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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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Explore Art at San Francisco's Asian Art Museum

See hundreds of Asian masterworks in a spectacular setting.

San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum  is one of the largest museums in the Western world that focuses exclusively on Asian art. Housed in the building that once served as the city’s main library, the soaring classic structure was re-envisioned by the same architect who designed the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Any fan of Asian art will recognize some of the remarkable pieces in this vast collection, including the oldest Chinese Buddha known today, dated to the year 338. The renowned collection includes over 17,000 art works spanning 6,000 years, grouped into seven geographic regions that represent all the major cultures of Asia. 

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» 7th Annual Maker Faire 2012
May 19, 2012 10:00 AM to May 20, 2012 6:00 PM

Greatest Show and (Tell) on Earth! Maker Faire is a two-day family friendly Faire has something for everyone - a showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness and a celebration of the Maker movement.