. The main entrance is at 2930 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA, with parking along Adeline Drive and Arguello Drive.
Mills Creek shapes the land, which mixes woodland and open grassland. The result feels surprisingly wild for a spot so close to town.
The Ed Taylor Loop Trail is the main hiking path. It covers roughly 1.3 miles and passes through oak and bay woodland, open grassland, and a shaded creek corridor.
Expect some moderate ups and downs along the way. Sturdy shoes can help on uneven ground, especially after rain.
The park works well for short hikes and on-leash dog walks. Birdwatchers may spot common land birds flitting between branches.
Under the trees, light filters softly through the leaves and the air often feels cooler. Open grassland sections can feel sunnier and warmer.
The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Morning visits may offer quieter trails and more bird activity.
Packing water and staying on marked paths keeps the experience safe and respectful of the canyon.
