Tobin Clark Estate Hillsborough Homes and Neighborhood Guide

Hillsborough neighborhood guide

This neighborhood sits in the southeast hills above San Mateo and is built around the Tobin Clark Estate, a house designed by architect David Adler for Celia Tobin Clark. Completed in 1931 in an English Tudor and Cotswold tradition, the house has an H shaped plan, with a service wing set around a motor court and a large drawing room facing a formal courtyard.

The original estate covered about 250 acres. Over the following decades that land was divided into individual lots, and the surrounding streets filled in with homes, mostly from the 1970s onward. The 1931 house remains a private residence. Downtown San Mateo, Central Park and Highway 92 are a short drive away, and Beresford Park on Alameda de las Pulgas is also close.

HILLSBOROUGH 26. Tobin Clark Estate 26 280 El Camino Real Caltrain N

Tobin Clark Estate is shaded. Borders are approximate, see the Hillsborough map for the full picture.

At a glance

  • David Adler's 1931 English style house for Celia Tobin Clark
  • Original estate covered about 250 acres
  • Most homes date from the 1970s through the 2000s
  • Hillside setting above San Mateo

Homes and Streets

Most homes around the Tobin Clark Estate were built from the 1970s through the 2000s, so larger custom homes from those decades are common, in a range of traditional and contemporary styles. Lots are large and hilly, and streets curve up from the San Mateo side. The Adler house remains the area's historic anchor.

See current homes for sale in Tobin Clark Estate →

Parks and Open Space

Central Park, San Mateo16 acre park on the former Kohl estate with a Japanese tea garden
Beresford Park, San MateoPark and community center on Alameda de las Pulgas with playground, tennis and skate area
Laurelwood Park and Sugarloaf Mountain, San MateoPlayground and lawn next to open space with hiking trails

Public Schools Nearby

South Hillsborough SchoolGrades K-5, Hillsborough City School District. Likely nearest; assignment is by street address.
William H. Crocker Middle SchoolGrades 6-8, Hillsborough City School District. The district's only middle school.
San Mateo High SchoolGrades 9-12, San Mateo Union High School District. Likely for much of the area; assignment is by address.
Aragon High SchoolGrades 9-12, San Mateo Union High School District. The far southeast edge of Hillsborough may be assigned here.

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 Hillsborough City School District.

Getting Around

San Mateo and Hillsdale Caltrain stations are each a short drive. Highway 92 and El Camino Real are close, with US 101 to the east.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Parrott DriveBrewer SubdivisionHillsborough HighlandsHillsborough Park

Tobin Clark Estate FAQ

Where is Tobin Clark Estate in Hillsborough?

This neighborhood sits in the southeast hills above San Mateo and is built around the Tobin Clark Estate, a house designed by architect David Adler for Celia Tobin Clark. Completed in 1931 in an English Tudor and Cotswold tradition, the house has an H shaped plan, with a service wing set around a motor court and a large drawing room facing a formal courtyard.

What are homes like in Tobin Clark Estate?

Most homes around the Tobin Clark Estate were built from the 1970s through the 2000s, so larger custom homes from those decades are common, in a range of traditional and contemporary styles. Lots are large and hilly, and streets curve up from the San Mateo side.

What public schools are near Tobin Clark Estate?

Public schools near Tobin Clark Estate include South Hillsborough School (grades K-5), William H. Crocker Middle School (grades 6-8), San Mateo High School (grades 9-12) and Aragon High School (grades 9-12). School assignments follow district attendance boundaries and can change, so confirm the school for a specific address with the Hillsborough City School District.

What parks are near Tobin Clark Estate?

Parks and open space near Tobin Clark Estate include Central Park, San Mateo, Beresford Park, San Mateo and Laurelwood Park and Sugarloaf Mountain, San Mateo.

How do I get around from Tobin Clark Estate?

San Mateo and Hillsdale Caltrain stations are each a short drive. Highway 92 and El Camino Real are close, with US 101 to the east.

How can I find homes for sale in Tobin Clark Estate?

Browse current listings in Tobin Clark Estate 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 Tobin Clark Estate?

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 Hillsborough neighborhood guide  or  browse all Peninsula neighborhoods

Updated October 2026 by Joseph Suarez, Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Burlingame, DRE 02085594.

Sources: Pacific Coast Architecture Database, Wikipedia, Ed-Data. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.