San Mateo County Has it All

Beaches, Museums, and More!

by J. J. Scott

Think of San Mateo County as San Francisco’s best neighbor. San Mateo County has it all including San Francisco International Airport, 90 miles of beaches shopping, nature parks, museums, great dining, and plenty to discover. 

1.It’s Pez-ial

The Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia has the largest display of all things Pez, including the world’s largest Pez. Learn everything you’ll ever need to know about Pez.  An Austrian candy executive Eduard Haas invented Pez candy in 1927 but the dispenser didn’t make its debut until the 1950s. The word Pez is an abbreviation of the German word for peppermint and was originally an aid to help people stop smoking. And, of course, should you want to buy some Pez it can happen! www.burlingamepezmuseum.com

2. Get wild

At Ano Nuevo State Reserve seals breed and give birth from December to April during which time access is only by guided tours.  However, seal lions hang out at the reserve during the rest of the year. From Mid-April and Mid-may whales are often spotted close to shore at Gray Whale Cove State Park. Get wild at the park’s beach, known as Devil's Slide, located in a sheltered cove surrounded by cliffs that drop abruptly into the Pacific. A steep trail leads down to the clothing-optional beach.

3. Coyotes and more

The Coyote Point Museum offers a multi-sensory introduction to the Bay Area’s natural history that includes an Environmental Hall, state-of-the-art interactive exhibitions, and outdoor wildlife habitats that contain natural settings for over 150 live species of animals.  Themed gardens feature a hummingbird garden, a butterfly habitat and an aviary featuring over four dozen indigenous species of birds. Walkways offer excellent views of the Bay. www.coyoteptmuseum.org

4. The state of the estate

San Mateo County is home to several estates that are open to the public but Filoli is recognized as one of the finest. The 654-acre property includes a 36,000 square-foot mansion and 16 acres of European-inspired gardens. Originally established as a private residence in 1917, the donated property joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975. On the fourth Wednesday of every month, February through October, enjoy tea at the estate. www.filoli.org

5. Blue Lady

During the 1920s the Moss Beach Distillery was a gathering place for silent film stars and politicians looking for a place where Prohibition laws had little effect. At that time, a murder occurred around the Distillery and the ghost of the famed “Blue Lady” is said to haunt the premises to this day. Don’t believe it? Sit at the bar long enough and you will know she is around when the Tiffany-style lights above the bar start to sway. Enjoy excellent views of the bay while dining. www.mossbeachdistillery.com

6. Take flight

The Hiller Aviation Museum showcases the past, present and future of aviation with a wide array of aircraft, interactive hands-on displays, and multimedia presentations spanning the development of aviation since the mid-19th century. The small museum specializes in Northern California aircraft history and helicopter history. Displays include the Avitor, a heavier-than-air unmanned aeroplane powered by a 1-hp steam engine that flew one mile on its first flight, and the 1980s Condor, a piston-powered super-secret robotic spyplane. www.hiller.org

7. Low tide fun

The James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve offers one of the most diverse tide pool systems in California with a variety of seaweed, crabs, sponges, sea anemones, mollusks, starfish and fish. It is one of the best spots on the California coast to study intertidal ecology. Naturalists are on hand to lead hikes and answer questions. www.fitzgeraldreserve.org

8. Saving money

Think of shopping as a way to save money.  There are plenty of places to save money shopping. In Burlingame the tree-lined streets, convenient diagonal
parking, charming shops, designer boutiques, and fine arts galleries are a shopper’s delight. Every town from Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo to quaint shops, antique stores, and an arts and crafts center in Half Moon Bay has something for everyone.

10. It’s an airport – it’s a museum

SFO is not your average airport!  It is also a museum.  From displays celebrating

75 years of the San Francisco Ballet to gem stones to Warner Brothers Animation to aviation toys, there is something of interest for everyone. In Terminal One, in conjunction with the Steinhart Aquarium, the permanent display “Learning About the Fishes of the World,” which represents three distinct aquatic communities. Along with permanent exhibits others change on a regular basis so even the frequent traveler will find something new to enjoy. www.sfoarts.org

10. Bart it!

Visiting San Francisco couldn’t be easier.  Take Bart or SamTram and you will be walking along the Embarcadero before you know it. Ride the Peking Duck for land and sea views, take in a game, watch the seals on Fisherman's Wharf, and tour Alcatraz. Visiting from San Mateo means no driving and parking hassles. Plus the hotels are less expensive in San Mateo County. www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com

You will never run out of things to do in San Mateo County.  Visit the Kohl Mansion where Flubber was filmed. The Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the tallest in the U.S.  Dine at Taco Bell with a panoramic view of the ocean or Kincaid’s with a wall of libations that necessitate the use of a ladder plus a view of the bay.   For more great things to see and do check www.visitsanmateocounty.com.

Recommended accommodation: Marriott Burlingame, www.marriott.com, located directly on the Bay with free airport shuttle and all the amenities one could want.