San Bruno, CA Area Guide

Development in San Bruno emerged after the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. It became an incorporated city on December 23, 1914. Construction commenced and major retail developments emerged. Unfortunately, the earthquake on October 17, 1989 damaged some major buildings, including the U.S. Postal Service's Western Regional headquarters. In time, the site was reconstructed. Walmart.com now calls this building home.

Although no major museums are located directly in San Bruno, many surround the area. Check out the Peninsula Art Museum in nearby Burlingame to celebrate the arts.

San Bruno hosts several annual events, fairs and festivals. Locals favor the Tastes of San Bruno, usually held in October. Enjoy food tastings from over twenty local restaurants. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for children under twelve. Children five years and younger enter for free.

Plenty of restaurant options encompass the San Bruno area. Residents rave about Cafe Grillades, known for breakfast and brunch. The caramelized crepes filled with bananas make an excellent choice. The restaurant also offers several gelato options. Sit outside and relish in the atmosphere.

When you're craving Mexican food, give Nueve a try for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Many guests delight in the buttermilk horchata pancakes. The carnitas and carne asada make exceptional dinner choices.

Head out to Big Mouth Burgers and sink your teeth into a juicy burger, such as the hangover burger, which piles on a fried egg and bacon. Order onion rings or sweet potato fries for a side.

In San Bruno, the nightlife consists of dive bars, lounges and pubs. Locals hang out at the Dog House. Cheap drinks and great company make this bar a favorite stomping ground. Friendly service also keeps the regulars coming back for more.

Georgio's, known as San Bruno's favorite dive bar, features a laid-back atmosphere and affordable drinks. Locals love the jukebox and the friendly bar staff, who treat customers like family. Bring your friends and play a rowdy round of darts or a game of pool. Be sure to ask about the daily drink specials.

Public transportation options await residents in San Bruno. The Bay Area Rapid Transit District, locally known as BART, features five rapid transit lines throughout the San Francisco Bay. Commuters prefer the BART system over fighting traffic on the often congested San Francisco Bay Bridge. The Caltrain system also provides service to the area. Hailing a cab is not a problem and locals also take advantage of Uber. If you prefer to drive your own vehicle, don't worry about finding a parking spot. Locals also enjoy walking and biking where convenient.

San Bruno City Park serves as the major municipal park in the neighborhood. Those who enjoy a relaxing walk should take a stroll on the shaded walkways. Take a hike on the available hiking trails. After all that exercise, you deserve a break. Set up a picnic at one of the many available picnic tables. Children can occupy their time at the playground. One of the best features of this park is the swimming pool. Splash around and take part in some water sports. A baseball park also lies on the property, as well as a recreation center that houses an indoor basketball court. Get your friends together for a pick up game.

Junipero Serra Park offers excellent hiking opportunities. Others prefer to walk and jog along the trails. Bring the family, light the grill and have a barbecue. Kids really enjoy the play park. Breathe in the fresh air and rejuvenate. Parking costs $5, but the rest of the amenities are free of charge. A few area churches even host their annual picnics at this location.

Fairly reasonable in comparison to some cities, the cost of living in San Bruno is 22 percent above the state average for California and 63 percent greater than the national average. For a one bedroom apartment expect to pay an average monthly rate of about $1500. Plan on spending 9 percent more than the national average on gas.

The average beer at a local bar cost $9. Public transportation fees on the BART system vary depending on your route. Tickets work as debit cards. An unlimited monthly pass costs approximately $80 per adult. Caltrain one-way passes cost $3.25 and an all day unlimited pass fares at $6.50.

San Bruno Bayhill Shopping Center houses the major shopping hub of the area. Here you can find numerous chain stores and restaurants.

Those in search of a locally-owned boutique shop at Akarshan Designs, which specializes in women's clothing, shoes and jewelry and features quality products at reasonable prices. A small selection of men's and children's clothing is also available.

Another local favorite, Designers Center, sells home decor, jewelry and accessories. You can find Disney collector items here from the Walt Disney Collection. A variety of Swarovski Crystal and Vera Bradley products are also available for purchase. The boutique holds quarterly promotion events with free food, drinks and prizes.

The shopping center has a few different grocery options. A Safeway lies directly on the property, and Lunardi's sells a variety of healthy and organic foods. Customers frequently swing by Lunardi's deli for handmade sandwiches. While shopping, sip on a cup of coffee from Peet's Cafe. The pastries make yummy treats, too.