San Mateo

 

 

What to Love 

• Big-city downtown and a residential neighborhood feel 
• Beautiful, year-round weather
• Fantastic shopping 
• Highly-coveted, diverse food 
• Proximity to San Francisco and San Jose 

Local Lifestyle 

If San Francisco had never existed, San Mateo might be the crown jewel of the Bay area. It's urban-suburban setting, great weather, friendly neighborhoods, and high-paying jobs make it a place to live and raise your family.

After a long week of work, locals love strolling downtown as they indulge in fares from the various restaurants. After the sun goes down, San Mateo’s nightspots come alive as they overflow with revelers. Others may catch the latest movie at The Century 12 Movie Theater.

Annual festivals and events are local staples in San Mateo. Downtown buzzes with events in any season. Summerfest is the summer highlight, while Halloween Fun Fest is the main event during fall. The Christmas season is marked by “Christmas on B Street,” filled with music, lighting, crafts, and Santa Claus. However, the San Mateo County Fair is the most incredible draw. During the County Fair, the San Mateo fairground is filled with rides and entertainment joints, and food, making it a must-go event for all locals.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Downtown San Mateo has several restaurants with the most exceptional dining experiences. For the tastiest Italian food and cocktail, try out Pausa Bar & Cookery. You will get a tasting of chef-owner Andrea Giuliani’s authentic Italian fare made from the freshest ingredients in Northern California. Pamper your taste buds with authentic Brazilian dishes at Espetus San Mateo. Don’t miss out on their slowly grilled selection of meats, and let your taste buds capture their most authentic flavor and texture from their distinctive cuts. If you savor Japanese fare, visit Taishoken Ramen. Since 1951, this restaurant has served San Mateo residents authentic Japanese cuisines, especially their signature ramen and tsukemen.

San Mateo’s shopping scene is on another level. Hillsdale Shopping Center tops the list of shopping destinations you should visit. It has over 100 stores with manifold clothing brands and lifestyle products. There are also restaurants, a luxury movie theater, and a bowling alley where you can wind your day down after a day of shopping.

If you want the freshest ingredients for your food, there are three farmer's markets in San Mateo. One is downtown, another is at the College of San Mateo, and the third is on 25th Avenue. Replenish your supply of fresh produce from these three markets.

Things to Do 

There are plenty of things to do in San Mateo. Coyote Point Recreation Area, which sits right on the bay, is the perfect place for picnicking, jogging, or walking. You can also bring your kids to play on its massive playground, featuring a medieval theme and interactive exhibits. Don’t miss CuriOdyssey, part of the Coyote Point Recreational Area. Children and families can visit this place to see wild animals up-close and kid-friendly.

For more end-of-the-week activities, there’s no better event than Bicycle Sunday. It’s a cycling event whose course is blocked from traffic so cyclers can flex their skills. As you ride through the route, you will find several interesting attractions like Filoli Historic House & Garden and Pulgas Water Temple.

The Peninsula Golf & Country Club is your perfect destination if you love spending your weekend golfing. It’s a PGCC-recognized club offering premier golfing experience and exceptional social and recreation programs.

Schools 

San Mateo schools are operated by the San Mateo-Foster City and San Mateo Union High school districts. Some of the top schools in this district include: 

• College Park Elementary, grades K to 5 (the best elementary school in San Mateo-Foster City School District) 
• Borel Middle, grades 6 to 8 (the second-best middle school in the San Mateo-Foster City School District)
• Aragon High School, grades 9 to 12 (the best high school in the San Mateo Union High School District)