Where is South San Francisco, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is South San Francisco, California Located in the United States? - South San Francisco is a city located in the San Mateo County in California, United States. South San Francisco lies between 37.6547 Degrees North latitudes and -122.4077 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of South San Francisco, San Mateo, California

Where is South San Francisco Located in San Mateo, California

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

South San Francisco Map, California, USA

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

About South San Francisco, San Mateo County, California

South San Francisco 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 Bay Area region. The city was incorporated in 1908 and was named for its proximity to San Francisco, and it developed as an industrial center before becoming a major hub for biotechnology and research companies.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of South San Francisco is 66,105 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 7,600 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, South San Francisco covers a total area of approximately 30.2 square miles (about 78.2 square kilometers), including about 9.1 square miles (23.6 square kilometers) of land and 21.1 square miles (54.6 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

South San Francisco is situated south of San Bruno and north of Daly City, positioned along the western shoreline of San Francisco Bay. The city features a mix of residential neighborhoods, industrial districts, and hillside areas rising toward the Santa Cruz Mountains. U.S. Route 101 runs through the city, providing a major transportation route connecting South San Francisco to downtown San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Top Attractions

South San Francisco offers parks, cultural landmarks, and scenic viewpoints that support recreation and tourism. Popular destinations include Sign Hill Park, Orange Memorial Park, and the South San Francisco Conference Center. The city hosts community events and cultural programs that reflect its diverse population and economic role in the region.

Transportation

South San Francisco is served by U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280, offering convenient highway access throughout the Bay Area. Public transportation includes Caltrain commuter rail service and regional bus connections linking the city to surrounding communities. The nearest major airport is San Francisco International Airport, located approximately 3 miles to the south.

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 South San Francisco City Website.

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South San Francisco, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CitySouth San Francisco
CountySan Mateo County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States
Latitude37.6547° N
Longitude122.4077° W
Elevation36 ft (11 m)
Land Area (sq mi)9.20
Water Area (sq mi)1.01
Total Area (sq mi)10.21
Population (2020 Census)66,105
Population Density (per sq mi)7,185.3
ZIP Codes94080, 94083
Area Code650
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code0668254
Congressional District15th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in South San Francisco

Transportation FeatureDetails
Airport NameSan Francisco International Airport provides major domestic and international air service.
IATA CodeSFO
PortOyster Point Marina and nearby San Francisco Bay waterfront facilities provide maritime access.
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 101, Interstate 280, and Interstate 380
Train/Amtrak ServiceCaltrain and BART provide regional rail connections.
Local Bus/Transit ServiceSamTrans, BART, and local shuttle services provide public transportation.
  • South San Francisco is located on the San Francisco Peninsula in San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco.
  • U.S. Route 101 provides direct access to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco International Airport.
  • BART and Caltrain provide regional transit connections throughout the Bay Area.
  • The city is known as a major biotechnology and life sciences center. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Top Places to Visit in South San Francisco, California

Landmark NameType
Sign HillHistoric Park and Hiking Area
Oyster Point MarinaWaterfront Recreation Area
Orange Memorial ParkCommunity Park
Oyster Point ParkBayfront Park
South San Francisco Historical Society MuseumHistory Museum
Grand Avenue Historic DistrictHistoric District
Centennial Way TrailWalking and Cycling Trail
San Bruno Mountain State ParkNatural Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
K1 Speed San FranciscoIndoor Recreation Attraction

Driving Distances from South San Francisco, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
San FranciscoCalifornia1020 min
Daly CityCalifornia715 min
San MateoCalifornia1015 min
BurlingameCalifornia815 min
Redwood CityCalifornia2030 min
Palo AltoCalifornia3545 min
OaklandCalifornia2540 min
San JoseCalifornia4555 min
SacramentoCalifornia951 hr 45 min
MontereyCalifornia1102 hr

Colleges and Universities near South San Francisco, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
College of San MateoPublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, transfer programs, and career education
University of San FranciscoPrivateUniversityBusiness, sciences, law, and professional programs
San Francisco State UniversityPublicUniversityArts, business, education, and research programs
Stanford UniversityPrivateUniversityResearch, technology, medicine, and innovation programs

Waterbodies in South San Francisco, California

San Francisco Bay, Colma Creek, Oyster Point waterfront, and nearby Bay Area waterways

Golf Courses near South San Francisco, California

San Bruno Golf Center, Olympic Club Golf Course, Sharp Park Golf Course, and nearby San Mateo County golf facilities

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in South San Francisco, California

Landmark NameType
Sign HillHistoric Park and Hiking Area
Oyster Point MarinaWaterfront Recreation Area
Orange Memorial ParkCommunity Park
Oyster Point ParkBayfront Park
South San Francisco Historical Society MuseumHistory Museum
Grand Avenue Historic DistrictHistoric District
Centennial Way TrailWalking and Cycling Trail
San Bruno Mountain State ParkNatural Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
Point San BrunoCoastal Landmark

Waterbodies in South San Francisco, California

San Francisco Bay, Colma Creek, Oyster Point waterfront, and nearby Bay Area waterways

Golf Courses near South San Francisco, California

San Bruno Golf Center, Olympic Club Golf Course, Sharp Park Golf Course, and nearby San Mateo County golf facilities

South San Francisco, California — Key Historical Facts

  • South San Francisco was originally part of the Rancho Buri Buri land area during California's Spanish and Mexican periods.
  • The city developed as an industrial community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • South San Francisco was incorporated as a city in 1908 and became known as the "Birthplace of Biotechnology."
  • The city grew around manufacturing, shipping, and later life sciences industries.
  • South San Francisco remains a major biotechnology hub with a strong connection to the San Francisco Bay Area economy.

References

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