Where to Live in
Daly City

The 2026 Vibe Check: Daly City's Split Personality

Forget the fog jokes; the real story here is the Great Divide. Highway 1 is the fault line. South of it, you have the old guard—South City bleeding into Daly City, a fortress of 1950s ranch homes, massive yards, and families who’ve been here since the 80s. This is where the money is quietly parking itself for the school districts. North of Highway 1, the city is waking up. Thornton Avenue is the new frontline. You see it in the sleek, boxy duplexes replacing tired bungalows near Nicoletti Park, and the influx of younger tech workers priced out of San Francisco who don't mind the wind if the gig is right. The gentrification isn't a tsunami; it's a slow, creeping tide driven by the BART line. The "Serramonte" mega-center is still the commercial king, but the real action is in the pockets: new coffee shops fighting for space near John Daly Boulevard, and the dive bars on Mission Street filling up with a different crowd after 5 PM. Daly City in 2026 is no longer just "Gateway to the Peninsula"—it's becoming a destination for those who want a life, not just a commute.

The 2026 Shortlist

Westlake

• The Vibe: Suburban Ideal
• Rent Check: 15-20% above city average.
• The Good: This is the crown jewel. The Westlake District is a masterclass in mid-century planning. You've got the Westlake Daly City Shopping Center for essentials, but the real win is the proximity to Westlake Park (tennis courts, baseball fields) and the top-tier Westlake Elementary. The streets (Sullivan Ave, Clarinada Ave) are wide, sidewalks are clean, and the yards are actual yards, not patches of dirt. It’s arguably the most walkable area for daily errands.
• The Bad: Parking is a nightmare on Clarke Avenue during youth soccer season. You're also paying a premium for the privilege, and the homes need constant upkeep to fight the damp.
• Best For: Families who need space and the best public schools in the district.
• Insider Tip: Walk the loop around Lake Merced Park early on a Saturday morning; you'll see exactly who your neighbors are.

Thornton-Linden

• The Vibe: Up-and-Comer
• Rent Check: At city average.
• The Good: This is where the shift is happening. You're a 7-minute walk to BART (Thornton Station), making the SF commute a breeze. The Thornton Avenue strip is evolving—you have Gene’s Cafe for a solid breakfast and The Local Bar for a cheap beer. The housing stock is older, but that means character (and lower entry prices). You can actually find a duplex here with a bit of land.
• The Bad: It’s a transition zone. Some streets are pristine, others are still gritty. The noise from BART is real if you're on Linden Street. Street cleaning tickets are a way of life.
• Best For: Tech/Finance commuters who want a quick escape to the city but need a real apartment, not a shoebox.
• Insider Tip: Grab a coffee at Sunset Coffee Shop on Mission Street and watch the neighborhood wake up. It’s the local hub.

Serramonte

• The Vibe: Condo Kingdom
• Rent Check: 10% above city average.
• The Good: Pure convenience. You live inside the Serramonte Shopping Center ecosystem. Grocery at Nob Hill, clothes, movies, and Chipotle all without moving your car. The Serramonte Del Rey Park is a green jewel in a concrete landscape. The condos are modern, secure, and have amenities (pools, gyms) that older neighborhoods lack. The BART station is right there.
• The Bad: It feels sterile. You will hear the Highway 280 drone. It's a canyon of concrete and cars. Finding a quiet, tree-lined street is impossible here.
• Best For: The "I hate errands" crowd. Young professionals who value time over neighborhood character.
• Insider Tip: The best spot is the top floor of the Serramonte Garage at dusk for the view over the fog line.

St. Francis Heights

• The Vibe: Hillside Quiet
• Rent Check: 25%+ above city average.
• The Good: You’re above the fog line. The sun hits different here. The streets (St. Francis Blvd, Gellert Blvd) are winding and private. You get sweeping views of the San Andreas Reservoir and the hills. It’s dead silent at night. The St. Francis Heights Trail is your backyard for hiking. You're close to San Bruno for the Costco run but feel miles away from the density.
• The Bad: You are driving everywhere. There is no "walk to the corner store" here. The winding roads are a hazard for new drivers, and the wind can be relentless. Housing prices are astronomical.
• Best For: Established professionals or retirees who want the Hillside lifestyle without the San Mateo price tag.
• Insider Tip: The scenic pullout on St. Francis Boulevard near Hickey Boulevard offers the best night view of the city lights—locals only.

Strategic Recommendations

For Families: Westlake is the non-negotiable winner. The school district lines are golden here, and the community infrastructure (Westlake Park, community center) is maintained. You pay for it, but the resale value is bulletproof. St. Francis Heights is a close second if you have the budget and want the hillside privacy.

For Wall St / Tech: Thornton-Linden. If you're commuting into SF or down the Peninsula, the Thornton BART station access is the single most valuable asset. You save 30-45 minutes a day over someone driving from Westlake. The apartments are bigger for the price, and you can walk to a decent bar.

The Value Play: South of Mission Street (near Westlake Park border). This is the pocket that hasn't fully caught up yet. You're adjacent to the Westlake amenities and schools, but the housing stock is slightly smaller/older, meaning a lower buy-in. As the Thornton gentrification pushes south, this area will see the biggest jump in the next 3-5 years. Buy a fixer on Clarke Avenue now.