Hillsborough
Hillsborough is located in the heart of the San Mateo Peninsula and is one of the Bay Area’s most distinctive luxury residential communities. The town is almost entirely low-density residential, with no commercial or industrial zoning, so shopping and dining are concentrated in nearby Burlingame and San Mateo. Despite the lack of a traditional downtown, Hillsborough offers convenient access to Downtown Burlingame, SFO, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley.
Housing in Hillsborough is dominated by large single-family homes and estate properties. The town has long maintained a minimum lot size of approximately half an acre, or 21,780 sq.ft., and current development standards also require new homes to meet a minimum floor-area threshold of roughly 2,500 sq.ft. Large lots, generous setbacks, mature trees, and winding residential streets create a strong sense of space, privacy, and estate-style living.
Hillsborough’s planning philosophy is unusually residential in character. Because commercial and industrial uses are prohibited, non-residential land is largely limited to schools, public facilities, parks and open space, and a small number of institutional or recreational uses. As a result, the town has very little high-density housing and an owner-occupancy rate of approximately 93.5%.
Education is another major draw. Hillsborough is served by the highly regarded Hillsborough City School District and is also close to several well-known private schools on the Peninsula.
From a real-estate perspective, Hillsborough’s true scarcity is not just luxury housing, but the combination of large lots, extremely low density, mature landscaping, privacy, and an almost entirely residential environment. For buyers seeking estate-style living with convenient access to Burlingame, SFO, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley, Hillsborough remains one of the Peninsula’s most unique luxury markets.
Race & Ethnicity
Schools
Hillsborough Public Schools
Hillsborough City School District is a small K–8 district consisting of three elementary schools and one middle school. The district does not operate a public high school; high school students are served by San Mateo Union High School District.
Elementary Schools
Middle School
High School
Understanding Hillsborough Public Schools
Hillsborough's public-school structure is unusually compact: three elementary schools feed into one middle school, while high school students continue into San Mateo Union High School District.
3 Public Elementary Schools
North Hillsborough, South Hillsborough, and West Hillsborough make up the district's elementary-school system.
1 Public Middle School
William H. Crocker Middle School is HCSD's only public middle school and serves Grades 6–8.
Longstanding Recognition
Hillsborough public schools have a long history of receiving California Distinguished School, National Blue Ribbon, and J. Russell Kent recognition.
Hillsborough & Nearby Private Schools
Hillsborough is home to two highly regarded independent private schools: The Nueva School and Crystal Springs Uplands School. Both now operate multiple campuses, with different grade levels located in different cities.
The Nueva School
The Nueva School is an independent PreK–12 school designed for gifted learners.
The school operates across two campuses: the Hillsborough Campus serves PreK–8, while the San Mateo Campus serves Grades 9–12.
The Hillsborough Campus is located at 6565 Skyline Boulevard and spans approximately 33 acres.
Nueva's educational approach emphasizes inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, interdisciplinary study, creativity, and social-emotional development.
Although Nueva is a PreK–12 school overall, the Upper School is located in San Mateo's Bay Meadows area, not on the Hillsborough campus.
Crystal Springs Uplands School
Crystal Springs Uplands School is an independent day school serving Grades 6–12.
The school operates two campuses: the Middle School for Grades 6–8 is located in Belmont, while the Upper School for Grades 9–12 is located in Hillsborough.
The Hillsborough Upper School is located at 400 Uplands Drive.
The school currently reports an average class size of approximately 14 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of about 9:1.
Crystal emphasizes a balance between academic rigor and student well-being. Its Upper School offers school-designed Advanced Topics courses rather than a traditional AP curriculum.
Market Trend
Home Price Trends
Market Activity
Neighborhoods
Skyfarm
Skyfarm is one of Hillsborough's lower-density western residential areas. Many homes were built from the late 1970s onward, with large custom homes and estate-style residences especially common. Typical lots are approximately 0.6–1 acre or larger, with winding hillside streets and greater spacing between homes.
Carolands
Carolands is one of Hillsborough's classic large-lot residential areas. Many homes date from the 1950s–1970s, with Ranch homes, traditional residences, and later custom rebuilds. Typical lots are often around 0.5 acre or larger.
Lakeview
Lakeview sits in the higher western portion of Hillsborough, near I-280 and the Crystal Springs area. Many homes were built during the 1950s–1970s, with typical lots of approximately 0.5–1 acre. Curving roads and cul-de-sacs are common throughout the area.
Ryan Tract
Ryan Tract is a mature residential area on the Burlingame side of Hillsborough. Many homes date from the 1920s–1960s, with continued remodeling and rebuilding over time. Typical parcels are approximately 0.5 acre, while the neighborhood still retains a traditional estate character.
Country Club Manor
Country Club Manor is located near Burlingame Country Club and has relatively level terrain. Many homes date from the 1940s–1970s, with typical lots around 0.5 acre. Architectural styles include Ranch, Mediterranean, Tudor, and French-inspired homes.
Homeplace
Homeplace is one of Hillsborough's most varied neighborhoods in both architecture and lot size. The area includes pre-war estates, 1950s–1970s Ranch homes, and newer custom rebuilds. Typical parcels are approximately 0.5–1+ acre.
Hillsborough Park
Hillsborough Park is an established estate neighborhood with mature landscaping and winding residential roads. Many homes were built during the 1930s–1960s, followed by extensive remodeling and rebuilding. Typical lots are often 0.5 acre or larger.
Tobin Clark Estate / Polo Terrace
Tobin Clark Estate is one of Hillsborough's later-developed residential areas. Many homes were built from the late 1980s through the 2000s and beyond, with typical lots of approximately 0.5–1+ acre. Large custom homes and estate residences dominate the area.
Hillsborough Heights
Hillsborough Heights is a mature lower-Hillsborough neighborhood with a strong traditional character. Many homes were built during the 1920s–1950s, with typical lots around 0.5 acre. Mediterranean, Tudor, French, and traditional estate architecture is common.
Brewer Subdivision / Upland
Brewer Subdivision / Upland sits in southeastern Hillsborough and is among the town's closest residential areas to Downtown San Mateo. Many homes date from the 1940s–1960s, with typical lots of approximately 0.5 acre. Mid-century Ranch homes and later custom rebuilds are common.
Skyfarm
Skyfarm is one of Hillsborough's lower-density and more private western residential areas.
Development here is generally newer than in lower Hillsborough, with many homes built from the late 1970s onward and additional construction throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and later decades.
Typical parcels are approximately 0.6–1 acre or larger, and some properties extend beyond that range. Homes are more widely spaced and streets follow the natural hillside terrain.
The key distinction is that buyers should evaluate usable lot area, slope, driveway configuration, retaining walls, and how the house sits on the land rather than relying on acreage alone.
Carolands
Carolands is one of Hillsborough's classic large-lot residential areas.
Many homes were built during the 1950s–1970s, with spacious Ranch homes, traditional residences, and later custom rebuilds.
Typical parcels are often approximately 0.5 acre or larger. Some elevated properties may also capture Bay or surrounding-area views.
The neighborhood is defined by mature landscaping, larger lots, and a noticeable mix of older and newer homes. Mid-century houses and recently rebuilt custom residences may appear on the same street.
Lakeview
Lakeview is located in the higher western portion of Hillsborough and is characteristic of upper Hillsborough.
Many homes date from the 1950s–1970s, including mid-century Ranch homes, traditional residences, and later custom rebuilds.
Typical lots are approximately 0.5–1 acre. Curving roads and cul-de-sacs are common, contributing to lower traffic and greater privacy.
Compared with lower Hillsborough, terrain is generally more varied. Buyers should pay particular attention to driveway slope, usable backyard space, overall topography, and the actual view orientation.
Ryan Tract
Ryan Tract is a mature residential area on the Burlingame side of Hillsborough.
Many homes date from the 1920s–1960s, with continued additions, remodels, and larger rebuilds over time.
Typical parcels are approximately 0.5 acre. The area includes historic estates, traditional homes, Ranch homes, and newer custom construction.
Its defining advantage is the combination of Hillsborough's low-density residential environment with convenient access toward Burlingame.
Country Club Manor
Country Club Manor is a traditional Hillsborough neighborhood with relatively level terrain and mature landscaping.
Many homes date from the 1940s–1970s, with typical parcels around 0.5 acre.
Architectural styles are varied, including Ranch, Mediterranean, Tudor, French-inspired homes, and later custom rebuilds.
Compared with western hillside neighborhoods, this area often offers more usable yards, mature tree canopy, and easier everyday access.
Homeplace
Homeplace is one of Hillsborough's most varied neighborhoods in both architecture and lot size.
The area includes pre-war estates, many 1950s–1970s California Ranch homes, and newer large custom residences.
Typical parcels are approximately 0.5–1+ acre, with some estate lots extending beyond that range.
A long-held Ranch home may sit only a short distance from a large Tudor or French-inspired estate, so lot size, house size, age, and renovation level vary substantially.
Hillsborough Park
Hillsborough Park is an established estate neighborhood with mature landscaping and a classic residential character.
Many homes date from the 1930s–1960s, followed by decades of remodeling, additions, and rebuilding.
Typical lots are generally 0.5 acre or larger, with traditional estates, mid-century homes, and newer custom residences.
Streets are often curved and heavily landscaped. Some sections are more level than western Hillsborough, making yards and outdoor areas comparatively easier to use.
Tobin Clark Estate / Polo Terrace
Tobin Clark Estate is one of Hillsborough's later-developed neighborhoods and is known for larger-scale residences.
Many homes were built from the late 1980s through the 2000s and beyond, making the housing stock noticeably newer than in many of Hillsborough's traditional neighborhoods.
Typical lots are approximately 0.5–1+ acre, with large custom homes and estate-style residences especially common.
Buyers often find larger interior square footage, more modern floor plans, deeper setbacks, and wider driveways.
Hillsborough Heights
Hillsborough Heights is a mature lower-Hillsborough neighborhood with a strong classical residential character.
Many homes date from the 1920s–1950s, with extensive remodeling and rebuilding in later decades.
Typical lots are around 0.5 acre, with Mediterranean, Tudor, French, and traditional estate architecture.
Terrain is generally more level than in western Hillsborough, mature landscaping is common, and access toward San Mateo and Burlingame is convenient, creating a balance of historic character and lower-Hillsborough accessibility.
Brewer Subdivision / Upland
Brewer Subdivision / Upland sits in southeastern Hillsborough and is among the town's closest residential areas to Downtown San Mateo.
Many homes date from the 1940s–1960s, with typical parcels around 0.5 acre.
Common housing includes mid-century Ranch homes, traditional residences, and properties that have undergone major remodels, additions, or complete custom rebuilds.
The area's defining feature is not oversized acreage, but rather the combination of relatively level terrain, half-acre-scale lots, and unusually strong urban convenience.