Looking to challenge yourself? Hike the San Bruno Mountain State Park. Looking to immerse yourself in a redwood forest? Plan to visit either Butano State Park or Memorial Park and walk among giant redwood trees. Or perhaps you need a breath of fresh air after multiple meetings in Silicon Valley? We recommend visiting Arastradero Preserve or Edgewood Park, both featuring great hiking trails to clear your mind.
Northern Region Parks
For northern San Mateo County folks, Oyster Point Park & Marina in South San Francisco offers 33 acres of paved trails, picnic areas, and even sandy beaches. On nice days you can even kick back and watch boat launches and fishermen! Meanwhile, the San Bruno Mountain State & County Park offers gorgeous views of the entire San Francisco Bay. The summit is an iconic part of the peninsula’s horizon and its 1,314’-high peak provides visitors with sweeping 360° panoramic views of the entire Bay Area.
Central Region Parks
Located in San Mateo, Central Park’s Japanese Tea Garden is one of the finest gardens in California. Designed by landscape architect Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo, the park features beauty such as a tea house, koi pond, granite pagoda, and a bamboo grove. Be sure to visit in the early spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom! Another great park in San Mateo is Seal Point Park, which offers a beautiful Bayfront view with multiple recreation activities. The park features pathways for walking, cycling, birdwatching, and even a 3-acre dog park! You and your furry friend will love walking the boardwalk along the bay marshes.
Coastal Region Parks
McNee Ranch State Park in Pacifica is a beautiful and scenic park and a favorite for Bay Area mountain bikers! Steep, tough fire roads wind through an assortment of Bay Area plants, leading to a nearly 1,900-foot peak with gorgeous views! Butano State Park in Pescadero was created in 1957 to protect California’s coast redwood trees. Today, visitors can discover a quiet canyon filled with towering redwood trees, California’s finest! Featuring 40 miles of hiking trails winding through 4,000 acres of land, you won’t want to miss this magical spot!
Southern Region Parks
Located in Palo Alto, the Arastradero Preserve is a perfect mixture of grassland, blooming flowers, and evergreen forest. If you’re lucky, you may even see some wildlife! Also, just right off of interstate 280, you'll find Edgewood Park in Redwood City. This 467-acre park of woodlands and grasslands provides wonderful sightseeing opportunities. Springtime is the best time to go, as all of the wildflowers are in perfect bloom!
For more information on parks, visit the San Mateo County Parks Department website.
Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley
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San Francisco Airport Waterfront Marriott
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Grand Bay Hotel San Francisco
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The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
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AC Hotel San Francisco Airport/Oyster Point Waterfront
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Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront
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DoubleTree by Hilton San Francisco Airport
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