First-time in San Mateo, CA

I’m not referring to a town in Rizal Province in the Philippines. Rather, this is San Mateo, one of the suburbs near San Francisco, California, USA. It’s 20-30 minutes away from downtown San Francisco and about 10 minutes away from SFO airport. We could even hear the planes as they land or take off. So, before my flight back to Manila from San Francisco, my grade school buddy and namesake, Claire, toured me around her neighborhood in San Mateo.

I spent a good three hours in San Mateo. It was a small place but it was very welcoming to me. No intimidating skyscrapers in sight that would usually be found in urban jungles. I got around their downtown area. There was a small movie house and plenty of restaurants. They have almost all kinds of cuisine. Name it, they have it–Indian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, etc.

Claire pointed to me some shops and the library, which she frequents. She also brought me to her house. But not before we had a short dinner in a Japanese restaurant. If I had enough time in San Mateo, I would have visited these places:

Central Park and the Japanese Tea Garden

Central Park remained one of San Mateo’s most beloved community spaces. Spanning 16 acres in the heart of the city, the park offered lush lawns, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a scenic duck pond that delighted families and visitors alike. One of its standout features was the serene Japanese Tea Garden, a tranquil oasis featuring koi-filled ponds, arched bridges, stone lanterns, and carefully pruned bonsai and flowering shrubs. The garden, originally established in the 1960s through a sister-city relationship with Toyonaka, Japan, continued to provide a quiet retreat for reflection and relaxation amid urban life.

Downtown San Mateo’s Historic Charm

Downtown San Mateo buzzed with a mix of historic character and emerging vibrancy. Along El Camino Real and side streets like B Street and 2nd Avenue, visitors found a blend of locally owned boutiques, antique shops, and cozy cafés nestled in early 20th-century buildings. The historic Fox Theatre, a 1920s-era movie palace, still stood as a cultural landmark, occasionally hosting community events and classic film screenings. Sidewalks lined with mature trees and well-preserved architectural details gave the downtown area a nostalgic, small-town ambiance that contrasted with its proximity to Silicon Valley’s tech-centric bustle.

The Bayfront and Marina Life

San Mateo’s eastern edge, bordering the San Francisco Bay, offered scenic views and recreational opportunities. The San Mateo Marina provided docking for private vessels and served as a starting point for bay cruises and fishing excursions. Nearby, the Bay Trail invited walkers, joggers, and cyclists to enjoy panoramic views of the bay and distant San Francisco skyline. Shoreline parks and wetlands, such as those near the Foster City border, supported birdwatching and environmental education, highlighting the region’s commitment to preserving coastal ecosystems even as surrounding areas experienced rapid development.

How I wish I could have spent a day or two to explore the place, but I never had the chance.  I got a taste of San Mateo but I wasn’t sated.  I hope to get a good serving the next time I visit this place.