South San Francisco, California

South San Francisco is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States. It is located on the San Francisco Peninsula in the busy San Francisco Bay Area. People often call the city "South City" for short.

In the year 2020, the city had a population of 66,105 people, according to the census. South San Francisco is known for its industrial areas, where many important factories and businesses operate. The city plays a big role in the economy of the surrounding region.

History

Long ago, before cities were built, people lived in what is now South San Francisco for thousands of years. The area was home to the Ramaytush people, part of the Ohlone group. They had villages and camps, leaving behind important places that show how they lived.

Later, in the 1800s, the land became part of a big Mexican ranch used for cattle. In time, new settlers came and started towns. By the late 1800s, big companies began building factories and homes, calling the place “South San Francisco” after similar towns where they had factories before.

The city officially became a city in 1908. For many years, it was known for its factories and industries, earning the nickname “The Industrial City.” Even during tough times like the Great Depression, many factories kept working. After World War II, the city changed from heavy factories to lighter industries, offices, and homes. In the 1970s, a famous science company named Genentech started there, helping make South San Francisco known for new medicine discoveries. Today, it is a busy city with many people living and working.

Geography

South San Francisco is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States. It is often called "South City" by locals. The city covers an area of 30.2 square miles (78 km²), with 9.1 square miles (24 km²) of land and 21.0 square miles (54 km²) of water.

The city is located north of San Bruno and San Francisco International Airport, and south of Daly City. It lies east of Pacifica and west of San Francisco Bay. The area has mild weather, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Winds from the nearby Pacific Ocean help keep temperatures comfortable throughout the year.

The city is known for a large hillside sign that reads "South San Francisco, The Industrial City". This sign is a historic landmark.

Climate

South San Francisco has a mild climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The city is often windy, especially during the summer. The area usually sees about 19.64 inches (498.9 mm) of rain each year.

Demographics

The population of South San Francisco grew from fewer than 2,000 people in 1910 to over 65,000 in 2024. The city expanded quickly after World War II with new neighborhoods like Buri Buri, Winston Manor, and Westborough. Since 1985, the city has grown by about 30% as smaller properties were developed and homes in the downtown area were replaced with more housing.

According to the 2020 census, South San Francisco had a population of 66,105 people. The city had 21,803 households, with many having children under 18. Most households were led by married couples, but some were led by single men or women. The average household size was about 3 people. The median age was 40.2 years, and there were slightly fewer males than females.

In 2023, the estimated median household income was $135,909, and the per capita income was $61,431. About 5.3% of families and 7.1% of the population lived below the poverty line.

The 2010 United States census reported a population of 63,632 people. The city had a mix of different racial and ethnic groups. Many families lived in households, and the average household size was about 3 people. The median age was 38.1 years, and there were slightly fewer males than females. Most housing units were owner-occupied, but many were rented. The city is a mix of middle and working-class areas, with new, higher-priced homes being built recently.

Economy

South San Francisco does not collect certain business taxes but instead earns money from property, sales, and hotel taxes. It is known for being friendly to businesses.

The area was once farmland but has changed over time. Today, it is home to many important science companies, including some of the biggest in the world. There are also offices for various other companies in the city.

Arts

South San Francisco has many beautiful artworks in public places. The Linden Avenue Post Office features a mural painted in the 1930s by Victor Arnautoff. The Grand Avenue Library shows paintings and prints made by artists from the WPA, including Maurice Del Mue and Suzanne Scheuer.

The Cabot, Cabot and Forbes Tower, built in 1967, has a huge 92-foot-tall sculpture by Lucia and Aristides Demetrios. This special instrument, called an aeolian harp, makes music when the wind blows through it. The city also started collecting sculptures in 1984, and many can be seen in parks and public spaces. The South San Francisco BART station has murals showing old photos of the city and its people.

Government

South San Francisco is led by a group of five people called the City Council. One of these five people is chosen each year to be the Mayor. The other council members help make important decisions for the city. Each council member serves for four years.

Right now, the Mayor is Mark Addiego, and the other council members are Mark Nagales, James H. Coleman, Eddie Flores, and Buenaflor Nicolas. They work together with a city leader named Sharon Ranals to manage the city.

Services

South San Francisco has a Fire Department with five fire stations. Each station has different equipment to help keep the city safe. The Police Department helps with patrols, emergencies, traffic, and public safety. They work with other agencies for special tasks.

The city gets its water from the Hetch-Hetchy Project and other sources. Water and sewer services are managed by different departments and companies. Waste disposal is handled by a local company.

Education

South San Francisco has many schools. It is part of the South San Francisco Unified School District, which also helps students in nearby Daly City and San Bruno. The city has two main high schools: El Camino High School and South San Francisco High School. There are also three middle schools and several elementary schools.

There are some special schools too, and the city has a public library that is part of the bigger Peninsula Library System.

Neighborhoods

South San Francisco has a small downtown area and many neighborhoods west of Highway 101. These neighborhoods include Mayfair Village, Sunshine Gardens, Avalon Park, Winston Manor, West Winston Manor, and Rancho Buri Buri. East of Highway 101, the city has many industrial areas and modern office parks, especially near the Oyster Point Marina on San Francisco Bay. The western parts of the city near Interstate 280 sit on hillsides with beautiful views of San Francisco Bay. This area is called Westborough by local people. The southern part of the city, close to the airport, has many car repair shops, parking lots, and hotels.

Grand Avenue, between Spruce and Airport, is the downtown core with small shops and restaurants. It is home to Bronstein Music, a popular local music store since 1946. City Hall is also on Grand Avenue, which locals simply call “Grand.” Grand Avenue crosses Linden, a well-known street connecting San Bruno to Highway 101. Chestnut Avenue links Hillside to Westborough Blvd and the Westborough neighborhood.

Besides downtown, people in South San Francisco recognize many neighborhoods, including Avalon Park, Brentwood, Buri Buri, Cypress/Airport, East Side, El Camino, Francisco Terrace, Lindenville, Mayfair Village, Mission Road, Old Town, Orange Park, Oyster Point, Paradise Valley, Parkhaven, Pecks Lot, Serra Highlands, Sign Hill, Southwood, Sterling Terrace, Stonegate, Susie Way, Sunshine Gardens, Terrabay, Treasure Island, West Winston Manor, Westborough, West Park, and Winston Manor.

Students from Westborough and Buri Buri usually go to El Camino High School. Most students from Avalon, Brentwood, Sterling Terrace, and the East Side attend South San Francisco High School. These students also go to Westborough Middle School, Alta Loma Middle School, or Parkway Heights Middle School.

Nicknames

South San Francisco is often called “South City” because San Francisco is known as “The City.” It is also nicknamed “SSF.”

Recreation and places of interest

Sign Hill

Main article: South San Francisco hillside sign

South San Francisco has a special landmark called Sign Hill. This big sign on the mountainside spells out "SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO THE INDUSTRIAL CITY." It was painted in the 1920s and is an important historic site. Hikers can visit Sign Hill, which has trails and open spaces to explore.

City Hall and major public buildings

The city's City Hall is at 400 Grand Avenue. It looks like a famous building in Philadelphia. Many important city offices are here, and there are other buildings nearby that serve different purposes.

Other parks

South San Francisco has many parks with places to play sports, have picnics, and enjoy the outdoors. Some parks have swimming pools, playgrounds, and even skate parks. There is also a park by the water where people can watch boats and go fishing.

Other places of interest

The downtown area has old buildings from when the city was first built. There is a library, a museum, and many places to eat. Every year, some neighborhoods decorate their houses with bright lights for the holiday season, and people come from all over to see them. The city also has places to bowl, play sports, and even a golf club.

Transportation

South San Francisco is next to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). There is a BART station near El Camino High School that offers quick trips to SFO and cities like San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, Antioch, Berkeley, Concord, and Walnut Creek. BART works together with Caltrain trains that go between San Francisco and San Jose.

A ferry service started in 2012, connecting South San Francisco Ferry Terminal at Oyster Point Marina to Oakland and Alameda.

The city has free shuttles, including one that goes between the BART station and downtown, stopping at stores, libraries, and parks. There are also shuttles from the ferry terminal to office areas during commute hours.

Two major freeways, U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280, run through the city. It is also near El Camino Real and Skyline Boulevard.

LimeBike offers dockless bike rentals in the city.

Notable people

South San Francisco has been home to many interesting people from different fields. Some are known for their work in art, like painter Victor Arnautoff and photographer Oliver Gagliani. Others have made their mark in sports, such as MLB player Rich Bordi, NFL player Milford Hodge, and MMA fighter Josh Emmett.

The city has also been home to leaders and public figures, including politician Robert Bernardo and former Governor of Guam Carl Gutierrez. There are also notable figures in entertainment, like comedian Rex Navarrete and actor Kurt Yaeger. Each of these individuals has contributed in their own way to the community and beyond.

Sister cities

South San Francisco has five sister cities around the world. These cities are partners in friendship and cultural exchange. They include Atotonilco in Mexico, Kishiwada in Japan, Lucca in Italy, Pasig in the Philippines, and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France.