South San Francisco occupies the basin and portions of the sides of a broad valley formed by the San Bruno Mountains on the north and the Coast Range on the west. Most of the valley faces adjacent San Francisco Bay, affording sweeping vistas, from higher levels and a definite sense of identification with the Bay. South San Francisco has mild winters and dry cool summers. The hills to the west shield the city from much of the fog that prevails in neighboring areas.
The population has tripled since World War II with the opening of such subdivisions as Buri Buri, Winston Manor and Westborough on the slopes west of El Camino. It has grown from 4,411 in 1920 to 67,082 in 2019.
South San Francisco offers its citizens a city in which to live comfortably in fine residential areas; a place of recreation in parks, swimming pools, and marina; a place to work in more than 2,800 firms and businesses including many biotech companies such as Genentech which gives the city the title of “Birthplace of Biotechnology”.
THINGS TO DO
South San Francisco Conference Center
It is ideal for conferences, corporate meetings, special events and receptions of all sizes – from small meetings to large conventions.Located at the heart of the biotech region, leading edge of Silicon Valley, minutes from San Francisco International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco
Address:255 S Airport Blvd, South San Francisco, CA 94080-6703
Rissetto / 49 Square Miles Outlet Store
Hand crafted Italian Leather Handbags and Accessories
Address: 160 S Linden Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080
PARKS
The Parks and Recreation Department manages over 270 acres of parks and open space, averaging 4 acres per 1,000 residents:
Parks and Facilities
For a list of the city’s facilities and parks, view our Interactive Parks Map, or download the Facility Park Chart.
Picnic Rentals
Reservations for private parties at our parks can be made to the Parks and Recreation Department at (650) 829-3800. For more information, please visit the Picnic Reservations page.
Submit a Service Request
If you see anything in our parks that may need maintenance, please call the Parks Division at (650) 829-3837 or submit your service request online by using EngageSSF.
Parks Division
Email
Physical Address
550 North Canal Street
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Ph: 650-829-3837
Fx: 650-877-8665
Hours
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Valuable Open Space
In addition to serving as a monument in North San Mateo County, Sign Hill provides a valuable 44.6 acres of open space and almost two miles of hiking trails. In 1996, Sign Hill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sign Hill also serves as the home of the endangered Mission Blue Butterfly, various species of birds such as egrets, gulls, and terns, and wild irises and poppies.
Resources
Map of Sign Hill | Directions to Sign Hill
Trails
Learn About Seubert Trail and Seubert Grove
Seubert Trail and Seubert Grove is named after Alphonse Seubert, who was a long-time resident of South San Francisco and original member of the South San Francisco Beautification Committee. Also known as “Mr. Sign Hill,” he was known for his involvement on Sign Hill since the 1960s. It is estimated that Mr. Seubert had single-handedly planted an estimated 5,000 trees on Sign Hill, and was regularly seen going up and down the hill watering and nurturing all of the seedlings he had planted. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development of the trails that are in use today.
In 1991, Mr. Seubert was named a recipient of the National Arbor Day Foundation Lawrence Enersen Award. Recipients of the award are individuals whose life’s work exemplifies commitment to tree planting and conservation in community improvement. Mr. Seubert passed away in 2006.
The South San Francisco Community Garden was established and first used by growers in 1984. It is located on Commercial Avenue east of Chestnut Avenue, and consists of 28 plots, a storage shed, water spigots, and a portable toilet is also on site.
Plots are leased for a fee of $100 per year plus a $25 key deposit. They are leased on a yearly basis to South San Francisco residents who cultivate, plant, maintain, and enjoy gardening space while supplying their own tools, equipment and supplies.
Renewal of plots takes place in April of each year. Presently no plots are available, and there is a waiting list. Interested parties may call Marie Patea at the Park Maintenance Office to be placed on the list if and when plots become available at (650) 829-3837.
The City of South San Francisco has a total of 20 children playground areas. Playground equipment is inspected on a regular basis for the safety of the children. Playgrounds are filled with ADA approved wood fiber surfacing and rubberized surfacing. Most playgrounds are used daily, especially during the spring and summer months. You can also see park map locations at parksmap.ssf.net.
Playground locations are as follows:
Orange Memorial Park
781 Tennis Drive
Memorial Drive, end of parking lot
Westborough Park
Westborough Boulevard & Galway Drive
Alta Loma Park
450 Camaritas Avenue
Avalon Park
Dorado Way
Brentwood Park
Rosewood Way & Briarwood Drive
Buri Buri Park
200 Block of Arroyo Drive
City Hall Tot Lot
Miller Avenue at Walnut Avenue
Clay Avenue Playlot
Clay Avenue & Dundee Drive
Common Greens Play Areas
various locations
Cypress & Pine Playlot
Cypress Avenue at Pine Avenue
Francisco Terrace Playlot
Terrace Drive at South Spruce
Gardiner Lot
Gardiner Avenue & Randolph Avenue
Paradise Valley Park
Hillside Boulevard & School Avenue
Sellick Park
Appian Way
Siebecker Playlot
Tamarack Lane & Elm Court
Terrabay Gymnasium
1121 South San Francisco Drive
Winston Manor #1
Duval Drive & Graystone Drive
Winston Manor #3
Newman Drive & Gibbs Way
Winston Manor #5
Dundee Drive & Mansfield Drive
Zamora Playlot
Zamora Court
SCHOOLS
South San Francisco contains 11 primary and secondary schools. One of the highest rated schools is Monte Verde Elementary School, with a rating of 9. It has 547 students. Public schools in South San Francisco belong to South San Francisco Unified. The population of South San Francisco is 64,043. South San Francisco Unified enrolls 15% of the population of South San Francisco.
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO LINKS
Business License
https://www.ssf.net/departments/finance/business-license-information
Fire
https://www.ssf.net/departments/fire
Police
https://www.ssf.net/departments/police
Library
https://www.ssf.net/departments/library
Park and Recreation
https://www.ssf.net/departments/parks-recreation
Parking
https://www.ssf.net/services/downtown-parking-1824
Boards and Commissions
https://www.ssf.net/government/boards-commissions
City Council
https://www.ssf.net/departments/city-council
Phone Directory
https://www.ssf.net/government/phone-directory
City Clerk
https://www.ssf.net/departments/city-clerk
City Manager
https://www.ssf.net/departments/city-manager
Economic and Community Development
https://www.ssf.net/departments/economic-community-development
REVIEWS BY RESIDENTS
South San Francisco is the perfect city because of its convenient location, cleanliness, and overall atmosphere of the community. SSF is close in proximity to large, urban areas, but has a small-town feel that is perfect. There are a variety of small shops and restaurants as well as easy access to big-name retail stores.
I like the quaint town feel, especially downtown during the holidays. My husband and I both run around our neighborhood and feel safe. I do appreciate having memorial park, the dog park and other outdoor activities in a close vicinity. It makes it convenient having a Costco, traders Joes, Starbucks, and BART all in the same locations.
South San Francisco is a great city. The neighborhood I live in is quite beautiful and silent most of the time. The neighbors are friendly and our families always engage in conversations. There are schools nearby but the children keep quiet and cause no trouble.
Been living in South City my whole life. The town has a lot to offer. Sports, various spots to eat at – whether it’s in downtown, westborough square or on El Camino. Very nice and peaceful! Diversity all over the town!
I feel like it’s a extremely safe, convenient, and diverse community. I have been lived here for 5 months after moving abroad for studying. It is so close to international airport that I can travel around in no time.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DREAM HOME, I’ll help you find it!
If you’re looking to buy a South San Francisco home, reach out to me to discuss how I can help you — safely and successfully — through every step of the way.
HOLLY NOTO | DRE # 01244498
REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Realty
650.544.6185 | [email protected]
