The best parks & outdoor spots in San Mateo

9 parks & outdoor spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Pinned in San Mateo today

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Parks & Outdoors · 9 places · showing the latest additions first

Temescal Regional Recreation Area

Parks & Outdoors

Urban, lakeside retreat offering swim & picnic areas, a fishing dock, trails & playgrounds.

6500 Broadway (Oakland)

“Urban, lakeside retreat offering swim & picnic areas, a fishing dock, trails & playgrounds.”

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McLaren Park Trails

Parks & Outdoors

Large forested park featuring scenic hilltop viewpoints, tennis courts and a playground.

2075 Burrows St (San Francisco)

“Large forested park featuring scenic hilltop viewpoints, tennis courts and a playground.”

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Bayside Manor Park

Parks & Outdoors

Public green space offering a kids' play area, an expansive grass field & a large basketball court.

301 Santa Paula Ave (Millbrae)

“Public green space offering a kids' play area, an expansive grass field & a large basketball court.”

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Alemany Farm

Parks & Outdoors

Expansive farm run by the community, offering internships, classes & volunteer opportunities.

700 Alemany Blvd (San Francisco)

“Expansive farm run by the community, offering internships, classes & volunteer opportunities.”

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John McLaren Park

Parks & Outdoors

312-acre park featuring a golf course, a pool & an amphitheater, plus 7 miles of walking trails.

100 John F Shelley Dr (San Francisco)

“312-acre park featuring a golf course, a pool & an amphitheater, plus 7 miles of walking trails.”

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Seal Point Park

Parks & Outdoors

Waterfront area featuring windsurfing, a biking trail, dog park & outdoor classrooms led by rangers.

1901 J Hart Clinton Dr

“Waterfront area featuring windsurfing, a biking trail, dog park & outdoor classrooms led by rangers.”

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Parkside Aquatic Park

Parks & Outdoors

Parkside Aquatic Park is that mellow lagoon-side escape when the Peninsula heats up, good for quick dips, sandy lounging, and unhurried…

1595 Seal St

“Parkside Aquatic Park is that mellow lagoon-side escape when the Peninsula heats up, good for quick dips, sandy lounging, and unhurried picnics with friends. Bring your sunshine playlist and make an afternoon of it, then call it a day with toes still sandy and smiles intact.”

From the San Mateo newsletter, August 6, 2026

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Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve

Parks & Outdoors

Dog-friendly preserve offering 366 acres of open space, with hiking trails through canyons & ridges.

Redwood City

“Dog-friendly preserve offering 366 acres of open space, with hiking trails through canyons & ridges.”

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Coyote Point Recreation Area

Parks & Outdoors

Bayside park offering a sizable playground with 6 slides, as well as trails & picnic areas.

1701 Coyote Point Dr

“Bayside park offering a sizable playground with 6 slides, as well as trails & picnic areas.”

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