Things to do in San Mateo

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

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A suspension bridge at sunset with city lights in the distance.
A forested mountain range with a sunrise or sunset.
A lighthouse on a rocky coastline with a field of yellow flowers in the foreground.
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 {45 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

Alcatraz Inside Prison Tour with Free App Audio Packages

$86
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Inside Prison Tour with Free App Audio Packages
California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

$55
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
San Francisco City Lights Cruise

California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

$58
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)
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
San Francisco SkyStar Wheel - Private Gondolas

San Francisco SkyStar Wheel - Private Gondolas

$19
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
San Francisco SkyStar Wheel - Private Gondolas
Golden Gate Bridge at night

San Francisco Night Tour

$53
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Night Tour
Bridge 2 Bridge Tour: Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge

San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

$48
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)
San Francisco: Kids Thrill Zone Combo at PIER 39

PIER 39 Thrill Explorer: Flyer, 7D, Laser Maze & VR

$32
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
PIER 39 Thrill Explorer: Flyer, 7D, Laser Maze & VR
San Francisco RocketBoat High-Speed Bay Adventure

San Francisco RocketBoat High-Speed Bay Adventure

$36
per adult
San Francisco RocketBoat High-Speed Bay Adventure
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Recommended things to do in San Mateo

Number of things to do
45
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!

 

 

Stay near popular San Mateo attractions

Coyote Point Park

8.6/10 (188 reviews)
Coyote Point Recreation Area blends bay views with diverse activities for all ages. Explore the castle-themed Magic Mountain Playground, visit CuriOdyssey science museum, or watch planes landing at nearby SFO.
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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
A large building with a dome, palm trees, and an American flag.

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.

A street with buildings, a clock tower, and a red truck.

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.

A coastal landscape with a large body of water, dense green forests, and rolling hills.

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 Hillsdale Shopping Center.

A calm lake surrounded by forested hills.

Sugarloaf

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

A clock tower with a rooster statue on top, surrounded by trees.

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

A white building with a dome and arched windows, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.

Belmont

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

Burlingame

A modern multi-story building with red and white accents, located at a street corner with visible street signs and parked cars.

Redwood City

An aerial view of a coastal town with a marina, boats, and a bridge connecting to an island.

Foster City

The Golden Gate Bridge with a clear view of the towers and cables, spanning across the water.

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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