Fish, Foster City

Updated · 2,644 residents

The Fish neighborhood is a highly walkable bayfront community in Foster City, characterized by its extensive network of canals and dedicated pedestrian shoreline paths. Residents benefit from a peaceful, purely residential atmosphere with easy access to local parks and top-tier public schools. According to iHuus data, the area offers a high quality of life with excellent walkability and zero industrial proximity.

Key Highlights

Limited PrivacyHighly Pedestrian FriendlyUpscale Waterfront ViewsGreat for Dog WalkingSuburban MixActive Social HubsModerate Street NoiseVariable Air QualityPurely ResidentialHigh Insurance CoverageStrongly LiberalMixed Age GroupsModerate Flood Risk
Map showing the location of Fish, Foster City, CA

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About Fish

The Fish neighborhood, historically designated as Neighborhood 3 (or Carmel Village), is a bayfront enclave in Foster City, California, developed starting in 1965. Built on reclaimed marshland, this master-planned community is defined by its signature streets named after saltwater fish, such as Marlin Avenue, Flying Fish Street, and Bluefish Court. The neighborhood features a mix of mid-1960s single-family homes and later 1970s to 1980s townhomes and condominiums. Distinctive waterfront enclaves, including Sailfish Isle and Dolphin Isle, offer upscale residences equipped with private boat docks along the city's canal network. Carmel Village is also home to Bowditch Middle School—the city’s only public middle school—and local green spaces like Shad Park, Sunfish Park, and the waterfront Marlin Park, alongside the Marlin Cove and Beach Park Plaza shopping centers.

This area is defined by a suburban layout that balances single-family homes with multi-story residential complexes. With a walkability rating that ranks among the highest in the city, the neighborhood provides residents with seamless access to waterfront trails and green spaces such as Shad and Sunfish Parks. The absence of industrial activity ensures a quiet environment for families and professionals, while the presence of Bowditch Middle School anchors the educational landscape for local students. The community maintains a strong sense of place, supported by well-maintained properties and a consistent standard of living. While the neighborhood boasts high visual appeal, prospective residents should note that the residential density results in closely spaced homes and shared fencing. Acoustic comfort is moderate, influenced primarily by road traffic rather than aviation or industrial noise. The community is well-suited for those who prioritize outdoor recreation and a stable, family-oriented environment, supported by strong institutional health and high community engagement. iHuus data confirms that the area maintains a reliable quality of life, making it a stable choice for long-term residents.

Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities

Privacy Index
Score: 3.8 out of 10

Residential structures are positioned closely together with minimal setbacks, resulting in less privacy than the Foster City average. Many homes in this area feature shared walls or very small gaps between neighboring properties according to iHuus data.

Ranked #13 in Foster City →
Walkability
Score: 9.8 out of 10

Extensive sidewalk networks and dedicated shoreline paths provide exceptional connectivity for pedestrians. This area offers superior walking infrastructure compared to the rest of Foster City, featuring numerous crossings and low-speed residential streets.

Ranked #7 in Foster City →
Visual Appeal
Score: 7 out of 10

Premium waterfront properties with private docks and large planned homes characterize much of this area, though the overall aesthetic is slightly below the Foster City average. Residential streetscapes feature a mix of high-end estates and standard multi-family complexes with shared amenities.

Ranked #13 in Foster City →
Dog Friendliness
Score: 8 out of 10

Abundant shoreline parks and interconnected green belts provide extensive trail networks for pets. This level of accessibility to open space is consistent with the city average.

Ranked #7 in Foster City →
Urban-Rural Index
Score: 6.5 out of 10

Dense suburban development defines this area, featuring a variety of single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment complexes alongside water features. This level of development is largely consistent with the rest of Foster City.

Ranked #3 in Foster City →
Neighborhood Vibe
Score: 7.2 out of 10

Socially vibrant blocks with a notable concentration of dining and parks offer more activity than the Foster City average. Local favorites like Akizu Sushi Bar and Erckenbrack Park contribute to a lively atmosphere, though the layout remains largely car-dependent.

Ranked #4 in Foster City →
Acoustic Comfort
Score: 5.5 out of 10

Steady traffic sounds from a nearby busy street are present, though the level of acoustic disturbance is largely consistent with the rest of Foster City according to iHuus data.

Ranked #5 in Foster City →
Air Quality
Score: 6 out of 10

Air quality in this area is consistent with the Foster City average, presenting a mix of acceptable and unhealthy days that may occasionally concern sensitive groups according to iHuus data.

Ranked #1 in Foster City →
Industrial Proximity
Score: 10 out of 10

No warehouses, industrial facilities, or hazardous sites are present in this area. This layout is consistent with the rest of Foster City, consisting exclusively of residential and recreational spaces.

Ranked #1 in Foster City →
Health Insurance Coverage
Score: 9.8 out of 10

Nearly all residents possess health insurance, representing a rate that is higher than the Foster City average according to iHuus data.

Ranked #2 in Foster City →
Ideological Lean
Score: 9.6 out of 10

Voting patterns and census indicators reflect a predominantly liberal political leaning, which is consistent with the broader Foster City area according to iHuus data.

Ranked #5 in Foster City →
Population Age Profile
Score: 4.9 out of 10

A balanced demographic of young adults, families, and seniors resides here, reflecting a population age profile very similar to the Foster City average according to iHuus data.

Ranked #11 in Foster City →
Flood Safety
Score: 7.7 out of 10

Residual flood risks exist within this area as it falls within the 500-year floodplain, though the safety level is comparable to the Foster City average according to iHuus data.

Ranked #1 in Foster City →

Compare with Any Neighborhood

Compare with
DimensionFishAdmirals
🚶
Walkabilityavg 9.66
Score: 9.8 out of 10
Score: 10 out of 10
🔊
Acoustic Comfortavg 5.36
Score: 5.5 out of 10
Score: 5.9 out of 10
🤫
Privacy Indexavg 4.79
Score: 3.8 out of 10
Score: 3.5 out of 10
🎨
Visual Appealavg 7.56
Score: 7 out of 10
Score: 6.7 out of 10
🐕
Dog Friendlinessavg 8.13
Score: 8 out of 10
Score: 7.3 out of 10
🗺️
Urban-Rural Indexavg 6.57
Score: 6.5 out of 10
Score: 6.5 out of 10
✨
Neighborhood Vibeavg 5.89
Score: 7.2 out of 10
Score: 6.8 out of 10
🏥
Health Insurance Coverageavg 9.32
Score: 9.8 out of 10
Score: 10 out of 10
🌿
Air Qualityavg 6
Score: 6 out of 10
Score: 6 out of 10
🏭
Industrial Proximityavg 9.99
Score: 10 out of 10
Score: 10 out of 10
🌊
Flood Safetyavg 7.51
Score: 7.7 out of 10
Score: 7.7 out of 10
🗳️
Ideological Leanavg 9.61
Score: 9.6 out of 10
Score: 9.6 out of 10
👥
Population Age Profileavg 4.98
Score: 4.9 out of 10
Score: 4.8 out of 10
🔥
Fire Safety
Score: not available
Score: not available
🏫
School Quality
Score: not available
Score: not available

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fish neighborhood walkable?
Yes, the neighborhood is exceptionally walkable. It features continuous sidewalks on both sides of most streets and dedicated pedestrian paths along the shoreline.
What are the schools like in this area?
The neighborhood is served by the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District, which includes the highly rated Bowditch Middle School. High school students typically attend schools within the San Mateo Union High School District.
Is the neighborhood noisy?
The area maintains a moderate noise level, with an average of 56 decibels primarily attributed to road traffic. It remains a quiet residential enclave with no industrial noise.

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