Shoreview - San Mateo, CA

Spanish colonists founded San Mateo around 1789, but as the area was settled, wealthy residents of San Francisco began to build homes on the peninsula south of the city. By 1810, a large number of historical buildings and homes had sprung up in this area.

The Shoreview area provided residents with the opportunity to enjoy the seashore and outdoor activities there. Culturally, this area has suffered as a result of the economic collapse, with quality of schools falling, and crime rates rising.

Though Shoreview has no museums, CuriOdyssey serves as a de facto zoo, where kids and families have a chance to learn about animals and conservation while interacting with science. Locals find it to be one of the area’s best attractions.

Residents of Shoreview should look slightly inland in San Mateo for a variety of restaurants, as most are located on S. Delaware Street and off the nearby 101 Freeway. A wide array of food choices can be found here, including Indian, American, Taiwanese and Peruvian, among others.

Kingston Café is one of the area’s standouts, serving many kinds of sandwiches, soups, salads and healthy smoothies made from fruit and vegetables. Organic coffees and teas pair perfectly with fresh pastries made daily. It's the friendly and knowledgeable owner, Atticus, and his staff who make this cafe truly outstanding and a joy to visit. Plan to arrive with time to spare, as lines sometimes form during the early morning rush.

Locals also love The Ravioli House for its homemade pasta and seasonal fillings, as well as the salads and sandwiches that can be quickly boxed up for pickup, if you’re in a hurry. Check out the wild game ravioli for a truly unique meal.

Fans of Japanese fare flock to Yakitori KOKKO for boneless kalbi short ribs, gyu tan yakitori and grilled onigiri. Known for the skewers, this place serves up delights that you might find in a tiny hole in the wall in Tokyo. It’s simple food done right, bringing residents back again and again.

The nightlife in Shoreview isn’t quite as hopping as you’d find in central San Francisco, but dive bars like Club Shoreview keep locals entertained with cheap drinks, funny bartenders and a pool table. If you’re in the mood for dancing, Clubhouse Bistro ’s got you covered, with big-screen DJ blasting danceable tunes all night long.

The San Mateo and Shoreview areas are easier to park in than the central areas of San Francisco, and most locals prefer to drive here. Metered parking is an option in many areas as are paid parking lots; the parking you'll find is likely to be inexpensive.

However, many locals still prefer to take public transportation, since San Francisco provides many options. Caltrain, SamTrans and Muni all have routes in this area. Getting a cab is easy although you may need to call ahead instead of hailing one on the street, or you can always arrange an Uber pickup.

Freeways accessible to Shoreview include the 101, the 280 and 92. Though the neighborhood is considered walkable, it’s not always safe to do so. There are some bike lanes here, with plans to add more, so you can enjoy cycling as long as you’re in a safe area.

The Shoreview area has many parks and green spaces, running along the western coast of the peninsula. Coyote Point Recreation Area has a ton of play equipment for the kinds or young at heart, grills and views of the water. Many are fond of coming here to watch the sunset. Expect to see many family picnics and kids’ birthday parties when the weather is warmer. Dogs and exercisers are welcome, too.

Farther south lies Seal Point Park, known for its bike trails and fitness-friendly stairs down to the beach. Locals can be found running up and down these before carb-loading at a local establishment.

Shoreline Parks, still farther south, offers boating, swimming, playing and pet-friendly fun in the sun. All are kid and dog friendly, and have tons of free parking,

The San Mateo Wine Walk is held in the Shoreview area in early fall, showcasing local wine, great food and a chocolate shop to die for.

Cost of living in Shoreview is lower than San Francisco and the rest of San Mateo. A typical one-bedroom apartment rents for about $1,500 per month.

Since the price of housing costs residents less per month, the price of food and entertainment also trends lower.

Typical cost to get to central San Francisco runs about $3 to $4, while a beer at a local pub will set you back around $4. Comparatively, gas prices are about 15 percent higher in this region than the national average.

Most of Shoreview’s shopping needs are met in San Mateo proper or the surrounding areas like Burlingame and Foster City. Major areas of commerce can be found along route 82, west of the 101.

Smaller shops include Talbot’s Toyland, which caters to the kiddies, Lula Lu, selling women’s lingerie and Bay Home and Linens for home needs. There’s a lack of high-end of luxury shopping in this area, but if that's what you're looking for, head into San Francisco where all of your shopping wishes can be granted.

For groceries, local chains coexist alongside smaller purveyors like the San Mateo Produce Market and Draeger’s Market. Shoreview doesn’t have its own farmers market, but there are several in the surrounding areas of San Mateo, Foster City and Burlingame.