El Granada's housing stock consists largely of single-family homes on modest coastal lots, many within walking distance of the bluff and harbor. The community's early-20th-century platting produced a winding street pattern and a mix of original cottages, mid-century homes, and newer construction. Because the village remains unincorporated, it is served by San Mateo County rather than a city government. The suburban-rural character, ocean proximity, and relatively lower density of the midcoast distinguish El Granada from the more urbanized Bay Area communities across the hills.

El Granada sits at the center of the San Mateo County midcoast, bordered by Princeton-by-the-Sea, Moss Beach, and Half Moon Bay. Its winding, radial street plan — attributed to architect Daniel Burnham — sets it apart from a typical grid and gives many streets a view toward the ocean. Pillar Point Harbor anchors the western edge, while the coastal bluffs and beach run along the shore. The village shares its identity and institutions with the neighboring coastside communities, functioning as one continuous settlement from Montara south to Half Moon Bay.

Life in El Granada is shaped by the coast. Residents are minutes from the bluffs, beaches, and the working waterfront of Pillar Point Harbor, where fishing boats, kayaks, and coastal trails converge. The village's small scale and unincorporated character keep daily life quiet and community-oriented, while Half Moon Bay's downtown provides shops and restaurants nearby. The cool, often foggy coastal climate and the dramatic Pacific setting attract people seeking a slower pace, and the midcoast's farms and open space reinforce the area's rural-coastal feel.

El Granada is served by the Cabrillo Unified School District, which covers the midcoast communities of Half Moon Bay, Moss Beach, Montara, and El Granada across more than 135 square miles. El Granada Elementary School is located in the village and is one of the district's elementary schools. The district's small, rural character reflects the coastside setting, and students continue on to the district's middle and high schools in Half Moon Bay.

El Granada is reached primarily by car along State Route 1, the coastal highway that links the San Mateo County midcoast to San Francisco and points south. State Route 92 climbs over the hills from the village to Interstate 280 and the Bay Area's Peninsula communities, providing the main connection to Silicon Valley and San Francisco. The community's small scale makes it walkable in places, and the harbor and nearby trailheads are easy to reach. Commuters to San Francisco or the Peninsula typically travel by car over the coastal range.

Recreation in El Granada revolves around the coast. Pillar Point Harbor offers boating, fishing, kayaking, and coastal walks, and the bluffs above it provide sweeping views of the Pacific and the famous Mavericks surf break offshore. The Coastal Trail and nearby beaches connect the village to Half Moon Bay and Moss Beach, where tide pools and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve draw visitors. The Santa Cruz Mountains rise immediately behind the community, adding hiking and open space within a short drive.