City

Foster City, CA

Neighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood Rating
3.5 /5

Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $2.18M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Undervalued
    $15k
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    -1%

At a glance

Foster City has 11 ranked neighborhoods on Houseberry, with a citywide overall score of 3.5/5. Neighborhood overall scores range from 4.3/5 in Dolphin Bay to 2.7/5 in Vintage Park. Foster City scores 2.8/5 for safety, 4.3/5 for schools and 3.7/5 for amenities. The median home price across its priced neighborhoods is $2.18M.

City Reviews & Questions

City Review
Key Words: Waterfront Living, Family-Friendly, Outdoor Recreation

Foster City, CA, is a master-planned community located on the San Francisco Peninsula. Known for its picturesque lagoons, waterfront living, and family-friendly atmosphere, the city offers a unique blend of suburban comfort and modern amenities. Its central location between San Francisco and Silicon Valley makes it a popular choice for families and professionals seeking an accessible and serene environment. One of Foster City’s most defining features is its extensive network of man-made lagoons, which create opportunities for boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding directly from many residents’ backyards. The waterfront theme extends to the city’s parks and trails, with destinations like Leo J. Ryan Park offering scenic views, picnic areas, and seasonal events. The Bay Trail also winds through Foster City, providing a scenic route for walking, jogging, and cycling along the edge of the Bay. The city is home to excellent schools, including those in the San Mateo-Foster City School District, and offers a variety of programs and services for families. The Foster City Recreation Center hosts numerous activities, from fitness classes to art workshops, adding to the city’s strong sense of community. Foster City’s commercial areas include Metro Center, where residents can find shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The city is also home to several corporate offices, including tech and biotech companies, making it a convenient location for professionals working in these industries. Housing in Foster City ranges from waterfront townhomes to spacious single-family homes, many of which feature modern designs and direct access to lagoons or green spaces. The city’s clean streets, well-maintained public areas, and abundant greenery enhance its curb appeal. With easy access to Highway 101 and proximity to both SFO and San Mateo’s Caltrain stations, Foster City is commuter-friendly while retaining its tranquil suburban feel.

Top Neighborhoods in Foster City, CA(11 ranked)

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Dolphin Bay, Foster City, CA
Overall Score : 4.3
Dolphin Bay is Foster City's answer to balance. Primarily single family homes, s... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Sea Colony, Foster City, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Sea Colony is the biggest neighborhood in Foster City and the one most completel... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Harbor Side, Foster City, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Street by street, Harbor Side puts more people on the water than almost any othe... See Full Page

City Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    2.3

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    4.1

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    3.9

Overall Amenities score: 3.7

City Weather

78%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight Foster City gets in a year, 78% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
That is around the 35th percentile for sunshine in the Bay Area.
Average daily high and low temperature
75°60°45°30°JFMAMJJASONDSep 75°
Avg highAvg low
Across the Bay Area
35th percentile
Rain per year
18 in
Warmest month
September
Summer day
56° → 73°F
Winter day
44° → 59°F
Averaged across the 11 neighborhoods in Foster City we hold 30-year climate averages for.

City Photos

Schools serving this City

School NameTypeGradesHouseberry School Score
Foster City Elementary PrimaryK-5
Audubon Elementary PrimaryK-5
Bowditch Middle Middle6-8
Ralston Intermediate Middle6-8
Hillsdale High High9-12
San Mateo High High9-12
Carlmont High High9-12

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.

Median Price

Foster City FAQs8 answers

Is Foster City safe?

Foster City has a citywide safety score of 2.8/5 on Houseberry. Across its ranked neighborhoods safety scores run from 1.7/5 to 4.1/5, with Dolphin Bay the highest-scoring. 1 of its 11 ranked neighborhoods score 4.0/5 or higher for safety.

How much does a home cost in Foster City?

The median home price across Foster City's priced neighborhoods is $2.18M. Neighborhood medians run from $1.9M to $2.73M across the 11 neighborhoods with a recorded price.

What are school scores like in Foster City?

Foster City has a citywide school score of 4.3/5 on Houseberry. Neighborhood school scores run from 3.5/5 to 4.5/5, with Dolphin Bay the highest-scoring. 10 of its 11 ranked neighborhoods score 4.0/5 or higher for schools.

Which Foster City neighborhoods rank highest overall?

By overall score the highest-ranked Foster City neighborhoods on Houseberry are Dolphin Bay (4.3/5), Harbor Side (3.9/5), Sea Colony (3.9/5), The Islands (3.9/5) and Carmel Village (3.6/5).

Which Foster City neighborhoods have the lowest median prices?

The lowest neighborhood medians recorded in Foster City are Treasure Isle ($1.9M), Harbor Side ($1.9M), The Islands ($1.9M), Carmel Village ($1.97M) and Bay Vista ($2M).

Is Foster City more or less expensive than nearby cities?

Foster City's median of $2.18M sits alongside San Mateo $2.07M, Belmont $2.48M, San Carlos $2.68M, Hillsborough $6.11M, Redwood City $2.26M and Burlingame $3.25M among nearby cities on Houseberry.

How does Foster City rank among cities in San Mateo County?

Houseberry ranks Foster City #12 of the 20 places it scores in San Mateo County for overall score. It is #7 of 20 for schools and #17 of 20 for safety.

What amenities does Foster City have?

Foster City scores 3.7/5 for amenities on Houseberry. That is made up of 2.3/5 for nearby merchants, 4.1/5 for public spaces and 3.9/5 for curb appeal.

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City Photos

Top Neighborhoods in Foster City, CA(11 ranked)

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Dolphin Bay, Foster City, CA
Overall Score : 4.3
Dolphin Bay is Foster City's answer to balance. Primarily single family homes, s... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Sea Colony, Foster City, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Sea Colony is the biggest neighborhood in Foster City and the one most completel... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Harbor Side, Foster City, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Street by street, Harbor Side puts more people on the water than almost any othe... See Full Page

City Map

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Contact Houseberry's 2026 Agent Pick for Foster City
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Scores updated September 2026