Located halfway between San Francisco and San Jose, San Carlos is a small residential suburb. San Carlos, "The City of Good Living", aims for a "small town" feel. Its main downtown area is composed mostly of small shops and restaurants. Every May, the town hosts the "Hometown Days" carnival in Burton Park, the city's largest park. In October, the Chamber of Commerce hosts the San Carlos "Art & Wine Faire". October 2015 marked the 25th year it has been held. Sunday mornings during the summer Laurel street is home to a weekly farmer's market. San Carlos is home to a sculpture titled "Balancing Act" by artist James Moore, in front of Frank D. Harrington park on Laurel Street, which is often decorated for various holidays and local events. 

According to the 2010 United States Census: 

• Population: 28,406 
• 99.7% of the population lived in households; 0.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters; 0% were institutionalized. 
• Homeowner vacancy rate: 1.4%; Rental vacancy rate: 5.3%.  
• 76.2% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units; 23.5% lived in rental housing units. 

Transportation options include membership in the SamTrans (San Mateo County Transit) bus system and a Caltrain station. San Carlos was also once home of the Circle Star Theater where performers such as Big Brother & the Holding Company, Richard Marx and Richard Pryor performed. It was torn down and replaced with office buildings. San Carlos was the first city in California to open a charter school, and its schools rank consistently well in statewide lists. Today, students travel to Belmont's Carlmont High School or Redwood City's Sequoia High School to receive their public secondary education. The public schools in San Carlos are run by the San Carlos School District, although the school district boundaries do not cover the entire city of San Carlos. There are several elementary schools (K-4) and a few middle schools (5-8), nearest public high school in the neighboring city of Belmont since the 1982 closure of San Carlos High School.