San Mateo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Coyote Point Park featuring a garden
Coyote Point Park featuring cycling as well as a small group of people
Coyote Point Park showing sailing and general coastal views
Coyote Point Park showing sailing and a bay or harbour
Coyote Point Park which includes a garden

Where to stay in San Mateo

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East San Mateo

If you're spending some time in East San Mateo, San Francisco Bay and Elmar Beach are top sights worth seeing.

East San Mateo
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Central San Mateo

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

Central San Mateo
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South San Mateo

While visiting South San Mateo, you might make a stop by sights like Hillsdale Shopping Center and San Mateo County Event Center.

South San Mateo
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North Central

While North Central isn't home to many top sights, Poplar Creek Golf Course and CuriOdyssey are some notable places to visit nearby.

North Central
Coyote Point Park featuring a garden

Shoreview

3/5(5 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Shoreview, San Francisco Bay and Poplar Creek Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

Shoreview
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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.

Hillsdale
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites San Mateo-San Francisco SFO by IHG

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites San Mateo-San Francisco SFO by IHG

3 out of 5
330 N Bayshore Blvd, San Mateo, CA
The price is NZ$172 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
NZ$172
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in San Mateo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Nicely appointed room, good bath products (Dove), comfortable bed!"

Reviewed on 15 Aug. 2025

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites San Mateo-San Francisco SFO by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$194 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$194
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,030 reviews)
"Very nice area"

Reviewed on 13 Aug. 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$237 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$237
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,630 reviews)
No free parking.
"$75 for parking every night. That sucked. Would of been fine if it was $20 but Everything else was great."

Reviewed on 15 Aug. 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
See all 5,054 properties in 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.
Mid Century Garden View Home Parking

Mid Century Garden View Home Parking

2 out of 5
1732 Royal Ave, San Mateo, CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly vacation home in San Mateo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions JoinVille Park and Central ...
"This is a very clean comfortable property!"

Reviewed on 3 Jun. 2024

Mid Century Garden View Home Parking
Coral Reef Inn & Suites

Coral Reef Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
400 Park St, Alameda, CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
6.8/10 (2,785 reviews)
"Fine room."

Reviewed on 13 Aug. 2025

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom

Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom

San Francisco
Stay at this guesthouse in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Oracle Park and Pier 39 are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (42 reviews)
"Pretty typically for the city....main thing was it is clean, safe and close to Chinatown!"

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom
See all properties in 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.

Popular places to visit

Golden Gate Park which includes flowers and a garden

Golden Gate Park

Enjoy the tranquil beauty of this beloved park in this oasis of calm away from the bustle of the city, yet right in San Francisco’s backyard.

Golden Gate Park
Pier 39 showing a city, street scenes and signage

Pier 39

This waterfront location has a mix of thrilling rides and lively street entertainment, but watching the sea lions hanging out in the bay wins the day!

Pier 39
Golden Gate Bridge which includes general coastal views, a suspension bridge or treetop walkway and night scenes

Golden Gate Bridge

One of the most iconic bridges in the world, walk the 2.7-kilometre marvel of engineering for the best views over the bay and the ocean beyond, fog permitting.

Golden Gate Bridge
Oracle Park

Oracle Park

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

Oracle Park
Moscone Convention Center

Moscone Convention Center

During your trip, find out what's happening in Moscone Convention Center, a top convention centre in San Francisco. Discover the acclaimed art galleries and shops in this vibrant area.

Moscone Convention Center
Alcatraz Island showing island views and a coastal town

Alcatraz Island

Take a trip to “The Rock”, home to the infamous and abandoned island prison, and discover how it earned its reputation as a bleak and unforgiving place.

Alcatraz Island

Activities

Golden Gate Bridge at night

San Francisco Night Tour

NZ$88
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Night Tour
Alcatraz San Francisco Bay Cruise with Night Option

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

NZ$231
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

NZ$64
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
San Francisco: Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat
San Francisco GoCar Tour

GoCar San Francisco Tour

NZ$165
per traveller
96% of travellers recommend
GoCar San Francisco Tour
San Francisco: Flyer Theater, 7D Ride & Laser Maze Combo

San Francisco: Flyer Theater, 7D Ride & Laser Maze Combo

NZ$47
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Francisco: Flyer Theater, 7D Ride & Laser Maze Combo
San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

NZ$224
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise
See all activities in San Mateo

Cities near San Mateo

Redwood City which includes street scenes and a city

Redwood City

Photo by Mallikarjun Mudagall

Foster City

San Francisco

San Francisco