Sara McDowell, Councilmember, City of San Carlos

09/06/2026

Yard signs are here! Please take a moment to help: add your name to our list of supporters, display a yard sign, and make a contribution. This is a real race, and it will be decided by how many voters we can reach between now and November. Your contributions help us fund a successful campaign!
Chip in here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sara-mcdowell-1
Want a sign of your own? https://www.saramcdowell.org/volunteer

09/01/2026

The San Carlos Day of Service is a great way for community members of all ages to participate in a fun project to beautify our town. Sign up at the link below and join the fun on September 12!

08/19/2026

Happy first day back to school, San Carlos School District families! Be sure to thank your friendly crossing guard, too. I'm proud of our City's partnership with the San Carlos School District for the crossing guard program which has grown significantly since 2015. The City Council most recently approved funding up to $300,000 per year to cover the cost of 11 crossing guards, keeping our kids safe on their way to and from schools throughout the city.

Schools are back in session!

Please drive safely, slowly, and watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Thank you for keeping everyone safe in the City of Good Living!

08/10/2026

It's official! Last week I signed my papers to run for re-election to the San Carlos City Council. Four candidates are now running for three seats. This is a real race — and I need your help to win it.

I'm running to keep making progress on what matters to our community: infrastructure improvements, strong public safety, support for our families, and thoughtful planning for San Carlos' future. It's been an honor to serve, and I'd be grateful for the chance to keep going.

But a competitive race takes resources. If you believe in this work, please make a contribution today at www.saramcdowell.org. Every dollar helps us reach voters between now and November. Thank you!

08/09/2026

What a delight to attend the ribbon cutting for One Life Counseling Center's new downtown location. The therapy rooms were designed by incredibly talented local designers, and the result is a collection of spaces that are gorgeous, welcoming, and restful.

I've admired One Life for years, going back to the pandemic when I volunteered weekly at their free food and diaper distributions. They have never stopped meeting the need for accessible, compassionate mental health care for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families; through school-based programs, early childhood services, and older adult programs; and by training the next generation of clinicians.

I always leave inspired when I hear Executive Director Suzie Hughes speak, and her remarks at the ribbon cutting were no exception:

"Sometimes when things are bad and you think 'where am I going to go, what's going to happen, how do I navigate this,' four years later something even bigger and better happens. That's a good reminder for me, and I hope for you too, to wait out those hard parts." Thanks to the Daily Journal for including this quote in their article!

07/01/2026

I'm excited to announce that I'm running for re-election to the San Carlos City Council this November. It has been an incredible honor to serve our community, including two terms as Mayor, and I'm proud of all that we have accomplished together over the past eight years. While we've made meaningful progress, there's still important work ahead to improve our infrastructure, strengthen public safety, support families, and thoughtfully plan for San Carlos' future. I would be honored to earn your support once again so we can keep San Carlos moving forward together.

06/18/2026

Yesterday I joined local elected officials and county leaders at HIP Housing's Building Community Annual Event where we celebrated their great work housing 1,220 community members in need. HIP Housing is a non-profit that provides affordable housing solutions through property management, home sharing, and family self-sufficiency programs. They also manage hundreds of below-market-rate units and are currently building the project on Cherry Street in San Carlos which will house families soon! I then stopped by Chamber San Mateo County's Off-the-Clock mixer hosted by Matt Levin and Melanie Roth, owners of The Refuge, an anchor restaurant in our downtown for the last 18 years. Be sure to check out all of their special events during World Cup matches and Trivia Night every Monday!

06/13/2026

What a crowd for last night's World Cup match at Wheeler Plaza! Thank you to the City's Parks and Recreation Department for organizing, the Parks and Recreation Foundation for selling beverages, and AYSO and San Carlos United for hosting fun activities. Learn more about watch parties and promotions hosted by San Carlos businesses online at cityofsancarlos.org/fanfest

05/18/2026

Another fun-filled Hometown Days event is in the books! Loved the exciting addition of the Charter Derby down Arroyo hill this year. A big thank you to our City staff and the army of volunteers who make this event so memorable for our community every year - truly something that makes San Carlos the City of Good Living.

05/13/2026

On Monday night the City Council voted to proceed with planning for an aquatic facility at Laureola Park, and today's Daily Journal does a good job summarizing the discussion. All of the public feedback was greatly appreciated. Staff will begin a master plan process that will analyze amenities for both the current footprint of the park and a potential new, larger footprint if the City can acquire the adjacent property currently owned by Sequoia Union High School District. The meeting is available at the following link, with the pool discussion beginning at the 3:50 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR04ZZZ-wZ0