|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Diverse eateries, fun arts and craft stores and stylish clothing shops fill the streets of downtown San Carlos. The neighborhood has a distinct blend of new and long-standing storefronts that welcome locals and visitors alike.
You can grab a cup of coffee made from freshly roasted beans, browse a historic museum and shop for unique gifts and goods, all within a short walking distance. Downtown is easily accessible from two major thoroughfares, El Camino Real and Highway 101, and via public transit.
This year marks the city’s centennial, and the city has celebrated with special events throughout 2025 (a “Centennial Wrapped” movie night will close out the festivities on Nov. 15.) As part of the centennial, visitors will also find a series of historical markers around town explaining historic sites and landmarks.
While San Carlos has been celebrating its history, the city is also planning for the future of its downtown. In 2023, the City Council adopted an ordinance to permanently close the 700 block of Laurel Street to create a pedestrian mall, and earlier this year the council adopted the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan to create new plazas, seating areas and other expanded public amenities downtown.
Nature and history
Drake building and San Carlos Caltrain station: This prominent intersection at San Carlos Avenue and El Camino Real is home to two historic structures: the Drake building, constructed in 1929 and named for city booster Fred Drake, and the San Carlos Caltrain station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Built in the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style, the train depot was constructed for the Southern Pacific Railroad with the help of Leland Stanford, who provided excess sandstone when Stanford University was being built in the late 1880s, according to Caltrain.
Drake building, El Camino Real at San Carlos Avenue; San Carlos Caltrain station, 599 El Camino Real.
Laureola Park: Two blocks away from downtown lies a park with plenty of amenities. Visitors can enjoy the park’s athletic fields, playground, picnic tables and splash pad. Laureola is owned by the city, and residents can contact the San Carlos Parks and Recreation Office to reserve its facilities.
Laureola Park, 503 Old County Road; 650-802-4282. Open Sunday to Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Museum of San Carlos History: San Carlos’ historical milestones are all recorded at the museum. Exhibits include a look back at antique pottery, electronics and vehicles. The building the museum is housed in was the city’s first firehouse, and the 1927 Seagrave fire engine at the museum pays tribute to that history.
Museum of San Carlos History, 533 Laurel St.; 650-802-4354. Open Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and weekdays by appointment.
Harrington Park: Harrington Park is a resting spot with a picnic area for families and shoppers on Laurel Street. Formerly Laurel Street Park, the small park was renamed in 2015 to honor Frank Harrington, a prominent San Carlos community member who died in 2014.
Harrington Park, 753 Laurel St.; 650-802-4382. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Food and drinks
Blue Line Pizza: Award-winning New York-style and deep-dish pizzas are dished out at Blue Line, with combos ranging from wild mushroom and white truffle oil to the Tipsy Pig with marinated pork, tequila lime crema, red onion, cilantro and fresh jalapeno. The restaurant also has vegan, gluten-free or cauliflower crust options. Blue Line has multiple pizzerias in Silicon Valley, including Burlingame, Los Gatos, Daly City, Mountain View and Campbell.
Blue Line Pizza, 1201 San Carlos Ave.; 650-610-0200, Instagram: @bluelinepizza. Open Sunday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Town: Town is known for its regional American cuisine, from various cuts of steak and burgers to fresh seafood and wood-fired rotisserie chicken. There’s also a wide selection of handcrafted cocktails, wine and beer. The restaurant is located in the historic Tivoli building, which was formerly home to a theater. Town is part of Avenir Restaurant Group, which also includes Nola, Alpine Inn and Milagros.
Town San Carlos, 716 Laurel St.; 650-595-3003, Instagram: @townsancarlos. Open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Grand Bazaar Foods: This family-owned grocery store is flowing with Turkish and Mediterranean food items. Customers can find delicacies like Turkish delight and Turkish coffee alongside produce and bakery items.
Grand Bazaar Foods, 751 Laurel St.; 650-412-0356, Instagram: @grandbazaarfoods. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saffron: Elegant Indian dishes are served at Saffron, including popular entrees like chicken tikka masala and daal makhani. This family-owned restaurant is heralded in the Michelin Guide as “stylish, breezy, and inviting.” Husband-and-wife owners Ajay Walia and Reena Miglani are also behind Rasa, an upscale Burlingame Indian restaurant that was awarded a Michelin star in 2016, and the Mediterranean eatery Amara in Belmont.
Saffron, 1143 San Carlos Ave.; 650-593-4269, Instagram: @saffron_restaurants. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.
The Olive Crush: High-quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars stock the shelves of The Olive Crush. The shop opened in San Carlos in 2009, and it also has an online shop that ships goods nationwide. Gift sets can also be purchased or customized. The Olive Crush has another location in Half Moon Bay.
The Olive Crush, 653 Laurel St.; 650-533-1189. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Molly O’s: This cozy Irish pub is pouring pints of Guinness and plating iconic Irish and British food, including traditional fare like bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage and fish and chips. They also serve a range of sandwiches, burgers, soups, breakfast plates and more. Events are regularly held at the pub ranging from live music to Premier League watch parties. Molly O’s has a sister restaurant, Fiddlers Green in Millbrae.
Molly O’s, 1163 San Carlos Ave.; 650-486-1370, Instagram: @mollyos_sancarlos. Open Monday from 4-11 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Elia: Zesty and seasonal Greek cuisine is offered at Elia. The restaurant has brunch, lunch and dinner menus with a variety of dishes, including Greek classics like moussaka, meat and seafood entrees and a wide range of appetizers. Elia has additional locations in Pleasanton and Walnut Creek.
Elia, 727 Laurel St.; 650-674-6000, Instagram: @eliaresturants. Open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Rangoon Ruby Burmese Cuisine: The restaurant is heavily influenced by a mix of Indian, Thai and Chinese cooking. Its must-try dishes include its curries, tea leaf salad and noodle dishes. Rangoon Ruby also has a Palo Alto location.
Rangoon Ruby Burmese Cuisine, 680 Laurel St.; 650-592-1852, Instagram: @rangoon_ruby. Open Monday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m., Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m.
Coffee, tea and desserts
Plantation Coffee Roastery: At this surf-themed shop, customers can order a mix of coffee drinks, food and dessert items. The store has been in business since 1981 and has become a staple for San Carlos residents. Coffee bean blends include their popular house blend, Mocha Java and flavored beans, which are available in half-pound and 1 pound bags.
Plantation Coffee Roastery, 784 Laurel St.; 650-592-3710. Open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gelataio: Handcrafted gelatos await customers inside the Gelataio store. Beloved flavors include chocolate hazelnut, pistachio, stracciatella and cookies and cream.
Gelataio, 644 Laurel St.; 650-799-5920, Instagram: @gelataiosancarlos. Open Sunday to Thursday from noon to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 10:30 p.m.
Orchid Room: Known as an old-school hangout spot, Orchid has a variety of activities for patrons to enjoy while they drink. The bar has a shuffleboard, jukebox and pool table, and it serves cheap beers and strong cocktails.
Orchid Room, 678 Laurel St.; 650-592-7696. Open Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m, Tuesday to Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Groovy Goose Coffee: The smell of fresh coffee and roasted coffee beans fills the air at Groovy Goose. This specialty coffee shop opened in 2023 and its owners are married couple Nathan and Siera Conte, who named the store after their son’s nickname, Goose. The shop roasts single-origin coffee from countries like Costa Rica and Ethiopia and has a full range of espresso-based drinks plus non-coffee beverages, pastries and sandwiches.
Groovy Goose Coffee, 1221 San Carlos Ave.; 650-486-0522, Instagram: @groovygoosecoffee. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tea Hut: This popular boba shop offers milk tea alongside other flavored tea drinks. Tea Hut is best known for its mochi drinks, which feature a stick of chewy mochi on top of creamy tea. The store has additional locations in San Francisco and Millbrae.
Tea Hut, 711 Laurel St.; 650-412-4273, Instagram: @teahutsf. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Susie Cakes: Cupcakes, cakes and cookies can be found at Susie Cakes. The bakery also offers custom cakes for weddings, baby showers and other special occasions. Popular desserts include their celebration cake and seasonal whoopie pie.
Susie Cakes, 649 Laurel St.; 650-282-2253, Instagram: @susiecakesbakery. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Arts and entertainment
San Carlos Library: A fixture in San Carlos, the library is a place for adults and children alike to read and socialize. Visitors can explore resources and partake in author readings, storytimes and other activities. Upcoming events include everything from craft workshops and tech tutor drop-ins to book club gatherings.
San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St.; 650-591-0341. Open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Art Villain Gallery and Consignment: A wide collection of assemblages, mixed media and paintings live at Art Villain. The gallery is owned by local artist Michael Standefer and opened earlier this year. The works have steampunk and Victorian-era influences.
Art Villain Gallery and Consignment, 780 Laurel St.; 650-622-4923, Instagram: @artvilliangallery. Open Monday to Wednesday by appointment, Thursday to Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment.
Laurel Street Arts: This craft studio offers customizable crafting projects, including pottery painting, mosaics and glass fusing. Laurel Street Arts is a popular local destination for birthday parties, team-building activities and art classes.
Laurel Street Arts, 733 Laurel St.; 650-591-1005; Instagram: @laurelstreetarts. Open Tuesday from 2-6 p.m., Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Lark Artisan Store: Dozens of locally made items are available for purchase at Lark. The store sells everything from bags and jewelry to art and candles. Lark also offers arts and craft workshops at its downtown location during the summer.
Lark Artisan Store, 641 Laurel St.; 650-274-6056, Instagram: @larksancarlos. Open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shopping
Society Skateshop: Whether you’re looking to purchase a sick skateboard or take skateboarding lessons, Society has it all. The store also sells shoes and apparel and offers skateboarding-themed camps, birthday parties and art programs for all ages.
Society Skateshop, 625 Laurel St.; 650-596-8182, Instagram: @societyskateshop. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Unseen. Clothing and Things: Carrying a selection of hand-picked fashion labels, accessories and home goods, the boutique’s wares come in small batches and are limited in quantity. Its brands are ethically produced with a focus on sustainable materials. The store offers delivery to surrounding Peninsula cities.
Unseen. Clothing and Things, 791 Laurel St.; 650-766-8722, Instagram: @unseen.clothingandthings. Open Sunday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nordic Nest: Soft, colorful yarns line the walls of the Nordic Nest knitting store, which started as a gift shop before shifting its focus to selling yarn and knitting products. It carries popular brands found in Norway and Scandinavia. Owner Anette Grøstad also offers knitting and crocheting classes for beginners and children, and the store has a free open knit/craft night Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. (participants must bring their own yarn.)
Nordic Nest, 781 Laurel St.; 650-592-5500, Instagram: @shopnordicnest. Open Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Reading Bug: Children of all ages are welcomed into the independent bookstore, which offers a diverse collection of children’s books, gifts and toys. The store hosts storytimes, book clubs and the occasional author visit. Reading Bug opened in 2008, intending to serve as a memorable space for local kids to read and socialize.
The Reading Bug, 785 Laurel St.; 650-591-0100; Instagram: @thereadingbug. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Graffeo Leather Collection: This downtown leather goods store sells a plethora of bags, accessories and apparel. Graffeo has been in business since 1975.
Graffeo Leather Collection, 661 Laurel St.; 650-595-3090, Instagram: @graffeoleather. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Around the corner
Nursel Central Asian and Russian Cuisine: As one of the few Kyrgyz restaurants in the Bay Area, Nursel dishes out a mix of Eastern European and Asian-style foods. Familiar meals include manty, steamed dumplings with meat, chicken stroganoff and borscht, a beet stew. The restaurant opened in 2021 and has a ghost kitchen in San Francisco.
Nursel Central Asian and Russian Cuisine, 601 Old County Road; 650-226-5163, Instagram: @nursel_cuisine. Open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Noelani’s Island Grill: Serving a tasty fusion of Hawaiian and Asian food, Noelani’s brings island ambiance and spirit to San Carlos. Some of their popular menu items include poke nachos, Hawaiian short ribs and fish tacos. They also have happy hour specials from 3-5 p.m. and serve an all-day Sunday brunch. Expect live music Friday and Saturday nights and during Sunday brunch.
Noelani’s Island Grill, 1037 Laurel St.; 844-534-0273, Instagram: @noelanisislandgrill. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Birder’s Garden: From specialty seeds to nesting boxes to feeding stations, Birder’s Garden sells everything locals need to take care of their winged companions. The store has been around for more than 25 years, and its trained staff can offer expert bird advice. Birder’s Garden also sells clothing, jewelry, books and gifts.
Birder’s Garden, 926 El Camino Real; 650-595-0300. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Antiques Unlimited: Filled with unique furniture, art glass and appliances, the store claims to sell the finest selection of antiques and collectibles in the Bay Area. Shoppers can also find antique telephones, lighting and jewelry.
Antiques Unlimited, 1128 El Camino Real; 650-631-1600. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reach & Teach: This hands-on independent bookstore is stocked with books, toyz, board games, eco-friendly products and handcrafted gifts from around the world. Its products focus on “peacemaking, gender equality, diversity, and sustainable living,” according to the store’s website.
Reach & Teach, 1179 San Carlos Ave.; 650-759-3784, Instagram: @reachandteach1. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Charged with child sex abuse, East Palo Alto employee gets character reference from council memberFebruary 23, 2026 2:08 pm