Devonshire San Carlos Homes and Neighborhood Guide
San Carlos neighborhood guideUnincorporated San Mateo County
Devonshire is an unincorporated pocket of San Mateo County in the hills around Devonshire Avenue and Winding Way. Homes have San Carlos mailing addresses but sit outside the city limits, inside the area the county's LAFCo identifies as the city's sphere of influence. That means county services instead of city services: law enforcement from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, planning and permits through the county, and sewer service from the Devonshire County Sanitation District, run by County Public Works.
Water comes from California Water Service, as in much of San Carlos. Streets here are narrow and winding. City and county lines can change parcel by parcel. In 2009 the San Carlos City Council voted to annex land in Devonshire Canyon, between Winding Way and Chesham Avenue, for a five home hillside project. Please confirm jurisdiction, schools and permits for each address.
Devonshire is shaded. Borders are approximate, see the San Carlos map for the full picture.
At a glance
- Unincorporated San Mateo County with San Carlos mailing addresses
- Sewer from the Devonshire County Sanitation District; water from Cal Water
- Winding hillside streets around Devonshire Avenue and Winding Way
- Big Canyon Park and Highlands Park are close by
Homes and Streets
Devonshire is made up of detached houses on hillside lots, many with mature trees and slopes that shape how each home sits on its site. Streets follow the canyon contours rather than a grid. A county study noted limited storm drain facilities here, and some hillside parcels may rely on septic systems, so sewer connection and drainage are worth checking for any home here.
See current homes for sale in Devonshire →
Parks and Open Space
Public Schools Nearby
School assignments follow district attendance boundaries, which can split a neighborhood and change over time. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district, for example the San Carlos School District.
Getting Around
Interstate 280 is a short drive west, and Brittan Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas lead down to El Camino Real. The San Carlos Caltrain station is a short drive away downtown.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Devonshire FAQ
Where is Devonshire in San Carlos?
Devonshire is an unincorporated pocket of San Mateo County in the hills around Devonshire Avenue and Winding Way. Homes have San Carlos mailing addresses but sit outside the city limits, inside the area the county's LAFCo identifies as the city's sphere of influence.
What are homes like in Devonshire?
Devonshire is made up of detached houses on hillside lots, many with mature trees and slopes that shape how each home sits on its site. Streets follow the canyon contours rather than a grid.
What public schools are near Devonshire?
Public schools near Devonshire include Heather Elementary School (grades TK-3), Mariposa Upper Elementary School (grades 4-5), Tierra Linda Middle School (grades 6-8) and Carlmont High School (grades 9-12). School assignments follow district attendance boundaries and can change, so confirm the school for a specific address with the San Carlos School District.
What parks are near Devonshire?
Parks and open space near Devonshire include Big Canyon Park, Highlands Park and Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Is Devonshire part of San Carlos?
No. Devonshire is unincorporated San Mateo County with a San Carlos mailing address, so county agencies handle many local services. Confirm services, schools and permits for a specific address.
How do I get around from Devonshire?
Interstate 280 is a short drive west, and Brittan Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas lead down to El Camino Real. The San Carlos Caltrain station is a short drive away downtown.
How can I find homes for sale in Devonshire?
Browse current listings in Devonshire on Joseph Suarez's site, or join his off-market list to hear about homes before they are listed publicly. Thinking of selling? Request a free home valuation for a local estimate based on recent nearby sales.
Thinking about Devonshire?
Whether you are buying or selling, Joseph Suarez can walk you through recent sales, street by street pricing and what is coming up before it hits the market.
See homes for saleWhat is my home worth?Get off-market listingsContact Joseph← Back to the San Carlos neighborhood guide or browse all Peninsula neighborhoods
Updated October 2026 by Joseph Suarez, Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Burlingame, DRE 02085594.
Sources: San Mateo County, Palo Alto Daily Post, City of San Carlos, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, San Carlos School District. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.