Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
San Mateo lies on the San Francisco Peninsula about 20 miles south of San Francisco, stretching from the shore of the bay up into wooded hills. The name comes from the Spanish name for nearby San Mateo Creek, and the town grew in the late 1800s as a stop on the railroad and a retreat for wealthy San Francisco families who built estates here. It was incorporated in 1894.
Today San Mateo is a lively Peninsula city with a walkable downtown full of restaurants, cafes and shops near the Caltrain station. Its leafy Central Park holds a beautiful Japanese Tea Garden, a rose garden and a small train ride for children.
Along the bay, Coyote Point Recreation Area has a beach, a marina and trails through eucalyptus groves, while the former Bay Meadows racetrack has become a new neighborhood with parks. Laurelwood Park and Sugarloaf Mountain offer trails in the hills, and the Bay Trail follows the shoreline.
A peaceful Japanese garden inside San Mateo Central Park, designed by Nagao Sakurai, with a koi pond, stone lanterns, bridges, a pagoda and a tea house. It is small but carefully kept. It is open daily with free entry, but closes in the late afternoon, so plan your visit for earlier in the day.
The city's historic main park near downtown, with large old trees, a rose garden, playgrounds, a small miniature train for children and the Japanese Garden. It hosts concerts and events in summer. It is easy to combine with a meal downtown; street parking and a small garage are nearby.
A county park on San Francisco Bay with a beach, picnic areas, eucalyptus groves, a marina and walking paths with views of planes landing at SFO. It is a popular spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding. There is a vehicle entrance fee; afternoons are windy, so mornings are best for picnics.
A science and wildlife center for children at Coyote Point, with hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo of rescued native animals such as otters, raccoons, foxes and birds of prey. It is best for children up to about ten. Book timed tickets online, and add the park entry fee for parking.
A bayfront park built on a former landfill, with walking and biking paths, a dog park, picnic spots and wide views of the bay, the hills and airplanes. Interpretive signs explain the shoreline wildlife. It is windy and has little shade, so bring layers; it connects to longer shoreline trails.
A small beach park on Marina Lagoon with a sandy shore, calm water for swimming in summer, a playground and picnic tables. It is one of the few swimming spots on this part of the Peninsula. Lifeguards are on duty only in summer; check water quality notices before swimming.
A bayside park on the Seal Slough in east San Mateo with lawns, a playground, a sports court and paths along the water. Benches look out over the marshes, and birdwatching is good at low tide. It is a quiet alternative to busier parks; the nearby shoreline trail is great for an evening walk.
A busy downtown around B Street and Third and Fourth Avenues, with a wide range of restaurants, especially Japanese, Thai and Chinese food, plus cafes, bars and a cinema. The Caltrain station is right next to it. Use the public parking garages, or take Caltrain to avoid parking hassle.
A new neighborhood built on the former Bay Meadows racetrack, with parks, a central plaza, offices, homes and restaurants. Its green spaces and walking paths make a pleasant stroll near the Hillsdale Caltrain station. It is a good example of modern transit-oriented design in the Bay Area.
A large shopping mall on El Camino Real with department stores, chain stores, a movie theater and a dining area with many local and Asian food options. It was renovated and expanded in recent years. Parking is free, and it is close to the Hillsdale Caltrain station for those using transit.
A hill in Laurelwood Park in the San Mateo highlands, with trails winding up through oak woodland and grassland to views of the bay. It is a local nature area with spring wildflowers and birds. Start at Laurelwood Park off Glendora Drive, wear good shoes, and expect some steep sections.
No reviews yet. Been to San Mateo? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to San Mateo? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photos
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
Photo: Schmiteye at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: mliu92, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ilgamoot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Eugene Zelenko, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Eugene Zelenko, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Franco Folini from San Francisco, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Craig Howell from San Carlos, CA, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Sanfranman59, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ilgamoot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: mliu92 from San Mateo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: BrokenSegue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mliu92, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ilgamoot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Clyde Charles Brown, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: vicki moore from San Mateo, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: vicki moore from San Mateo, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Bill Abbott, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: mliu92 from San Mateo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Hispalois, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: mliu92 from San Mateo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: cifraser1, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: mliu92, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: mliu92, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: mliu92, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: mliu92, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: mliu92, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: mliu92 from San Mateo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: mliu92 from San Mateo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Lisa Padilla from Silicon Valley, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Lisa Padilla from Silicon Valley, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: mliu92 from San Mateo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Vicki Moore from San Mateo, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: BrokenSphere, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: BrokenSphere, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: FASTILY, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: FASTILY, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: mliu92 from San Mateo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: mliu92 from San Mateo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0