Redwood City

Redwood City is on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

Understand

Climate

Get in

By train

Caltrain. Commuter train between San Francisco and San Jose/Gilroy with a stop at Redwood City Station, which is located near Broadway and El Camino. Redwood City marks the southern boundary of fare zone 2. $3.25+

By car

Most of Redwood City is bracketed by two freeways: I-280 to the west and US-101 to the east. Redwood Shores, however, is a substantial part of Redwood City that is east of US-101.

There are several exits off the Bayshore Freeway US-101 that lead into Redwood City. From north to south, they are: Marine Parkway and Redwood Shores Parkway that lead eastward to Redwood Shores, Whipple Avenue that leads westward towards the little historical downtown area, Woodside that leads westward (as Seaport Blvd) to the Port of Redwood City and eastward is Hwy 84 from the Dumbarton Bridge, and Marsh Road that merges directly with the Dumbarton Bridge.
Exits off of the more scenic Junipero Serra Freeway I-280 include, from north to south, Edgewood Road that leads eastward to downtown, Farm Hill Road that leads eastward to Jefferson Avenue, Woodside (Hwy. 84), and Sand Hill Road that leads to nearby Stanford and Palo Alto.

By bus

SamTrans buses of the San Mateo County Transit District serve Redwood City and link to Caltrain, as well as having express bus service to downtown SF and to San Jose, and peninsular points between.

By plane

Equally convenient to the San Francisco International Airport (IATA: SFO) and to San Jose International Airport (IATA: SJC), Redwood City is also served by the little San Carlos airport, which is off Redwood Shores Parkway and hosts an air museum worth going out of your way to see.

By boat

Redwood City has a deep seaport, even though the logging trade is not noticeable any more. Small craft and fishing boats head out of the port, sailing classes are available, and there's at least one cruise ship that makes port here. The nearby marshes and salt-evaporating ponds make for nice quiet noodling about in a kayak.

Get around

Downtown is more than small enough to walk around.

See

San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway St, 37.48670°, -122.22971°, +1 650 299-0104, info@historysmc.org. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. This 1910 county courthouse has been restored and now serves as the town square and the county's museum. While the museum is small, it is considered a hidden gem within Redwood City. The entire building can be rented out as a venue. With a beautiful plaza, water fountains, a grand staircase, and a stained glass dome, it was designed to rival San Francisco's City Hall. $6/adult, $4/concession, free/child
Lathrop House, 627 Hamilton St, 37.48795°, -122.23001°, +1 650-365-5564. One of the peninsula's oldest mansions, built in 1863. Located behind the old Courthouse.

Do

Cinemark Redwood City 20, 825 Middlefield Rd, 37.48617°, -122.22892°, +1 650-369-3456. This 20-screen theater is part of a major retail complex, with shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a 2-level underground parking structure.
Fox theater, 2215 Broadway, 37.48636°, -122.22961°, +1 650-369-4119. This Art Deco venue has seating for 1100 people, and features live performances. 2021-04-18

Buy

Farmer's Market, 850 Winslow St (Downtown Redwood City near the CalTrain station), 37.48546°, -122.23002°. Apr-Nov: Saturdays 8AM - noon. Good fresh produce, breads, sopapillas, and some interesting crafts. Run by the local Kiwanis.
Sigona's Farmers Market, 2345 Middlefield Rd, 37.48003°, -122.21598°, +1-650-368-6993. A longstanding grocer in the region, named because they sell local produce as well as commercial produce from all over. Splendid house brands of dried fruits, nuts and other specialties. A splendid cheese selection and organic meats.
Kaiser Farmer's Market, 1150 Veteran's Blvd (in the parking lot), 37.48934°, -122.22454°. Wednesdays 10AM - 2PM year round.
Whole Foods Market, 1250 Jefferson Ave, 37.48231°, -122.23169°, +1-650-367-1400. From good, earthy groceries and staples to a picnic on the go.

Eat

Bangkok Bay Thai Cuisine, 825 El Camino Real, 37.48595°, -122.23431°, +1-650-365-5369. Worth going out of your way for these folks and the wonderful food they make. Nice place for a working lunch or dinner, or to take your favorite date.
Bluefin Sushi & Teriyaki Grill, 2327 Broadway St, 37.48616°, -122.23070°, +1-650-361-1160. Mainly a catering and take-away hole in the wall cafe (especially while construction downtown drags on), this is a great little cafe around the corner from the CalTrain station. Fresh sushi to go, pre-packed or made to order.
Harry's Hofbrau, 1909 El Camino Real, 37.47774°, -122.22317°, +1-650-366-3733. A carvery and brewery in the old German biergarten style, only thankfully without the oompah band.
Tacos El Grullense, 2401 Middlefield Rd, 37.47976°, -122.21547°, +1-650-369-9013. Authentic street food from a Mexican village tradition! Trade ambience for flavor. There are several El Grullense locations in Redwood City. Most locations accept credit cards (including the Middlefield location).
Young's Ice Cream, 2020 Broadway St, 37.48678°, -122.22672°. Ice cream parlor with old-fashioned bins of candy.

Drink

City Pub, 2620 Broadway St, 37.48645°, -122.23384°, +1 650 363-2620. Great selection of micro-brews and good food.
RWC Underground Pub, 2650 Broadway St, 37.48639°, -122.23443°.
Sodini's, 727 El Camino Real, 37.48690°, -122.23538°.
Milagro's Cantina, 1099 MiddleField Rd, 37.48435°, -122.22646°. Mexican restaurant with good tequila bar.
Martin's West, 831 Main St, 37.48602°, -122.22602°. Upscale pub.
D. Tequila Lounge & Restaurant, 851 Main St, 37.48571°, -122.22591°. Tequila bar and nightclub.
Mardi Gras Lounge, 1628 El Camino Real, 37.47933°, -122.22622°. Dive bar.
Gourmet Haus Staudt, 2615 Broadway St, 37.48599°, -122.23355°. German beer garden.

Sleep

America's Best Inns & Suites, 1090 El Camino Real, 37.48339°, -122.23184°, +1 650 369-1731.
Atherton Park Inn & Suites, 2834 El Camino Real, 37.46980°, -122.21354°, +1 650 366-2000.
Best Western Executive Suites, 25 5th Ave, 37.46801°, -122.20885°, +1 650 366-5794.
Best Western Inn, 316 El Camino Real, 37.49125°, -122.24164°, +1 650 366-3808.
Holiday Inn Express, 1836 El Camino Real, 37.47766°, -122.22446°, +1 650-299-0909. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
TownePlace Suites, 1000 Twin Dolphin Dr, 37.51832°, -122.24887°, +1 650 593-4100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. This all-suite hotel offers rooms with a kitchen, living room, and separate bedroom. It is located adjacent to the Bay, with a paved bike trail for those who want to enjoy the wetlands. Hotel amenities include free continental breakfast (bagels, cereal, juice), free parking, an exercise room, and free high-speed internet access. Despite being located adjacent to the San Carlos regional airport, the planes are small and don't make enough noise to be a nuisance. $100-150 per night
Good Nite Inn, 485 Veterans Blvd, +1 650 365-5500, gniredwood@good-nite.com. Free wifi, pool, ihop next door.

Redwood City - city in San Mateo County, California, United States