Burlingame
City

Burlingame

Upscale Bay Area charm with tree-lined streets

Burlingame feels like the Bay Area's best-kept secret, even though it sits right between San Francisco and Silicon Valley. This is where tech executives and old-money families stroll California Drive on Sunday mornings, where Broadway buzzes with James Beard-nominated restaurants, and where the train station actually looks like something from a movie set. The city manages to feel both sophisticated and relaxed — think Palo Alto's polish without the pretension. You'll pay for the privilege of staying here, but you get what you pay for: immaculate streets, stellar restaurants, and the kind of small-town charm that's increasingly rare in the Bay Area.

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Downtown Burlingame centers around California Drive and Broadway, where you'll find the bulk of restaurants and shops within walking distance. The Hotel Burlingame sits right in the heart of things — a boutique property that feels more like a private club than a chain hotel. Rates hover around $300-400 per night, but you're steps from everything. Look, Burlingame isn't overflowing with hotel options. Most visitors stay at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, about 10 minutes away, where rooms run $150-250 depending on the season. The airport location sounds grim, but the hotel shuttle makes downtown Burlingame easily accessible. For something different, consider the residential neighborhoods east of El Camino Real. Several Victorian homes have been converted to boutique B&Bs, though you'll need to book months ahead. The trade-off? You'll wake up on actual tree-lined streets that look like they belong in a Nancy Meyers film.

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1.Park at the Caltrain station for $5 all day instead of downtown meters that cost $2 per hour
  • 2.Many restaurants offer early bird specials before 6pm with 20-30% discounts on entrees
  • 3.The Peninsula Creamery's ice cream costs half what you'd pay at fancy dessert spots nearby
  • 4.Philz Coffee happy hour runs 3-5pm with $1 off all drinks
  • 5.Hotel rates drop significantly Sunday through Tuesday nights, sometimes 40% less than weekends

Travel Tips

  • •Make dinner reservations at least a week ahead — Burlingame's best restaurants fill up fast
  • •The Caltrain station has free WiFi and clean restrooms, perfect for killing time between trains
  • •California Drive shops close early on Sundays, usually by 6pm
  • •Valet parking at upscale restaurants costs $8-12 but saves the headache of finding street spots
  • •The library on Primrose Road offers free 2-hour parking and public restrooms
  • •Most restaurants stop serving food by 9pm on weeknights, earlier than you'd expect

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Burlingame is one of the pricier Peninsula cities. Dinner for two at a nice restaurant runs $150-200, hotel rooms start around $200 per night, and even casual lunch spots charge $15-20 per entree. The quality matches the prices, but budget accordingly.

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