San Mateo is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area. It boasts green landscapes, parks, the Bay Area's only horse-racing track, and a host of shopping and sightseeing opportunities. The city has a long history and played an important part in the Bay Area's past. The city is located in--and shares its name with--San Mateo County, the region of California just south of San Francisco that is also known as Silicon Valley.
Central Park is located in the heart of San Mateo. It features a Japanese Tea Garden with a pagoda, waterfall and a collection of cherry blossom trees that bloom each April. There is also a miniature train for children that runs through the park each day during the summer. Coyote Point Park is located along the coast in Northern San Mateo along famous Highway 101. The highway itself offers good views of the coastline, and the park features a golf course and a small natural history museum. San Mateo County oversees several county parks, including Pescadero Creek Park and Heritage Grove Park. These parks feature hiking trails, swimming and even horseback riding. Pescadero is also home to a large colony of seals.
San Mateo has a rich history that is celebrated in the form of museums and well-maintained historic sites. In addtion, organizations like the City Arts of San Mateo have built up a large colelction of outdoor public art in the city. The Peninsula Art Museum, in the city of Belmont, features a collection of area art from both classic and contemporary artists.
The San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City boasts the largest stained glass windows of any public building in California. In addition, it has the foremost collection of artifacts in the Bay Area, and exhibits about every era from the earliest known native tribes to the present.
The Bay Area features plenty of lighthouses. Two in San Mateo County include the Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero and the Point Montara Lighthouse in Montara. These were both built in the 1870s and offer historic ambiance and stunning views of the rugged Northern California coast.
The interior lands of San Mateo County are home to wineries. Woodside is home to several popular vineyards, including Thomas Fogarty Winery and Woodside Vineyards. Redwood City has a number of wine bars that specialize in serving area wines.
