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San Carlos is one of the smaller cities on the mid-Peninsula, with about 31,000 residents between Redwood City and Belmont. Its motto is "City of Good Living," and that sums it up. It is mostly hillside and flatland neighborhoods, with a short and friendly downtown on Laurel Street and an old stone train depot.
For visitors from Palo Alto, the big draw is the Hiller Aviation Museum at the San Carlos Airport. It is one of the best family outings within half an hour of Stanford. Add lunch on Laurel Street or the Sunday farmers market and you have an easy half day. This guide covers distances, transit, the main areas, events and what else is worth your time.
Where San Carlos is and how far
San Carlos is in San Mateo County, directly north of Redwood City and south of Belmont. It stretches from the bay marshes east of Highway 101, where the airport sits, west across El Camino Real into the hills toward Interstate 280. Downtown sits just west of El Camino Real and the Caltrain tracks.
From downtown Palo Alto to Laurel Street is about 10 miles. Outside rush hour that is roughly 20 minutes by car.
Getting there from Palo Alto
Caltrain
The San Carlos station sits beside downtown, a short walk from Laurel Street. Caltrain's fare table puts San Carlos in zone 2, so from Palo Alto in zone 3 it is a two-zone fare: $6.25 in October 2026, rising to $6.50 on January 1, 2027. Not every train stops in San Carlos, so check the timetable. Our Caltrain guide covers tickets and parking.
The station itself is worth a look. The original 1888 depot was built of Almaden sandstone in the Richardsonian Romanesque style and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Electric trains have served it since Caltrain's electrification in 2024.
Car
Highway 101 is fastest for the Hiller museum and the airport, since both are east of the freeway. El Camino Real works well for downtown and passes through Menlo Park, Atherton and Redwood City on the way. Interstate 280 serves the hill neighborhoods.
Bus
San Carlos is on the San Mateo County side of the creek, so buses are run by SamTrans rather than VTA. SamTrans buses run along El Camino Real from the Palo Alto Transit Center through Redwood City to San Carlos.
What San Carlos is known for
The Lamchin people lived here before the Spanish arrived in 1769. The land later became part of Rancho de las Pulgas, held by the Argüello family. The railroad came through in 1863 and the station opened in 1888. Developers picked the name San Carlos after other proposals were dropped and the city incorporated on July 8, 1925. It marked its centennial in 2025.
During World War II, the Army ran a War Dog Reception and Training Center in San Carlos. About 4,500 dogs trained there. Electronics manufacturing arrived in 1944 and San Carlos became an early center of the industry that later spread down the valley. Litton Engineering Laboratories, founded in 1932, was one early example. Today biotech and software companies have offices here and the city's 2022 financial report named the genetic testing firm Natera as its largest employer. For the wider story, see our Silicon Valley history.
The Hiller Aviation Museum
The Hiller Aviation Museum at 601 Skyway Road opened on June 5, 1998. It was founded by Stanley Hiller Jr., the helicopter pioneer, who began collecting aircraft in the late 1960s. The museum sits beside the runway at the San Carlos Airport. Admission is about $22 to $23 for adults; check the museum's site. Our Hiller Aviation Museum guide has more on tickets and exhibits.
The collection fills a large hangar and a mezzanine reached by elevator. Highlights include:
- The nose section and flight deck of a retired Boeing 747, one of the most popular stops.
- Hiller helicopters, including the Hiller 360 and the OH-23 Raven.
- Experimental aircraft such as the NASA AD-1 oblique wing plane and the Lockheed YO-3 Quiet Star.
- Replicas of the Wright Flyer and SpaceShipOne.
- Flight simulators and a vintage Link Trainer.
The museum lists hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closing on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. In late October 2026 its site listed adult admission at $23 at the door ($24 online) and $15 for seniors 65 and up and youths 4 to 17 ($16 online). Children 3 and under are free with a paid adult. Parking is free. Allow two to three hours. Our museums for kids guide compares it with options closer to home.
Hiller runs a busy event calendar. Its Halloween Haunted Hangar ran October 23 to 31, 2026, ending with a Pumpkin Drop on the morning of October 31. Holiday and school break programs follow, so check its calendar.
The main areas
Laurel Street
Downtown San Carlos runs along Laurel Street for several blocks between Cherry Street and San Carlos Avenue, one block west of El Camino Real. It is a classic small main street with restaurants, cafes, bakeries, salons and independent shops. Frank D. Harrington Park sits along it, with the sculpture "Balancing Act" by James Moore out front. Locals often dress the figure up for holidays. The city has an active downtown revitalization program, so expect some construction and changes.
The airport and bayfront
East of Highway 101 is the San Carlos Airport, a general aviation field run by San Mateo County, plus the Hiller museum and business parks. Watching small planes here is a lot like the Palo Alto version described in our Palo Alto Airport page.
The hills
West of El Camino Real, San Carlos climbs into wooded residential hills with views of the bay. Streets are steep and winding and there are few shops.
Parks, shopping and food
- Burton Park: The city's largest park and home of Hometown Days in May.
- Highlands Park: Built on former high school fields, busy with youth sports.
- Edgewood Park: Just across the city line, this county park is famous for spring wildflowers. See our Edgewood Park guide.
For food, Laurel Street covers most cravings within a few blocks: Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Italian, burgers and coffee. San Carlos is not a shopping destination, but Laurel Street has gift shops and boutiques for browsing and El Camino Real has grocery stores and everyday chains. For an overnight stay, compare mid-Peninsula hotels in San Carlos, Redwood City and San Mateo.
Events
- San Carlos Farmers' Market: The city lists it on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Laurel Street between Cherry Street and San Carlos Avenue, run by the Urban Village Farmers' Market Association. The city page does not give its season. Our farmers market guide covers the Palo Alto markets.
- Hometown Days: A carnival held each May in Burton Park.
- Art and Wine Faire: A Chamber of Commerce street fair held in October.
- Seasonal downtown events: In late October 2026 the city listed a Diwali celebration downtown on October 28 and a Goblin Walk on October 30.
Check the city calendar for current dates.
Why a Palo Alto visitor might go
- Aviation. Hiller is the best aircraft museum on the Peninsula and a favorite rainy day outing.
- A small-town lunch. Laurel Street is calmer than University Avenue and easy to reach by train.
- A Sunday market. The Laurel Street market makes a good pairing with a museum visit.
- History. The sandstone depot is one of the most handsome stations on the line.
Good to know
- The Hiller museum is across Highway 101 from downtown. It is a long walk from the station, so most people drive or take a rideshare.
- Hiller sometimes closes or changes hours for private events. Check its calendar before a long drive.
- San Carlos is a two-zone Caltrain fare from Palo Alto, more than a trip to Menlo Park or Mountain View.
- On Sunday mornings the farmers market fills part of Laurel Street, so allow extra time to park.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Hiller Aviation Museum?
Expect about $22 to $23 for adults; check the museum's site. In late October 2026 its visit page listed $22 for adults and $14 for seniors and youths 5 to 17, while door prices were reported as $23 and $15. Children 3 and under are free with a paid adult. Members and active military are free.
Is the Hiller Aviation Museum open every day?
The museum lists hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It closes on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and sometimes changes hours for private events. Parking in its lots is free.
How do I get to San Carlos from Palo Alto?
Caltrain is easiest for downtown. The San Carlos station is a short walk from Laurel Street and the ride is a two-zone fare. By car, take Highway 101 or El Camino Real north for about 20 minutes outside rush hour. The Hiller museum is east of Highway 101 at the airport, so drive or take a rideshare there.
When is the San Carlos farmers market?
The city lists the San Carlos Farmers' Market on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Laurel Street between Cherry Street and San Carlos Avenue. It is run by the Urban Village Farmers' Market Association. The city page does not give the season, so check before you go in winter.
Why is San Carlos called the City of Good Living?
It is the city's official motto. San Carlos is a mostly residential city of about 31,000 people with a compact downtown, hillside neighborhoods and a strong local business base. The motto appears on city signs and materials.