Burlingame

Situated halfway between San Jose and San Francisco, Burlingame thrums with urban sophistication while keeping a short-but-sweet distance from city life. In this San Francisco Peninsula town, well-heeled professionals type on laptops at neighborhood cafes, parents push strollers at the twice-weekly farmers’ market, dog owners exercise their pups along San Francisco Bay’s shoreline, and friends meet up to stroll and shop downtown. For visitors, there’s a big bonus: Burlingame’s modern version of suburban charm includes easy proximity to San Francisco International Airport.
 

Where to Shop in Burlingame

Within Burlingame’s six square miles are two pedestrian-friendly shopping districts: Broadway Avenue and Burlingame Avenue. Burlingame Avenue from California Drive to El Camino Real—locals call it “The Ave”—is peppered with high-end specialty shops and carefully curated boutiques. Stop in to Morning Glory or Margaret O’Leary for women’s fashions, Janie and Jack for children’s clothing, Arhaus for home decor, Therapy Stores for gifts, and Del’ Oliva for olive oils and vinegars from around the world. Scattered among the smaller boutiques are famous name brands like Kate Spade, Lululemon, Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, and Apple.

Broadway’s shopping district boasts a more traditional, small-town flair. Walk beneath the distinctive arch—a 1927 landmark at Broadway and California Drive—to explore this boutique-centric neighborhood, where mom-and-pop specialty shops are a throwback to the mid-20th century. Purchase a box of old-school chocolates at Preston’s Candy and Ice Cream, a confectioner that’s been making handmade sweet treats since 1946. Pop into Pot-Pourri for artisan gifts—jewelry, garden art, and blown-glass sculptures.

Where to Play Outdoors in Burlingame

Traversing a long stretch of the San Francisco Peninsula, the San Francisco Bay Trail is a 350-mile walking and cycling path around San Francisco Bay (with an additional 150 miles under development). Access this amazing waterfront path for walks, bike rides, birding, or picnics at Burlingame’s Anza Lagoon off Airport Boulevard. Walk or ride to Coyote Point Recreation Area in neighboring San Mateo, or keep going to the San Mateo Bridge. Explore Burlingame’s inland hills with a hike at Mills Canyon Wildlife Area. The Ed Taylor Loop meanders 1.4 miles through a forested canyon with a trickling creek.

Where to Eat in Burlingame

Most of Burlingame’s eateries are found in the shopping districts along Broadway and Burlingame Avenue or along the edge of San Francisco Bay. For a date-night seafood or steak dinner with lovely bay views, head to Kincaid’s Fish, Chops, and Steaks. The airy dining room is also popular for weeknight happy hours and offers great deals on prime rib tacos, gorgonzola fries, and prickly pear margaritas. On the city’s northern bayfront, taste lobster rolls and lobster corn chowder at New England Lobster Market and Eatery—and check out the 75,000-gallon lobster tank.

In downtown Burlingame, Saltyard is a combination wine bar and American fusion restaurant that dishes out contemporary favorites like truffle-mushroom ravioli, beet salad, crispy calamari, and steaks. Downtown also offers a wide array of globally inspired cuisine: Limón cooks up Peruvian classics including empanadas and ceviches, Mingalaba serves Burmese and Mandarin dishes, and Coconut Bay is a local favorite for Thai food served at indoor and outdoor tables. Sweeten your dining experience with your choice of dessert at Mints & Honey, The Cakery, Copenhagen Bakery & Café, or Maison Alyzé.

For snacking while you stroll, visit the food stalls tucked in among the fresh produce and flowers at the farmers’ Fresh Market, held at Burlingame Avenue and Park Road on Sunday mornings year-round and Thursday afternoons May–October.

Where to Stay in Burlingame

Burlingame’s hotels are located east of Highway 101 along the San Francisco Bay waterfront. At the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront, most rooms have bay views, and you can watch planes take off and land while you dine at on-site restaurant Flights. Other great choices include Hampton Inn & Suites San Francisco-Burlingame-Airport South with easy walking distance to the waterfront, DoubleTree by Hilton San Francisco Airport, and Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport. For a more intimate stay, book a room at the European-style Bay Landing Hotel, part of a smaller Bay Area hotel chain.

Each property has a free shuttle to the airport, and you can catch Burlingame’s free trolley to the town’s shopping and dining districts.