Downtown San Mateo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A large building with a dome, palm trees, and an American flag.
A display of assorted desserts including chocolate-covered pastries, fruit tarts, and cheesecakes.
A serene garden with a small pond, a wooden bridge, and lush greenery.
A display of various cakes with different toppings and colors.
A variety of desserts including yellow-topped cakes with raspberries and chocolate decorations, and chocolate-covered pastries with coconut flakes.

Stay near popular Downtown San Mateo attractions

Central Park

8.6/10 (125 reviews)
Central Park is just one of the places to see in San Mateo, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
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Activities

The Golden Hour at the Golden Gate

2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay

NZ$260
per adult
2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay
Air India's The Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airpor

Air India's The Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport(SFO)

NZ$123
per traveller
Air India's The Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport(SFO)
Half Moon Bay Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour

Half Moon Bay Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour

NZ$192
per adult
Half Moon Bay Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour
Golden Gate Bay Cruise Service: sail around Alcatraz!

Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)

NZ$68
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions

NZ$171
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions
California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

NZ$86
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
See all activities in San Francisco

Our pick of the best Downtown San Mateo Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$316 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
NZ$316
25 Oct - 26 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,346 reviews)
"This was a very nice hotel however, the location is not ideal for somebody who does not know the Bay Area like me. We booked here because we thought it’d be close to everything and it is not as close as we thought. It’s like a 20 minute drive for everything and on top of that it is what is considered ..."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2026

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$319 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
NZ$319
30 Oct - 31 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (7,684 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$339 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
NZ$339
25 Oct - 26 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
Handlery Union Square Hotel
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$305 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
NZ$305
25 Oct - 26 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square

3.5 out of 5
433 Powell St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$314 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
NZ$314
18 Oct - 19 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Grand Hyatt San Francisco

Grand Hyatt San Francisco

4 out of 5
345 Stockton St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$395 per night from 23 Oct to 24 Oct
NZ$395
23 Oct - 24 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
Grand Hyatt San Francisco
See all 3,940 properties in Downtown San Mateo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown San Mateo

Find the best Downtown San Mateo areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A pier with a large number of sea lions resting on floating platforms.

Fisherman's Wharf

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

A cityscape with tall buildings, a central plaza with palm trees, and a flag on one of the buildings.

Union Square

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

A trolley on a street with buildings and a clock tower.

Downtown San Francisco

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

A cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a central park with pathways, and a few people walking.

South of Market

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to Chase Center – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A street lined with historic buildings, parked cars, and a clear blue sky.

Nob Hill

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Downtown San Mateo Travel Guide

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