Where is Redwood City, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Redwood City, California Located in the United States? - Redwood City is a city located in the San Mateo County in California, United States. Redwood City lies between 37.4852 Degrees North latitudes and -122.2364 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Redwood City, San Mateo, California

Where is Redwood City Located in San Mateo, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Redwood City in San Mateo County, in the U.S. state of California.

Redwood City Map, California, USA

About Redwood City Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Redwood City, San Mateo County, California

Redwood City is located in San Mateo County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the northern part of the state in the state of the United States along the San Francisco Peninsula within the Bay Area region. The city was incorporated in 1867 and was named for the coastal redwood trees that were once abundant in the area, and it developed as a port and lumber center before evolving into a technology and commercial hub.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Redwood City is 84,292 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 4,600 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Redwood City covers a total area of approximately 34.6 square miles (about 89.6 square kilometers), including about 19.3 square miles (50.0 square kilometers) of land and 15.3 square miles (39.6 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Redwood City is situated south of San Carlos and north of Menlo Park, positioned along the western shore of San Francisco Bay. The city features a mix of urban neighborhoods, waterfront areas, and hills rising toward the Santa Cruz Mountains. U.S. Route 101 and State Route 84 provide major transportation routes connecting Redwood City to San Francisco, San Jose, and surrounding Peninsula communities.

Top Attractions

Redwood City offers parks, waterfront areas, and cultural venues that support recreation and tourism. Popular destinations include the historic Fox Theatre, Courthouse Square, and nearby Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve. The city hosts community events and seasonal festivals that highlight its vibrant downtown and coastal setting.

Transportation

Redwood City is served by U.S. Route 101 and State Route 84, offering highway access throughout the Bay Area. Public transportation includes Caltrain commuter rail service and regional bus connections. The nearest major airport is San Francisco International Airport, located approximately 15 miles to the north.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Redwood City Website.

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Redwood City, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityRedwood City
CountySan Mateo County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States (San Francisco Bay Area)
Latitude37.4852° N
Longitude122.2364° W
Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Land Area19.42 sq mi
Water Area2.24 sq mi
Total Area21.66 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)84,292
Population DensityApproximately 4,340 people per sq mi
ZIP Codes94059, 94061, 94062, 94063, 94064, 94065
Area Code650
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8)
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-60102
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 15th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Redwood City

CategoryDetails
Airport NameSan Francisco International Airport
IATA CodeSFO
Regional AirportSan Carlos Airport
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 101, Interstate 280, State Route 84
Train/Transit ServiceCaltrain commuter rail service
Local Transit ServiceSamTrans bus service
  • U.S. Route 101 – Major north–south highway connecting Redwood City with San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Silicon Valley communities.
  • Interstate 280 – Scenic freeway providing access between the Peninsula and the South Bay.
  • State Route 84 – Connects Redwood City with coastal communities and the Dumbarton Bridge corridor.
  • Caltrain – Provides commuter rail connections between San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and San Jose.

Top Places to Visit in Redwood City, California

Landmark NameType
Redwood City Downtown Historic DistrictHistoric District
Fox TheatreHistoric Theater
Redwood City Public LibraryLibrary and Cultural Center
Edgewood Park & Natural PreserveNature Preserve
Filoli Historic House and GardenHistoric Estate and Garden
Hiller Aviation MuseumAviation Museum
Redwood ShoresWaterfront Community Area
Pulgas Water TempleHistoric Landmark
Stulsaft ParkCommunity Park
San Francisco Bay TrailWalking and Cycling Trail

Driving Distances from Redwood City, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
San CarlosCalifornia310 minutes
Palo AltoCalifornia815 minutes
Menlo ParkCalifornia615 minutes
San MateoCalifornia1015 minutes
San FranciscoCalifornia2740 minutes
OaklandCalifornia3550 minutes
San JoseCalifornia3040 minutes
Santa CruzCalifornia651 hour 20 minutes
SacramentoCalifornia1152 hours
MontereyCalifornia952 hours

Colleges and Universities Near Redwood City, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Stanford UniversityPrivateUniversityResearch, technology, business, medicine, and innovation
Canada CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer programs, career education, and workforce training
Menlo CollegePrivateCollegeBusiness, entrepreneurship, and management programs
Foothill CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTechnology, health sciences, arts, and transfer programs
San Francisco State UniversityPublicUniversityBusiness, education, sciences, and liberal arts
Redwood City School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies Near Redwood City, California

San Francisco Bay, Redwood Creek, Steinberger Slough, Westpoint Slough, and nearby waterways of San Mateo County.

Golf Courses Near Redwood City

Redwood Canyon Golf Course, Stanford Golf Course, Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club, Menlo Country Club, and Peninsula Golf & Country Club.

Redwood City, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Redwood City was incorporated in 1868 and became the county seat of San Mateo County.
  • The city was named for the redwood trees that were historically abundant in the surrounding region.
  • Redwood City developed as an important port and lumber shipping center during the nineteenth century.
  • The arrival of the railroad helped connect Redwood City with San Francisco and other communities along the Peninsula.
  • The city later became part of Silicon Valley's technology corridor, attracting businesses in software, biotechnology, and innovation industries.
  • Today, Redwood City is known for its historic downtown, waterfront areas, technology companies, cultural attractions, and central location on the San Francisco Peninsula.

References

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