San Mateo travel guide

San Mateo Tourism | San Mateo Guide

You're Going to Love San Mateo

With a population of 97,207, San Mateo is a must-see destination in California, United States. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything San Mateo has to offer.

Where to Eat in San Mateo

If you’re looking for affordable options, Espetus Churrascaria - San Mateo (710 S B St 0) and 231 Ellsworth (231 S Ellsworth Ave) are great picks.

When to visit San Mateo

San Mateo in October
Estimated package price
$410
2 travelers
Flight to San Mateo
3 nights at hotel
San Mateo in October
Estimated package price
$410
2 travelers
Flight to San Mateo
3 nights at hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to San Mateo in August, when the average temperature is 64.4 °F, and the highest can go up to 71.6 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 42.8 °F, with an average temperature of 50 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in January, when precipitation is around 4.4″. In contrast, July is usually the driest month of the year in San Mateo, with an average rainfall of 0″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to San Mateo

Plane

When flying to San Mateo, you’ll arrive at San Francisco Airport (SFO), which is located 8 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to San Mateo include American Airlines, Air France and Aeromexico. The shortest domestic flight to San Mateo departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to San Mateo. The train journey from San Mateo to Sacramento takes 1h 37m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fresno, expect to pay about $31 for a 3h 58m trip.

Car

Another option to get to San Mateo is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 26 km from San Mateo. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Sixt, among others, in San Francisco.

Bus

You can travel by bus to San Mateo using Greyhound or FlixBus. From Oakland, the bus ride to San Mateo takes 40 km and will cost you around $9. From Sacramento, the ticket costs about $14 for a journey of 201 km.

Plane

When flying to San Mateo, you’ll arrive at San Francisco Airport (SFO), which is located 8 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to San Mateo include American Airlines, Air France and Aeromexico. The shortest domestic flight to San Mateo departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to San Mateo. The train journey from San Mateo to Sacramento takes 1h 37m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fresno, expect to pay about $31 for a 3h 58m trip.

Car

Another option to get to San Mateo is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 26 km from San Mateo. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Sixt, among others, in San Francisco.

Bus

You can travel by bus to San Mateo using Greyhound or FlixBus. From Oakland, the bus ride to San Mateo takes 40 km and will cost you around $9. From Sacramento, the ticket costs about $14 for a journey of 201 km.

Airports near San Mateo

Airlines serving San Mateo

Lufthansa
Good (4,677 reviews)
KLM
Good (845 reviews)
SWISS
Good (950 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,623 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,259 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,583 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (488 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,602 reviews)
Air France
Good (979 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,111 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,432 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,978 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,994 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (227 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
LOT
Good (677 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (810 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (935 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,169 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (837 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of San Mateo

Most booked hotels in San Mateo

Bay Landing Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1569 reviews)
$120+
Residence Inn by Marriott San Francisco Airport/San Mateo
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 140 reviews)
$133+
Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 215 reviews)
$145+
Best Western Coyote Point Inn
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 33 reviews)
$144+
Aloft San Francisco Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1615 reviews)
$152+
The Westin San Francisco Airport
4 stars
Excellent (8, 1403 reviews)
$155+

Renting a car in San Mateo

Renting a car in San Mateo costs $63 per day, on average, or $190 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 9% cheaper than airport locations in San Mateo.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in San Mateo (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. Full-size (Ford Fusion or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in San Mateo, while also 73% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in San Mateo costs $63 per day, on average, or $190 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 9% cheaper than airport locations in San Mateo.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in San Mateo (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. Full-size (Ford Fusion or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in San Mateo, while also 73% cheaper than other types, on average.