Family things to do in San Mateo

Outdoors

Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

Massive 3,137-acre green space with many trails & a wide range of plant life & wildflowers.

Shoreview

Ryder Park

Neighborhood park with striking, modern picnic pavilions, BBQs, a playground & seasonal splash pad.

Outdoors

Coyote Point Beach

Shoreview

Coyote Point Recreation Area

Bayside park offering a sizable playground with 6 slides, as well as trails & picnic areas.

Sugarloaf

Laurelwood Park

The city's largest park (225 acres) offers trails leading to Sugarloaf Mountain & scenic picnicking.

Downtown

San Mateo Japanese Garden - Entrance

Spring blossoming Japanese gardens with a koi pond, pagoda & teahouse in a 16.3-acre city park.

South San Mateo

Laurie Meadows Park

Bordered by a path, this 7.5-acre park features a lawn with a softball backstop & a playground.

East San Mateo

Parkside Aquatic Park

Bordered by a lagoon, this cozy park features a swimming beach, picnic areas & a boat launch ramp.

Arts & Culture

Hiller Aviation Museum

Museum on the history & future of flight with various aircrafts on display, plus a flight simulator.

South San Mateo

Fieldwork San Mateo

Brewpub with a variety of seasonal house beer blends, plus basic snacks, in an industrial setting.

Outdoors

Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve

467 acres of woodlands & grasslands known for its hiking, wildflowers, bird-watching & scenic views.

Outdoors

Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

Varied landscape including 11 miles of trails, lake, meadows & ridge views in a 2,143-acre preserve.

Centennial

San Mateo County History Museum

Family-friendly, interactive exhibits devoted to local cultural heritage in a historic courthouse.

Outdoors

Waterdog Lake & Open Space

This hilly green park surrounding a small lake has trails of varying lengths, some of them steep.

Downtown

San Mateo Central Park

Vibrant, 16-acre park featuring Japanese gardens, a mini train ride, playground & ice-skating rink.

South San Mateo

Bay Meadows Park

Recreational area on 12 acres includes a baseball diamond, lawn-bowling green, public garden & more.

Outdoors

Wunderlich County Park

Park with redwood trees, open meadows & biking/hiking trails, plus stables for horseback riding.

Shoreview

Seal Point Park

Waterfront area featuring windsurfing, a biking trail, dog park & outdoor classrooms led by rangers.

Outdoors

Lemos Farm