Things to do in San Mateo

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Panorama of the Pacific ocean on sandy Cowell Ranch State beach surrounded by sea cliffs, rocky headlands on sunny day in San Mateo County, California
A suspension bridge at sunset with city lights in the distance.
A forested mountain range with a sunrise or sunset.
Panorama of Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park on the California coastline south of San Francisco on the Cabrillo Highway.
A long bridge with a red roof and multiple streetlights extending over calm water.

San Mateo Attractions

There's something quite special about smaller cities. Whether you're on your way to San Mateo for a weekend or you're planning on staying a bit longer, you'll soon fall in love with this destination. In fact, with so many fun things to do and impressive attractions to see, you probably won't want to leave!

Discover the best sights in San Mateo with some popular tours & day trips, or try out our list of {37 fun activities in San Mateo fun activities in San Mateo}. We have no booking fees as well as free cancellation, so you can relax and put your energy into planning your perfect vacation.

Things to do

Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour with Free App Audio Packages

Official Alcatraz Inside Prison Tour with Free App Audio Packages

$86
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Official Alcatraz Inside Prison Tour with Free App Audio Packages
California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

$49
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

$125
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
San Francisco City Lights Cruise

California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

$58
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)
San Francisco GoCar Tour

GoCar San Francisco Tour

$99
per traveler
86% of travellers recommend
GoCar San Francisco Tour
San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

$107
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour
de Young Museum General Admission Ticket

de Young Museum General Admission Ticket

$20
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
de Young Museum General Admission Ticket
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Most popular activities in San Mateo

Tours & day trips

See all 25 activities
Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $50 per traveler*
Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 9 activities
Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $50 per traveler*
Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving TourOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 6 activities
Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket

Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry Ticket

10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is $39 per adult
Filoli Historic House and Garden Entry TicketOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 3 activities
Napa, Sonoma and Exclusive Battery Spencer Small Group Wine Tasting Tour

Napa, Sonoma and Exclusive Battery Spencer Small Group Wine Tasting Tour

Activity duration is 9 hours
4.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $138 per traveler
Napa, Sonoma and Exclusive Battery Spencer Small Group Wine Tasting TourOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in San Mateo

Number of things to do
37
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Stanford University Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in San Mateo

Free Things to Do in San Mateo

Touring on a budget in San Mateo? Spend time, not money, on awesome experiences.

Coyote Point Park - Stay a while in this vibrant place and imagine life as a local.

Lakeshore Park Beach - Keep your eyes peeled for exotic shells and other seaside treasures scattered along the coastline here.

Sawyer Camp Trail - Bring your camera and let Mother Nature spark a sense of wonder in you.

Fiesta Meadows Park - If you like spending time in the garden, this place will appeal to your inner green thumb.

Things to Do in San Mateo with Kids

There's fun for all the family no matter where you go in San Mateo. Here are a few family friendly experiences you can do together that will make your vacation a blast:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in San Mateo? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in San Mateo

Oracle Park

Oracle Park

4.5/5(1,482 reviews)

Whether or not you’re a baseball fan, this charming ballpark with outstanding views should be on your San Francisco sightseeing list.

Oracle Park
Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

4.5/5(7,344 reviews)

Cars trundle across it and ships sail under it, but the best way to experience this iconic bridge is on foot.

Golden Gate Bridge
Pier 39

Pier 39

4.5/5(6,904 reviews)

This waterfront attraction offers thrilling rides, innovative street performers and colorful souvenir shops, but it’s the sea lions that win the day.

Pier 39
Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park

4.5/5(5,170 reviews)

This beloved park offers relaxation among trees, flowers and wildlife, right in San Francisco’s backyard.

Golden Gate Park
yerba buena gardens complex

Moscone Convention Center

4/5(606 reviews)

During your trip, find out what's happening at Moscone Convention Center, a top convention center in San Francisco. Discover the fascinating museums and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Moscone Convention Center
Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island

4.5/5(2,785 reviews)

Escape to “The Rock,” home of the infamous and abandoned island prison, and discover how it earned a reputation as a cold and unforgiving place.

Alcatraz Island
Lombard Street

Lombard Street

4.5/5(4,675 reviews)

Often incorrectly called the world’s crookedest street, this San Francisco roadway is an iconic spot to see, photograph and drive down.

Lombard Street
A street sign for 'Warriors Way

Chase Center

Catch an event at Chase Center during your trip to San Francisco. Amble around this vibrant area's Chinatown or experience its acclaimed theater scene.

Chase Center
Presidio of San Francisco

Presidio of San Francisco

4.5/5(833 reviews)

Discover history, culture, open spaces, spectacular views and the Jedi Master Yoda at this former military base.

Presidio of San Francisco

Where to stay in San Mateo

Find the best San Mateo areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about San Mateo
Learn more about San Mateo
Sunset view of the historic San Mateo County Courthouse in downtown Redwood City, California, USA.

Downtown San Mateo

If you're spending some time in Downtown San Mateo, Cinemark Century San Mateo 12 and The San Mateo Japanese Garden are top sights worth seeing.

Half Moon Bay, California Shots- USA

North Central

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in North Central and surrounding area, you can visit Poplar Creek Golf Course and CuriOdyssey.

Fog slides over the hills in a thick white blanket. Crystal Springs Reservoir, San Mateo County, California, USA.

Highlands-Baywood Park

While there might not be top attractions in Highlands-Baywood Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Sawyer Camp Trail and Sugarloaf Mountain.

Sunset view of Crystal Springs Reservoir, San Francisco bay area, California

Sugarloaf

If you're spending some time in Sugarloaf, Hillsdale Shopping Center and Sugarloaf Mountain are top sights worth seeing.

Clock Tower in Filoli Garden, California

Hillsdale

You'll enjoy the restaurants and live music in Hillsdale. You might want to make time for a stop at San Mateo County Event Center or Bay Meadows Park.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from San Mateo

Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont, California

Belmont

A suspension bridge at sunset with city lights in the distance.

Burlingame

Redwood City

Redwood City

Aerial view panorama of Danvers Fosters Point at the bank of Crane River in city of Danvers, Massachusetts MA, USA.

Foster City

San Francisco

San Francisco

Frequently asked questions

Is San Mateo worth visiting?
Known for its history and culture, discovering fun things to do in San Mateo is simple. Make sure to add Coyote Point Park to your itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in San Mateo?
When you've checked off leading attractions like Coyote Point Park and Hiller Aviation Museum, spend some time enjoying San Mateo's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in San Mateo?
Coyote Point Park is one of the top tourist attractions in San Mateo and should be high on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in San Mateo?
You can easily tour top attractions like Coyote Point Park, Hiller Aviation Museum and Lakeshore Park Beach with a three-day break in San Mateo. On average, most travelers book three days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stay a bit longer and head to San Francisco.
Is San Mateo a walkable city?
Some leading attractions in San Mateo, like Coyote Point Park and Lakeshore Park Beach, are within walking distance. You can also explore several of the city's popular neighborhoods on foot. Just 2 miles from central San Mateo is East San Mateo and Shoreview is 1 mile away.
What are some activities to do in San Mateo with kids?
If you are after sights and tours for all of your group, here are some great ideas for what to do in San Mateo with kids.

What to do in San Mateo for adults?
Oceanic Foot Spa and Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia are just a couple of the things to do in San Mateo. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in San Mateo?
From enjoying parks to wandering around exciting neighborhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in San Mateo. If you're looking for inspiration, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Coyote Point Park is a must for anyone planning to save on their travel adventures.

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