The City of Blue Lagoons, Foster City is a planned community in the center of San Mateo County at the foot of the San Mateo Bridge linking the East Bay with the Peninsula. Formerly a bird preserve and marshland in San Francisco Bay, Foster City now has a population of 31,000 living in a mixture of single-family and higher density condominiums and apartments. Schools, churches and shopping areas are linked to the homes by parks and green space along walking and bicycle paths. Its central position in San Mateo County at the confluence of three major freeways makes Foster City a desirable location for both homes and commercial enterprises. At the turn of the 20th century, Menlo Park was a summer home location for wealthy San Francisco professionals.
Many large homes remain from that era with huge oak trees and other lush vegetation.
Today Menlo Park is an upscale community, primarily residential, with a number of private prep schools, colleges and an excellent public school system. A complete selection of shops and stores is available downtown along with many fine restaurants. Located at the southern-most end of San Mateo County, the population of 35,000 which includes West Menlo Park enjoys one of the nation's lowest crime rates. Although most of the homes are valued well above the Peninsula average, there are affordable areas in Menlo Park. An attractive, established residential community located on the San Francisco Peninsula some 16 miles south of San Francisco.