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San Mateo County/Silicon Valley…the BEST of the San Francisco Bay Area!


San Mateo County, gateway to San Francisco and northernmost part of Silicon Valley, is graced with natural scenic beauty, but has all of the excitement of a cosmopolitan area. With over 170 hotels, countless restaurants and activities and perfect weather San Mateo County/Silicon Valley has it all.

Home to San Francisco International Airport, San Mateo County is ideally suited for long weekends and family vacations. Known for its perpetual sunshine, 60 miles of unique coastline and proximity to San Francisco, the area is now earning a reputation as a culinary tourism destination with its “As Fresh As it Gets” program recognizing local chefs and venues for their work with local, sustainable products.

The incredible fresh produce, seafood caught directly from the Pacific, and the locally produced cheese, wine and microbrews are the perfect recipe for a great vacation. Our numerous award-winning restaurants, along with our elegant art galleries, museums and theaters, vibrant downtown areas, as well as four major shopping centers and numerous pockets of unique stores and boutiques, make for a memorable stay. With Stanford University in our midst, sports and educational opportunities abound. Cultural activities involving the arts, music, history and entertainment are found in abundance in our area.

Nature lovers enjoy exploring tide pools, whale watching, deep sea fishing and watching elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve. Those fascinated by flight take pleasure in the unique displays at the Hiller Aviation Museum, as well as the San Francisco International Airport Aviation Museum. Golfers find courses and practice ranges with spectacular views and runners and walkers have miles of scenic trails and parks to explore. San Mateo County fulfills the highest expectations for visitors of all types.

As you can see, the opportunities are endless in the area we call home. We invite you to discover San Mateo County/Silicon Valley - the best of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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The California Welcome Center San Mateo
60 31st Ave Ste 161
San Mateo, CA 94403-3404

Phone: (650) 578-8033
Fax: (650) 578-8538
Email: info.sanmateo@visitcwc.com

Hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 9:00pm / Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm / Extended Holiday Hours

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Jazzing Up Sushi in the Bay Area

Spend an evening at Yoshi's for world-class jazz and Japanese fare.

At first glance, you might not think that jazz and sushi go together, but trust us: the combination has been working for San Francisco Bay Area residents and jazz greats since 1973. The original Yoshi’s in Oakland was joined in 2007 by an equally impressive San Francisco location in the historic jazz district of Fillmore Street. Yoshi's keeps the shows coming, with a stellar lineup of talent performing two shows nightly (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas). The state-of-the art clubs have presented extraordinary artists over the years, including legendary jazz greats such as Betty Carter, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Harry Connick Jr., and Oscar Peterson among hundreds of others.

There's more than music in beautiful surroundings at these two jazz venues. You can also order gourmet sushi and other Japanese dishes, a classy complement to exceptional performances.

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» Playland at the Conservatory: A Garden Railway Celebrating San Francisco’s West End
November 18, 2011 10:00 AM to March 18, 2012 4:00 PM

Step right up for a ride back in time as the Conservatory of Flowers presents a new garden railway display celebrating the legendary Playland at the Beach and a bygone era of seaside amusement that was located on San Francisco’s West End. Model trains wend their way past the famed Sutro Baths, zip around a replica of the Victorian-era Cliff House and whiz through a mini version of San Francisco’s beloved Playland at the Beach. Young and old alike will marvel at the sight of its most famous attractions including the Big Dipper, Diving Bell, Fun House and more. The exhibit also includes memorabilia and photographs in a fascinating display that tells the story of San Francisco’s lost ocean-front treasures.

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