Foster City is unique among Bay Area communities—a city built almost entirely on land reclaimed from the San Francisco Bay marshes beginning in the 1960s. This master-planned origin shows in its thoughtful layout, with residential areas surrounding a system of lagoons that provide water recreation and scenic beauty. The city's approximately 35,000 residents enjoy a remarkably consistent quality of life, with well-maintained homes, safe streets, and excellent public amenities. Unlike neighboring communities that developed over generations, Foster City was designed from scratch with families in mind, resulting in extensive parks, trails, and recreational facilities. The commercial areas along East Hillsdale Boulevard include restaurants, shops, and services, while the Gilead Sciences campus brings high-paying biotech jobs directly to the community. Foster City's location provides straightforward access to both San Francisco and Silicon Valley via Highway 101 and 92.