South San Francisco, CA

South San Francisco, California

Introduction to South San Francisco, California

South San Francisco is a city in San Mateo County, California. Located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California's Bay Area, the city lies ten miles south of San Francisco in a broad valley formed by the San Bruno Mountains on the north and the Coast Range on the west. San Francisco International Airport is situated four miles to the city's south. Principal highways servicing the city include U.S. Route 101, and Interstates I-280 and I-380. Contrary to popular misconception South San Francisco is very much a city in its own right, and is not the southern part of the city of San Francisco.

South San Francisco originated in the late 19th-century as a site for the establishment of stockyards and a market place for cattle. Incorporated in 1908, the city soon experienced an influx of other industries which included a large shipbuilding industry to support the two World Wars. Since World War II, South San Francisco has supported a well-balanced mix of residential and industrial areas within its boundaries. The city today has a population which has tripled since the end of WW II, with a considerable portion of its real estate devoted to industries which include manufacturing, wholesaling, transportation facilities and utilities. Known as "The Industrial City", South San Francisco in recent years has also become an important regional center of a burgeoning biotech industry.

Attractions in South San Francisco

The history of "The Industrial City" is well-chronicled at the South San Francisco Historical Society Museum. One of the museum's major highlights is a special exhibit about the city's early families. The Plymire Schwarz Museum is housed in a 1905 edifice originally owned by the town's first doctor and which once served as the only hospital between San Francisco and San Mateo. In the basement level of the structure is another city attraction: the Center Fire Museum. One of the city's prime sites for outdoor recreation is the Oyster Point Marina & Park, whose amenities include a 300-foot long fishing pier, a 33-acre park with a hiking and jogging trail, picnic facilities, and a 2.5-acre sandy beach. Other San Mateo County points of interest include the Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education (San Mateo), the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (Moss Beach), the Sanchez Adobe (Pacifica), and the Cypress Golf Course and Learning Center (Colma). The city is also only minutes away from some of the nation's most popular tourist and sports attractions located in the city of San Francisco.

High Points

South San Francisco strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in California):

Category	Trophy
Racial Diversity (vs. Peers)	Top 2%
Public Transportation Use (vs. Peers)	Top 10%
Low Rate of Poverty (vs. State)	Top 19%

Comparative Profile of South San Francisco, CA

Comparing South San Francisco to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in California (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Racial Diversity
Male Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
Age of the Population
Senior Citizens
Children Under 5 Years Old
Female Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Walking and Biking to Work
Short Commute Times
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Property Taxes
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built
People Living Alone
Affordability of Rents

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

South San Francisco Almanac

South San Francisco Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

South San Francisco Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

South San Francisco Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Political Contributions (2004)

Money donated by South San Francisco residents to parties and candidates for the 2004 elections.

by Political Party

by Presidential Candidate

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, South San Francisco, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

South San Francisco Hospitals

KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL - SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
(Voluntary non-profit - Other)
1200 EL CAMINO REAL
(650) 742-3200
Emergency Service: No

Starbucks in South San Francisco

South San Francisco High Schools (2004)

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO HIGH
400 B ST.
650-877-8754
Serves 1,546 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 22.6

EL CAMINO HIGH
1320 MISSION ROAD
650-877-8806
Serves 1,353 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 22.2

BADEN HIGH (CONT.)
825 SOUTHWOOD DR.
650-877-8769
A Non-traditional School
Serves 124 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 15.1

South San Francisco Colleges

(List of All California Colleges)

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