San Mateo County

Things to do in San Mateo County

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Top 10 attractions in San Mateo County

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Silicon Valley
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County

Silicon Valley

6.7
4.6/5
154 reviews
Silicon Valley is located in Northern California, United States, south of the San Francisco Bay, and is situated in a valley known for the design and manufacturing of silicon chips. Visitors come here primarily to experience the atmosphere of global technological innovation by touring university campuses, the areas around tech company campuses, and unique visitor centers. The grounds are beautiful, blending a rich historical architectural style with red-tiled roofs, arched corridors, and exquisite decorations that showcase a unique architectural charm. As visitors stroll through the campus, they can feel the unique environment where academic atmosphere and the spirit of technological innovation intertwine. The campus features visitor experience areas, where cafes, merchandise shops, and colorful Android robot statues have become popular spots for visitors to take photos.Mountain View · 30.8 km from San Mateo County
CA-1
2026 Americas 50 - Night Attractions

CA-1

6.7
4.8/5
499 reviews
CA-1 is a highly iconic coastal self-drive route on the West Coast of the United States, stretching over 1,000 km along the Pacific coastline and connecting coastal towns from the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, and Morro Bay all the way to Los Angeles. Its highlight is concentrated in the Big Sur section between Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and San Simeon: the road winds along steep cliffs, with the surging Pacific Ocean on one side and mountains and redwood forests on the other. There are many scenic parking areas along the way where you can pull over at any time to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the waves crash against the cliffs. There are several highly recognizable scenes along this section: the Bixby Bridge, which spans the canyon, is an elegantly designed concrete arch bridge, and there are almost always vehicles parked at the bridgehead for photos; McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park drops directly from the cliff top onto the beach in the cove, making it a rare beach waterfall in California; the sand at Pfeiffer Beach has a faint purple hue due to the weathering of manganese garnet in the cliffs; further south in the San Simeon area, groups of northern elephant seals can be seen sunbathing on the beach year-round, and you can also visit Hearst Castle on the mountain nearby. The Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey at the northern end and the town of Carmel-By-The-Sea also have their own unique charm.Monterey County · 94.3 km from San Mateo County
Filoli Historic House & Garden
No. 14 of Best Things to Do in San Francisco Bay Area

Filoli Historic House & Garden

6.2
4.9/5
23 reviews
From 1915 to 1917, William Bowers Bourn II and his wife, the owners of the "Empire Gold Mine", built Philoli Manor. It is a masterpiece designed by the talented American architect Willis Polk, which combines the English country garden with the native California landscape. Known as one of the "Top Ten Beautiful Gardens in North America", it covers an area of nearly 265 hectares and is a park with beautiful natural scenery. There is a Georgian Revival-style mansion in the garden, as well as multiple English Renaissance-style gardens with more than 150 different varieties of roses, an orchard covering an area of 2.8 hectares, and a 1.6-kilometer-long path. Many design elements in the manor were also influenced by Chinese gardens. For example, there is a winding artificial stream in the garden, which is similar to the streams in Chinese gardens; many traditional Chinese flowers and plants are also planted in the garden, such as peonies, bamboos, etc. Peony symbolizes wealth and good luck; bamboo is a symbol of perseverance.San Mateo County · 9 km from downtown
Half Moon Bay State Beach
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay State Beach

4.7
4.7/5
33 reviews
Half Moon Bay State Beach stretches for four kilometers and is one of the most famous beaches in the area. The beach here can provide tourists with sunbathing, fishing, picnics, etc., everything is available, and horseback riding on the beach is also a novel experience. There is also a campsite specially set up for camping, where tourists can stay, which is very convenient.Half Moon Bay · 2.8 km from downtown
San Francisco Bay
Selected for Night Attractions in California

San Francisco Bay

4.7
4.7/5
53 reviews
San Francisco Bay is a vibrant natural and urban Attraction located on the west coast of California, USA. As a diverse tourist destination, it combines stunning natural scenery with rich urban culture, offering visitors a variety of experiences. The Bay Area is famous for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which is not only a marvel of engineering but also a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities in the Bay Area, from boat tours to exploring on foot. Taking a ferry or Cruise, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains while learning about the bay's ecosystem. For those who love outdoor activities, the Bay Area's numerous parks and trails provide opportunities for hiking, biking, and picnicking.Brisbane · 7.9 km from downtown
Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

3.9
4.6/5
21 reviews
Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse built in 1871, 14 meters high, is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States. The lighthouse has built-in giant focusing mirrors that allow it to see buoys up to 45 nautical miles away, and it still escorts ships to and from today. It is also a good place for many photographers to take pictures to watch the sunrise. It should be noted that the seaside here is quite windy and waves are not suitable for swimming.San Mateo County · 27.9 km from downtown
Meta Headquarters

Meta Headquarters

3.6
5.0/5
15 reviews
Facebook is headquartered in Palo Alto, Silicon Valley. It covers an area of 1 million square feet and can accommodate 2,000 employees. Compared with the original site, it can be described as a complete change. The company has advanced supporting facilities, providing employees with an excellent office environment. However, due to various reasons, tourists are not allowed to enter. However, there is a large logo at the gate, which is a thumb up symbolizing Facebook's representative, and many people took pictures here.Menlo Park · 4.6 km from downtown
Pacifica State Beach

Pacifica State Beach

3.4
5.0/5
1 reviews
Pacifica · 2.1 km from downtown
Venice Beach

Venice Beach

3.3
5.0/5
3 reviews
Half Moon Bay · 2.3 km from downtown
Fisherman's Wharf
2026 Americas 50 - Best Things to Do

Fisherman's Wharf

7.5
4.4/5
1.6k reviews
A landmark of San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf is a strip extending from Ghirardelli Square all the way to Pier 35 and close to popular destinations such as Chinatown and the Lombard Street. This is home to a wealth of shops and restaurants and lively street shows can be seen everywhere. Famous sites such as Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge can also be sighted in the distance. The Fisherman's Wharf is close to the bay, so do not miss out on the fresh and delicious seafood. At Pier 39, sea lions can also be seen lying idly on rafts for a bit of sunbathing, making a most adorable scene.San Francisco · 41.7 km from San Mateo County

Experiences you can't miss in San Mateo County

Featured Cultural experiences in San Mateo County

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San Jose: Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop
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Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 133.29CAD 140.31
Rug Tufting Workshop
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Duration: 2.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 133.29CAD 140.31
San Francisco: Giants Oracle Park Ballpark Tour
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4.8/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 68.94CAD 72.57
Hidden Stairways of San Francisco
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 49.80CAD 52.43
San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise
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5.0/5
· 6 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 181.75CAD 191.32
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA): Entry Ticket
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65 booked
Free cancellation
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FromCAD 42.58

Featured Day tours in San Mateo County

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San Francisco Bay Cruise
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4.4/5
· 76 reviews· 79 booked
Duration: 1 hr
Free cancellation
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FromCAD 55.39
BEST of Monterey Peninsula & Carmel-by-the-Sea Small Group Tour
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FromCAD 167.58
San Francisco: San Francisco City Lights Cruise
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4.7/5
· 389 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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41 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 78.52CAD 82.66
San Francisco City Lights Cruise
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4.5/5
· 473 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromCAD 55.39

Featured Food & drink in San Mateo County

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California Wine Country: Sonoma Tour with 3 Tastings from SF
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5.0/5
· 13 reviews
Duration: 9 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 255.90CAD 269.37
San Francisco: Wine Tasting on the Bay
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 115.09CAD 121.15
San Francisco: Dumpling Cooking Class & Dinner Party
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 181.75CAD 191.32
Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco Dining Experience
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Free cancellation
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FromCAD 53.42
1-day tour to Sonoma plaza and Napa valley Beringer vineyards in San Francisco | Admission ticket not included
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FromCAD 212.14

Featured Outdoor experiences in San Mateo County

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Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour
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Duration: 6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromCAD 324.57
Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive: Full Day Tour from SF
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4.3/5
· 2.1k reviews
Duration: 11 hrs
Free cancellation
FromCAD 183.20
San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 121.18CAD 127.56
San Francisco: City Tour & Muir Woods, Half or Full Day
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 4–7 hrs
Free cancellation
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5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 173.67CAD 182.82

Free things to do in San Mateo County

More ways to travel from San Mateo County

Private Tours in San Mateo County

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What travellers say about San Mateo County

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5OMay 1, 2026
5.0
Silicon Valley doesn't really feel like a tourist attraction. I stood in front of Apple's giant ring for a while; the security guard was polite but wouldn't let me in. Google's colorful bicycles were there, but passersby were too busy looking at their phones. In the roadside cafes, people were frowning so deeply at their computers they could trap a mosquito. Driving around, all you see are low-rise office buildings, much like a typical industrial area. But sitting on a park bench near Stanford, watching kids fly kites, was much more comfortable than any of those tech parks.

Silicon Valley

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生长在海边的果果May 29, 2025
5.0
精华路段是旧金山到洛杉矶的这段,并且一定要从旧金山往洛杉矶开,因为右侧道路临海,这个方向开视线好,景色美不胜收。真的是最美公路。我们开了3天,第一天旧金山到蒙特雷,第二天到皮斯莫海滩,第三天到洛杉矶,一路走走停停,边走边玩,海景无敌,好多国内没见过的花花,真美。途经主要景点有半月湾,鸽点灯塔,蒙特雷小镇,卡梅尔小镇,17英里海湾,大苏尔麦克维瀑布,比克斯比河大桥,象海豹滩,皮斯莫海滩,索尔万丹麦小镇,圣芭芭拉,圣莫妮卡海滩等

CA-1

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_TI***l0April 6, 2026
5.0
Filoli Garden House was absolutely a bang for a buck! It was so stunning with various kinds of flower during peak blooming season of springtime. Historic House was amazing as well with ethereal interior design, especially the gorgeous arts of floral arrangement in different vases.

Filoli Historic House & Garden

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泰迪小熊September 6, 2024
5.0
Came here on September 25, 2017. There are many public beaches along Highway 1, and the Half Moon Bay area is probably the best. This is a long beach, stretching for 7 or 8 kilometers; the beach is flat and the sand is small, so the sand surface here is wide and flat. Coupled with the beautiful curve of Half Moon Bay, the whole beach is very photogenic. The only drawback is that there are few recreational facilities here, and naturally there are not many tourists. Therefore, this place is more suitable for strolling, daydreaming and sunbathing, and it is also good to take pictures of the scenery.

Half Moon Bay State Beach

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菩提树下的笔墨October 2, 2025
4.0
The San Francisco Bay Area is highly recommended for travel. Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Golden Gate Bridge are all bustling with tourists, but the surrounding towns are also beautiful and cozy. Sausalito, Oakland, Silicon Valley, San Jose, and other small towns are also charming and picturesque, with picturesque seaside scenery! They're definitely worth a visit!

San Francisco Bay

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爱梦媛February 5, 2020
4.0
Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a famous check-in spot on Highway 1. It is very romantic. Here you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Ocean, the rough waves, the blue sea and the blue sky. It is a beautiful scenery. I really like it!

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

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MichaelheJune 8, 2022
5.0
It's a fun place. The designer really has different tastes.

Meta Headquarters

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M32***23January 7, 2020
5.0
This was my first time to actually spend the weekend in Pacifica. I have traveled through here many times, but the stay was nice. Great hiking trails from our hotel. Did not need to move the car all weekend. Restaurant choices were nice. I would go back again

Pacifica State Beach

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137***66January 7, 2020
5.0
[Scenery] Venice Beach in Half Moon Bay has endless beauty. It is very suitable for a visit. It is mainly natural scenery. You can also find a bar to bask in the sun, listen to music and relax. Overall, it is highly recommended!

Venice Beach

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ryne.srjMay 12, 2025
4.0
a lot of sea lions! a must see place in san francisco! should get a sea lion plushie as well as a gift!

Fisherman's Wharf

Popular cities near San Mateo County

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in San Mateo County?

Don't miss these attractions in San Mateo County: Silicon Valley, CA-1, and Filoli Historic House & Garden. If you like Cultural experiences, try Go City: San Francisco Explorer Pass (Discover over 30 top attractions | Aquarium of the Bay, The Walt Disney Family Museum & more). If you enjoy Day tours, try San Francisco Bay Cruise.

You can give San Francisco round-trip Napa Valley and Sonoma famous winery wine tasting sightseeing 1-day tour (wine tasting fee included) and California Wine Country: Sonoma Tour with 3 Tastings from SF a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include San Francisco Bay Cruise, BEST of Monterey Peninsula & Carmel-by-the-Sea Small Group Tour, and San Francisco: San Francisco City Lights Cruise. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of October 16, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in San Mateo County is around CAD 55.39 – CAD 249.26. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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