Known as the official 'Gateway to the Peninsula,' Daly City is located just 15 minutes South of downtown San Francisco, and is the most populous city in San Mateo County. Comprised of a very diverse population, Daly City is one of four majority-Asian cities in the continental U.S, and home to the country's only wholly Karaite synagogue (a small sect of conservative Judaism). Interstate 280 bisects the city, with routes 1, 35, 82 and highway 101 also providing access. SamTrans, BART and MUNI lines stop in Daly City, and the San Francisco International Airport is a convenient 9 miles away.
New developments in the city include the Pacific Plaza, housing multiple offices, retail space, and a 20-screen movie theater. In 2003 the San Francisco Business Times gave the Pacific Plaza the 'Best Project- Community Impact/Suburban' award. Daly City is known for having an excellent infrastructure of medical facilities, including Seton Medical Center, one of the leading facilities in the country. The San Francisco Heart Institute and the Spine Care Medical Group also provide superior care. Serramonte Center, Westlake Shopping Center, and the Mission Street corridor cover a large percentage of the over 3 million square feet of retail space within Daly City. These centers provide excellent shopping choices, as well as many local jobs and economic support. Cow Palace, just on the border of San Francisco and Daly City, provides a variety of entertainment to the entire bay Area. Home to the Grand National Rodeo, this venue has presented an eclectic mix of acts from Elvis Presley to ZZ Top, as well as ice shows, boxing matches, and political conventions. Residents of Daly City have access to 2,000 arts, sports, and educational community classes, over 30 public parks and seven miles of scenic California coast. San Bruno Mountain provides incredible views of the Bay Area and Pacific Ocean, and can be explored via hiking trails which span it's more than 200 acres.
103,621 residents populate this 8-square-mile city, earning a median household income of $62,310 a year. 710 properties were sold last year, with a median price of $725,000. Daly City is served by five public school districts: Bayshore Elementary, Jefferson Elementary and Jefferson Union High School districts are located within the city; South San Francisco Unified and Brisbane Elementary districts sit just outside. 15 elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools provide an excellent array of public education for students of all ages. Daly City is home to the headquarters of Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, a leader in customer interaction management products. Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron starred in 2001's 'Sweet November,' which was filmed in Daly City.