Things to do & places to visit in San Mateo, California, United States

San Mateo city in California, United States. Timezone: America/Los_Angeles, current date and time: Friday, May 03, 2024, 20:58.

Top things to do (24)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Ryptic Room Escape (47 reviews)
- Fastest hour ever!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Check out our newest room: Escape from the Poltergeist! A mysterious spirit is haunting my office. Can you and your team of ghost hunters solve its puzzles, find the key and escape?! ...Before he locks us in forever? See more..
5.0 Nandi Yoga (3 reviews)
- perfect space
Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Yoga & Pilates
A wonderful local neighborhood yoga studio in San Mateo. A gem. Good people. Gorgeous practice rooms. See more..
5.0 Baking Arts (1 review)
- Do something out of the ordinary!- baking classes for couples and small groups
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Cooking Classes

Wanted to do something different. Signed up the wife and I for a French Macaron cooking class. The classroom is in the back a baking supply store. Great location in downtown San Mateo and the facilities are spotless and perfect for small group and couples classes. The instructor was patient and led a though a 2 hour class to master the art of baking the perfect Macaron. We loved the setting and instruction and it was a nice change from the regular tourist attractions. The bonus we got to take home a passle of sweet French Macarons for our effort. They have other classes from cake baking to cookie decorating. Would do it again for something fun and different to do as a couple. Would be great for groups of friends. See more..
5.0 Osetra Wellness Massage Therapy Center (1 review)
- Sophia will fix you
Spent 1-2 hours Spas

About Osetra Wellness Osetra Wellness Massage Therapy Center offers a range of treatment modalities—from relaxing Swedish, deep tissue and soothing prenatal massage. We’re particularly skilled in designing a massage session to meet your needs—whether you’re recovering from an injury, migraine cranial issues or body detoxification. We've been in business 15 years. See more..
5.0 Nine Rubies Knitting (1 review)
- Nice yarn store with nice personnel
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops • Lessons & Workshops
For those of us who love yarn stores and visit them wherever we are, we become 'experts' on what makes a good yarn store. For me, it's nice yarns, a decent inventory, nice staff, room to walk around and nice patterns. This has all of these things! It's not the biggest store in the world, but the owner has always been there when I visit and she is not only very nice but very helpful. She knows her stuff. Her daughter works there now and is equally knowledgeable; I'd say that they know different things which is complimentary. Not a huge selection but what they have is nice. See more..
5.0 San Mateo Wine Walk (1 review)
- Fantastic Wine Walk in a Quaint Area
Spent More than 3 hours Speciality & Gift Shops
This wine walk was one of the best I have been to in the area. We received a real glass and each of the locations not only had a choice of wines but appetizers as well. Some locations had music. One location had a singer who delighted us with Italian classics. Well worth it. See more..
5.0 Red Door Escape Room San Mateo (1 review)
- FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE FRIENDLY
Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Escape with us at the Hillsdale Mall! With 5 full-length escape rooms from a prison, an enchanted forest, or a mysterious carnival, your next adventure is just around the corner! See more..
5.0 Magic Mountain Playground (1 review)
- A fantastic neighborhood playground
Playgrounds

A fantastic playground that's super convenient for parents and caregivers living around Burlingame and San Mateo. There are plenty of slides, swings, and climbing structures for kids of all ages. But that there is a $6 parking fee to enter the park area. See more..
4.5 The San Mateo Japanese Garden (227 reviews)
- Hidden gem
Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Gardens

Japanese garden located in Central Park, a tranquil spot among the high rise buildings. See more..
4.5 Coyote Point Recreation Area (188 reviews)
- Beautiful!
Friday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Parks

We love coming for walks at Coyote Point. It is often rather breezy but the view of the bay is beautiful and it is so relaxing to see all the people walking their dogs and flying kites. It's awesome to see the birds in their natural habitats and see the sailboats on the bay. The kids love to stop by the playground area which is kid friendly and safe. See more..
4.5 Sawyer Camp Trail (148 reviews)
- Great walk
Hiking Trails

Tree-shaded trail stretching 12 miles. See more..
4.5 CuriOdyssey (119 reviews)
- Experiential
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Science Museums

CuriOdyssey is a science playground and zoo in San Mateo where families see wild animals up-close and real scientific phenomena in kid-friendly exhibits. CuriOdyssey's wild animals are rescued native wildlife that include bobcats, a river otter, fox, opossum, eagles, owls and more. CuriOydssey is open to visitors with advance reservations required on Wednesdays - Sundays, 10am-5pm. Make reservations at: https://curiodyssey.org/visit/hours-admission/ See more..
4.5 Central Park (80 reviews)
- Excellent food
Parks

Stopped due to previous TA recommendation. Had open faced chicken sandwich w cucumber salad. Both were prepared perfectly. Flavors really jumped from the chicken sandwich. Chargrilled, fresh sweet tomatoes, spicy arugula and a slightly zesty (obviously homemade) aoli on a fresh bun. Really tasty. Cucumber salad w herbs also very good quality. I recommend this bistro for the food. See more..
4.5 Seal Point Park (28 reviews)
- Great Park for Dogs, Bikers, Walkers and Runners
Spent 1-2 hours Biking Trails • Parks • Playgrounds

Great walking and biking park with sweeping view of Bay along with San Mateo Bridge. Also a great spot to watch arriving planes. Many walking & biking paths and great sculptures as well. Only drawback is NO SHADY area. Bring your fancy hats and a plenty of water. See more..
4.5 Peninsula (15 reviews)
- I love it
Scenic Drives

Take Highway 84 through La Honda and you won't regret this scenic coastal drive. See more..
4.5 Create Mix and Mingle (6 reviews)
- Company Christmas party
Friday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Paint & Pottery Studios

Create, Mix & Mingle provides a fun and unique experience for team-building events, office parties, birthday parties, family parties and offsite meetings. Events require no painting experience and are absolutely stress-free! A professional art instructor guides each group with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to create a featured painting. Participants leave with their very own "masterpiece" that they'll be proud to display at their home or office. Create Mix & Mingle offers 3,600 square feet of event space and can accommodate up to 100 people seated in two studios. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic refreshments are available for purchase starting at $8.00 per glass, $29.00 per bottle of wine and $6.00 for beer. We also provide an assortment of prepackaged snacks and would be happy to work with you if you'd prefer to have a catered event. See more..
4.5 Horseshoe Lake (6 reviews)
- Love the lake
Bodies of Water

Scenic and quiet beach located between California's Pomponio and Pescadero state parks. See more..
4.5 San Mateo Farmers' Market (4 reviews)
- Best in Bay Area?
Friday: Farmers Markets
You won't find a better farmers' market. It offers a very large and very flavorful collection of California foods--from organic and specialty vegetables to artisan breads to meats to flowers and prepared foods. Artisan olive oils and herbs of all types. Craft items and maybe a couple of guitarists or cool jazz musicians scattered about. Lots of free samples--why do fresh vegetables and breads taste so good? Vendors are happy to just be there and talk. They are definitely the most friendly and happy vendors I experienced a farmers' market. Definitel See more..
4.0 Hillsdale Shopping Center (78 reviews)
- Shopping Centre
Spent 1-2 hours Shopping Malls

Nice and very clean shopping centre. Must be fairly new. Nice selection of eateries. Good selection of shops. Adequate parking. See more..
4.0 Laurelwood Park (18 reviews)
- Awesome Overlook
Parks • Hiking Trails • Playgrounds

A beautiful hidden gem in San Mateo. Very well maintained park with plenty of open space grass area. Moderate hi Kiki game trails with an amazing overlook at the top of Sugarloaf Peak. It’s a climb but so worth it. See more..
4.0 Bel Mateo Bowl (7 reviews)
- Had a nice birthday party for 7-yr old
Spent 2-3 hours Bowling Alleys

Had a lane for the kids (with bumpers ) , and one for adults. Bowled for an hour, then had pizza and cake. Everyonw jad a good time ! Birthday girl took home a real bowling ball with her name on it! Stadd were feiemdly and attentive. See more..
4.0 Antone's Cocktail Lounge (2 reviews)
- Friday night pool tournament with my girlfriends
Bars & Clubs

Classic dive bar with a decent selection of tap beers, bottles and cans, wine, and liquor. Buy any shot and get a PBR for $1. Go late on Friday and Saturday nights for the best atmosphere and enjoy a game of pool or darts. The jukebox plays music that reflects the diverse crowd at Antone’s. My friends and I have been regulars here for years. Come see why Antone’s has been a San Mateo staple for over 50 years! See more..
4.0 Coyote Point Rifle and Pistol Club (2 reviews)
- Good place to shoot
Shooting Ranges
It was well run and a good place to learn to shoot. I have not been there in awhile but it was always well run. not my thing but good for what it is. See more..
3.5 Junipero Serra Statue (28 reviews)
- Like the statue
Monuments & Statues

Nice view and good statue. Free parking. Easy access from the freeway, nice place to stop. What else can I say? It's a statue. See more..
3.5 The Swingin' Door (19 reviews)
- rockin good tyme
Friday: 11:30 AM - 2:00 AM Bars & Clubs

Had a super birthday evening singin with the dueling piano guys. Food was hot and full of flavor. Many items to share with the our crowd. Drinks were quite reasonable too. See more..
3.5 Route 92 Sports Bar (8 reviews)
- Very scenic
Friday: 6:00 AM - 2:00 AM Bars & Clubs

Very scenic drive. Go during the day on a weekday if you go west it end in beautiful Half moon Bay. Lots to see and do. See more..
3.5 Sandbox VR SF (5 reviews)
- incredible experience
Friday: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers

Experience unreal worlds with your friends. Sandbox VR is the futuristic experience that people have been dreaming about. It's a cutting-edge social experience straight out of science fiction. This is VR as it was meant to be. Full-body immersion transforms your physical body into a virtual body. Your team can actually see, touch, and interact each other inside our virtual worlds. There's a reason why people like Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Kevin Durant, Orlando Bloom, and Will Smith support us. We're building the future of entertainment, and you can try it with your friends today. To create the best VR experiences on the planet, we combine the latest VR technology, Hollywood motion capture rigs, and AAA-quality content experiences built by veterans from EA, Sony, and Ubisoft. With accuracy down to a finger wiggle, it's so real, you might forget it's not. In here, it's possible. See more..
Kanna Spa (0 review)
Friday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spas
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Congregational Church of San Mateo (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals
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First Baptist Church (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals
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