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Daly City, CA

Frequently asked questions

Daly City, CA

Daly City is the second most populous city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with a population of 104,901 according to the 2020 census. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and immediately south of San Francisco (sharing its northern border with almost all of San Francisco's southern border), it is named for businessman and landowner John Donald Daly.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.7 square miles (20 km2), all land.

Daly City is bordered by the cities of San Francisco, Brisbane, Pacifica, South San Francisco, and the town of Colma. The city borders several unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. It surrounds Broadmoor and borders San Bruno Mountain State Park, the Olympic Club, Lake Merced, and unincorporated areas near Colma. Seismic faults in and near Daly City include the San Andreas Fault, Hillside Fault, and Serra Fault.

Archaeological evidence suggests the San Francisco Bay Area has been inhabited as early as 2700 BC. People of the Ohlone language group probably occupied Northern California from at least the year A.D. 500. Though their territory had been claimed by Spain since the early 16th century, they would have relatively little contact with Europeans until 1769, when, as part of an effort to colonize Alta California, an exploration party led by Don Gaspar de Portolá learned of the existence of San Francisco Bay. Seven years later, in 1776, an expedition led by Juan Bautista de Anza selected the site for the Presidio of San Francisco, which José Joaquín Moraga would soon establish. Later the same year, the Franciscan missionary Francisco Palóu founded the Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores). As part of the founding, the priests claimed the land south of the mission for sixteen miles for raising crops and for fodder for cattle and sheep. In 1778, the priests and soldiers marked out a trail to connect San Francisco to the rest of California. At the top of Mission Hill, the priests named the gap between San Bruno Mountain and the hills on the coast La Portezuela ("The Little Door"). La Portezuela was later referred to as Daly's Hill, the Center of Daly City, and is now called Top of the Hill.

During Spanish rule, the area between San Bruno Mountain and the Pacific remained uninhabited. Upon independence from Spain, prominent Mexican citizens were granted land parcels to establish large ranches, three of which covered areas now in Daly City and Colma. Rancho Buri Buri was granted to Jose Sanchez in 1835 and covered 14,639 acres (59.24 km2) including parts of modern-day Colma, Burlingame, San Bruno, South San Francisco, and Millbrae. Rancho Laguna de la Merced was 2,219 acres (8.98 km2) acres and covered the area around a lake of the same name. The third ranch covering parts of the Daly City–Colma area was named Rancho Cañada de Guadalupe la Visitación y Rodeo Viejo and stretched from the Visitacion Valley area in San Francisco to the city of South San Francisco covering 5,473 acres (22.15 km2). 

Daly City focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Daly City’s Recreation and Community Services Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness, and Strength and Conditioning Gym. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Daly City, such as the Fort Funston Coastal Trail and the Mussel Rock Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Daly City, CA are San Francisco Zoo, Thornton State Beach, and Filoli Historic House & Garden.

Population: 101,418 (2024). ZIP codes: 94014, 94015, 94016, 94017. Area codes: 415, 628, 650. Elevation: 344 ft. Area: 7.64 sq mi (19.78 km2).

FAQs

Is Daly City, CA a good place to live?

Living in Daly City offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Daly City, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Daly City and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Daly City are above average.

What is Daly City, CA is known for?

Named after John D. Daly, one of the City's original settlers and owner of the San Mateo Dairy, Daly City was nicknamed "the Gateway to the Peninsula." Originally settled by Irish immigrants, the City eventually became known for its numerous pig and dairy farms, as well as drinking saloons and gambling establishments. In the 1906 Earthquake, John Daly gained popularity when he donated dairy products and provided shelter to San Franciscans fleeing from the disaster.

Is Daly City, CA expensive?

The median home price in Daly City is $1,275,000 with a median price per sqft of $727. The cost of living index for housing estimates the cost of housing in Daly City to be 286.6% of the national average. This makes it one of the most expensive cities in the US.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Daly City

Daly City’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Planet Fitness

Crunch Fitness 

Strength and Conditioning Gym

Fort Funston Coastal Trail 

Mussel Rock Trail

Pacifica’s Secret Waterfall

San Bruno Mountain

Mussel Rock Park

Niche

Foundsf.org

Zero Down

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