Economic Development

Burlingame has a diverse local economy, with strengths in hotel, tourism, retail, and airport-related industries. Burlingame’s proximity to San Francisco International Airport has been key to attracting hotels, logistics, air transportation, and business services companies. Burlingame also has a variety of retail centers that serve unique market niches, including regional-serving retail in Downtown Burlingame, local independent retailers and restaurants in the Broadway district and Burlingame Plaza, and automobile dealerships along California Drive and adjacent to Highway 101 near the Broadway interchange. While the city historically has not been a primary regional office location, the potential for attracting office-based technology and business services firms is strong as businesses look to take advantage of Burlingame’s convenient transit and freeway access that connect the city to San Francisco and other locations along the Peninsula.

This Economic Development Element establishes goals and policies focused on protecting and growing Burlingame’s economic assets, and leveraging new business retention and attraction opportunities created by Burlingame’s competitive advantages within the evolving and dynamic San Francisco Bay Area economy.