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.
Race & Ethnicity
Schools
Elementary Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
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.
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.
Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School
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.
Kids Connection School
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.
Market Trend
Home Price Trends
Market Activity
Neighborhoods
Dolphin Bay
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.
Sea Colony
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.
Bay Vista
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.
Carmel Village
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.
Treasure Isle
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..
Harbor Side
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..
Marina Point
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.
Isle Cove
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.
The Islands
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.