The founders of Belmont, California tried to build their city in the flatlands but the allure of the hills was too great. After a few decades with activities centered around El Camino Real and the Old County Road, Belmont began to climb up into what early Spanish explorers had called “la Canada del Diablo,” the Devil’s Canyon.

Maybe they wanted to see the view. Whatever their reasons, by shifting its center to the hills, these visionaries gave Belmont a permanent identity different than any of its Peninsula neighbors. Today, Belmont is known for its hillside homes, its views, its trees and its acres of green space – things you can’t find in San Mateo, Millbrae, Burlingame or San Carlos; there’s nothing else like Belmont.

Belmont offers a blend of the old and new, with ultra-modern homes nestled in its lush canyons, while just a few miles away on El Camino Real, you can discover the unique dining experiences of Iron Gate restaurant, which has been serving Steak Diane tableside since 1965, and Vivace, an Italian restaurant that has been receiving rave reviews since its establishment in 2010, both just a short walk from downtown.

Belmont ideally situated for those who work in either San Francisco or Silicon Valley, with a downtown Caltrain station and access to two major highways. Add to this its reputation for good public schools, a wealth of unique, physically beautiful neighborhoods and as a place where your real estate dollar stretches further and it’s easy to see why this serene, green city has become so popular.