Words by Andrea Gemmet
On a sunny day, it seems like almost everyone in Burlingame is hanging out in its well-heeled and friendly downtown. You’ll find that the local residents who aren’t busy browsing and strolling just might be the ones running the stores. From German-inspired Backhaus bakery to plant-based Twelvemonth restaurant, the well-established Andra Norris Gallery to the new kids’ shop Gigglemugs, you’ll find small business owners whose love for their community inspired them to make their livings close to home. With its vibrant sidewalk scene, quirky shops and tempting eateries, a day “on the Avenue” is a day well spent.
Explore
Whether you arrive via Caltrain or car, take a moment to admire Burlingame’s historic train station. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style by architect George Howard, a scion of one of the city’s founding families, the graceful landmark on California Drive anchors the downtown district. Besides serving rail riders, it also houses the city’s history museum.
Photography: Courtesy of Robb Most / Cover Photography: Courtesy of Jkeefe – The SF Peninsula
From the station, find your way to dog-friendly Washington Park (850 Burlingame Avenue) which boasts a popular playground, shady picnic benches and courts for tennis and pickleball. Make sure to check out the whimsical sculptures carved from stumps and felled trees by a talented city park employee.
Next, look for the distinctive tile-roofed Burlingame Library (480 Primrose Road). Built in 1931 in Italian Renaissance style, its period light fixtures and airy reading rooms invite bookworms to linger. For contemporary art, check out Andra Norris Gallery (311 Lorton), where there’s a new exhibition almost every month. Through the end of August catch Beyond, featuring paintings by Elena Zolotnitsky, Ryan Reynolds and Stephen Henriques, and photography by Berkeley-based Russel Kiehn. After years of running a successful gallery in San Francisco, Andra says she had a “lightbulb moment” that inspired her to move it to the Peninsula. “I wanted to create something wonderful where I call home,” she confides.
Photography: Courtesy of Andra Norris Gallery
Browse
Sure, there are familiar chain stores downtown, but plenty of independent and unusual offerings, too. At Del’Oliva (1440 Burlingame Avenue), Eddie Sohirad is on a mission to save people from buying inferior olive oils. He carefully curates a selection of fresh, extra-virgin oils, real balsamic vinegars, imported wines, specialty pastas and colorful ceramic plates. Prepare to sniff, sample and swirl to find a golden elixir to your liking while Eddie offers expert advice.
At Gigglemugs (1461 Burlingame Avenue), find a witty and insightful selection of books, toys, trinkets and treats for children and teens. Running the store are Amanda Trindle and Katherin Baban, local residents and good friends who get expert intel on the evolving tastes of tweens and teens courtesy of their own children. The pair left jobs in teaching and business to be part of their community’s retail scene in November 2023. And now? “It’s like we’re living in a Hallmark movie,” Amanda smiles.
Stationery store Paper Caper (1442 Burlingame Avenue) was also founded by two friends back in 1978. Focused on fashion? There’s a lot to choose from with longtime women’s wear boutique Morning Glory (1436 Burlingame Avenue), Joana’s European Fashions (1412 Burlingame Avenue) and consignment shop Millie Mango (1419 Burlingame Avenue), all in close proximity. For expertly fitted athletic shoes and gear, race over to A Runner’s Mind (1111 Howard Avenue). Once you’re laced up and ready, check out its weekly group runs.
Eat
After pounding the pavement, take some time to recharge. Grab a table at Twelvemonth (330 Lorton Avenue), where you’ll find “micro-seasonal” summer specialties like scialatielli pasta tossed in a thick sauce of Brentwood corn and pickled green tomatoes topped with coconut feta and cajun corn cracklins. “The ‘City of Trees’ seemed like the perfect site to build my vision of a wholly plant-based destination in an environmentally friendly space,” says owner Bob Trahan, a longtime local who calls Burlingame home.
Photography: Courtesy of Paul Dwyer – Twelvemonth
If regional Italian cuisine is more your scene, try sophisticated Stella (1448 Burlingame Avenue), where you can sip a barrel-aged Negroni and tuck into Piemontese-style boneless short ribs braised in Barolo wine. Across the street, Rasoi (1425 Burlingame Avenue) puts a modern spin on the traditional flavors of Northern India and Pakistan. Longtime local residents swear by mainstay Copenhagen Bakery and Cafe (1216 Burlingame Avenue), where the array of sweet treats tempts diners to skip the main course and go straight to dessert. For a quick bite, grab a hearty sandwich at Italian delicatessen Caffe Stellato or choose from the vast selection of gelato flavors (there’s even one for your dogs).
If you’re off to an early start, head to Backhaus (261 California Drive) and indulge in a coddled egg with truffled potato purée or a seasonal “Tomato Girl” croissant Danish—and be sure to bring home a baguette or pretzel. Owners Anne and Robert Moser, who have lived near downtown for the past decade, got their start selling home-baked breads at the nearby farmers market. “Burlingame truly is the community that supported us from the very beginning. It meant a lot to find a location so close to where it all started,” shares Anne.
If you can’t say no to cookies, satisfy your sweet tooth at Busy Lizzy’s Bake Shop (1231 Burlingame Avenue). Owner Lizzy Detert, who grew up in Burlingame, says she loves running into her friendly customers when she’s not in her shop. In August, she eases the sting of summer’s end with her back-to-school “Everything but the Lunchbox,” a brown sugar cookie with chocolate chips, pretzels, Peanut M&Ms and a marshmallow center.
Having too much fun to go home? When it comes to after-hours revelry, the Vinyl Room (221 Park Road) invites you to linger with drinks, dancing and DJs. The self-proclaimed “biggest little night club” also hosts weekly events like salsa lessons on Thursdays and karaoke on Wednesdays. It’s the perfect nightcap after a busy day enjoying all that “the Avenue” has to offer.
Market Days Stock up on produce and more at the Burlingame Fresh Market, open every Sunday, 9AM-1PM, and Thursdays, May through October, 3-7PM. Park Road at Burlingame Avenue. Making History The 135-year-old train station, itself a historic landmark, houses the Burlingame History Museum. While it’s closed for remodeling, browse its collection of virtual exhibits. burlingamehistoricalsociety.org