Welcome to Foster City
The largest and oldest master-planned community in San Mateo County.
What was originally a marshy expanse used for various farming and salt ponds turned into the large and luxurious community it has become today, thanks to Jack Foster. This pedestrian-friendly area offers several walkable neighborhoods, more than 20 miles of canals and lakes, 24 incredible parks, and a variety of family-friendly community events. From the farmer’s market to outdoor concerts and holiday celebrations, there are plenty of opportunities for engagement with neighbors. Even with its lively atmosphere during festivities, this community offers a pleasant escape from the lifestyle of a bustling city. Plus, with excellent schools, Foster City welcomes families to this peaceful community.
Housing options vary from high-end condominiums and townhouses to large, single-family homes. Enjoy living along one of the canals or lakes and sit on your backyard deck overlooking the water, or find something near one of the many parks for your children and pets. Charming A-frame homes and bungalows dot the lakesides with colorful cheer, while luxurious high-rise condominiums and townhomes fill the spaces. No matter your preference, there’s something in Foster City for you.
What to Love
- 24 parks within the community, such as Leo J. Ryan Park, Boothbay Park, and Catamaran Park
- Community events and festivities, like the Halloween Festival, Polynesian Festival, cityFEST, summer concerts, tree-lighting ceremony, and Farmers’ Market
- Fantastic school district (San Mateo-Foster City School District)
- Central Lagoon
Local Lifestyle
Residents enjoy the quiet and laid-back lifestyle that Foster City offers, but they also enjoy connecting with their neighbors and enjoying community festivities. With a design built to separate residents from the typical hustle and bustle of city life, you’ll find houses along canals and parks. Foster City is home to various outdoor recreational options, community events, and so much more. The heart of the community sits along the Central Lagoon, the largest body of water in the area, completed by the Leo J. Ryan Park and Foster City Recreational Center. Here you’ll enjoy an assortment of activities year-round plus seasonal fun for everyone.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Because Foster City is designed as an escape from city life, a place to enjoy the quiet serenity of outdoor life without all the hustle of businesses, you won’t find much in the way of shopping and dining here. A small center, Edgewater, offers a selection of services, small shopping options, and several quick restaurants. Waterfront Pizza is a coveted restaurant on the water, a local favorite for over 20 years, offering scratch-made pizza with fresh ingredients.
Most of your shopping and dining options can be found nearby in San Mateo at the Hillsdale Shopping Center. This open-air shopping center offers a selection of high-end shopping, recreation, entertainment, dining, and more. Spend an afternoon shopping at stores like Banana Republic and Lululemon, enjoy a quick bite at Blue Whale Poke Bar and Grill or The Refuge, or stop and enjoy a movie at Cinepolis.
Things to Do
Foster City offers several recreational amenities and community events for residents to enjoy. With more than 160 acres of park space, Foster City is no stranger to outdoor entertainment and recreation.
There are 24 parks in Foster City with endless space for adventure and family fun, complete with tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas. For example, the 11.2-acre Boothbay Park features amenities like a kids’ playground, a basketball court and four tennis courts, soccer fields, barbecue spaces, a bike path, and a picnic area. Marlin Park and Gull Park are found right along the Foster City Lagoon and feature a sandy beach and playgrounds. Farragut Park boasts a running path, playground, and picnic space, while Erckenbrack Park is another great spot for children to play. Catamaran Park offers beautiful views of the city and lagoon, along with volleyball and basketball courts.
From exploring the willow trees at Gateshead Park to the paths at Turnstone Park, locals have plenty of ways to get outside and get active. There’s also the Foster City Lagoon, which extends five miles past the community. Locals enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, and boating here. Additionally, the Foster City Dog Park is a fun spot for your furry friends to make pals and run around within a fenced area.
Leo J. Ryan Park is the go-to park for outdoor recreation and community festivities, with its 20 acres of open green space. The park also features a gazebo and picnic rental space, perfect for relaxation or spending quality with family. Kids will also enjoy riding the “Kiddos ChuChu” train during summers. If you’re adventurous at heart, you can even take windsurfing and kayaking lessons at the south end of the park.
Foster City is full of fantastic events and fun for the whole family. The Foster City Chamber of Commerce hosts the cityFEST, complete with live music, arts and crafts, and carnival rides. In addition, the Polynesian Festival at Leo J. Ryan Park is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the Polynesian culture and enjoy some excellent food at the same time! For those who want to get active, Foster City also hosts a community bike ride in September, where participants can choose from a 2.5- or 11-mile jaunt and complete a family-fun scavenger hunt.
The Foster City Summer Concert series at the Leo J. Ryan Park amphitheater is the place to be for fantastic live music. Featuring fun performers like Beatles tribute bands, this is an event you don’t want to miss. The community also hosts kids’ cooking classes, dog adoption events, and other fun family activities. There’s even an annual Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser at Leo J. Ryan Park in April, where the proceeds from the spaghetti dinner are donated to important causes and organizations, such as the Foster City Youth and Teen Foundation.
Foster City plans a variety of fun holiday festivities as well. At the “Spooktacular” Halloween Festival at the Leo J. Ryan Park meadow, kids can enjoy trick-or-treat stations, carnival games, magic shows, costume contests, fun foods, and crafts booths. There’s also a “Spooky Boo Trail” along the path to the hill at Leo J. Ryan Park, decorated with creepy Halloween decorations for kids to enjoy.
For the Christmas holidays, the Foster City Parks and Recreation Center hosts a holiday pop-up community event where visitors can enjoy local arts and crafts, festive music, and a holiday coloring station for kids. In addition, Leo J. Ryan Park hosts the “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” outdoor event where families can marvel at the festive light show and holiday scenery as they walk along a trail of shimmering lights. The Foster City Parks and Recreation Center also hosts a tree lighting ceremony, complete with festive music and arts and crafts, and even Santa Claus makes an appearance!
The Foster City Fourth of July Celebration is another must-visit event. Residents gather at Leo J. Ryan Park for fun games, excellent food, a dog parade, and, of course, an incredible fireworks display. In August, Boothbay Park also hosts the Family Overnighter event, where families can camp out and enjoy stories and s’mores around the campfire.
Another mainstay of Foster City life is the weekly Foster City Certified Farmers’ Market. This is the go-to place for fresh foods, fun crafts, flowers, and community engagement.
Mariners Point Golf Center is a well-loved location that offers an assortment of practice stalls, a driving range, courses, lessons, and more. If you’re a fan of golf or interested in taking classes, stop and see what they offer. The historic Hillbarn Theatre provides residents opportunities to enjoy local shows and musicals. You can also sign up for many workshops and classes.
Schools
Foster City belongs to the highly-rated San Mateo-Foster City School District, which educates over 10,000 students. Foster City is also home to the Fusion Academy San Mateo, a private school for grades 6-12 that features personalized learning.
The following are some of the exemplary public schools within the San Mateo-Foster City School District:
