Things To Do in San Mateo

San Francisco Bay Trail (Coyote Point to the Bridge)

Bayfront · Free

The San Mateo stretch of the Bay Trail runs the shoreline from Coyote Point south to the San Mateo Bridge and on toward Foster City, with jets dropping into SFO across the water, sailboats and kiteboarders on the bay, and wide-open views the whole way. Walk it, run it, bike it, or fish along it.

Why it's a Local's pick: One of my go-to walks when I want to get my steps in. Wide open view of the Bay the whole way, that's the reason to do it.

Seal Point Park

Bayfront · Free

The old San Mateo landfill, reborn as a grassy hill with 360-degree bay views, public art, a 3-acre dog park, and a windsurf and kite launch. Climb the mound near sunset for the best free view in town.

Why it's a Local's pick: Another of my walking spots, right on the water with a great Bay view. It ties right into the Bay Trail if you want to keep going.

Coyote Point Recreation Area

Bayfront · Parking fee

A 670-acre bayfront county park with a eucalyptus-shaded shoreline, a beach and marina, picnic groves, the CuriOdyssey science and wildlife museum, and the steady summer winds that make it a top Bay Area kiteboarding spot.

The Kite School (Tony Parsons)

Bayfront · $$$

Kiteboarding lessons run by Tony Parsons, with 20-plus years on the water, teaching beginners through advanced riders on San Mateo's reliable summer bay winds.

Why it's a Local's pick: During COVID this was our escape. We'd head over just to take in the atmosphere, and it was a totally different world, everyone's friends out there. I don't kite surf myself, but we spent enough time that we got to know all the regulars, and a lot of them are still friends. Tony's a legend out there, him and his dog Ryder. Good guy, and he's out on his jet ski pulling people in when they get stranded.

Central Park & Japanese Garden

Downtown · Free

A sixteen-acre downtown park with a 1960s Japanese tea garden and koi ponds, a kids playground, and tennis courts. The beloved miniature train that ran here since the late 1940s is retired for now while the city looks for a replacement, but the garden and playground keep it a downtown favorite.

CuriOdyssey

Bayfront · $$

A hands-on science and wildlife museum at Coyote Point with live native animals, an outdoor zoo, and interactive exhibits built for curious kids.

Laurelwood Park & Sugarloaf

Laurelwood · Free

A creekside neighborhood park whose dirt trails climb Sugarloaf Mountain for ridge-top views over the Peninsula.

Ryder Park

Bayfront · Free

A bayfront park with a nautical-themed playground, a marsh boardwalk for birdwatching, and direct Bay Trail access.

Beresford Park

Beresford · Free

A big recreation park with a skate park, tennis and bocce courts, ball fields, and shaded picnic areas.

Shoreview Park

Shoreview · Free

An east-side neighborhood park with a skate park, playground, and picnic facilities.

Lakeshore Park

Lakeshore · Free

A park on the banks of Marina Lagoon with a playground, courts, and beach access for kayaks and small boats.

Bay Meadows Community Park

Bay Meadows · Free

A modern park in the Bay Meadows village with a full-size soccer field, a wildlife pond, and a looping walking path.

Bel Mateo Bowl

Borel · $$

A 24-lane neighborhood bowling alley with a bar and bistro, weekly leagues, and open play.

Red Door Escape Room

Hillsdale · $$

Themed, story-driven escape rooms at Hillsdale for small groups.

Kiddo Adventure Indoor Playground

Downtown · $$

A downtown indoor playground for kids up to about ten, with slides, a zipline, and obstacle courses.

San Mateo Public Library (Main)

Downtown · Free

The city's main library branch with a big children's area, story times, and free community programs near downtown.

San Mateo Performing Arts Center

San Mateo Park · $$

A 1,540-seat theater next to San Mateo High, billed as the largest stage between San Francisco and San Jose, hosting concerts and shows.

San Mateo County Event Center

Saratoga / Fairgrounds · Varies

The county fairgrounds and event complex, home of the San Mateo County Fair and a year-round calendar of expos, festivals, shows, and markets.

Central Park Music Series

Downtown · Free

Free outdoor concerts in Central Park on summer evenings, a San Mateo tradition of blankets, picnics, and live bands under the trees.

Cinemark Century San Mateo 12

Downtown · $$

A twelve-screen downtown movie theater within walking distance of B Street's restaurants and parking garages.

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas

Hillsdale · $$$

A dine-in luxury cinema at Hillsdale with reclining seats and full food-and-drink service to your seat.

Pinstripes San Mateo

Hillsdale · $$$

A combined bowling-and-bocce venue with an Italian-American bistro and an outdoor fire-pit patio at Hillsdale.

Safari Run

North Central · $$

A jungle-themed indoor play structure with slides, climbing, arcade games, open-play sessions, and birthday party rooms for young kids.

Why it's a Local's pick: I used to bring my kids here when they were little. Nothing fancy, just an easy go-to because it was so close by.

Imagination City

Hillsdale · $$

A child-sized pretend-play town at Hillsdale where kids ages two to seven take on roles like grocer, firefighter, and doctor.

Clay Life Art Studios

West San Mateo · $$

A community pottery studio offering wheel-throwing, hand-building, and sculpture classes plus memberships.

The Marvegos Fine Art School

Laurelwood · $$

A fine-art school teaching kids and teens drawing, painting, sculpting, and mixed media through structured projects.

Art Academia

Downtown · $$

A European-style art school teaching academic drawing, painting, and ceramics to kids and adults.

Peninsula Gymnastics

West San Mateo · $$

A gymnastics and tumbling center with preschool, recreational, and competitive classes from age two and up.

Gymboree Play & Music

Laurelwood · $$

Parent-and-child play, music, and art classes for babies through preschoolers, plus open gym and party space.

San Mateo Children's Musical Theater

North Central · $$

A youth musical theater program staging full productions for performers ages five to eighteen.

Bayside/Joinville Park

Shoreview

A large community park at the mouth of Marina Lagoon with ball fields, tennis courts, a soccer field, an off-leash dog park, a playground, picnic areas, and the seasonal Joinville Swim Center.

Borel Park

Baywood

A small neighborhood park with two nature-themed playgrounds for younger and older kids, ADA walking paths, shade structures, and open lawn.

Casanova Park

Laurelwood

A neighborhood park with a fenced playground, basketball court, open lawn, and picnic areas, linked to Laurie Meadows Park by a bridge over Laurel Creek.

Harborview Park

Shoreview

A neighborhood park with a baseball field, half basketball court, playgrounds for younger and older kids, and picnic areas.

Indian Springs Park

Beresford

A forested, woodland-style park with climbing structures for two age groups, a grass field, a paved oval for tricycles, picnic areas, and year-round natural springs.

Laurie Meadows Park

Laurelwood

A 7.5-acre park with a big playground featuring tube slides and a rock-climbing wall, a toddler playground, a fenced dog park, grassy fields, and picnic areas.

Los Prados Park

Los Prados

A sports-focused park with tennis and basketball courts, ball fields, a playground, a community garden, an off-leash dog run, and picnic areas.

Mariners Island Park

Mariners Island

A neighborhood park near Marina Lagoon with a playground, baseball diamond, open lawn, and picnic areas.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park

North Central

Home to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and Swim Center (lap and training pools), a playground, picnic areas, and a memorial grove honoring Dr. King.

Paddock Park

Bay Meadows

A newer park with a fenced playground for ages 5-12, a toddler play area, a sand-and-water play zone, a half basketball court, and a BBQ area.

Parkside Aquatic Park

Shoreview

A lagoon-side park with a sandy beach, a roped-off swim area, a boat launch, a playground, and seasonal concessions along Marina Lagoon (no lifeguard on duty).

Trinta Park

Hayward Park

A neighborhood park with two Little League baseball diamonds, a half basketball court, a playground, and restrooms.

Bayside Dog Park

Shoreview

A friendly, fenced off-leash dog park inside Bayside/Joinville Park, smaller and more laid-back than the big Seal Point park, and a neighborhood favorite where the regulars all know each other.

Seal Point Dog Park

Bayfront

San Mateo's biggest off-leash dog park, about three fenced acres on the bayfront with separate large- and small-dog sections, a low-mud gravel surface, water fountains, and double-gated entries.

Los Prados Dog Park

Los Prados

A fully fenced off-leash dog run at Los Prados Park with separate small- and large-dog areas, though it can get muddy after rain.

Laurie Meadows Dog Park

Laurelwood

A recently renovated, fully fenced off-leash dog area inside Laurie Meadows Park, which connects to Casanova Park by a footbridge over Laurel Creek.

CY Danceworks

Hillsdale

Dance studio

Happy Mozart Music School

Downtown

Piano and music lessons for kids and families since 2007

Champions Martial Arts

Parkside · $$

Family-run taekwondo school with classes for kids and adults, a local favorite in the Parkside Plaza center.

Motion Arts Center

Downtown

Salsa, bachata, hip-hop, and Zumba classes plus social dance nights, right downtown.

Color Me Mine

Downtown (B St) · $$

A paint-your-own-pottery studio downtown. A fun, low-key creative outing for date nights, kids, and groups. New to San Mateo.

How About Dance

Downtown (B St) · $$

A downtown San Mateo dance studio with classes for beginners and experienced dancers, celebrating its second year with anniversary specials.

Clawsome Arcade

Downtown (4th Ave) · $

A new skill-based claw machine arcade with prizes and birthday party options.

Myriad Music School & Dance Academy

25th Avenue · $$

Music lessons and dance classes for kids and adults.

Heartbeat Dance Academy

West San Mateo (Polhemus) · $$

A dance school with classes for all ages.