Where is San Carlos, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: March 05, 2026, 14:55 ET

Where is San Carlos, California Located in the United States? - San Carlos is a city located in the San Mateo County in California, United States. San Carlos lies between 37.5072 Degrees North latitudes and -122.2605 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of San Carlos, San Mateo, California

Where is San Carlos Located in San Mateo, California

About Map: The map shows the location of San Carlos in San Mateo County, in the U.S. state of California.

San Carlos Map, California, USA

About San Carlos Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About San Carlos, San Mateo County, California

San Carlos is located in San Mateo County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the northern part of the state in the state of the United States along the San Francisco Peninsula within the San Francisco Bay Area. The city was incorporated in 1925 and was named after Rancho San Carlos, a historic Spanish land grant in the region, and it developed from a small agricultural community into a suburban residential city.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of San Carlos is 32,280 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 5,800 people per square mile.

Area and Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, San Carlos covers a total area of approximately 5.6 square miles (about 14.5 square kilometers), including about 5.6 square miles (14.5 square kilometers) of land and a minimal amount of water area.

Location and Surroundings

San Carlos is situated south of Belmont and north of Redwood City, positioned along the western shoreline of the San Francisco Bay on the San Mateo Peninsula. The city features residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and nearby hills that rise toward the Santa Cruz Mountains. U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280 provide major transportation routes connecting San Carlos to surrounding communities across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Attractions and Recreation

San Carlos offers parks, cultural venues, and outdoor recreation areas that support tourism and community activities. Popular destinations include Burton Park, the Hiller Aviation Museum, and the scenic trails of Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve nearby. The city hosts farmers markets, art events, and community festivals throughout the year.

Transportation

San Carlos is served by U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280, offering convenient highway access throughout San Mateo County and the San Francisco Bay Area. Public transportation includes Caltrain commuter rail and regional bus services connecting the city to surrounding communities. The nearest major airport is San Francisco International Airport, located approximately 10 miles to the north.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official San Carlos City Website.

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  • San Carlos City Facts

    CitySan Carlos
    StateCalifornia
    CountySan Mateo County
    CountryUnited States
    RegionSan Francisco Bay Area - Peninsula
    IncorporatedJuly 1, 1925
    Founded1850s settlement
    Total AreaApproximately 5.5 sq mi (14.2 km2)
    Land AreaApproximately 5.5 sq mi (14.2 km2)
    ElevationApproximately 30 ft (9 m)
    Population (2023 estimate)Approximately 31,000+
    Population (2020 Census)30,590
    Population DensityApproximately 5,600 people per sq mi
    Time ZonePacific Time (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST)
    ZIP Codes94070
    Area Code650
    Major HighwaysU.S. Route 101, Interstate 280
    Public TransitCaltrain, SamTrans Bus
    Major AttractionsHiller Aviation Museum, Burton Park, San Carlos Museum of History
    Official Websitehttps://www.cityofsancarlos.org/

    Distance from San Carlos City, CA to Nearby Cities

    • Redwood City, CA – 4 miles (6 km)
    • Belmont, CA – 2 miles (3 km)
    • San Mateo, CA – 7 miles (11 km)
    • Foster City, CA – 6 miles (10 km)
    • Burlingame, CA – 10 miles (16 km)
    • Millbrae, CA – 12 miles (19 km)
    • San Bruno, CA – 14 miles (23 km)
    • Menlo Park, CA – 8 miles (13 km)
    • Palo Alto, CA – 10 miles (16 km)
    • Mountain View, CA – 15 miles (24 km)
    • Sunnyvale, CA – 18 miles (29 km)
    • Santa Clara, CA – 22 miles (35 km)
    • San Jose, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
    • Daly City, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
    • San Francisco, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
    • Oakland, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
    • Berkeley, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
    • Hayward, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
    • Fremont, CA – 28 miles (45 km)
    • Union City, CA – 30 miles (48 km)

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