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Looking for the Laurelwood neighborhood San Mateo? This quiet housing community offers something rare in the Bay Area. It provides real peace with 225 acres of hiking trails, classic mid-century homes, and strong market growth. Here’s your complete guide to what makes Laurelwood one of San Mateo’s most unique communities.
[Get personalized insights about the Laurelwood market]
Finding Laurelwood: A Natural Haven in San Mateo
Nestled in San Mateo’s west hills near Highway 280 sits one of the Peninsula’s most unique housing communities: Laurelwood. This peaceful Laurelwood neighborhood in San Mateo offers something rare in the Bay Area. The community gives direct access to 225-acre Laurelwood Park. It has mid-century home style and real community care.
Street view of Laurelwood homes showcasing the neighborhood’s Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style, well-maintained landscaping, and dramatic hillside backdrop. This image captures the peaceful residential streets and generous lot spacing that define the Laurelwood community experience.
Neighborhood Character and Boundaries
Where It Is: The Laurelwood area covers the hillside streets around Laurelwood Park. It has curved roads that follow the natural hills. This creates a cozy, private feel.
What Makes It Special: What sets the Laurelwood community apart is its natural setting. Mature trees create privacy between homes. The nearby park gives quick outdoor fun. You’ll find families hiking trails and neighbors walking dogs through quiet streets. Residents work hard to keep the area’s natural beauty. These scenes show the “hidden gem” feel that Laurelwood is known for.
Overhead view of the Laurelwood community showcasing the neighborhood’s signature hillside setting, generous lot sizes, and seamless integration with the natural landscape. Note the mature tree coverage and spacious properties that define this unique San Mateo area.
Home Styles and Architecture
The homes show classic California mid-century style. The area has many ranch and split-level homes from the 1950s-60s. You’ll also find updated modern designs and well-fixed older homes that fit well into the hillside streets.
Typical Home Facts
- Average Home Size: 2,063 square feet (well-designed, roomy homes)
- Average Lot Size: 7,344 square feet (big by Bay Area standards)
- Bedroom Mix: 45% are 3-bedroom homes, 20% are 4-bedroom homes
- Style: Mid-century ranch, split-level, and updated modern
Lot sizes are big by Bay Area standards. They give families the space and privacy they need. They also keep the hillside feel that makes the area so nice. With a mix of single-family homes and condos, Laurelwood now serves many different buyer needs.
Outdoor Recreation: Nature at Your Door
Laurelwood Park (225 acres)
Sugarloaf Mountain Trails: The area’s crown jewel offers 4 different hiking trails. They range from easy to hard. The trails have height gains of 380-692 feet. You get stunning views of San Francisco Bay, East Bay hills, and Peninsula cities.
Trail Highlights:
- Sugarloaf Hill and Captain Hook Views: 1.7-mile trail with 4.4-star rating
- Salson Trail: Main access route with medium difficulty
- Natural Theater Trail: Hidden gem for quiet time
- Multiple view points: Perfect for sunrise and sunset photos
Park Features:
- Well-kept playground and picnic areas
- Clean restrooms and parking spots
- Dog-friendly space with waste stations
- Both bookable and drop-in picnic areas
The Laurelwood area’s spot gives great access to outdoor fun. Residents can step out their front door and be on hiking trails in minutes. This creates chances for daily exercise and nature time that makes the area perfect for active families and outdoor lovers.
Shopping, Dining, and Daily Life
The Laurelwood community’s spot gives easy access to many shopping centers. This makes daily life both easy and fun while keeping the peaceful home feel.
Major Shopping Centers: Hillsdale Shopping Center sits just minutes away, offering an indoor mall with Nordstrom and Macy’s. Trader Joe’s is located across from Hillsdale Shopping Center for convenient grocery shopping. Crystal Springs Village provides Safeway, CVS Pharmacy, and local restaurants for daily needs.
Local Laurelwood Shopping: Laurelwood Shopping Center features Piazza’s Fine Foods Market, Starbucks, and local services. Neal’s Coffee Shop serves as a popular local breakfast and lunch spot. Rainbow Pizza provides great options for casual family dining.
Daily Convenience: Residents appreciate having access to both major shopping destinations and local neighborhood stores while returning home to quiet, tree-lined streets with immediate park access for outdoor recreation.
Getting Around and Commuting
Transit & Highway Access: Hillsdale Caltrain Station sits within easy reach by free shuttle or short drive, providing direct access to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Interstate 280 offers direct access for scenic commutes. US-101 provides quick access for north-south Peninsula travel. SR-92 enables east-west connections to the East Bay.
Commute Times: San Francisco can be reached in 30-40 minutes via Highway 280, Silicon Valley in 20-35 minutes via 101 or 280, and San Francisco International Airport in just 15-20 minutes. The combination of multiple transportation options makes Laurelwood an excellent choice for Peninsula commuters who want both urban access and natural surroundings.
Community, Safety, and Schools
Community Character
Laurelwood residents describe their neighborhood as peaceful, family-friendly, and known for its natural beauty and community preservation ethic. What residents consistently mention is the authentic connection to nature. For example, wildlife sightings are common, trails are well-maintained through volunteer efforts, and there’s a strong sense of shared investment in preserving the area’s environmental character.
Schools and Education
*School information should be independently verified with respective school districts as boundaries and ratings can change.
Current Laurelwood Real Estate Market
Market Performance (September 2023 – June 2025)
Market Speed Story
Market Context: The most significant trend in Laurelwood real estate is the dramatic acceleration in market speed. Properties that took an average of 21 days to sell historically now average just 8 days in 2025. This represents exceptional buyer demand for the community’s unique combination of natural setting and Peninsula location.
Price Stability: Unlike many Bay Area markets that have seen volatile swings, Laurelwood has demonstrated remarkable price stability. Single-family home values have remained steady over the three-year period, providing buyers with confidence in long-term value preservation.
Ready to see what’s for sale? View current Laurelwood homes for sale
Why Buyers Choose Laurelwood
The Laurelwood neighborhood San Mateo offers a unique value proposition in the Peninsula market, attracting buyers seeking nature access without sacrificing suburban convenience. The combination of limited supply (protected park boundaries), steady demand (fast sales), excellent location (nature plus commute access), and price stability creates solid fundamentals for long-term value preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s different about Laurelwood vs other San Mateo areas?
Laurelwood is a specific housing community built around the 225-acre park. It offers quick nature access and hillside privacy that’s different from more typical suburban San Mateo areas. Plus, Laurelwood lots average 7,344 square feet, which is much bigger than most Bay Area properties.
Q: How much do Laurelwood homes cost?
Current average sale price is $2,150,000 total, with single-family Laurelwood homes at $2,250,000 and condos at $869,000. Homes typically sell at asking price (100.5% average) and move quickly (8 days average in 2025).
Q: What schools serve Laurelwood real estate buyers?
Laurel Elementary (B rating), Abbott Middle School (B rating), and Hillsdale High School (A+ rating, National Blue Ribbon School) through the San Mateo-Foster City and San Mateo Union High School Districts.
Q: Is the Laurelwood area good for outdoor lovers?
Yes! Direct access to 225-acre Laurelwood Park with 4 hiking trails, mountain biking chances, and stunning Bay Area views makes this ideal for active lifestyles.
Q: Why is Laurelwood a stable investment?
The mix of limited supply (set park boundaries), steady demand (fast sales), good location (nature + commute access), and price stability creates solid basics for long-term value keeping.
Key Note: All market data shows past results. Real estate markets change and past results do not promise future results.
Ready to Explore Laurelwood?
If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the Laurelwood area, I’d love to share more insights about this special community. Having worked well in the Laurelwood market, I understand both the lifestyle benefits and investment potential this unique area offers.
Your Local Expert for Laurelwood
As a licensed real estate professional specializing in Laurelwood and nearby San Mateo communities, I bring deep local knowledge and proven results to help you find the perfect home or maximize your property’s value.
What sets my Laurelwood expertise apart:
- Detailed knowledge of Laurelwood market trends and pricing
- Understanding of park access and trail proximity value factors
- Direct relationships with local schools and community groups
- Proven track record with hillside communities
I don’t just help you buy or sell a house—I help you find a community where you’ll thrive for years to come.
About the Author: Vincent Martell Smith is a licensed real estate professional specializing in San Mateo County neighborhoods, with particular expertise in Laurelwood and outdoor-oriented communities. With deep local knowledge and proven results, Vincent provides expert guidance through every step of the home buying and selling process.
CalRE# 02227615
This guide reflects current neighborhood characteristics and market conditions as of August 2025. All market data reflects historical performance and does not guarantee future results. School information should be independently verified with respective school districts. Equal Housing Opportunity.
