Foster City

Foster City is located on the eastern side of San Mateo County, between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and is known for its well-planned neighborhoods, waterfront setting, and quiet residential character. Built along the San Francisco Bay, the city features an extensive lagoon system, walking paths, and open space, with housing that includes single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums.

One of Foster City’s strongest features is its abundance of parks and outdoor recreation. The city has 24 parks and roughly 8 miles of levee pedestrian and bike paths, with many parks offering baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, playgrounds, and large lawn areas. Leo J. Ryan Park, the Bay Trail, and the city’s lagoon system give Foster City a distinctive waterfront lifestyle.

Foster City also has a highly international population and a large Asian community. The city has approximately 32,000 residents and has long attracted professionals in technology, finance, and life sciences. Gilead Sciences is headquartered in Foster City, while Visa continues to maintain a significant technology and product presence in the area.

From a commuting perspective, Foster City’s location is both an advantage and a challenge. The city sits next to Highway 101 and Highway 92 / the San Mateo–Hayward Bridge, making it convenient for reaching the Peninsula, South Bay, and East Bay. However, because the western end of the bridge is located nearby, the 101/92 interchange can become heavily congested during weekday rush hours. For buyers seeking a combination of waterfront living, parks, a family-oriented community, technology employment access, and a central Peninsula location, Foster City offers a very distinctive residential lifestyle.

POPULATION
32,411
July 1, 2025 population estimate
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
$199.1K
$199,143 · 2020–2024 ACS
BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR HIGHER
73.8%
Residents age 25 and older

Race & Ethnicity

Major Census population categories in Foster City
Asian
54.4%
White
28.9%
Two or More Races
10.0%
Hispanic / Latino
7.1%
Black / African American
1.7%
White is shown here as White alone, not Hispanic or Latino. Hispanic / Latino is an ethnicity category and may overlap with Census race categories, so the percentages above should not be added together to equal 100%.
OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING
50.8%
Share of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied
MEDIAN AGE
39.5
Median age of Foster City residents · 2024 ACS
FOREIGN-BORN POPULATION
49.5%
Nearly half of Foster City residents were born outside the United States
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and 2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Foster City, California. Population reflects the July 1, 2025 estimate. Income, education, housing and demographic figures primarily reflect 2020–2024 ACS data. Current home prices and real-estate market activity are presented separately using MLS market data.

Schools

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PUBLIC · SMFCSD

Elementary Schools

Audubon Elementary School
ELEMENTARY · SMFCSD · FOSTER CITY
Audubon Elementary School is located in Foster City and is part of the San Mateo-Foster City School District. It is one of the city's principal neighborhood public elementary schools.
Beach Park Elementary School
TK–5 · SMFCSD · FOSTER CITY
Beach Park Elementary School is located in Foster City. For the 2026–27 school year, required registration covers TK through Grade 5, completing the school's phased grade-level expansion.
TK–5
Brewer Island Elementary School
ELEMENTARY · SMFCSD · FOSTER CITY
Brewer Island Elementary is located in Foster City and is part of SMFCSD. It is one of the city's established neighborhood public elementary schools.
Foster City Elementary School
ELEMENTARY · SMFCSD · FOSTER CITY
Foster City Elementary School is located on Beach Park Boulevard and is part of the San Mateo-Foster City School District. It is one of Foster City's established neighborhood elementary schools.
PUBLIC · SMFCSD

Middle Schools

Bowditch Middle School
GRADES 6–8 · SMFCSD · FOSTER CITY
Bowditch Middle School is located in Foster City and is part of the San Mateo-Foster City School District. It is the city's primary public middle-school campus.
GRADES 6–8
PUBLIC · SMUHSD

High Schools

Aragon High School
GRADES 9–12 · SMUHSD · SAN MATEO
Aragon High School is located in San Mateo and is part of the San Mateo Union High School District. It is one of the comprehensive public high schools relevant to Foster City students.
Hillsdale High School
GRADES 9–12 · SMUHSD · SAN MATEO
Hillsdale High School is located in San Mateo and is also part of SMUHSD. It is one of the public high-school campuses commonly relevant to Foster City families.
San Mateo High School
GRADES 9–12 · SMUHSD · SAN MATEO
San Mateo High School is located in San Mateo and is part of the San Mateo Union High School District. It is another comprehensive public high school relevant to Foster City students.

Understanding Foster City Public Schools

Elementary and middle-school students in Foster City are served by the San Mateo-Foster City School District (SMFCSD). At the high-school level, Foster City is served by the San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD). Foster City itself does not currently have a comprehensive public high school.

Foster City's public-school structure is relatively straightforward: the city has Audubon, Beach Park, Brewer Island, and Foster City Elementary as its principal public elementary schools, while Bowditch Middle School serves the middle-school level. High-school students continue into the SMUHSD system.

San Mateo-Foster City School District · SMFCSD

SMFCSD serves both San Mateo and Foster City. Public schools located within Foster City include Audubon Elementary School, Beach Park Elementary School, Brewer Island Elementary School, Foster City Elementary School, and Bowditch Middle School.

Beach Park Elementary School

Beach Park is one of Foster City's newer public elementary schools. The school expanded its required registration grade levels over several years, and by the 2026–27 school year, required registration covers TK, Kindergarten, and Grades 1–5.

San Mateo Union High School District · SMUHSD

Foster City is part of SMUHSD at the high-school level and does not have its own comprehensive public high-school campus. SMUHSD provides home-to-school transportation from Foster City to Aragon High School, Hillsdale High School, and San Mateo High School.

This does not mean that every Foster City address may freely choose among all three schools. Official school assignment should still be verified using the specific property address, current attendance boundaries, and applicable enrollment or transfer policies.

Important for Buyers: SMFCSD provides a preliminary school assignment based on the residential address, but actual enrollment remains subject to school capacity. If the assigned school is full, a student may be placed at another school with available space. At the high-school level, Foster City is served by SMUHSD, and current high-school assignment should also be verified using the specific residential address and current attendance boundaries. If schools are an important part of a purchase decision, buyers should confirm current school assignment, capacity, and transfer policies directly with SMFCSD and SMUHSD.

Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School

TK–8 · JEWISH DAY SCHOOL · FOSTER CITY

Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School is a TK–8 Jewish day school located in Foster City.

The school combines a general academic curriculum with Jewish studies, Jewish values, and community education, serving students across both elementary and middle-school years.

Wornick emphasizes academic development, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and a strong sense of community and identity.

The school is accredited by CAIS and WASC and is located on the North Peninsula Jewish Campus on Foster City Boulevard.

For families seeking a Jewish private-school pathway extending from TK through Grade 8, Wornick is one of Foster City's most distinctive private-school options.

Location: Foster City
Grades: TK–8
Type: Jewish Day School · Coeducational
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
TK–8 JEWISH STUDIES ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAIS WASC

Kids Connection School

K–5 · PRIVATE · FOSTER CITY

Kids Connection School is a private elementary school located in Foster City, serving Kindergarten through Grade 5.

The organization also offers early-childhood programs, while its elementary division primarily serves students in K–5.

Kids Connection emphasizes small-group learning, individualized attention, academic development, and character education.

Located on Beach Park Boulevard, it provides a convenient local option for Foster City families seeking private elementary education.

Location: Foster City
Grades: K–5
Type: Private · Coeducational
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
K–5 ELEMENTARY SMALL CLASSES CHARACTER EDUCATION
Private-school grade levels, admissions policies, tuition, financial aid, and campus configurations may change over time. Please verify current information directly with each school. Private schools are not assigned by residential address, and admission is handled independently by each school.
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Market Trend

Home Price Trends

Market Activity

Latest available MLSListings data · Updated automatically

Neighborhoods

01

Dolphin Bay

One of Foster City’s most traditional single-family neighborhoods

Dolphin Bay is primarily defined by detached single-family homes. Homes are commonly around 1,800–2,300 sq.ft., with lots often around 5,500–6,000+ sq.ft.. Compared with areas dominated by condos and townhomes, it offers a more traditional residential setting.

SINGLE-FAMILY ~2,000 SQ.FT. HOMES QUIET
02

Sea Colony

Larger single-family homes with quiet streets and water views

Sea Colony is dominated by detached single-family homes. Many homes offer roughly 2,000–2,700+ sq.ft. of living space, with lots commonly around 5,300–5,700 sq.ft.. Some properties overlook the lagoon, slough or marsh.

LARGER HOMES WATER VIEWS SINGLE-FAMILY
03

Bay Vista

An established single-family neighborhood near the Bay and Bay Trail

Bay Vista is one of Foster City’s more single-family-oriented established neighborhoods. Detached homes commonly offer around 1,800–2,300 sq.ft., with lots often around 5,500–6,000 sq.ft.. The northern edge is close to the Bay levee and Bay Trail.

SINGLE-FAMILY BAY TRAIL ESTABLISHED
04

Carmel Village

A family-oriented neighborhood with selected lagoon-front homes

Carmel Village is primarily made up of detached homes. Single-family residences commonly offer 1,800–2,400 sq.ft., with typical lots around 5,600–5,900 sq.ft.. Selected lagoon-front properties offer water views, and some include private docks.

FAMILY AREA LAGOON SINGLE-FAMILY
05

Treasure Isle

One of Foster City’s earlier neighborhoods with Mid-Century character

Treasure Isle includes Ranch, Mid-Century and selected Eichler-influenced homes. Single-family residences commonly range from 1,500–2,400 sq.ft., with larger homes approaching 3,000 sq.ft.; typical lots are around 5,200+ sq.ft..

MID-CENTURY WATERFRONT ESTABLISHED
06

Harbor Side

One of Foster City’s signature waterfront residential areas

Harbor Side includes single-family homes and townhomes, with many properties closely connected to the Central Lake or lagoon system. Single-family homes commonly offer 1,900–2,500+ sq.ft., with lots often around 4,800–5,000+ sq.ft..

WATERFRONT PRIVATE DOCKS LAGOON
07

Marina Point

A mix of single-family homes, townhomes and condos

Marina Point offers a broader mix of housing types. Single-family homes commonly range from 1,500–2,500+ sq.ft., with typical detached lots around 5,200 sq.ft.. Townhomes are also relatively spacious, often approaching 2,000 sq.ft.

MIXED HOUSING CUL-DE-SACS PARKS
08

Isle Cove

A lagoon-oriented townhome community with a quieter residential setting

Isle Cove is primarily an attached-home and townhome community. Many residences offer roughly 1,300–2,000+ sq.ft. of interior space. Private lot size is less relevant here than lagoon proximity, outdoor space, parking and HOA condition.

TOWNHOME LAGOON LOW MAINTENANCE
09

The Islands

One of Foster City’s most recognizable lagoon-side attached communities

The Islands is primarily made up of townhomes and condominiums. Many residences offer roughly 1,500–2,100 sq.ft. of interior space, with townhomes averaging around 1,600+ sq.ft. Waterfront position and HOA quality matter more than private lot size.

TOWNHOME LAGOON WATERFRONT
01 · NEIGHBORHOOD

Dolphin Bay

Dolphin Bay is one of Foster City’s more traditional single-family residential areas. Compared with neighborhoods dominated by condos and townhomes, it offers a more consistent detached single-family environment.

Homes commonly offer around 1,800–2,300 sq.ft. of living space, with single-family residences averaging close to 2,000 sq.ft. Lots are typically around 5,500–6,000+ sq.ft..

Because lot sizes across Foster City’s single-family neighborhoods are relatively similar, Dolphin Bay’s appeal comes more from its detached-home character, residential setting and relatively quiet streets.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Housing: Detached single-family
Scale: Mid-sized to larger family homes
Character: Quiet · Residential
Best For: Buyers seeking traditional detached homes
02 · NEIGHBORHOOD

Sea Colony

Sea Colony is one of Foster City’s most single-family-oriented neighborhoods, with many homes dating from the 1970s and 1980s.

Homes commonly range from 2,000–2,700+ sq.ft., with some larger floor plans approaching 3,000 sq.ft. Lots are generally around 5,300–5,700 sq.ft..

Location creates an important difference within the neighborhood. Some homes face the lagoon, while others along the southern edge overlook Belmont Slough, marshland and more open water.

For buyers, waterfront versus interior location, remodeling quality and floor plan can materially affect value.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Housing: Primarily detached homes
Setting: Lagoon · Slough · Marsh
Feature: Larger interior living space
Buyer Focus: View · Remodel · Water orientation
03 · NEIGHBORHOOD

Bay Vista

Bay Vista is one of Foster City’s more established single-family residential neighborhoods, with a smaller amount of attached housing.

Detached homes average close to 1,950 sq.ft., with many residences falling around 1,800–2,300 sq.ft.. Typical lots are approximately 5,500–6,000 sq.ft..

The northern edge is close to the Bay levee and Bay Trail, providing convenient walking and biking access.

Because much of the housing stock is mature, original-condition homes and extensively remodeled properties can differ significantly in market positioning.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Housing: Primarily single-family
Nearby: Bay Trail · Bay levee
Character: Mature · Residential
Buyer Focus: Condition · Floor plan · Remodel
04 · NEIGHBORHOOD

Carmel Village

Carmel Village is a classic Foster City family neighborhood, with detached single-family homes making up a large portion of the housing stock.

Single-family homes average around 2,070 sq.ft., with many properties offering roughly 1,800–2,400 sq.ft.. Typical lots are approximately 5,600–5,900 sq.ft..

Selected lagoon-front properties directly face the water, and some include private docks. Waterfront homes and interior homes can therefore represent distinctly different products within the same neighborhood.

Bowditch Middle School is located nearby, which adds to the area’s appeal for many family buyers.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Housing: Primarily detached homes
Feature: Selected lagoon-front properties
Nearby: Bowditch Middle
Buyer Focus: Waterfront · Dock · Orientation
05 · NEIGHBORHOOD

Treasure Isle

Treasure Isle is one of Foster City’s earlier residential neighborhoods, with much of its housing stock dating from the 1960s.

Single-family homes commonly range from 1,500–2,400 sq.ft., although larger residences can approach 3,000 sq.ft.. Typical lots are around 5,200+ sq.ft., while some waterfront or island parcels are larger.

Architectural styles include traditional Ranch, Mid-Century homes and selected residences with Eichler-influenced design elements.

Treasure Isle also contains waterfront homes, condos and apartments, so housing type can create meaningful differences within the same geographic area.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Architecture: Ranch · Mid-Century
History: Earlier Foster City neighborhood
Housing: SFH · Condo · Apartment
Feature: Selected waterfront / island homes
06 · NEIGHBORHOOD

Harbor Side

Harbor Side is one of Foster City’s strongest examples of lagoon-oriented residential living, with both single-family homes and townhomes.

Single-family homes average around 1,940 sq.ft., while many larger waterfront homes reach 2,400–2,600+ sq.ft.. Typical lots are around 4,800–5,000+ sq.ft..

Areas such as Whalers Island include directly waterfront residences, where rear patios can connect to the lagoon and, in some cases, private docking areas.

In Harbor Side, water frontage, view, dock access and HOA can matter more than lot size alone when comparing properties.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Housing: SFH · Townhome
Setting: Central Lake · Lagoon
Feature: Waterfront homes · Private docks
Buyer Focus: HOA · Water frontage · View
07 · NEIGHBORHOOD

Marina Point

Marina Point offers a more diverse housing mix than many other Foster City neighborhoods, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos and apartments.

Single-family homes commonly range from 1,500–2,500+ sq.ft., averaging close to 1,950 sq.ft., while typical detached lots are around 5,200 sq.ft.. Townhomes can also be relatively spacious, often approaching 2,000 sq.ft.

Unlike Harbor Side, much of Marina Point’s waterfront edge is occupied by condo and apartment development, while detached homes are concentrated more heavily along interior cul-de-sacs.

As a result, property type, HOA, location and proximity to the water often matter more than lot size alone.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Housing: SFH · Townhome · Condo
Streets: Cul-de-sacs
Nearby: Ketch Park · Bay Trail
Buyer Focus: Property type · HOA · Location
08 · NEIGHBORHOOD

Isle Cove

Isle Cove is a distinct Foster City residential community located along the city’s western lagoon system. It is primarily made up of townhomes and other attached residences, offering a lower-maintenance alternative to detached single-family neighborhoods.

Many homes provide roughly 1,300–2,000+ sq.ft. of interior living space, although individual floor plans vary by development and unit type.

Because most properties are attached housing, private lot size is not the most useful comparison metric. Buyers should instead focus on lagoon exposure, patio or outdoor space, parking, HOA dues, reserves and overall community condition.

Isle Cove can be particularly attractive to buyers who want waterfront-adjacent Foster City living without the maintenance responsibilities of a traditional detached home.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Housing: Townhome · Attached homes
Setting: Lagoon-oriented residential
Lifestyle: Lower maintenance
Buyer Focus: HOA · Parking · Outdoor space · Lagoon position
09 · NEIGHBORHOOD

The Islands

The Islands is one of Foster City’s most recognizable lagoon communities, defined by waterways, island-style planning and attached residential development.

Townhomes average around 1,640 sq.ft., with many residences offering roughly 1,500–2,100 sq.ft.. A small number of detached homes can also offer around 2,000 sq.ft. or more.

Because most properties are condo or townhome format, private lot size is not the most useful comparison metric.

Buyers should focus more heavily on waterfront position, lagoon views, private outdoor space, dock access, HOA dues and reserve condition.

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Housing: Townhome · Condo
Setting: Lagoon · Island-style
Feature: Waterfront · Views
Buyer Focus: HOA · Reserves · Waterfront position
Home sizes and lot sizes above represent common or representative property characteristics within each neighborhood and are not universal ranges. Foster City is a highly planned waterfront community, and lot-size differences among single-family neighborhoods are relatively limited. For individual properties, living area, floor plan, renovation condition, detached versus attached housing type, direct lagoon or Bay frontage, water orientation, views, private dock access, HOA obligations and flood-related considerations may materially affect value. Neighborhood boundaries, school assignments, HOA requirements, insurance and other property-specific information should be verified using the exact property address.