Where is San Mateo, California, U.S.

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

Where is San Mateo, California Located in the United States? - San Mateo is a city located in the San Mateo County in California, United States. San Mateo lies between 37.563 Degrees North latitudes and -122.3255 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of San Mateo, San Mateo, California

Where is San Mateo Located in San Mateo, California

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

San Mateo Map, California, USA

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

About San Mateo, San Mateo County, California

San Mateo is located in San Mateo County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the western part of the state in the state of the United States along the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose. The city was incorporated in 1894 and was named after the Spanish mission San Mateo, and it has developed into a key residential and commercial center within the Silicon Valley region.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of San Mateo is 105,661 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 8,100 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, San Mateo covers a total area of approximately 15.9 square miles (about 41.2 square kilometers), including about 12.1 square miles (31.3 square kilometers) of land and 3.8 square miles (9.9 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

San Mateo is situated south of San Francisco and north of Palo Alto, positioned between the San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The city features a mix of urban neighborhoods, waterfront areas, and hillside communities that reflect its peninsula setting. U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280 provide major transportation routes connecting San Mateo to surrounding cities and employment centers.

Top Attractions

San Mateo offers parks, waterfront trails, and cultural destinations that support recreation and tourism. Popular attractions include Coyote Point Recreation Area, Central Park, and the San Mateo Japanese Garden. The city is also home to the College of San Mateo, contributing to higher education and workforce development in the region.

Transportation

San Mateo is served by U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 280, offering convenient highway access throughout the San Francisco Peninsula. Public transportation includes Caltrain commuter rail and regional bus services linking the city to San Francisco, San Jose, and nearby communities. The nearest major airport is San Francisco International Airport, located approximately 10 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 San Mateo City Website.

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San Mateo City Facts

CitySan Mateo
StateCalifornia
CountySan Mateo County
CountryUnited States
RegionSan Francisco Bay Area - Peninsula
IncorporatedSeptember 4, 1894
Founded1850s
Total AreaApproximately 15.9 sq mi (41.2 km2)
Land AreaApproximately 12.1 sq mi (31.3 km2)
Water AreaApproximately 3.8 sq mi (9.9 km2)
ElevationApproximately 46 ft (14 m)
Population (2023 estimate)Approximately 104,000+
Population (2020 Census)105,661
Population DensityApproximately 8,700 people per sq mi
Time ZonePacific Time (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST)
ZIP Codes94401, 94402, 94403, 94404, 94497
Area Code650
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 101, Interstate 280, State Route 92
Public TransitCaltrain, SamTrans Bus Service
Major AttractionsCentral Park, Coyote Point Recreation Area, Hillsdale Shopping Center
Official Websitehttps://www.cityofsanmateo.org/

Distance from San Mateo City, CA to Nearby Cities in California

  • Redwood City, CA – 6 miles (10 km)
  • Foster City, CA – 3 miles (5 km)
  • Burlingame, CA – 4 miles (6 km)
  • San Carlos, CA – 8 miles (13 km)
  • Palo Alto, CA – 16 miles (26 km)
  • Mountain View, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
  • Sunnyvale, CA – 23 miles (37 km)
  • San Francisco, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
  • Daly City, CA – 14 miles (23 km)
  • Oakland, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
  • Berkeley, CA – 28 miles (45 km)
  • Hayward, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
  • Fremont, CA – 28 miles (45 km)
  • San Jose, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Santa Clara, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
  • Milpitas, CA – 32 miles (51 km)
  • Concord, CA – 41 miles (66 km)
  • Walnut Creek, CA – 38 miles (61 km)
  • Vallejo, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
  • Sacramento, CA – 110 miles (177 km)

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