Treasure Isle, Foster City, CA

Treasure Isle sits at the dead center of Foster City and functions as its downtown, to the extent that a planned lagoon city has one. Residential, retail, and office all share the same boundary, and it is one of the very few neighborhoods here where living, working, and shopping within walking distance is actually plausible rather than aspirational. The residential heart is three isles: Flying Cloud Isle, Flying Mist Isle, and Shooting Star Isle. Every house on them has direct waterfront access. The homes and apartments that are not on the water are a short walk from Erckenbrack Park and its large waterfront beach. Civic life happens here too. Brewer Island Elementary is on Polynesia Drive, City Hall is in the neighborhood, and the Foster City Library and Community Center sit together on East Hillsdale Boulevard. The genuinely great move is to check out a book and walk across the street to Leo J. Ryan Park, twenty acres wrapped around Central Lake, which is the largest body of water in the whole lagoon system. Boat Park is right there too, and the boat shed behind the teen center rents kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats to anyone who wants to get on the water without owning a hull. Costco and the Metro Center shopping sit just over the boundary to the west, close enough to walk if you are motivated and not carrying much. The active caveat: the Recreation Center at 650 Shell Boulevard closed in 2024 for a full rebuild and has been a construction site ever since, with the new building due to open in 2026. Classes and programs moved to the teen center and the community center in the meantime. It is a temporary annoyance in exchange for a permanent upgrade, but if you are touring the neighborhood today, that is what the fencing is about.