$1,052,863Average Value$828Average Price per Sq Ft19Homes For Sale
San Mateo’s oldest and most diverse neighborhood
California sun and bay breezes greet residents of this San Francisco Peninsula suburb. Located a few minutes from the Bay shoreline, North Central’s residential streets offer walkability to local parks, shoreline trails and an abundance of dining and shopping in San Mateo’s bubbly downtown district. “North Central is a vibrant, diverse neighborhood in San Mateo that has an authentic flavor,” says local broker Joseph Stein, owner of Realty World Peninsula. “It’s a denser neighborhood but has a largely suburban feel, even though it’s so close to Downtown San Mateo.” As a testament to that diversity, North Central is home to a historic African American church, an Islamic center, a synagogue and the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, the latter of which has been a gathering place for social and civic activities since the late 1960s.
North Central offers scenic views of the bay and a blend of residential and recreational spaces.
Magic Mountain Playground is it a wonderful place to date your family in North Central.
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Eclectic eateries in Downtown San Mateo
Locals can get a taste of North Central’s unique flavor at an array of eateries in the area. “Restaurants in North Central and San Mateo rival what you’d find in San Francisco,” Stein says. “It’s a foodie haven – from authentic Latin American taquerias to a dozen different sushi places reminiscent of the historic Japanese heritage.” European-style bakeries, Asian flavors and authentic Mexican can all be found here. Options range from inexpensive street food to upscale establishments like the award-winning Pausa Bar and Cookery. A selection of grocery stores and supermarkets, such as Draeger’s Market, Safeway and Dean’s Market, provide fresh produce and everyday essentials. Larger stores and retailers like Trader Joe’s and TJ Maxx are less than 4 miles south of the neighborhood.
Indulge in sweet treats at Antoine's Cookie Shop near North Central.
Residents of North Central peruse dining options in Downtown San Mateo.
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Condos, apartments and century-old homes
Condos and multi-family buildings make up most of the housing inventory here, with renters accounting for around 65% of the neighborhood’s population. Single-family homes are also available, including many early 20th century bungalow, ranch and Craftsman style homes, along with a handful of newly built townhomes. “North Central features a unique combination of historic homes interspersed with new townhouse construction,” Stein says. The median price of a Townhouses is $1.2 million, while condominiums range from $555,000 for a studio to $900,000 for a corner unit in a luxury plaza. Single-family homes, many featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms, range between $1.2 and $2.6 million.
North Central showcases classic Craftsman homes with inviting porches and charming details.
Victorian architecture in North Central shines with intricate woodwork and elegant design.
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Highly rated San Mateo schools
Students in North Central may attend top-rated schools in the area, including College Park Elementary, which earns an A rating from Niche. Borel Middle School serves sixth through eighth graders and has an A-minus rating. Centrally located within North Central, San Mateo High School is ranked the fifth-best public high school in San Mateo County and boasts an A-plus grade. Students can enroll in the high school’s performing arts center, which features award-winning music, drama and dance programs.
Borel Middle School serves students in grades 6-8.
San Mateo High has a beautiful campus in Tobin Clark Estates.
College Park Elementary, San Mateo: Shaping Bright Futures with Care.
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Community parks and Bayshore scenery
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center is an anchor for North Central, Stein says. The center and its park offer various recreational options, such as dance and fitness classes and community events. Athletic opportunities for all ages are found here, from outdoor basketball courts and soccer fields to the baseball diamond. The park’s playground and seasonally open swimming pool offer family-friendly fun. In the downtown area, San Mateo Central Park provides a stunning escape for residents as they stroll through the 16 acres of Japanese gardens. Residents also take advantage of the San Fransisco Bay through Coyote Point Recreation Area and Seal Point Park in the neighboring North Shoreview community.
A woman enjoys a stroll with her two dogs at MLKJ Community Park.
San Mateo Recreation Area is situated next to a marina.
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Getting around the Peninsula and beyond
North Central is wedged between two major Caltrain stations in Burlingame and Downtown San Mateo, offering an easy way to get to either San Francisco or Silicon Valley. Thoroughfares like State Route 101 and El Camino Real connect folks to neighboring communities by car, and the San Francisco International Airport is 15 miles north. “From a quality-of-life standpoint, San Mateo has one of the highest of any community in the Bay Area because you’re centrally located on the peninsula with great commuting options,” Stein says, adding that the walkability to Downtown San Mateo is a significant draw for residents.
Caltrain access in North Central makes commuting to San Jose or San Francisco quick and easy.
North Central offers easy public transit access with its conveniently located San Mateo station.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the North Central neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
North Central
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
North Central Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in North Central, San Mateo sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in North Central, San Mateo over the last 12 months is $899,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to The Porch & Terrace House on Tilton. A beautifully updated property that blends timeless charm with modern flexibility. With the newly added ADU terrace house, the property now offers a total of 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, creating an ideal setting for multi-generational living or potential rental income. Designed to feel both connected & complementary, the main home & modern ADU
Exceptional Downtown San Mateo residence blending timeless charm with modern comfort. Inviting curb appeal leads to a charming enclosed porch perfect for morning coffee. Inside, a light-filled living room with walls of windows creates a warm, airy ambiance. The elegant dining room features classic built-ins, while the spacious kitchen offers abundant cabinetry and counter space for everyday
Jessica EvaGolden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
Light and bright REMODELED 1 bed/1bath corner unit at Woodlake features spacious layout with an open concept living area that leads to a private balcony, appropriate for enjoying the California sunshine. The newly remodeled kitchen is equipped with quartz countertops and modern cabinets, offering both functionality and style. Beautiful wood flooring throughout. Clean and modern luxurious
Perched on the top floor with a south-facing exposure, this charming and airy home is bright, warm, and quietly positioned with leafy cul-de-sac viewsan easy place to settle into and unwind: The home enjoys a comfortable 1-bedroom layout and a sunny, open feel, where the balcony and living and dining room blend the inside with the outside. Woodlake delivers true resort-style living with multiple
First-floor, 2bd/1ba updated condo in San Mateo Park. Features an open-plan living/dining area, hardwood floors, and white window shutters. The updated kitchen includes quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances (electric cooktop, dual ovens). Bathroom is fully refreshed with a quartz-topped vanity and a tiled shower over the tub. Updated electrical sub panel and updated closet shelving
Newly remodeled mixed-use property located in the established San Mateo Village neighborhood, offering a versatile live-work opportunity in a central Peninsula location. The property includes a street-level commercial unit with strong visibility and direct street access, along with a separately accessed upper-level residential unit. The ground-floor commercial space features an
Welcome to 320 Peninsula Avenue #316, an updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo in a prime San Mateo location, ideally situated between San Mateo and Burlingame. Set within a quiet, well-maintained community, this home offers comfort, convenience, and walkability. The bright, open living area is filled with natural light from large windows and flows seamlessly into the dining space with a new light
Welcome to this charming, well maintained 1 bedroom/1 bathroom condominium situated in prime downtown San Mateo location! This delightful third floor unit boasts an abundance of natural light and an open floor plan which seamlessly connects the spacious living room with the dining area creating an ideal setting for gatherings and entertaining guests! Chefs will enjoy the updated kitchen with
Renee DaskalakisGolden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
A secure building, private outside entrance, and extensive remodeling this condominium is perfect for starting out or downsizing. Within the past eight years, the home has been transformed with designer style, including beautiful laminate floors, wood-like plank tile floors in both bathrooms and in the laundry room, Carrara marble vanities, and a fabulous granite-finished kitchen. A fireplace in
Bright Studio in the Heart of San Mateo Welcome home to this inviting, light-filled studio just steps from everything downtown San Mateo has to offer charming shops, great restaurants, Caltrain, medical offices, and grocery stores. The spacious kitchen features granite countertopsperfect for cooking or entertaining. Enjoy your morning coffee on the private balcony or unwind in the open, airy
Cozy 2 bedrroom.2 full bathroom condo located in 2nd floor, a view to community pool. stylish living room and dining area. one master suite bedroom. breakfast bar, one assigned parking space. recreation, outdoor BBQ area, elevator access, HOA offers secure enter with cameras. condo close to downtown San Mateo, freeway, school, shopping. The HOA has no rental waitlist
Fabulous NEW Price! Step into this TOP FLOOR condo with the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. This tastefully updated, light-filled 1-bedroom condo has fresh paint, features new carpet, modern baseboards, and stylish light fixtures to create an inviting space thats been thoughtfully enhanced. The kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances, perfect for cooking and entertaining in style,
Welcome to Colonial Garden Apartments, your next destination for a living experience characterized by unbeatable comforts and conveniences. From an outstanding amenity package to a plethora of exciting features, our gorgeous San Mateo apartments provide a relaxing atmosphere all our residents benefit from.
2BD / 1.5BA Modern Condo Near Downtown San Mateo | 2 Garage Parking Bright, modern condo in a well-maintained building (built in 2011), just a short walk to downtown San Mateo, Caltrain, restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and more. Features: Open-concept kitchen with bar seating Gas fireplace in living room In-unit washer/dryer Gas range, large sink, and spacious pantry Southwest-facing windows
Discover the best of San Mateo, with this one bedroom apartment in North Central. It’ll be easy to simply show up and start living in this modernly furnished apartment with its fully equipped kitchen, sophisticated living room, and our dedicated, on-the-ground support. (ID #SFO1124)The advertised rate of $4,740/month is the lowest available price, based on a 12 month(s) stay with a
Welcome Home!134 Elm has it all....from its location in San Mateo's Baywood District, to our distinctive floorplans, immaculate surroundings. 134 Elm is just minutes from a myriad of restaurants, shops, parks and more. Upscale Draeger's Supermarket, Central Recreation Center and Park, San Mateo Cal Train, Parkside Plaza Shopping Center and Mills Health Center. Woodlake Shopping Center is just
The Ambassador Apartments, our renovated community located in the heart of San Mateo at 145 N El Camino Real near 3rd Avenue, is the perfect place to call home. When you live at The Ambassador Apartments in San Mateo, you'll enjoy a relaxed, residential neighborhood that's convenient to all points in the Bay Area. The staff The Ambassador Apartment is dedicated to providing our residents with
With an almost unheard-of-in-California Walk Score of 95, the treasure that is downtown San Mateo is always just steps away. Shop the shops, become a regular at a restaurant, and taste every season at the year-round Farmer's Market at the College of San Mateo. The Caltrain and major highways are easy access too, but around here walking is really where it's at. One day you can host a barbeque pool
Lakeview Garden offers some of the largest apartments on the market. Wide floor plans and a generous kitchen and dining space make the unit feel like a family home. Beautifully manicured landscape runs throughout the complex. Amenities like a sparkling swimming pool, covered parking with extra storage space and a large onsite laundry facility provide the luxury and convenience you expect.
Nestled among San Mateo Park’s wooded and windy lanes, the Two Clark Drive Apartments offers its residents a tranquil suburban living environment with all the luxuries of contemporary style. The distinctive property includes a beautifully appointed lobby, lushly landscaped grounds, and a serene swimming pool that is perfect for those warm summer days on the Peninsula.The building is
Discover the best of San Mateo, with this two bedroom apartment in North Central. It’ll be easy to simply show up and start living in this furnished apartment with its fully equipped kitchen, living room, and our dedicated, on-the-ground support. (ID #SFO1807)The advertised rate of $5,080/month is the lowest available price, based on a 6 month(s) and 7 day(s) stay with a move-in date of
Discover the best of San Mateo, with this one bedroom apartment in North Central. It’ll be easy to simply show up and start living in this fashionably furnished apartment with its fully equipped kitchen, cozy living room, and our dedicated, on-the-ground support. (ID #SFO435)The advertised rate of $4,500/month is the lowest available price, based on a 12 month(s) stay with a move-in date
Feel at home wherever you choose to live with Blueground. You’ll love this pretty North Central furnished two bedroom apartment with its modern decor, fully equipped kitchen, and cheery living room. Ideally located, you’re close to all the best that San Mateo has to offer! (ID #SFO1249)The advertised rate of $5,380/month is the lowest available price, based on a 12 month(s) stay with a
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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