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📈 School Rankings Announced, Restaurants, and Rock

📈 School Rankings Announced, Restaurants, and Rock

Check out our featured restaurants and events for the weekend and this fall!

Greg Kemper
October 02, 2025

Good morning neighbors!

Welcome to this week’s San Mateo Scoop! Your latest local update is here, packed with news, events, and fresh spots to explore around the local community!

P.S. Keep an eye out our upcoming special Fall Edition - featuring can’t miss events, pumpkin patches, and more!

Whether you’re here for the latest events, new restaurants, or community updates, I’m excited to keep you connected and in the know. Let’s dive in! 👇

In this week’s edition:

🎓 San Mateo School District With Top Schools: Which schools and ranking criteria.

💰 San Mateo County Raises Minimum Wage For Unincorporated Areas: Where the change takes effect.

🍻 Weekend playbook: Fall festivals, movies, classes and more!

🎓 Two San Mateo District High Schools Named as Top-Rated in California

The latest rankings from Niche have highlighted several local schools among the best public high schools in California. Burlingame High School (42) and Aragon High School (47), were ranked for their academics, highly qualified faculty, student resources, and strong community support.

These rankings are based on Niche’s comprehensive methodology, which incorporates both quantitative and qualitative measures. Data from the U.S. Department of Education, such as test scores, graduation rates, and teacher statistics, form part of the assessment, while feedback from students, parents, and alumni also plays a significant role. Additional factors such as resources, facilities, and the overall learning environment are considered, providing a broad picture of school quality that extends beyond test performance alone. Read more here.

💰 San Mateo County Raises Minimum Wage For Unincorporated Areas

Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in unincorporated parts of San Mateo County will increase to $17.95 per hour, up $0.49 from the previous rate. This new rate also places the county’s minimum wage $1.05 above the anticipated statewide level for 2026.

The change applies to workers logging at least two hours per week in unincorporated zones including North Fair Oaks, Broadmoor, Montara, Moss Beach, Pescadero, and the San Mateo Highlands. County officials emphasized that the increase follows the standard inflation-adjustment formula and is intended to ensure wage fairness in more rural and unincorporated communities. Read more here.

🌇 Four Local Cities Top “Best Small Cities” List

WalletHub has released its 2025 ranking of the “Best Small Cities in America,” evaluating over 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 using 45 key livability indicators, providing a score out of 100 based on these metrics. Belmont (86), San Carlos (85), Burlingame (80), and Foster City (73) all scored highly.

These indicators include housing affordability, school quality, economic health, safety, and number of restaurants per capita. In California, 54 small cities scored in the 70th percentile or higher in this evaluation. The results highlight a trend toward California suburbs offering high-quality public amenities and desirable living conditions, even when affordability remains a challenge. Read more here.

Belmont to Offer New After School Program

This fall, Belmont-Redwood Shores School District is making afterschool activities easier than ever for local families. Programs are held right on school campuses, saving parents travel time while giving kids enriching opportunities. Featured classes range from soccer and robotics to LEGO engineering and coding with Minecraft. Spots are limited and sessions are filling quickly, so families are encouraged to register soon. Learn more and sign up here.

Discover Himalayan Flavors at Himali Bistro

1251 Broadway, Burlingame

Located in Burlingame, Himali Bistro offers an authentic culinary journey through the Himalayan region, blending the rich spices and traditional cooking techniques of Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and India. Their menu features unique dishes like Kwati (a hearty soup with nine types of sprouted beans), Choila (grilled lamb marinated in Newari spices), and Momos (steamed dumplings served over achar sauce). For those seeking a fusion twist, options like Gobi Manchurian and Himali Chicken Chili provide Indo-Chinese flavors.

The bistro also offers a selection of tandoor specialties, including Tandoori Mushrooms and Lamb Kebab, all served with mint chutney and pickled onions. Whether you're a vegetarian or a meat lover, Himali Bistro caters to all, with many dishes available in vegan and gluten-free options. The warm ambiance and attentive service make it a perfect spot for both casual meals and special occasions. Read more here.

Click here to feature your business in front of over 10,000 local residents!

Johnston’s Saltbox in San Carlos

1696 Laurel St, San Carlos

Johnston’s Saltbox is a cozy neighborhood gem nestled at 1696 Laurel Street in San Carlos. This family-owned restaurant offers a rotating seasonal menu that showcases the best of local and organic ingredients. Dishes like the ribeye burger with melted onions and tomato jam, and the pan-roasted steelhead with horseradish cream, highlight the chef’s commitment to fresh, flavorful fare. The inviting atmosphere features both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a perfect spot for brunch, lunch, or dinner. With friendly service and a focus on quality, Johnston’s Saltbox is a must-visit for food enthusiasts in the area. Learn more here.

ASPCA Available Pet of the Week!

Meet Octavia! She’s a 2 y.o. Rottweiler / Staffie mix. She’s very affectionate and loves cuddling and hiking adventures.

If you’re interested in learning more about her, click here!

🌙 First Friday at CuriOdyssey | CuriOdyssey | San Mateo | 10/3 | more
Explore the museum after hours with family-friendly science, nature, and wildlife activities.

🦖 Kids Night Out: Dinosaur Dig | San Carlos Youth Center | San Carlos | 10/3 | more
Drop the kids off for a night of dinosaur-themed crafts, games, and supervised fun.

🎶 Rock the Dock Concert Series | Port of Redwood City | Redwood City | 10/4 | more
Enjoy live music on the waterfront with food trucks and a lively community vibe.

🍻 Beer for a Cause: Pups for a Purpose | Out of the Barrel | San Carlos | 10/4 | more
Sip craft beer while supporting a local pet-related cause at this community fundraiser.

🎷 Jazz on B Street | B Street (between 1st & 2nd) | San Mateo | 10/4 | more
Spend the evening with Swingatto and friends at this outdoor jazz performance.

🧪 Kids Night Out: Slime Time | San Carlos Youth Center | San Carlos | 10/5 | more
An evening of gooey, hands-on fun with slime-making, games, and activities for kids.

🎃 Gardening Class: Succulent-Topped Pumpkins | San Mateo Arboretum Society | San Mateo | 10/5 | more
Learn how to craft festive fall centerpieces with succulents and pumpkins.

🍷 Harvest Happy Hour | San Mateo Public Library | San Mateo | 10/9 | more
Unwind with seasonal drinks and community fun at this festive fall gathering.