Introduction to San Mateo, California
San Mateo, incorporated in 1894, is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area of northern California located approximately 20 miles south of San Francisco. Situated amongst three major freeways (U.S.- 101, Interstate - 280 and California state highway 92), San Mateo is linked to San Francisco (to the north), San Jose (to the south) and the East Bay (to the east). One of the largest cities in San Mateo County and one of only two which is governed by its own City Charter, San Mateo is both a residential and business community.
Sometimes referred to as the "Paris of the (San Francisco) Peninsula," San Mateo is afforded shelter from the Pacific Ocean by the Montara Mountain block of the Santa Cruz Mountain chain, resulting in a mild Mediterranean climate. The city (and also the county in which it resides) conveys the Spanish name for Saint Matthew. Until about 1850, this name appeared as "San Matheo."
Arts, Culture and Attractions in the San Mateo Area
The San Mateo Performing Arts Center is one of the largest theaters on the peninsula outside of San Francisco. Other sites of interest in San Mateo include:
- Coyote Point Museum.
- Bay Meadows horse racing track.
- San Mateo Arboretum.
- San Mateo Japanese Garden.
- Coyote Point Recreation Area.
- Horseshoe Cove.
- Hiller Aviation Museum.
- Ice Center.
A very short drive north yields access to the many attractions in the city of San Francisco. A few of these are:
- Alcatraz.
- Golden Gate Bridge.
- Chinatown.
- Fisherman's Wharf.
- Cable Car Museum.
- Ghirardelli Square.
- Ferry Building Marketplace.
- San Francisco Zoo.
Sports lovers have easy access to many professional teams which call the Bay Area their home. Among these are the following:
- Basketball:
- Golden State Warriors (NBA).
- Baseball:
- Major League Baseball (MLB): San Francisco Giants (National League).
- Major League Baseball (MLB): Oakland Athletics (American League).
- Minor League Baseball (MiLB): San Jose Giants (Single-A affiliate of the SF Giants).
- Football:
- National Football League (NFL): San Francisco 49'ers.
- National Football League (NFL): Oakland Raiders.
- Arena Football League (AFL): San Jose SaberCats.
- Hockey:
- San Jose Sharks (NHL).
- Soccer:
- San Jose Earthquakes (MLS).
- Lacrosse:
- San Francisco Dragons (MLL).
