Millbrae

The city of Millbrae is named for  Darius Ogden Mills, a rich financier who founded the Bank of California and bought land from the Sanchez family to build his country estate.  The Scott’s refer to a “brea” as rolling hills, and Mills turned the name into Millbrae at some time in the late 1800’s.  The Mills estate went from Skyline Boulevard down to Bayshore Highway, now 101 and 280, east and west and from Millbrae Avenue south to Trousdale Drive  There were multiple lakes at one time, with the largest where the football field for Mills High School now sits. The mansion burned down in the early 1950’s.

Mills also owned the land where the airport for San Francisco stood, Mills Field.  It had been a dairy farm and was converted to the airport.  San Francisco International Airport still sits on part of the original land, which is where the Executive Airport is today.

The city has 21,532 residents today according to the 2010 Census.  Some of the areas of the city were developed after WWI, and in 1927 the Highlands, homes built for the upper market above the downtown area between Chadbourne Avenue and Taylor Boulevard, Magnolia Avenue and Ashton, was developed.  The area is known today for its beautiful tree lined streets and lovely Spanish style homes.

After WWII, the town began to grow and more houses were built in the northern part of the city.  The Mills Estate was developed in the mid-1950’s through 1970’s for the upper tier real estate market and is sought after for the views and easy access to highways.

The downtown is a bustling street called Broadway with many restaurants and shops.  Millbrae’s schools are considered excellent.  Mills High School is a top ranking school.  Weather is moderate, and the hills do a good job of keeping the fog away from the main part of town.  It’s home to Green Hills Country Club with a challenging golf course running up hills.

The BART station and CalTrain station are a major transit hub.  Millbrae, sitting across from SFO has many residents who work in San Mateo County, or up in San Francisco.