San Mateo, California (Images of America Series)

Ever since the DeAnza expedition camped in the area in 1776, residents and visitors have been making their way to San Mateo--situated in the shadow of its famous northern neighbor, San Francisco. This book trains the spotlight on the unique peninsular city of San Mateo, and illustrates its development from sleepy, oak-studded ranchos to today's bustling city with its own college, three high schools, churches, hospitals, and a population approaching 100,000.

Fifth-generation San Matean Gregory N. Zompolis presents a striking collection of vintage photographs that show San Mateo's journey through the years. In these pages are rare images of the city's early denizens--the common people as well as the land barons whose summer homes dominated the early landscape--going to school, shopping, eating, doing business, and enjoying life in the beautiful Surroundings by the bay.