Explore San Mateo Highlands

About San Mateo Highlands

The San Mateo Highlands is a hillside community on Pulgas Ridge west of the City of San Mateo, generally bounded by Interstate 280, Highway 92, Polhemus Road and Crystal Springs Road. It is an unincorporated area of San Mateo County with a San Mateo mailing address. Most of its homes were built by developer Joseph Eichler between the mid-1950s and mid-1960s, making it one of the largest Eichler tracts on the Peninsula. San Mateo Highlands real estate is closely tied to its mid-century modern architecture and open-space setting.

Moving to San Mateo Highlands

Moving to the San Mateo Highlands offers a hillside setting bordered by open space, with Crystal Springs Reservoir and Interstate 280 just to the west. The Highlands Recreation District, formed in 1957, operates a pool, tennis courts, a gym, a playground and year-round programs. Long-running community traditions include a Fourth of July festival and a neighborhood newsletter that dates to the 1950s. As a San Mateo Realtor, I help buyers understand Eichler construction, updates and county permitting before they buy.

Cost of Living & Housing in San Mateo Highlands

San Mateo Highlands homes for sale are positioned in the upper-middle to upper tier of the San Mateo area market, with a premium for preserved or thoughtfully updated Eichlers and view lots. Most homes are single-story mid-century modern designs with post-and-beam construction, walls of glass, radiant floor heating and, on some models, atriums. The neighborhood also includes rare Eichler variations, such as the steel-framed X-100 experimental house. Lots follow the hillside terrain, and some homes enjoy views of the hills or the bay.

Getting Around San Mateo Highlands

The Highlands sits at the junction of Interstate 280 and Highway 92, giving quick routes north to San Francisco, south toward Silicon Valley and east to Highway 101 and the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge. Polhemus Road and Crystal Springs Road connect the neighborhood to Downtown San Mateo. The Hillsdale and San Mateo Caltrain stations are a short drive east. Nearby Cañada Road, closed to cars on many Sundays in spring and summer, is a popular cycling route.

Local Amenities & Things to Do in San Mateo Highlands

The Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve and the Sawyer Camp Trail along Crystal Springs Reservoir are close by for hiking, running and cycling. Laurelwood Park and the Sugarloaf Mountain trails are a short drive southeast. The Highlands Recreation Center provides a pool, courts and community programs within the neighborhood. College of San Mateo, with its theater, stadium and Saturday farmers market, is just across Highway 92.

Schools & Education in San Mateo Highlands

The San Mateo Highlands is part of the San Mateo-Foster City School District for elementary and middle grades and the San Mateo Union High School District for high school. Homes are commonly served by Highlands Elementary School, Borel Middle School and Aragon High School. Private schools are also located in the surrounding area. Confirm school boundaries for any specific address with each district, since assignments can change over time.

Why Buyers Choose San Mateo Highlands

Buyers choose the San Mateo Highlands for its concentration of Eichler homes, hillside open-space setting and quick freeway access. San Mateo Highlands homes for sale appeal to buyers who value mid-century modern design and a long community history. The neighborhood's recreation center and nearby trails add to its everyday appeal. If you are ready to buy or sell a home in San Mateo Highlands, contact Jessica Heredia for local guidance from start to finish.