About San Mateo
San Mateo is a medium-sized city in California situated on the San Francisco Bay Peninsula. While it is in its own little enclave just 20 minutes from San Francisco, it is surrounded by numerous other cities, and is perched on the water means that it has a lot to offer both residents and visitors. It is known as a center in the San Francisco Bay area for technology and health, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for those looking for career options or education.
For those interested in an active lifestyle, San Mateo has the Santa Cruz Mountains running its entire length meaning there’s plenty of hiking to be done if that’s your sort of adventure. There’s also a ton of water to explore, parks and other outdoor recreation activities, and a whole range of museums and other venues to see when you have downtime from planning your latest baby shower, company meeting, or film shoot.
Thanks to being on the peninsula, San Mateo has what is described as a Mediterranean climate, being warm and humid. If you’re not used to the humidity, this can make being outdoors in the summer a bit rough but compared to the dry desert heat of the rest of California, many find this a welcome addition. The higher elevations in the Santa Cruz Mountains are a bit cooler as well.
Attractions in San Mateo
Finding fun things to do is a must when you’re visiting a new city, especially after you’ve been busy planning a company meeting, a sales conference, a bridal shower, or any other type of major production. It can be intimidating at first, but rest assured, a city like San Mateo has a little bit of everything for relaxing, having fun, enjoying the day with family and friends, and more.
- The San Mateo Japanese Garden
The San Mateo Japanese Garden is situated inside San Mateo’s central park and was custom designed by architect Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo. The garden features numerous plants, a granite pagoda, a teahouse, and other sights that make it well worth a trip when you’re not planning that retirement party, rehearsal dinner, or business meeting.
- Sawyer Camp Trail
The Sawyer Camp Trail is about six miles of adventurous fun and great exercise. This is perfect for a get-together with friends or family, or at a company retreat. This is one of the most popular hiking spots in San Mateo, so it is worth a visit. There are also rest stops at both ends of the trail you can use for a San Mateo party venue or photoshoot location.
- CuriOdyssey
CuriOdyssey is part zoo, part interactive play experience that is great for the whole family. The venue includes live animal habitats, spaces for science experiments, and even spaces for events and parties for kids. This is a great stop to give everyone something to do on a hot day and learn a little something in the process.
- Seal Point Park
When you want to experience what being on the bay in San Mateo is like, then there’s nothing like Seal Point Park. There are paths for walking, biking, and bird watching, as well as a boardwalk along the bay marshes and even a dog park where you can let your four-legged friend run free.
- Bel Mateo Bowl
For some indoor fun, one of the most retro, yet modern places to spend a few hours is at Bel Mateo Bowl. This 24-lane bowling alley has everything you need to not only knock over some pins but get a good meal or get your game on in their arcade room. It’s the perfect place to get everyone together after a long day of work and with 24 lanes, you’ll have more than enough room for everyone.
Production Locations in San Mateo
When filming, it can be tough to get just the right shot. Even if you have all the best actors and tools at your disposal, sometimes it comes down to where you’re taking the shot that matters the most. The same can be said about filming an interview, hosting a show, recording a podcast, or any other type of production. Sometimes it comes down to location, location, location. Thankfully, San Mateo has an array of different choices for you to find the perfect backdrop for your next production.
- Workshop/Film Space
When it comes to filming, sometimes you need to get back to basics and work in an actual film studio space. If that’s the case, then this workshop/film space in San Mateo has everything you need including lighting and staging equipment. When simplicity is more important, a location like this is the right choice. The space is also quite large being right at 2,000 square feet.
- Restaurant Spaces
Another option is to get something a bit more intimate and urban. If that’s the case, then you might try one of the many restaurant locations that are available for rent in San Mateo. This offers you an authentic setting for filming movies and TV scenes without a lot of extra hassle and staging.
- Private Homes
The joy of renting a private home for your production location in San Mateo is that they typically come with furniture and décor as well as restrooms and kitchens you can use in between shoots. San Mateo has some stunning mansions and penthouses as well as bungalows, lofts, and farms to use for a filming or photo shoot.
Meeting and Event Venues in San Mateo
You know what matters the most when you’re planning that special gathering, the venue. Whether it’s an executive board meeting, a family retreat, or just a dinner with friends, the venue will make all the difference. Whether it’s about space, accessibility, amenities, or proximity to other venues, the location you pick will have a drastic impact on how your meeting or event goes once everything is ready to go.
- Pink Chic Hair Bar
When planning a party or a gathering with friends, something a bit fun and exotic is always a nice touch to make sure everyone remembers the event. Whether it’s a dinner party, dance party, wedding rehearsal, or just a night to sit and chat, a venue like the Pink Chic Hair Bar will be one to remember.
- Dance Studios
When space is more important than atmosphere for your next event, then a blank canvas like a dance studio may do the trick. You’ll find several options for open dance studio spaces that are perfect for important and unimportant gatherings alike. These spaces offer you the opportunity to customize them to your liking.
- Restaurants
Choosing a meeting or event space in San Mateo should not be difficult. Since most get-togethers of any kind involve food, choosing a restaurant is practically perfect. Whether it is a small casual family event or a huge corporate meeting, San Mateo has a vast array of options to choose from.
