Burlingame Gardens - Burlingame, CA Area Guide

In 1906, after the San Francisco Earthquake destroyed much of the city, many people fled south to rebuild their lives in what is now Burlingame. Burlingame Gardens is Burlingame's most northeastern neighborhood. Its population rose in the 1960's due to industry growth as well as the area's proximity to San Francisco International Airport.

Just outside of Burlingame Gardens is the Peninsula Art Museum. Not just a museum but, rather, an educational and studio environment for artists. This unique space allows artists, and those interested in art, to engage with the local community. Exhibitions rotate regularly and if you fancy yourself needing an original work, stop by the almost always open studios.

Burlingame's annual ArtzFest provides patrons of the arts another great opportunity to buy and support local art. Whether in the market for a sculpture or a painting, you're sure to find it at this annual street fair.

Cultures collide among Burlingame Gardens restaurants. Hanabi Ramen and Japanese Curry lives up to its name with its consistently high-rated ramen: flavorful and full of umami. The Spicy Pork Kim-chi Ramen is a must try, according to regulars.

Just a few blocks over, close to the Burlingame Caltrain Station, you can experience the authentic flavors of Italy at Fattoria E Mare. Though technically outside the geographical area of Burlingame Gardens, residents seek out Fattoria E Mare for its seafood fritto misto. Meaning “mixed fry” in Italian, Fattoria E Mare’s seafood fritto misto wows customers with its always fresh, ever changing medley of locally sourced seafood.

For a taste of The Mediterranean, stop in to Sahaara, located on Broadway and Chula Vista. Sahaara’s menu offers traditional Mediterranean menu items like hummus, falafel and lamb shish kebab, but fans of the restaurant go ga-ga for its knafeh dessert. Knafeh is a cheese pastry that has been soaked in either honey or syrup, and Sahaara does this dessert right. At Sahaara, you can also smoke hookah, another popular restaurant indulgence.

Burlingame Gardens does not experience much of a nightlife, but if you insist on getting out, you can head down Broadway, in the direction of Burlingame Terrace Neighborhood, for some dance clubs, bars and lounges. Night owls choose to imbibe at Behan’s Irish Pub, located just south of the Caltrain Station, for its chill atmosphere, friendly staff, and great beer on tap.

Most people navigate Burlingame Gardens via automobile. Other viable options include bus and bicycle but one’s own four wheels is best, given the plenitude of parking and easy access to Highway 101. The neighborhood is walkable, in terms of distance, however the surrounding highway scenery is not incredibly picturesque.

SamTrans bus line services the area, as well as Caltrain, one of the Bay Area’s primary commuter rails with 32 total stations. Several cab companies service the Burlingame area as well, but because they are nearly impossible to hail on the fly, make a reservation online or call ahead of time.

Bike lanes exist in select areas of Burlingame only, so, if you decide to bike in the street, proceed with the utmost caution. Better yet, go online and find one of Burlingame’s specifically designated bike trails.

Family-friendly Washington Park, located just outside Burlingame Gardens' boundary lines, offers the local community a safe and scenic place to walk their dogs, enjoy a picnic lunch, play a game of tennis or simply take a stroll. For those wanting to play tennis on one of the provided courts, Washington Park does charge a nominal fee for after dark light usage. Other than that, park entrance is free and open daily from 6 am to 9 pm.

On-site play structures entertain children, and the nearly 19 acres offers ample space for runners and bikers alike.

The Divas Half Marathon and 5K in San Francisco Bay is a fun, weekend-long event that combines the sport of running with glam and girlishness. Nearly 5,000 females take off from Burlingame Gardens and run along the Bay in this annual event. Topless, muscle-toned firefighters place medals around runners at the finish line, where runners also receive roses, champagne, boas, and tiaras.

Burlingame Gardens prides itself on its reputation as the most affordable neighborhood in Burlingame. For a one-bedroom residence in Burlingame Gardens, you can expect to pay $2,100 to $2,200 per month, compared to the city average of $2,400.

Local bus fare, including routes into the City of San Francisco, costs $2.00. Caltrain can cost anywhere from $2.75 to $13.25, depending on how you pay and how many zones you'll be traveling through.

A pint of beer at a local pub costs a mere $4.00 to $5.00.

Compared to the national average, gas in Burlingame Gardnes rests about 14 percent higher.

With hipster fashion in the Bay Area only increasing in popularity, thrift and secondhand shops are becoming the new go-to stores for fresh threads. Goodbye Polo shirts, hello flannel.

Pick of the Litter Thrift Shop, at Chula Vista Boulevard and Broadway, just south of Burlingame Gardens, wows locals with its selection of unique vintage garments as well as its stock of contemporary designer brands. The roaming cats and friendly employees create a quirky, albeit welcoming environment too. Additionally, shop proceeds go to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals so you’ll know your purchase is supporting a good cause.

If you're looking for something a little higher end, you'll have to venture outside Burlingame Gardens towards the downtown area. For all the men out there looking to sport some high-quality garb, stop in to Sam Malouf Authentic Luxury. With "luxury" in the name, this men's clothing store deserves every one of its four yelp dollars, according to customers. The store owner, Sam Malouf, knows how to offer one-of-a-kind garments that are tailored well, all while providing top notch service. Women looking to transform their wardrobe with no price point attached will want to stop in to Susan of Burlingame for the latest in designer fashions.

Oak Grove Market feeds this neighborhood with its comprehensive selection of pantry staples and top-notch produce. Market regulars praise Oak Grove’s deli counter and often leave with a freshly made sandwich in tow.

On Sundays, stop by the Burlingame Farmers’ Market for some local fruit, vegetables, and live music entertainment. Though not in Burlingame Gardens itself, the market is only a mile or so from the neighborhood, easily accessible by bus, car, or foot.