Welcome to Millbrae
Historical charm and a dynamic personality coalesce in this unique San Francisco Peninsula city
Millbrae, meaning “rolling hills,” is largely a residential community with a small town feel that has many shops and restaurants. Along with its convenient location adjacent to San Francisco International Airport, the town serves as a major transit hub for the Peninsula connecting BART, Caltrain, and SamTrans networks. In fact, it is the largest intermodal station in the western United States. Its unique position and transportation amenities have really helped to grow and shape the city. Many of the town’s homes are in the hills affording beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay, airport, and downtown San Francisco. Also attractive are the high-ranking schools in Millbrae and its close proximity to San Francisco.
Millbrae may be often associated with the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which rests just west of the city. This peaceful, pretty town is about so much more than its convenience to the Bay Area’s biggest attractions. From verdant parks that run parallel to the shoreline to a panoply of outstanding museums, Millbrae provides its residents with the best of two worlds: urban elegance and suburban serenity.
One of the beauties of living in Millbrae is that it has a small-town, community-focused ambiance. As such, it’s consistently ranked within the top ten places in California to raise a family. Highly rated schools and a bounty of outdoor recreation round out its allure, explaining precisely why it’s one of the choicest places to call home in San Mateo County.
What to Love
- Stunning vistas from several of its select spots
- A robust economic core
- Beautiful homes cloaked in lush greenery
Local Lifestyle
Millbrae’s location near San Francisco Airport is exceptionally attractive to urban professionals who want to jetset frequently but live in an area that’s tranquil and private. Retirees who enjoy suburban living and ample green spaces are also called to Millbrae, and neighbors frequently convene for picnics in the park and the city’s weekly and annual events.
Dining, Shopping & Entertainment
Millbrae boasts a splendid mix of laid-back cafes and fine dining options and “destination” markets that are known across the Bay. Pape Meat Co. leads the pack as one of the oldest and most venerated establishments, where you’ll find the best meat and most succulent seafood on the peninsula.
O Sole Mio is as ideal for quiet date nights as it is for family dinners. Here, you can start off with a plate of bruschetta, dive into a bowl of pumpkin ravioli with fresh Parmigiano, and conclude it all with a slice of Sicilian limoncello mascarpone cake with European chocolate curls.
Dim sum is best enjoyed at Shanghai Dumpling Shop. Sunday brunch can be savored at Millbrae Pancake House, a family-owned and operated Millbrae institution that features dishes ranging from tart and sugary German pancakes to pecan waffles topped with whipped butter.
Shopping is also a joy throughout Millbrae, especially if you head to Living Spaces, a sleek store that presents an array of design pieces to outfit your home.
Things to Do
Millbrae boasts, or is near, a range of pleasurable activities. Whether you want to stay local to dine, shop, and see a concert or want to adventure out to Lake Tahoe for a weekend of snowboarding, the city’s perfect position on the Peninsula provides its residents with countless ways to have fun.
Millbrae’s annual art and wine festival, held over Labor Day weekend and hosted by the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce, is always a stand-out event with live music and a terrific selection of food, wine, and art. On a more regular basis, Millbrae residents enjoy the bounty of seasonal produce and fresh-cut blooms at the weekly farmers’ market.
Whether rain or shine, Bayfront Park is always a pleasure for a serene stroll, while the pristine 13 acres at Central Park are ideal for parents (and caregivers) with small children. And when you’re in the mood to soak up a touch of history, Millbrae has several outstanding museums, including the historic Millbrae Museum.
Schools
Children in Millbrae are served by the Millbrae School District. Green Hills Elementary, Lomita Park Elementary, Meadows Elementary and Spring Valley Elementary are the public elementary schools. The other leading public schools include:
If you prefer the private route for your children, consider St Dunstan School.
In 2023, the Millbrae average price for a single-family home was $2,053,041, a 8% decrease from the previous year.
