Living in San Mateo means living close to everything, from neighborhood conveniences to area parks and green space. If you’re wondering where to find some of the best parks in San Mateo, we have seven great options. 

San Mateo Central Park 

First on the list of the seven best parks in San Mateo is San Mateo Central Park. This park has the advantage of being centrally located, close to Downtown San Mateo. Like many parks out there, you’ll find playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis courts, and a baseball diamond at San Mateo Central Park, but it also has some more unique attractions. The park includes a rose garden and a Japanese tea garden, which some consider one of the best outside of Japan. The park also hosts some seasonal events, such as ice skating in the winter and music in the park. 

Coyote Point Recreation Center

Next on the list is Coyote Point Recreation Center. Even though it’s not technically within San Mateo city limits, it’s close enough for locals to enjoy. It’s a fun place to watch planes land while you picnic or barbecue right off the Bay. There’s a playground, a nearby golf course, and a nearby yacht club with boats and charters. If you want to get out on the water, you’ll find some launch points for kite surfing, wind surfing, and paddleboarding. Another thing that makes the area unique is CuriOdyssey. The museum has animals, exhibits, education programs, and more. 

Bay Meadows Park

Bay Meadows Park is a newer park, that’s completely different than the first two on the list. Found right in the Bay Meadows neighborhood, this park has a soccer field, several picnic areas, and a baseball backstop. There’s also a large pond and plenty of open space to hang out and relax at Bay Meadows. 

Beresford Park

Beresford Park in San Mateo is unique because it has a community garden. The park also has a small skate park, a play structure, a baseball diamond, and a basketball court. You can reserve some of park’s tables for picnics and events, plus it has some tennis courts, a bocce ball court, and a small rec center. You’ll find the park right off Alameda de las Pulgas. 

Seal Point & Ryder Park

The next “best park” on the list is actually two nearby parks. Seal Point borders Foster City. It has one of the best dog parks in the area, plus its right off the water for the views. The staircase on the hill is great for running and workouts. Another plus is that the Bay Trail passes right through it. You don’t have to go far to find Ryder Park because it’s just down the street. This park has some barbecue and picnic areas, as well as a playground.

Shoreview Park & Recreation Center

Just like its name implies, Shoreview Park & Recreation Center is found east of 101 in the Shoreview neighborhood. This park has a playground, a skate park, and some picnic and barbecue areas. You’ll also find a baseball diamond in the park and a large field. 

Laurie Meadows & Casanova Park

Last, but certainly not least, we have two more parks to mention. Because these two parks are connected, we listed them as one location on the list. The largest of the two parks is Laurie Meadows. It has a big field, a playground, and some picnic and barbecue areas. Laurie Meadows sometimes hosts movie nights in the park, which is fun for those of all ages. It connects to a smaller park called Casanova. This park has a playground and its often used by those living in one of the nearby neighborhoods.