Downtown San Mateo Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A large building with a dome, palm trees, and an American flag.
A display of assorted desserts including chocolate-covered pastries, fruit tarts, and cheesecakes.
A serene garden with a small pond, a wooden bridge, and lush greenery.
A display of various cakes with different toppings and colors.
A variety of desserts including yellow-topped cakes with raspberries and chocolate decorations, and chocolate-covered pastries with coconut flakes.

Stay near popular Downtown San Mateo attractions

Central Park

8.6/10 (125 reviews)
Central Park is just one of the places to see in San Mateo, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
See properties

Activities

The Golden Hour at the Golden Gate

2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay

AU$216
per adult
2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay
San Francisco to Kings Canyon and Yosemite 2 Day Tour

San Francisco to Kings Canyon and Yosemite 2 Day Tour

AU$596
per adult
San Francisco to Kings Canyon and Yosemite 2 Day Tour
Lower Antelope Canyon 1

San Francisco to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon 4 Day Tour

AU$1,327
per adult
San Francisco to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon 4 Day Tour
Grand Canyon 1

San Francisco to Las Vegas Grand Canyon 4 Day Tour

AU$1,129
per adult
San Francisco to Las Vegas Grand Canyon 4 Day Tour
Golden Gate Bay Cruise Service: sail around Alcatraz!

Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)

AU$57
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions

AU$158
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions
See all activities in San Francisco

Our pick of the best Downtown San Mateo Hotel Deals

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$339 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
AU$339
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
The price is AU$239 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
AU$239
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center San Francisco CA
The price is AU$401 per night from 30 July to 31 July
AU$401
30 July - 31 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
425 North Point San Francisco CA
The price is AU$411 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
AU$411
16 Aug - 17 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Fairmont San Francisco

Fairmont San Francisco

5 out of 5
950 Mason Street Atop Nob Hill San Francisco CA
The price is AU$506 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$506
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,548 reviews)
"Wonderful"

Reviewed on 25 July 2026

Fairmont San Francisco
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$309 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
AU$309
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
Handlery Union Square Hotel
See all 4,002 properties in Downtown San Mateo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown San Mateo

Find the best Downtown San Mateo areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A street with shops, including a crystal shop and a crepes cafe.

Fisherman's Wharf

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

A cityscape with tall buildings, a central plaza with palm trees, and a flag on one of the buildings.

Union Square

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

A trolley on a street with buildings and a clock tower.

Downtown San Francisco

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and San Francisco Bay are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

A cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a central park with pathways, and a few people walking.

South of Market

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to San Francisco Bay – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A street lined with historic buildings, parked cars, and a clear blue sky.

Nob Hill

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Downtown San Mateo Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: