Hillsborough is rich in two ways—aside from being one of the most affluent communities in the nation, it is also one of the most diverse. Just 20 minutes south of San Francisco, this San Mateo County bedroom community boasts some of the best schools in California, and the children of dedicated parents from around the globe make them increasingly competitive.

Hillsborough is an exclusive enclave of about 11,000 with no commercial zoning, a minimum half-acre lot size and splendid views of San Francisco Bay. Breaking into the Hillsborough lifestyle requires at least $2 million, for which a buyer can expect 3,500-5,000 square feet. More over-the-top luxury begins at about $5.5 million, netting approximately 7,000 square feet of recent vintage construction on a larger lot. Sprawling mansions, including a historic 65,000-square foot spread, can also be found in Hillsborough.

Throughout the past 30 years, financially independent immigrants fleeing repressive governments have invested in Hillsborough, whose hillside vistas are universally appreciated. Persians, Russians, Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, Indians, and Taiwanese comprise a rich tapestry of cultures that enhances the quality of life in this unique community. About half of all buyers are international, many employed in the high-tech or biotech industries that sustain a robust economy in the Bay Area. In this new era of globalization, sophisticated buyers recognize Hillsborough is blessed by its diversity.

—Anne Riley, Alain Pinel Realtors

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