Redwood City is the third largest city in the County of San Mateo, with 85,992 residents. The city enjoys an average of 255 sunny days a year, which it boasts via the city slogan: “Climate Best by Government Test”. Incorporated in 1867, Redwood City is home to the San Mateo County History Museum (located in the county’s old courthouse) and the only active deep water port within the south bay of San Francisco.
The city’s vibrant downtown, quickly becoming known as the entertainment hub of the San Francisco Peninsula, offers residents, visitors, and businesses a unique retail, entertainment, and restaurant experience.
This Farmer’s Market is only open April through November but is missed in the months it is closed. It has multiple vendors selling a variety of produce like squash, bell peppers, various fruits, eggs, honey, cheese, and flowers. The vendors are all very open to talking about their products. The market is only open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, so getting to the market early is key in order to get what you want before the vendors sell out. Parking is very easy as well, with multiple lots nearby.
Downtown Redwood City has recently been revitalized, with a new theater and multiple restaurants opening up. Now, with over 60 restaurants, two theaters, and various shops to choose from, it is easy to spend an entire weekend exploring the area. A restaurant week is also hosted in April, as well as Hometown Holidays, which hosts a parade and late-night shopping events. Not sure where to start? The Downtown Redwood City webpage has brochures and answers any questions about parking, making a day trip easy.
Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA, USA
Dug the T-Rex has been featured on various websites such as Reddit, Huffington Post, and Buzzfeed. This tin dinosaur became an internet sensation when the owners posted photos of their beloved dinosaur in the creative costumes that they dress him up in for every holiday and Bay Area sporting events. Many locals love to brag about this local hero who currently boasts over 10,800 likes on Facebook. Kids and adults both love saying hi to Dug, and almost every Redwood City local knows where to find him.
One of the more hidden secrets of Redwood City, the Pulgas Water Temple is a great place to stop by in the spring for a walk. This temple was originally built in 1934 by the SF Water Company to celebrate the opening of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct. The original temple was replaced a couple of years later by the one that currently stands there. This location is a great place to host events or even just to take pictures, with the clear pool of water lined by trees and flowers. The Plugas Water Temple is only open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., so plan accordingly.Pulgas Water Temple, 56 Cañada Road, Redwood City, CA, USA
In the summer months, most people who live in the Bay Area can be found in Redwood City listening to Music on the Square on a Friday night, enjoying free concerts. The Courthouse Square is filled with families who bring their own lawn chairs and food. There are sometimes local vendors as well. They host various cover bands, and the shows are generally blues, jazz, or soft rock. There is also a standing area as well as seating provided by the Fox Theater nearby. The shows only happen in the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day.Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA, USA, +1 650 304 4065
It’s easy to get some outdoor time in Redwood City. The Stulsaft Park is an ideal spot for both children and dogs. The park has a large off leash area for dogs and also has a creek that runs through the park. For children, the park has a play structure and water fixtures that help you cool off in the summer. Stafford Park also hosts a play structure for children and has a specific area for toddlers. In the summer months, stop by on a Wednesday night to catch some music in the park.
In Redwood City, the downtown area alone hosts over 60 restaurants. One of the most noteworthy things about this city is that there is always a new place to try when it comes to food. For the seafood lovers there is Old Port Lobster Shack; for Mexican food, there is Sancho’s Taqueria; for an amazing burger, there is the Patty Shack, and so many other places. For a coffee fix, be sure to stop by Philz Coffee or Main Street Coffee Roasting Company.
Fill Your Stomach in Redwood City, CA, USA
Redwood City has a surprisingly rich and complicated history. The San Mateo County History Museum is informing and hands-on when it comes to helping children, and even adults, learn about the history surrounding this city on the Peninsula. To make a day out of it, there is also the historic Union Cemetery. The website makes it easy to search for a particular person or historic group.
Learn the History of Redwood City, CA, USA
Unleashed Art Gallery, situated in downtown Redwood City, has become Redwood City’s premier art destination and regularly features the best up and coming artists from San Mateo County. The gallery is primarily focused on giving new artists a chance to shine and this alone has made the venue popular with visitors. The style of art on show here is usually contemporary fine art although photography and other types of work are also shown occasionally.
PARKS
| Andrew Spinas Park | 2nd Avenue and Bay Road |
| Dolphin Park | Turks Head and Quay Lane |
| Dove Beeger Park | Whipple Ave and Circle Road |
| Fleishman Park | Locust Street and McEvoy Street |
| Garrett Park | 3600 Glenwood Avenue |
| Hawes Park | Hudson St. and Roosevelt St. |
| Hoover Park | 2100 Spring St. |
| Jardin de Niños | Middlefield Rd. and Chestnut St. |
| Linden Park | Linden St. and Park St. |
| Maddux Park | Maddux Dr. and Kensington Rd. |
| Mariner Park | Tiller Lane and Bridge Parkway |
| Marlin Park | Neptune Dr. and Cringle Dr. |
| Mezes Park | Warren St. and Standish St. |
| Palm Park | Hudson St. and Palm Ave. |
| Preserve Park | 99 Shearwater Parkway |
| Red Morton Park | 1120 Roosevelt Ave |
| Sandpiper Park | Redwood Shores Parkway and Egret Lane |
| Shannon Park | Davit Lane and Shannon Way |
| Shorebird Park | Marine Parkway and Island Drive |
| Stafford Park | King St. and Hopkins Ave. |
| Stulsaft Park | 3737 Farm Hill Blvd. |
| Wellesley Crescent Park | Edgewood Rd. and Arlington Rd. |
| Westwood Park | Westwood St. and Briarfield Ave. |
In the summer of 2003, skaters from Redwood City and beyond could finally strap on their helmets and gear, and enjoy the brand new, 13,000 square foot Phil Shao Memorial Skate Park at Red Morton Park. This is one of the newest skate parks in California, and quickly gained an excellent reputation among skaters far and wide. Thrasher Magazine rated our Skate Park an 8.5 – a great tribute to a park designed with help from the skaters of Redwood City!
Redwood City’s skate park is suitable for both beginners working on the basics, and advanced skaters who want to improve their skills. Here are a few things skaters need to know before using the Skate Park:
Redwood City has 24 primary and secondary schools. One of the best schools is Sandpiper Elementary School, with a rating of 10. Sandpiper Elementary School has 475 students. Public schools in Redwood City are part of Redwood City Elementary School District or Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District. Redwood City’s population is 88,013. Redwood City Elementary School District enrolls 11% of the population of Redwood City.
Administrative Services Department
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/administrative-services
City Attorney’s Office
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/city-attorney
City Clerk
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/city-clerk
City Manager’s Office
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/city-manager
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/community-development-department
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/fire-department
Redwood City Public Library
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/library
Parks and Recreation Services
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/parks-recreation-and-community-services
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/police-department
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/port-of-redwood-city
PUBLIC WORKS
https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/public-works
Redwood City Events
https://www.redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events
Starting a Business
https://www.redwoodcity.org/business/starting-a-business
Downtown Redwood City
http://www.downtownredwoodcity.org/
Report a Crime
https://www.redwoodcity.org/i-want-to/report
https://www.redwoodcity.org/residents/emergency-alert-system
REVIEWS BY RESIDENTS
Growing up and still living in Redwood Shores, one of the more peaceful and beautiful areas of Redwood City, has been one of the great blessings of my life. The town is very family-friendly and safe, making it a popular place to raise children. There are two elementary schools, 5 public parks, and countless gorgeous views of the lagoons and channels that run across our waterfront community. There is also a library, restaurants, grocery store, electronics store, athletic club, and everything you need, all within a very short distance of each other. If you are looking for more action, then just go to the downtown district of Redwood City, which is only about 7 minutes from Redwood Shores. Here there is a movie theater, museums, shopping centers, and free concerts/events at Courthouse Square every night. A truly amazing place to grow up and live in!
I like the diversity here in Redwood City. Many people are open and willing to accept all. The location is great because were right in Silicon Valley but have easy access to the outdoors such as the beach, woods, and parks.
Being a resident of the Bay Area for the past 7 years, I have lived in 7 different cities (Santa Cruz, Fremont, Los Altos, Berkeley, San Bruno, San Jose, Redwood City) and led a lifestyle attuned to that of a young business professional and academic scholar. I’ve found my home in Redwood City due to its immediate proximity to natural landscapes, nightlife, and its location in the Bay Area. One of my favorite salsa studios and nightlife scenes lies bumbling in the downtown of Redwood City. The downtown itself is a quaint and walkable scene that is fit for any romcom movie backdrop. The city location is set in the sweet spot on the peninsula between the North and South Bay while still offering temperate weather year-round. Finally, nature getaways are abundant with spaces like Stulsaft Park and Pulgas Ridge Preserve, and access to the backyard redwood forest is easy through Highway 84. I have made Redwood City my final destination because it offers the best of all worlds.
I have lived here my whole life and I love it. It is really easy to get around the city. Maybe there are not many touristic attractions but it is very calm and safe which is very important. I love that there are many places to eat from the price to foods from different countries. Besides that, there have been new housing projects around.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DREAM HOME, I’ll help you find it!
If you’re looking to buy a Redwood City home, reach out to me to discuss how I can help you — safely and successfully — through every step of the way.
HOLLY NOTO | DRE # 01244498
REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Realty
650.544.6185 | [email protected]
