San Francisco is one of the busiest and most crowded cities in the US. With hundreds of thousands of people in its population, it can get overwhelming at times. That's why more and more people are moving to the suburbs of San Francisco. These are neighborhoods—some are even full-on cities!—that are more peaceful than the city's central districts. Places like Mountain View, Albany, Pleasanton, Richmond, and even Walnut Creek are perfect for raising a family near the bustling metropolis. Some are a fair distance away and more rural, but still near enough that you'll get to the city in no time.
Albany
Albany consistently ranks among the best suburbs in the Bay Area. Located across the bay from the
central neighborhoods of San Francisco, it's the most family-friendly town near the city. For one thing, it has low crime rates, making it perfect for families to settle down on this side of the West Coast. It also helps that the area is near many top schools, both local and international, private and public. Your little ones are assured of proper, high-quality education here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Clarkiarubicunda
Berkeley
While Berkeley is technically an entirely separate city, it's near enough to San Francisco that it's widely considered a suburb of the bigger metropolis. This fabulously walkable city is best known for the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), one of the most prestigious higher educational institutions on the West Coast. It also serves as the driving economic force in the city, making it a congregation of students, professors, scholars, and more. This alone makes it a safer alternative to San Francisco, as well as a great place to meet new people, discover new ideas, and more.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Sharon Hahn Darlin
Foster City
Much like Berkeley, Foster City is technically a different city from San Francisco, but its proximity still makes it a suburb of the latter. At the same time, the town is also technically part of Silicon Valley, which draws in young professionals. With so many companies headquartered here, this is one of the best places for young adults to start their careers and begin a new life on the West Coast. If
moving to San Francisco sounds too much for you, consider settling down here instead!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ King of Hearts
Los Altos Hills
If you thought that Beverly Hills was the only affluent area in California, think again! Los Altos Hills is also one of the wealthiest towns near San Francisco. Beautiful wineries and high-class ranches reign supreme here, as well as a few tech giants who prefer to live in a more rural-like city than an urban metropolis. The place also boasts some of the most
luxurious homes in California, especially lavish mansions that have private pools, home gyms, and other amazing amenities.
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Mountain View
Despite how rural this town's name sounds, Mountain View isn't part of the
American Countryside. Instead, it's a vibrant city in Silicon Valley, located only 37 miles from San Francisco. Though the place itself is pretty green with all the luscious trees and beautiful parks around, it's still pretty urban. There are still beautiful mountain views from here, but the town itself is still very much a bustling metropolis. Even more so with companies like Google, Apple, and more operating here too.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ CarmenEsparzaAmoux
Palo Alto
Palo Alto is known for two things. Firstly, this is where the prestigious Stanford University is located. It's one of the very few schools that could rival the iconic Ivy League colleges on the East Coast. Secondly, Palo Alto is also known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley.” Many of the tech giants that dominate the digital landscape today got their start here, many of which still even operate in town as well. Hence, the city is perfect for young adults who want to work in such companies and live a fairly peaceful lifestyle at the same time.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ King of Hearts
Piedmont
Not to be confused with the beautiful Italian region of the same name, Piedmont is a small town near the Bay Area. It's technically a different city from San Francisco, but it's near enough that it's widely considered a suburb of the bigger metropolis. Peace defines this largely underrated area on the West Coast, especially since it consistently ranks among the safest cities in California. The town's largely residential vibe and almost other-worldly silence are a stark contrast to the bustling energy and mid-to-high
crime rates of San Francisco.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Sanfranman59
Pleasanton
True to its name, Pleasanton really is a pleasant place to live. Located only 40 miles from San Francisco, it's a lovely, peaceful, and impressively green town in Alameda County. The city itself looks and feels like a small town with home-borne shops and little to no big buildings. The area is also close to California's most beautiful mountain ranges, lakes, and the like. If you're the type to often go camping and escape the rest of the world, this is the place for you!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Nk
Richmond
The Richmond District is perhaps the only neighborhood on this list that's actually in San Francisco. Best known as one of the finest residential areas in the city, it's still very much a suburb with its legions of Victorian homes, local shops, and more. It's also notorious for the frequent fogs that descend here, but they don't cause that much trouble. And of course, the neighborhood is close to the city center, making it one of the best places for families to live in San Francisco.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Cary Bass-Deschenes.j
Walnut Creek
Finally, there's Walnut Creek, another smaller city located only 26 miles away from San Francisco. Its proximity makes it possible for various parents to raise their kids here while driving to and from the city every day for work. As a suburb, it maintains a nice balance between an urban town and a residential district, making it perfect for everyone. Whether you're a young professional, a married couple, or a family with little kids, you'll feel right at home in Walnut Creek.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ FASTILY
Check out the best suburbs in San Francisco, a variety of districts and towns that are not too far from the city center. Living amidst the hustle and bustle of a massive metropolis can get a bit too much at times, so the best alternative is to settle down in any of these places.
