Stepping Out: San Bruno Gets Mixed Grades for 'Walkability'

It’s not a walker’s paradise, but San Bruno has its pedestrian-friendly areas -- enough of them to garner a score of 58 in a national survey that ranks cities 1 – 100 for their walkability.

On a color-coded map of the city, a mass of red (car-dependent) neighborhoods surrounds a swath of walkable green.

In a new report that has spurred news articles, blog entries and conversation, WalkScore of Seattle sizes up each city for getting around on foot. Those that rank between 90 and 100 qualify as “a walker’s paradise.” The closest the nation comes is New York, with a score of 85.3, followed closely by San Francisco at 84.9.

Some 67 percent of San Bruno residents live in neighborhoods with a Walk Score of 67 or higher, and 47 percent live in neighborhoods with a score of 70 or higher.

Thirty-two percent live in “car-dependent” neighborhoods.

Why does that matter? For one thing, it turns out walkability is money. How much money? Precisely $3,000 per point in home value, according to “Walking the Walk,” a report by CEOs for Cities.

Walkability is “the latest buzzword in real estate,” says a Wall Street Journal report. Zillow and ZipRealty have begun incorporating Walk Scores into their real estate listings.

"The walkabity factor is something I have been using as part of my marketing packages for the last few years, though its mainstream popularity has not really hit yet," said Realtor Joseph Caputo. "Folks are aware of sites like walkscore.com and I do believe that walkablity is a good selling point and a plus for homes."

While neighborhood, a home's features and price "are still king," said Capote, "We are hearing more and more buyers asking for it."

In San Bruno, investors in a new luxury apartment complex near Tanforan and Town Centre are promoting its easy walking access to transit, restaurants and shops to potential renters.

Supporters say walkability is good for the environment and good for the wallet. And it’s good for the waistline – a distinct advantage at a time when Americans are watching their collective weight soar.

This isn't hiking, or even walking just to take a walk. It's all about where you’re going. The highest scoring neighborhoods – San Francisco has 31 of them – offer appealing destinations in plenitude. Think Lake Merritt, Rockridge, Chinatown, North Beach.

On the Peninsula, Burlingame and San Mateo, each with lively, expansive downtown areas, scored 67.

The top-ranked city was Half Moon Bay, a "walker's paradise" with 91 points. Dubbed "car-dependent," Hillsborough received the region's short score of 14.

How easy is it to walk to parks, stores, cafes, transit and other amenities in your neighborhood? Log onto www.walkscore.com.