Walkable Burlingame: Broadway vs Downtown Explained

Choosing between Burlingame Avenue and Broadway can feel like picking your favorite coffee shop on a sunny Saturday. Both are charming, walkable, and close to everything, yet they offer different rhythms to daily life. If you want help deciding which street fits your lifestyle, this guide breaks down walkability, transit, housing, parking, and day-to-day feel in clear terms. By the end, you’ll know where you belong and what to test on your next tour. Let’s dive in.

Where each district sits

Burlingame’s two walkable hearts are close but distinct.

• Downtown Burlingame centers on Burlingame Avenue near Washington Park and the main Caltrain station. The Downtown Business Improvement District maps parking, shuttles, and access on its Getting Here page.
• Broadway Burlingame is a compact, five-block corridor of shops and services. The Broadway BID introduces the district on the official Broadway site.

Walkability at a glance

Downtown: walker’s paradise

If you want to live car-light, downtown makes it easy. Many Burlingame Avenue blocks post Walk Scores in the high 90s, which means most errands can be done on foot. See a representative snapshot on the Downtown Burlingame neighborhood profile.

Broadway: walkable, block by block

Broadway is very walkable for daily errands, though scores vary more by block than downtown. The core retail stretch is compact and convenient, with groceries, casual dining, and services grouped together. Expect a friendly, small-town feel and quick access to everyday needs.

Transit and airport access

Caltrain service today

Downtown residents typically walk to the main Burlingame Caltrain station for weekday service to San Francisco and the Peninsula. The Broadway station currently offers weekend-only service, so weekday commuters near Broadway often use the Burlingame station, a shuttle, or a short rideshare hop.

Broadway project in progress

Caltrain and the City are advancing a Broadway grade-separation and station reconstruction to improve safety and operations. The project page notes design and environmental work are complete, with construction timing and weekday-service restoration dependent on funding and final schedule. If you plan to live near Broadway, expect periods of construction activity before long-term benefits arrive.

Bus and SFO connections

SamTrans Route 292 links Burlingame to San Francisco and SFO, offering a budget-friendly airport option. Check the Route 292 schedule before you fly. Millbrae, one stop south by Caltrain, connects to BART for regional trips.

Housing and price context

What you’ll find downtown

Downtown tends to offer condos and apartments in low- to mid-rise buildings, including some newer luxury options alongside established communities. It is popular with buyers who value convenience, minimal maintenance, and a lively street scene over larger yards.

What you’ll find around Broadway

Broadway’s storefronts and mixed-use buildings are generally smaller scale, with upstairs flats over shops. Just beyond the corridor you’ll find tree-lined single-family neighborhoods that appeal to buyers who want quick access to Broadway’s amenities with a detached home lifestyle.

Price ranges to expect

Burlingame is a high-cost market. Citywide indices vary by source and month. As of early 2026, Zillow’s city typical value was about $2.56M (data through Jan 31, 2026), while Redfin reported a median sale price near $1.5M in Jan 2026. Downtown’s condo-heavy mix often lists around the low-to-mid seven figures, while nearby single-family homes can reach the multi-million range. Always confirm current pricing for your specific property type right before you shop.

Lifestyle: dining, parks, and events

Downtown Burlingame vibe

Think boutique shopping, curated restaurants, and frequent community events. The Downtown BID highlights seasonal happenings like Fall Fest and the Wine Walk on its events blog. Washington Park sits nearby for quick green space, and the new mobility hub improves first-and-last-mile connections for easy downtown living.

Broadway Burlingame vibe

Broadway reads as small-town charm. You’ll find locally owned services, family-friendly dining, breakfast and lunch spots, banks, salons, and neighborhood necessities along a compact strip. It also serves visitors from nearby hotels and SFO, but the day-to-day experience stays neighborly. Learn more on the Broadway BID site.

Parking and getting around

• Downtown: Expect public lots, time limits, and paid parking in peak areas. The BID outlines options and trolley connections on the Getting Here page.
• Broadway: Curb and surface parking are generally easier, which is helpful if you drive often. The Chamber’s shopping overview talks access and convenience for the corridor. See the Burlingame Chamber guide.

Who each area fits

• Choose Downtown if you want a car-light lifestyle, weekday Caltrain steps away, boutique dining, and condo convenience.
• Choose Broadway if you prioritize everyday services, easier parking, and nearby single-family home options with quick access to shops.
• Consider Downtown for downsizers, busy professionals, or frequent travelers who value short hops to Caltrain and SFO.
• Consider Broadway for households that drive more, want neighborhood-scale retail, or plan to balance walkability with more space.

What to test during a tour

Use this checklist to compare your short list.

• Commute: Try a mock rush-hour trip. Confirm weekday access at the Burlingame vs. Broadway stations before you rely on rail.
• Construction: If you are Broadway-adjacent, review the grade separation project for timing and potential impacts.
• Noise: Visit morning and evening to gauge train bells, traffic, and restaurant activity.
• Parking: Review garage or assigned parking in your building and guest options. Downtown details live on the BID’s Getting Here page.
• HOA and building age: For condos, review budgets, reserves, and recent capital projects.
• Schools and logistics: Confirm address-based school assignments with the district at Burlingame School District, and map your pickup-dropoff times.

Quick comparison summary

• Walkability: Downtown is consistently high; many blocks score in the high 90s per Apartment Home Living. Broadway is walkable with more variation by block.
• Transit: Downtown sits by the main weekday Caltrain stop. Broadway’s station is weekend-only while upgrades advance.
• Housing: Downtown skews condo and apartment. Broadway’s corridor is mixed-use with nearby single-family neighborhoods.
• Lifestyle: Downtown offers destination boutiques and events. Broadway leans local services, casual dining, and easier parking.

Ready to explore which street fits your life? Connect with Julie Baumann to compare specific blocks, tour on-the-ground options, and create a plan that matches how you live day to day.

FAQs

What is the main difference in walkability between Burlingame Avenue and Broadway?

• Downtown Burlingame Avenue posts very high Walk Scores, often in the high 90s, while Broadway is walkable with more variation by block.

Which Burlingame station has weekday Caltrain service?

• The main Burlingame station serves weekday trains. Broadway station currently offers weekend-only service, so plan weekday commutes accordingly.

How will the Broadway grade separation affect living nearby?

• Expect construction phases in the mid-term with long-run safety and operations benefits. Timing and weekday-service restoration depend on final funding and schedule.

Is there easy public transit to SFO from Burlingame?

• Yes. SamTrans Route 292 connects Burlingame to SFO and San Francisco. Millbrae station adds BART connections for regional trips.

Where can I confirm school assignments for a Burlingame address?

• Check address-based assignments with the Burlingame School District at the district’s official site.