Downtown San Mateo Travel Guide

San Francisco

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

Things to do

Napa, Sonoma and Exclusive Battery Spencer Small Group Wine Tasting Tour

Napa, Sonoma and Exclusive Battery Spencer Small Group Wine Tasting Tour

£104
per traveller
Napa, Sonoma and Exclusive Battery Spencer Small Group Wine Tasting Tour
The Golden Hour at the Golden Gate

2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay

£112
per adult
2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay
Easy thttps://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/11/ed/13/ba.jpgo ride ebikes that are family friendly.

Half Moon Bay Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour

£83
per adult
Half Moon Bay Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour
On the road to the historic Johnson House.

Half Moon Bay Guided E-Bike Tour

£83
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Half Moon Bay Guided E-Bike Tour
California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

£41
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

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

£82
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions
See all activities in San Francisco

Top hotels in Downtown San Mateo

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 £167 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£167
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (7,561 reviews)
"Breakfast buffet was fantastic."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St San Francisco CA
The price is £151 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
£151
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,300 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Handlery Union Square Hotel
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
425 North Point San Francisco CA
The price is £173 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£173
4 Aug - 5 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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,034 reviews)
"Rooms were small but clean. Restaurant was not open in the late morning for breakfast. Staff was courteous and bell hop was great!!"

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

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 £268 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
£268
16 Jul - 17 Jul
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! (1,554 reviews)
"The toilet in the room kept running all night"

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Fairmont San Francisco
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 £138 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
£138
12 Jul - 13 Jul
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,983 reviews)
"Excelent service and beautiful property"

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco

Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco

4 out of 5
424 Clay St San Francisco CA
The price is £120 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
£120
12 Jul - 13 Jul
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,323 reviews)
"Good hotel overall. Nothing special. Not near any"

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco
See all 3,987 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.

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: