As a small suburb outside of San Francisco, a city known for its vibrant culture and arts, it can be easy to overlook the art and experiences Burlingame has to offer. But like San Francisco, Burlingame has a variety of restaurants, shops, art, history, and experiences that make it special. Here are 10 hidden gems that everyone should visit in Burlingame.

Just on the edge of Broadway, Pick of the Litter offers vintage and thrifted clothes, jewelry, toys, books, and home goods. You can find a wide range of treasures, from 1980s windbreakers to handcrafted jewelry and 1940s swing music vinyls — all for a good cause.

The store, founded 42 years ago, is affiliated with the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) and donates all of its proceeds to the organization’s Hope program. The program, which saves around 150 animals each month according to PHS & Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Communications Manager Colleen Crowley, aims at helping animals that require special care, like surgeries or behavior training.

“I just love that people enjoy both shopping here and that benefits the animals, and I love that people enjoy doing something really useful with something they might not need anymore,” Crowley said. “And so it’s just a whole nice cycle, and that it goes to the animals and some of their stories are just really heartwarming.”

Harry Potter is a popular book series that many children check out at the Burlingame Public Library. Did you know that Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the film series, wrote a message to the library? You can find a signed photo of Radcliffe at the entrance to the childrens’ section. Radcliffe wrote, “To Kathy and the children of Burlingame Library, Reading is the greatest magic!”

This photo has been a special part of the library for librarian Kathy von Mayrhauser for over 10 years. Von Mayrhauser’s cousin was the stage manager for the Broadway play How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in New York City in 2012, where he worked with Radcliffe, who starred in the production. He had Radcliffe sign the photo for her, and it remains displayed in the library. Whenever children go to check out the Harry Potter series, they can read a heartwarming message from Harry Potter himself.

On the wall of Village Park Preschool, right next to the playground, is a vibrant mural of a cottage, painted in 2012. According to Burlingame Parks and Recreation, the mural was painted by then eighth-grader Laurel Taschetta, as a part of a “recital project” at The Nueva School, where students delve into a passion. Taschetta developed a passion for art, especially murals, after painting one with her class as a graduation gift to Franklin Elementary School in fifth grade and visiting murals in the Mission District in San Francisco with her Spanish class in seventh grade. In 2011, Taschetta, with support from her family, received approval to paint a mural on the preschool’s wall.

Plucky’s cafe opened in April, making it one of the newer additions to Broadway. This isn’t your typical café — Plucky’s is a “board game” café, where customers can play (and purchase) board games while enjoying their drinks and snacks. From “Exploding Kittens” to “Ransom Notes,” Plucky’s has a variety of board games for all different players. 

The café isn’t named after its owner, however — “Plucky” is the name of their mascot, a “gutsy, resilient, and fearless” Pika, who plays board games. Portraits of Plucky can be found in and outside the café.

Around two weeks ago, rocks sporting plaques of quotes from various authors can be found surrounding the library, said former Library Trustee Mike Nagler. A committee of seven library employees, Foundation members, and Trustees. The committee sent a form to all library members for a quote from a book that is meaningful to them. Over 100 Trustees, employees, and Foundation members responded, and the committee picked 10 quotes they found were the most diverse and welcoming. The rocks serve as a perfect welcome to the library, offering a glimpse into what people can find inside.

“The idea behind the plaques was to welcome library patrons into the library through a demonstration of what the library is all about: the idea that a public library invites all of us to look beyond ourselves into the lives of others. It protects the many voices that exist in our community, our country, our world,” Nagler said. “By picking a book off the shelf we can transport ourselves into many different lives and in the reading of these other lives enlarge and expand our own.”

Just inside the Easton Branch Library is the “Mouse House” — a small display of Calico Critters figurines and other trinkets. The “Mouse House” has been a part of the library for 20 years, and is currently decorated by librarian Wendy Sakaguchi. 

The “Mouse House” is updated about every month for seasons and international events like the 2024 Paris Olympics Games. The display is also interactive, such as the current Halloween-themed arrangement that invites visitors to find 12 small cats hiding in the scene. It’s a small hidden gem, but a long-lasting tradition of the Easton Branch Library.

Kohl Mansion, home to Mercy High School, is already charming and full of history on its own. According to the Kohl Mansion official website, the building was constructed for Charles Frederick Kohl, son of the prosperous Alaska Commercial Company founder William Kohl, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Godey, between 1912 and 1914. Yet what lies behind the building is just as beautiful. If you head past the building, you’ll encounter a short hiking trail in a patch of forest that ends at the other side of the building. A peaceful creek runs through the area, creating a secret and tranquil trail that not many know about. 

A bench signals the end of the trail, providing the opportunity to rest, talk to a friend, read a book, or just relax. Many Burlingame residents travel to Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, or other nearby cities for breathtaking trails, yet this quaint route is in our backyard.

Paper Caper is a small, local stationery boutique owned by Alison Ferrel that has been operating near the end of Burlingame Avenue since 1978, making it one of the oldest establishments on Burlingame Avenue. Come in and you’ll find gifts, cards, and decorations suitable for any holiday and occasion. You’re also likely to find a not-so-typical worker: Pepper, the owner’s dog who assists her in the store.

The shop was originally founded by two friends, Cindy Harband and Sunny Hearst, who opened the store for business on Primrose Avenue. They then moved it to Burlingame Avenue, and ran it until they passed their ownership to Alison Ferrel’s mother, Julie Ferrel, who had been working there for a long time. Now, Alison Ferrel is still keeping the business’ purpose going.

“The purpose of Paper Caper is to celebrate life. So we are a social stationery boutique, so we have everything on the gift side of our store that you would need to be social, and correspond, and celebrate,” Ferrel said.

Preston’s Candies and Ice Cream has been a staple of Broadway since 1946. The family-owned shop, which makes its own treats, was originally founded by Art Preston and is now owned by Javier Santiago. Although the shop has been operating for 77 years, the retro look hasn’t changed, preserving memories from as far back as the 1940s. Preston’s is without a doubt the most old-fashioned establishment in Burlingame, offering customers a look into the past.

Right in front of the Burlingame Railroad Station is a plaque containing the history behind it. The station was built in 1894 and has been running for 130 years. The station has seen a variety of changes, from regular to electric trains, yet the history still remains. Although it may just appear to be a typical plaque, just by stopping and reading it people passing by can learn more about Burlingame’s history. 

No, these “hidden gems” may not be as life-changing as the Palace of Fine Arts or the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. No, people may not travel to Burlingame for its tourist attractions. But we should explore and appreciate the features of Burlingame that make it one-of-a-kind – the stores, restaurants, art, history, and experiences that bring the community together. It’s important to cherish the special features of a place, including the stories and people behind them. After all, it’s the small things that make a city worth remembering. 

*Correction: A prior version of this article incorrectly referred to former Library Trustee Mike Nagler as a librarian. It also referred to the committee of Trustees, Foundation members, and librarians as library employees. These errors have since been edited.