This waterfront suburb is a mellow, family friendly place to live.
Foster City has a below average violent crime rate and a below average property crime rate compared to other cities in the United States.
Although not officially part of Silicon Valley, Foster City’s location just north of many Silicon Valley cities often leads people to consider it part of the Valley. Gilead Sciences, IBM, and Visa are some of the larger employers and companies that have offices in this small, safe suburban city.
The atmosphere is calm and tranquil; the streets are clean and pleasant with lots of trees, and a lagoon stretches around the entire city. There’s no shortage of parks in which to relax, exercise, and spend time with family and friends, and many outdoorsy activities such as kayaking and wind surfing are just a short trip away.
You’ll need a vehicle to get around easily, although biking and walking are options. Like much of the Bay Area, the advantage of living here is easy access to neighboring cities and the wide variety of activities and attractions they offer. San Francisco is a short train ride away and frequent flyers are just a few miles south of the San Francisco International Airport.
There are plenty of dining and shopping options around — you'll find everything from Mediterranean to Chinese to Sushi to Italian to Burgers. There are also tons of shops here, including several grocery stores.
Foster City’s K-12 public school system is amazing: all four public schools (three elementary and one middle school) within city limits have won California Distinguished School awards. Although there are no high schools within Foster City, there are excellent public and private options nearby.
Housing-wise, you'll find some mid-rise apartment complexes but unassuming homes on quiet streets dominate. Despite the lack of ostentation, prices are high due to its location and amenities.
Overall, if you’re looking for a great place to land in Silicon Valley, Foster City is a solid option.
Foster City is bordered on the north and east by the Bay, on the south by Redwood Shores, and on the west by San Mateo.
Foster City LOCAL schools
Foster City Local Flavor 
This nightclub, bistro, and cocktail lounge is a popular local spot to have a few drinks with friends or grab a bite. It’s generally busy and has a great atmosphere where people of all ages come to enjoy a night out.
If you’re a fan of the arts, you’re not going to want to miss Hillbarn Theatre. This community theater has been around for over 25 years and puts on shows for all ages throughout the year.
Located right next to the Foster City Lagoon, this company offers boats, hydrobikes, kayaks, and standup paddle boards for rent, as well as lessons.
If you’re looking for authentic Thai food in the Bay Area, this is one of the best places to go. The décor and atmosphere are inviting, the food is delicious, and the menu will leave your mouth watering and your heart set on coming back as quickly as you can.
Tokie's is a high-end Japanese restaurant and Sushi bar, although the restaurant’s exterior may lead you to believe otherwise. They have some of the highest quality sashimi you’ll find in the Bay Area.
Photo Credits: Thanks to @ozlemkolcak_, @lowcollin, @mcm.ed, @xueyanmou, @la_biu_biu, @centreviews, @moumarion, @guangyul_, @toastedtofu, @caramelsoup, @jaespeche, @anjanadkumar, @missygirl1777, @mxhuii, @moumarion, @waitingonsunset, @one.pie.at.a.time, @monchipaw, @neontrap for your great photos of this neighborhood!
