08/31/2026
This Bay Area City Has Over 18,000 Public Trees And A History Most Locals Don't Know About 👇
Burlingame is one of the Peninsula's most beloved cities — and its story goes all the way back to a San Francisco merchant, a prominent banker, and a landmark diplomatic treaty with China. Here's a look at the history behind the city that proudly calls itself the City of Trees.
✔️ It started with eucalyptus trees and a retired merchant — The land was originally owned by San Francisco merchant William Davis Merry Howard, who planted eucalyptus trees across the property and retired there. After his death in 1856, the land was purchased by prominent banker William C. Ralston.
✔️ The city was named after a diplomat — In 1868, Ralston named the land Burlingame in honor of his friend Anson Burlingame, the United States Ambassador to China. That same year, the landmark Burlingame Treaty between the U.S. and China was signed — a moment the city honored 150 years later with the unveiling of a sculpted bust of Burlingame at the public library.
✔️ The 1906 earthquake helped build the city — After the San Francisco earthquake, hundreds of lots in Burlingame were sold to people looking to rebuild their lives and establish new homes. The town was officially incorporated in 1908 and expanded in 1910 when the neighboring town of Easton was annexed.
✔️ The City of Trees title is well earned — In 1908 the board of trustees passed an ordinance protecting public trees from being cut or damaged. Today Burlingame is home to over 18,000 public trees, dozens of parks, and eucalyptus groves that give the city its distinctive, canopied character.
Burlingame has been a desirable place to put down roots for well over a century — and everything about its history explains why.
Thinking about buying or selling in Burlingame or anywhere on the Peninsula? Drop a 🏠below or DM me — this is one of the Bay Area's most consistently desirable markets and I'd love to help you navigate it.
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