Welcome to Belmont
Picturesque hilly community with beautiful bay views
Belmont means “beautiful mountain” in Italian and this picturesque mid-peninsula community offers idyllic hillside living with views of the bay, good schools, and local shops. Belmont is bordered by San Mateo, Redwood Shores to the northwest, and San Carlos to the south. Access to Highways 92 and 101 place San Francisco and San Jose within a 30-minute drive, and there’s also a Caltrain station downtown.
Much of Belmont’s real estate is comprised of mid-century single-family homes nestled within quiet hillside neighborhoods. Grand contemporary custom-built hilltop properties are also dotted throughout the community.
What to Love
People & Lifestyle
The vibe in Belmont is peaceful and family-friendly. Many residents have been in the area for generations, while many others are young families who’ve moved into the area to work in the nearby Silicon Valley tech hubs. This suburban community is home to Notre Dame de Namur’s large all-girls college preparatory school and private university.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Belmont’s main commercial areas are the
Carlmont Village Shopping Center on Ralston Avenue and the streets surrounding El Camino Real to the northwest. More than 45 businesses are located within open-air Carlmont Village, with a mix of independent retailers and recognizable brands such as Baskin & Robbins, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and Subway.
Lunardi’s Markets sells organic produce, grass-fed meat, deli goods, and other groceries.
There are also casual eateries, including
Coyote’s Mexican Café and
Sushi Kuu. Dozens of restaurants can be found along El Camino Real and the streets adjacent to it. The authentic Persian cuisine at Michelin Guide recommended
Shalizaar is a standout. Other highlights include classic American steakhouse
The Van’s, Spanish tapas and paella at
Iberia, Neapolitan pizza pies at
Totos, gourmet organic burgers at kitsch Hollywood-themed
Godfather’s, fresh seasonal fare at Farm House, and sophisticated French and Italian-inspired dishes at
Iron Gate. There are also several relaxed pubs and taverns such as
McGraw’s and
Marvin Gardens serving food and carrying a large drinks selection.
St. James Gate is a casual Irish-American bar with frequent live music performances.
Chic casual fashion items for men and women are available at
Unseen Addiction, while
B Chic specializes in glamorous designer dresses.
Waterdog Tavern’s superior gastropub cooking, craft cocktails, and 20 on-tap beers have been recognized with an Open Table Diner’s Choice Award.
Things to Do
Parks and open space are abundant in Belmont and the surrounding hills and mountainsides. 10-acre
Twin Pines Park is a scenic escape just a few blocks south of Belmont Caltrain station. The park extends over both sides of Belmont Creek and its facilities include a playground, picnic areas, and a recreation center.
In the southwest, trails surround the waters of
Water Dog Lake, which takes its name from a colloquial term for its salamander population. Nearby
Cipriani Park has an off-leash area for dogs of the regular variety.
Hallmark Park has two tennis courts, a playground, and a trailhead entrance to the
Crystal Springs Cross Country Course. This three-mile course passes Crystal Springs Reservoir and takes in captivating views of the Bay and the San Francisco skyline.
Trails and jogging tracks are also located within
Hidden Canyon Park. There are other tree-shaded green spaces dotted throughout Belmont, including
Belameda Park. Laurelwood Park spans 225 acres just beyond Belmont’s northwestern boundary, with hiking trails ascending Sugarloaf Mountain.
Schools
Belmont’s public schools are operated by the Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary and Sequoia Union High School Districts.
