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, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CitySan Mateo
CountySan Mateo County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWest
Latitude37.5630° N
Longitude122.3255° W
Elevation46 ft (14 m)
Land Area12.13 sq mi
Water Area0.00 sq mi
Total Area12.13 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)105,661
Population Density8,712 per sq mi
ZIP Codes94401, 94402, 94403, 94404
Area Code650
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-68252
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 15th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in San Mateo, California

Transportation TypeDetails
Airport NameSan Francisco International Airport
IATA CodeSFO
PortPort of Redwood City and Port of San Francisco (Regional Access)
Major HighwaysU.S. Highway 101, Interstate 280, State Route 92
Train ServiceCaltrain commuter rail service
Local Bus/Transit ServiceSamTrans bus service and Caltrain
  • U.S. Highway 101: Major north-south route connecting San Mateo with San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Peninsula communities.
  • Interstate 280: Scenic freeway connecting San Mateo with San Francisco and South Bay cities.
  • State Route 92: Provides access across the Peninsula to the East Bay through the San Mateo–Hayward Bridge.
  • San Francisco International Airport: Provides worldwide air connections near the city.

Top Places to Visit in San Mateo, California

Landmark NameType
Central ParkCommunity Park
Japanese Tea Garden at Central ParkCultural Garden
Hillsdale Shopping CenterShopping and Entertainment Center
Coyote Point Recreation AreaBayfront Recreation Area
San Mateo County History MuseumHistory Museum
Peninsula Golf and Country ClubGolf and Recreation Facility
Sawyer Camp TrailWalking and Cycling Trail
Junipero Serra Statue and Historic SitesHistoric Landmark
Seal Point ParkWaterfront Park
San Francisco Bay TrailRegional Recreation Trail

Driving Distances from San Mateo, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
San FranciscoCalifornia18 mi25 minutes
BurlingameCalifornia3 mi10 minutes
Redwood CityCalifornia8 mi15 minutes
Palo AltoCalifornia18 mi25 minutes
Mountain ViewCalifornia25 mi35 minutes
San JoseCalifornia35 mi45 minutes
OaklandCalifornia35 mi50 minutes
BerkeleyCalifornia40 mi55 minutes
Santa RosaCalifornia70 mi1 hour 20 minutes
SacramentoCalifornia100 mi1 hour 45 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near San Mateo, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
College of San MateoPublicCommunity CollegeTransfer programs, business, technology, and career education
Notre Dame de Namur UniversityPrivateUniversityEducation, business, psychology, and professional programs
Stanford UniversityPrivateUniversityResearch, technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship
San Francisco State UniversityPublicUniversityBusiness, arts, education, and sciences
San Mateo-Foster City School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies Near San Mateo, California

San Francisco Bay, San Mateo Creek, Laurel Creek, Marina Lagoon, and nearby waterways throughout San Mateo County.

Golf Courses Near San Mateo

Poplar Creek Golf Course, Peninsula Golf and Country Club, Burlingame Country Club, Crystal Springs Golf Course, and San Carlos Golf Center.

San Mateo, California — Key Historical Facts

  • The San Mateo area was originally inhabited by the Ohlone Native American people before Spanish settlement.
  • The area developed around Rancho San Mateo land grants during the Mexican period.
  • San Mateo grew as a farming and transportation community after the arrival of the railroad in the 19th century.
  • The city was incorporated in 1894 and became an important commercial center on the San Francisco Peninsula.
  • Today, San Mateo is known for its technology businesses, historic neighborhoods, waterfront parks, and location between San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities Near San Mateo

Facility NameTypeLocation
San Mateo High School StadiumHigh School Sports StadiumSan Mateo, California
College of San Mateo Athletic FacilitiesCollege Sports FacilitySan Mateo, California
Junipero Serra High School Sports FacilitiesHigh School Sports FacilitySan Mateo, California
Oracle ParkProfessional Baseball StadiumSan Francisco, California
Chase CenterProfessional Sports ArenaSan Francisco, California

References

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