Best places in San Mateo County

Discover the best places in San Mateo County, curated using our unique algorithm blending 'Top Rated' and 'Most Reviewed' establishments. Uncover the city's gems and must-visit locales for an unforgettable experience. Please note that certain places categories are intentionally excluded to ensure a refined selection. Ratings are based from 162 places in the city.

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Año Nuevo State Park image
1
Año Nuevo State Park
State park
State park with views of the shoreline showcases the unique geology of California's Central Coast.
4.80 (1.7K reviews)
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve image
2
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Nature preserve
Mountainside area with tall trees, offering canyon hikes, biking trails & horse-riding paths.
4.80 (1.7K reviews)
Filoli Historic House & Garden image
3
Filoli Historic House & Garden
Historical place museum
An early-20th-century country estate & botanic garden, open for docent-led tours.
4.70 (4.7K reviews)
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park image
4
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
Park
Clifftop area with guided tours of an 1872 lighthouse & seal & whale sightings around rocky reefs.
4.70 (4K reviews)
San Pedro Valley Park image
5
San Pedro Valley Park
Park
Park boasting a visitor center & seasonal waterfall plus picnic areas with BBQ pits & hiking trails.
4.80 (640 reviews)
J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve image
6
J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Nature preserve
3-mi. stretch of beach & tide pools full of marine life, including sea stars, octopuses & crabs.
4.70 (1.4K reviews)
Gray Whale Cove State Beach image
7
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Public beach
Cliffs surround this sandy beach, where whales are often spotted close to the shore.
4.70 (1.4K reviews)
Pomponio State Beach image
8
Pomponio State Beach
Public beach
Oceanside scenic sandy beaches with a small lagoon, plus picnic tables & barbecues.
4.70 (1.2K reviews)
Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve image
9
Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve
Park
467 acres of woodlands & grasslands known for its hiking, wildflowers, bird-watching & scenic views.
4.70 (1.2K reviews)
Huddart Park image
10
Huddart Park
Park
This 900-acre, forested park offers hiking & riding trails, plus picnic areas & an archery range.
4.70 (1.1K reviews)
Pulgas Water Temple image
11
Pulgas Water Temple
Monument
Beaux arts monument with a reflecting pool celebrating the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct completed in 1934.
4.70 (962 reviews)
Grand Hyatt At SFO image
12
Grand Hyatt At SFO
Hotel
Airy quarters with soundproof windows in a polished airport hotel offering dining, a bar & a gym.
4.70 (951 reviews)
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve image
13
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Nature preserve
Massive 3,137-acre green space with many trails & a wide range of plant life & wildflowers.
4.80 (418 reviews)
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve image
14
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
Nature preserve
Varied landscape including 11 miles of trails, lake, meadows & ridge views in a 2,143-acre preserve.
4.80 (416 reviews)
McNee Ranch State Park image
15
McNee Ranch State Park
State park
Steep mountainside trails for hiking, biking & dogwalking, with sweeping views of the Pacific below.
4.70 (743 reviews)
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve image
16
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
Nature preserve
Jumbo natural forest featuring hiking & horseback trails, unique plants & rare sandstone formations.
4.70 (647 reviews)
Portola Redwoods State Park image
17
Portola Redwoods State Park
State park
Featuring 18 miles of trails & a 53-site campground, parkgoers can also find creeks & redwoods.
4.70 (631 reviews)
Cowell Ranch Beach Access image
18
Cowell Ranch Beach Access
Park
This remote, scenic beach is reached by a half-mile trail to a bluff with a steep staircase.
4.70 (627 reviews)
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve image
19
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
Nature preserve
Large area with views of Santa Clara Valley & trails, including one for biking & horseback riding.
4.70 (592 reviews)
Pedro Point image
20
Pedro Point
Scenic spot
👍👍 Pedro point is a fantastic spot if you love moderate hikes but want a beautiful view of the coast. Came before noon and was met with a thick dense fog which did prevent us from seeing further along the coastline as we would have liked but closer towards the afternoon, the fog started clearing. Beaut...
4.70 (580 reviews)
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