The Peninsula`s Family Community - San Mateo County Association

THE EXAMINER.
Advertising Feature: Real Estate
Weekend Edition, January 28, 2006
Showcasing
The Peninsula’s Family Community
Looking for a family-oriented community? San Bruno is the place to be.
BY MEGAN LYNCH
Bob Marshall Sr. has become something of
a San Bruno legend. Marshall has lived in the
City for most of his life, and began a successful
career as a Realtor in 1959 after opening his
own real estate company: Marshall Realty. His
business blossomed: today he has 20 employees and boasts of owning one of the few
non-corporate real estate companies on the
Peninsula.
Soon after, Marshall became an active member of the City Government. He was eventually
elected Mayor of San Bruno and served in this
position for more than 12 years. He also served
as former District Governor for Lions District 4-C4, former President San Bruno Lions
Club, Life Membership San Bruno Chamber
of Commerce, Founding Member of Peninsula Bank of Commerce, former President of
North County Board of Realtors.
Bob Jr., Marshall’s son, followed in his
father’s footsteps and has also become an active
PHOTO BY ANSON CHAN, THE EXAMINER
San Bruno community member. Bob Jr. is now
an agent at Marshall Realty and is a member
of the City of San Bruno’s Planning
recently remodeled Shops atTanforan
Commission. He moved down the
makes a great weekend hangout spot
street from his father and currently
for the whole family. With more than
resides there with his wife, Marilyn,
100 stores and restaurants, the mall
and two children, Marion and Bobby
is a safe (and covered!) place to meet
III.
friends and spend the day. In 2006,
Marshall’s story is not an uncomTanforan will expand even further by
mon one in San Bruno. It is one of
opening a state-of-the art cinema.
those cities where people can still walk
Downtown San Bruno is another
down the street and recognize their
fun
place to go shopping and spend
friends. When families leave on vacathe
day.
“The downtown area has a lot
tion, their minds are at ease knowing
going
on,
” said Mayor Franzella. “It
their neighbors will watch out for their
is
also
undergoing
ongoing improvehome. San Bruno is a community in
ments,
including
the
installation of a
the truest sense.
new
clock
tower
on
San Mateo Ave
Residents genuinely care about their
to
celebrate
the
100th
anniversary of
neighbors and about their homes.
the
Rotary
Club
of
San
Bruno.”
“The neighborhoods are well-kept
PHOTO BY ANSON CHAN, THE EXAMINER
San
Bruno
residents
also
enjoy the
and maintained by residents,” said Bayhill Office Park
fact
that
like
their
city,
they
too have
Marshall. “Homeowners work to preroom
to
grow.
The
City
offers
resserve their properties.”
idents
the
opportunity
to
upgrade
“It’s a great place to live, with great
into larger houses as their families
people,” said Mayor Larry Franzella.
and spacing needs grow. “Many fam“I’ve lived here almost all my life and I
ilies are able to move from smaller
love it.”
to bigger homes and still stay in San
San Bruno is located on the PeninBruno,” said Marshall.
sula, 12 miles south of San Francisco
Booming business in San Bruno
and immediately adjacent to the San
also
means families can afford to
Francisco International Airport. The
make
these moves. The Shops at
City is easily accessible via BART and
Tanforan,
downtown business disCaltrain. For those who prefer to drive,
trict
and
SFO
airport have opened
San Bruno is located between two
up
hundreds
of
new job opportunimajor highways: the 101 and 280.
ties
for
people
with
a wide variety of
With a population of around
different
skills.
Entrepreneurs
have
40,000, San Bruno is small enough to
especially
been
successful
at
harnesshave that small-town feel with all
ing tourist business from the airport.
the benefits of living near a big city.
The variety of housing opportuPHOTO
BY
MARYANN
BOLOGNA,
THE
EXAMINER
Its strong community makes it an
nities,
matched with growing business
ideal place to raise a family. Not only Gazeebo at San Bruno City Park
opportunities
makes San Bruno a
do parents enjoy the family-driven
solid
community
with lasting resiatmosphere, but they also love the
dents.
covering
71
acres
and
4,700
trees.
Highlights
opportunities available to their children. San include more than 20 sport fields for soccer,
Bruno parents send their kids to great schools. baseball and football players. The City also Information in this series of community profiles is
“Our school is system is excellent,” said Mar- organizes team sports and other recreational provided by the San Mateo County Association of
shall. “Whether a public or private school, the activities for the entire family. “We probably REALTORS® (SAMCAR). Megan Lynch is a freelance
education is always top-notch.”
one of the finest park systems on the pen- journalist based in San Francisco. Please send
Weekends and after school, kids and grown- have
questions, suggestions or feedback by e-mail to
insula,
” said Marshall.
ups alike take advantage of the parks and
samcar@samcar.org or call 650.696.8200.
For
those
who
prefer
being
indoors,
the
recreational areas. San Bruno has 18 parks
| San Bruno
The Top Five
Reasons to Live
in San Bruno
5
BY MEGAN LYNCH
COMMUNITY CARING
San Bruno residents genuinely care
about their homes and their community.
They look out for one other and make
sure their neighbors are safe. When families leave town on vacation, they rest
assured knowing that their neighbors
will look out for their homes. The result:
a close-knit community with a caring
support system.
WELL-MAINTAINED NEIGHBORHOODS
Sometimes first impressions mean
everything-and San Bruno residents value
the way their neighborhoods look and
feel from the outside. They work to
maintain their properties and keep their
homes in tip-top condition. This gives
the City a comfortable and homey feel.
PARKS & OUTDOOR RECREATION
FACILITIES
San Bruno is a “green” city in the truest sense of the word. With 18 parks
covering 71 acres, residents can find
something outdoors for the whole family. From baseball to football and soccer,
sport aficionados can play on one of 22
fields; even Sparky can exercise at San
Bruno’s Dog Park. The City’s 4,700 trees
also provide shade in the summer and
make for beautiful seasonal changes.
PROXIMITY TO SFO AIRPORT
San Francisco International Airport
has become one of the busiest in the
world, and San Bruno has grown as a
result. New businesses have moved into
the City and helped boost the economy.
The added job growth makes San Bruno
a good place in which to live and work.
For frequent travelers, you can’t beat the
convenience of living minutes from a
world-class airport.
CONVENIENT SHOPPING ACCESS
Recently remodeled, The Shops at
Tanforan is San Bruno’s newest attraction. The completely renovated shopping
center has more than 100 shops and restaurants. This year, the mall will also
open a new cinema-for added convenience and family fun. Tanforan has
opened up new job opportunities for
San Bruno residents and provides a safe
weekend hangout.
Information in this series of community
profiles is provided by the San Mateo County
Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR). Megan
Lynch is a freelance journalist based in San
Francisco. Please send questions, suggestions
or feedback by e-mail to SAMCAR at
samcar@samcar.org.
Maryann Bologna 415.359.2652
Anson Chan 415.359.2822