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Redwood City
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Redwood City, California combines Peninsula history, Bay wetlands, lively downtown dining, cultural landmarks and Silicon Valley connections for visitors.

A Peninsula City with Deep Roots

Redwood City occupies the eastern side of California’s San Francisco Peninsula, between San Francisco Bay and the forested foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its history is closely tied to Redwood Creek, once a working waterway for timber and agricultural shipping, and to the wider San Mateo County region. The city centre retains traces of its nineteenth-century civic importance, while modern offices, restaurants and public spaces reflect its role within the technology-rich Peninsula.
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Downtown Character and Cultural Life

Courthouse Square forms the social centre of Redwood City, surrounded by restaurants, cafés, public events and the historic Fox Theatre. Nearby, the San Mateo County History Museum occupies the former county courthouse and interprets the area’s Indigenous, Mexican, agricultural, maritime and suburban past. Broadway and Main Street provide a walkable framework for exploring the central district, with a mixture of independent businesses, contemporary dining and older commercial buildings.

Wetlands, Open Space and the Bay

The city’s eastern edge opens towards tidal marshes and restored wetland habitat, where the San Francisco Bay Trail and trails around Bair Island offer views across shallow channels and open water. Birdlife is a major attraction, particularly during migration seasons. Farther west, Redwood City provides access to the Peninsula’s hills and preserves, although many of the best-known wooded landscapes lie in neighbouring communities rather than within the municipal boundary. This contrast between urban streets, working waterways and protected natural areas gives Redwood City a character distinct from both central San Francisco and the larger Silicon Valley cities.

When is the best time to visit Redwood City?

Best: July–September · 25–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1590
February1685
March1875
April1940
May2215
June2410
July (best)261
August (best)262
September (best)2510
October2325
November1860
December1685

Getting to and around Redwood City

How to get there

Redwood City lies on the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose. San Francisco International Airport is the nearest major passenger airport, just north of the city, while San Jose Mineta International Airport serves the southern Bay Area and is farther away. Caltrain provides rail service along the Peninsula, with Redwood City station in the central area and connections towards San Francisco and San Jose. SamTrans buses serve San Mateo County, and long-distance road access is provided principally by US 101 and State Route 84. Schedules, routes and airport transport options should be checked before departure, particularly at weekends or during major events.

Transportation

Downtown Redwood City is relatively walkable, especially around Courthouse Square, Broadway, Main Street and the Caltrain station. Caltrain is useful for north–south Peninsula travel, while SamTrans buses connect the city with surrounding communities. Taxis and rideshare services are available, and a car is convenient for reaching dispersed neighbourhoods, Bay shoreline areas and regional parks. Cycling can be pleasant on flatter streets and parts of the Bay Trail, but routes are not uniformly separated from traffic. The city’s broad geography, busy arterial roads and dispersed attractions mean that visitors should plan connections rather than assume every sight is within an easy walk.

Best attractions in Redwood City

Redwood City’s attractions reflect both its civic history and its position beside San Francisco Bay. The San Mateo County History Museum, housed in the former county courthouse, provides context for the Peninsula’s Indigenous heritage, ranchos, industries and communities. Nearby Courthouse Square is the city centre’s principal gathering place, with public art, restaurants and a programme of civic events. The Fox Theatre adds a preserved historic setting for concerts and performances, while the Redwood City Public Library and downtown streets offer a glimpse of contemporary community life. East of the centre, the Bay Trail and Bair Island area lead through open shoreline landscapes where tidal channels and migrating birds replace the city grid. Pulgas Water Temple, within Redwood City near Cañada Road, offers a quieter architectural and landscape experience connected with the Hetch Hetchy water system. The city’s flatter eastern districts and nearby foothills provide contrasting settings, though several major nature preserves lie in neighbouring communities.

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Best landmarks in Redwood City

Redwood City’s most significant landmarks express its roles as a county seat, port community and modern Peninsula city. The San Mateo County History Museum occupies the former San Mateo County Courthouse, an important civic building whose presence in downtown reflects Redwood City’s governmental history. The Fox Theatre, with its historic auditorium and period façade, represents the city’s twentieth-century entertainment culture and remains a prominent performance venue. Courthouse Square is a contemporary public space built around the civic centre, while Redwood Creek recalls the waterway that supported early shipping and commerce. Near Cañada Road, Pulgas Water Temple is a distinctive classical-style structure associated with the Hetch Hetchy water system and San Francisco’s regional water supply. Along the eastern edge, the Bay shoreline, tidal channels and restored marshes are landscape landmarks rather than monuments, revealing the environmental setting that preceded the city’s urban development.

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Explore Redwood City on the map

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Best restaurants in Redwood City

Redwood City’s dining scene reflects the Bay Area’s cultural diversity rather than a single defining cuisine. Downtown, Broadway and the blocks around Main Street bring together Mexican, Central American, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean and contemporary Californian cooking, alongside cafés, bakeries and casual places suited to the city’s office and residential communities. Tacos, burritos and other Mexican-influenced foods are firmly established in the Peninsula, while the wider region’s Asian communities contribute noodles, dumplings, sushi, curries and regional specialities. California’s seasonal produce and proximity to the Pacific also shape menus, particularly in restaurants with a modern local emphasis. The Redwood City Downtown Farmers’ Market provides a changing selection of produce and prepared foods when operating, and independent coffee shops and bakeries give the central district much of its daytime character. Restaurant styles and schedules vary, so current local listings are useful for planning.

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Best bars in Redwood City

Redwood City’s evening scene is concentrated mainly in and around downtown rather than in a large nightclub district. Courthouse Square, Broadway and adjacent streets offer a mixture of bars, breweries, cocktail-led venues and restaurants where evenings tend to begin with conversation and food. The Fox Theatre is the city’s most recognisable after-dark cultural venue, hosting concerts and other performances in a historic cinema setting. Local events may add outdoor entertainment and live music around the civic centre, while nearby Peninsula communities provide further choices for theatre, bars and music. The atmosphere is generally more relaxed and community-oriented than the late-night scenes of San Francisco, and some suburban areas become quiet early. Visitors should plan transport after evening events, particularly when travelling beyond the walkable downtown core.

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Best nightclubs in Redwood City

Redwood City’s evening scene is concentrated mainly in and around downtown rather than in a large nightclub district. Courthouse Square, Broadway and adjacent streets offer a mixture of bars, breweries, cocktail-led venues and restaurants where evenings tend to begin with conversation and food. The Fox Theatre is the city’s most recognisable after-dark cultural venue, hosting concerts and other performances in a historic cinema setting. Local events may add outdoor entertainment and live music around the civic centre, while nearby Peninsula communities provide further choices for theatre, bars and music. The atmosphere is generally more relaxed and community-oriented than the late-night scenes of San Francisco, and some suburban areas become quiet early. Visitors should plan transport after evening events, particularly when travelling beyond the walkable downtown core.

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Best shops in Redwood City

Shopping in Redwood City is centred on everyday retail, independent businesses and dining-led downtown streets rather than a major luxury district. Broadway, Main Street and the blocks around Courthouse Square contain cafés, service businesses, specialist shops and small retailers, with the atmosphere changing according to offices, events and the working week. Sequoia Station provides a more conventional shopping centre setting, while Woodside Plaza serves nearby residents with local shops and services. The Downtown Farmers’ Market, when operating, is a useful place to browse seasonal Californian produce, prepared foods and small-scale products rather than mass-produced souvenirs. Visitors looking for gifts can consider regional food items, coffee, wine-related products and California-made goods, although Redwood City has no single craft tradition comparable to a major historic market city. For larger retail concentrations, neighbouring Peninsula communities offer additional shopping areas accessible by road or public transport.

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Redwood City essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the US dollar, written as USD or $. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and transport-related businesses, although smaller retailers, markets or older machines may still require a physical card or cash. ATMs are available in commercial districts and shopping areas; international visitors should check whether their bank applies foreign transaction or withdrawal fees. Prices displayed in shops and restaurants generally exclude sales tax, which is added at the till, and restaurant bills commonly involve tipping for table service. Keep a small amount of cash for minor purchases, parking or businesses with temporary payment problems.
Safety
Redwood City is a functioning Bay Area community rather than a self-contained resort, so ordinary urban precautions are appropriate. Keep phones, luggage and other valuables out of sight in parked vehicles, particularly near trailheads and busy public areas, and remain aware of belongings on trains and buses. After dark, use well-lit streets and established transport routes, especially when moving between downtown and less active commercial areas. On Bay trails, stay on marked paths, watch for cyclists and uneven surfaces, and carry water in warm weather. Local conditions can vary by neighbourhood; follow current advice from local authorities and park managers.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 in the United States for police, fire or urgent medical assistance; explain that you need the relevant service and provide the precise address or landmark. Operators can usually handle calls in multiple languages, but visitors should keep accommodation details and identification accessible. For non-life-threatening medical needs, contact a clinic, pharmacy or healthcare provider rather than using emergency services, and check travel insurance requirements before treatment. In an earthquake, move away from windows and falling objects, drop and cover, and follow official instructions. Bay and open-space visitors should report their trail location clearly if assistance is needed.
Do's and Don'ts
Do queue patiently, allow passengers to leave trains and buses before boarding, and give cyclists and pedestrians space on shared paths. Do observe posted rules in wetlands and preserves, since wildlife habitat may be closed or seasonally restricted. In restaurants, tipping for table service is customary, while counter-service expectations differ; check the bill and choose an amount that reflects the service. Do not trespass on private shoreline or industrial property, feed wildlife, or leave valuables visible in a car. Redwood City is culturally diverse, so avoid assumptions about local backgrounds and treat public spaces, historic buildings and residential areas respectfully.
Local Tips
The most convenient orientation is to combine the downtown civic quarter with a separate excursion towards the Bay shoreline. Courthouse Square, Broadway and the history museum can be explored on foot, while Caltrain is useful for reaching neighbouring Peninsula cities without driving. The Bay Trail and Bair Island area are best approached with weather-appropriate clothing and realistic expectations about shade and facilities. For a broader sense of the region, use Redwood City as a base for exploring San Mateo County, but distinguish nearby towns and preserves from attractions within the city itself. Events in the square and performances at the Fox Theatre can change seasonally.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHey[Hey]
GoodbyeSee ya[See ya]
YesYeah[Yeah]
NoNope[Nope]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[Please/No problem]
Thank youThanks[Thanks]
Excuse me/SorryExcuse me/My bad[Excuse me/My bad]
How are you?How's it going?[How's it going?]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[Good. You?]
Do you speak English?You speak English?[You speak English?]
I don't understandI'm lost[I'm lost]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMenu, please[Menu, please]
I don't eat meatNo meat for me[No meat for me]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCheck, please[Check, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Go away![Go away!]
Call the Police!Police![Police!]
Call a doctor!Doctor![Doctor!]
I'm lostLost[Lost]
I'm illSick[Sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I want to buy...[I want to buy...]
I'm just lookingJust looking[Just looking]
How much is it?How much?[How much?]
That's too expensiveToo pricey[Too pricey]
Can you lower the price?Can you do better?[Can you do better?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time?[What time?]
It's one o'clockIt's one[It's one]
Half past (10)Ten thirty[Ten thirty]
MorningMorning[Morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvening[Evening]
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[Where's the...?]
What's the address?Address?[Address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Show me on the map?[Show me on the map?]
When's the next (bus)?Next bus?[Next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)Ticket to ...[Ticket to ...]

History of Redwood City

Ohlone Lands and Coastal Estuaries

Before European settlement, the eastern Peninsula was home to Ohlone communities whose lives were connected to the bayshore, creeks, grasslands and oak-covered uplands. The wetlands around Redwood Creek provided fish, shellfish, waterfowl and plant resources, while established paths linked the shore with inland locations. Spanish and later Mexican colonisation disrupted these communities through missionisation, introduced diseases and the conversion of Indigenous lands into ranchos. Although much of the visible city is modern, the Bay wetlands and creek corridor preserve elements of the ecological setting that shaped Ohlone life for centuries.

Rancho de las Pulgas

Under Mexican rule, much of the central Peninsula formed part of Rancho de las Pulgas, a large land grant associated with the Arguello family. The rancho’s name survives in the wider region, including the Pulgas Water Temple and local roads and institutions. Cattle ranching and agriculture dominated the landscape before the American annexation of California. The rancho system established patterns of landholding that influenced later property boundaries and settlement, even as American surveyors, entrepreneurs and new transport links transformed the area after the Gold Rush.

A Port and County Seat

American settlement expanded rapidly in the 1850s, when Redwood Creek offered access to shipping and the surrounding plain supported farms, orchards and timber commerce. San Mateo County was created in 1856, and Redwood City became its seat of government, giving the community an importance beyond its size. The city was incorporated in 1867. Early commercial activity centred on the creek and waterfront, where redwood and other goods could be transferred between inland producers and vessels operating on San Francisco Bay.

Railways, Timber and Urban Growth

The arrival of the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad in the 1860s connected Redwood City with San Francisco and the agricultural districts of the southern Peninsula. Rail transport gradually reduced the waterfront’s dominance while encouraging merchants, workers and residents to settle around the growing town. Lumber remained important, but agriculture, government and local trade diversified the economy. Civic buildings, commercial blocks and residential streets expanded around the county seat, establishing the urban framework that can still be read in parts of downtown.

From Agriculture to the Modern Peninsula

During the twentieth century, Redwood City changed from a small county centre and agricultural service town into a suburban and regional employment hub. Improved roads, including the Peninsula’s major north–south routes, brought new housing and commercial development, while orchards and open land gradually gave way to neighbourhoods, offices and industrial sites. The shoreline was reshaped by transport, industry and flood-control works, although substantial wetland habitat remains. This period also brought a more diverse population, reflecting migration and the expanding economic links between San Mateo County and the Bay Area.

Technology, Renewal and Conservation

In recent decades, Redwood City has been influenced by the growth of Silicon Valley and the wider technology economy. Downtown redevelopment added offices, apartments, restaurants and public gathering spaces while older landmarks such as the former courthouse and Fox Theatre retained civic and cultural roles. At the same time, restoration and conservation efforts around Bair Island and the Bay shoreline have highlighted the ecological value of tidal marshes. The city’s present identity therefore combines county-government heritage, a contemporary employment base and a growing awareness of its historic relationship with water and wetlands.

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Welcome to Redwood City, California, a vibrant destination with rich history and diverse attractions. With Evendo, your travel experience becomes seamless and memorable. Imagine strolling through the historic downtown, visiting the iconic San Mateo County History Museum, or relaxing at the scenic Redwood Shores Lagoon. Evendo offers detailed information on these and many more attractions, including images, descriptions, maps, and contact details.

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