Overview
Foster City is a quiet suburban city on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Primarily residential and lacking in a downtown, it also has a couple of large office parks and several large employers including Gilead, Visa, and Sony.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Foster City
Leo J. Ryan Park
Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park encompasses 20 acres overlooking Central Lake, the largest water expanse in the lagoon system, and is home to the William E. Walker Recreation Center. Besides the wonderful waterfront setting, t…
cityFEST
A festival held annually in June.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–Nov. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Redwood City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SQL San Carlos Airport, San Carlos — 3 mi away. Directions
- SFO San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
The only direct public transit to Foster City is via bus, either AC Transit (from the East Bay, there is express service from the Union City and Hayward BART stations) or SAMTrans (several routes.) There are also shuttles from the Hillsdale Caltrain station in San Mateo, although service has been cut back.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $159–$159 a night (typical $179), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$200, mid-range ~$250, comfortable ~$320.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Leo J. Ryan Park
- Lunch Edgewater Place Shopping Center
- Afternoon cityFEST
- Dinner 5 Joy Restaurant
- Evening The Clubhouse Bistro Sports Bar Foster City
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
The only direct public transit to Foster City is via bus, either AC Transit (from the East Bay, there is express service from the Union City and Hayward BART stations) or SAMTrans (several routes.) There are also shuttles from the Hillsdale Caltrain station in San Mateo, although service has been cut back.
It is also very readily accessible from Highway 92 (Foster City Boulevard and Edgewater/Mariner's Island) exits, and indirectly from Highway 101 (Hillsdale.)
See
See Leo J. Ryan Park
Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park encompasses 20 acres overlooking Central Lake, the largest water expanse in the lagoon system, and is home to the William E. Walker Recreation Center. Besides the wonderful waterfront setting, the park includes an outdoor amphitheater, sailboat tie-up facilities, boardwalk, lawn areas, and a gazebo on the lake. (Restroom facilities are also available.)
Do
Foster City has one of the nicest 4th of July fireworks on the Peninsula, and with budget cutbacks in 2010 eliminating fireworks from many other communities, it drew a very large crowd.
Buy
There are two shopping centers with supermarkets/large pharmacies, and a couple of smaller ones with local restaurants. The most convenient for travelers is along the north side of Hillsdale, directly across from Ryan Park.
Eat
Eat 5 Joy Restaurant
Chinese cuisine; Claims to have some of the best pot stickers in the Bay Area.
Eat Edgewater Place Shopping Center
While none of the restaurants here are particularly distinguished food-wise, several of them, including Boardwalk Pizza (pizza and mediterranean food) and Mr. Fong's (Chinese seafood and Dim Sum), feature outdoor or indoor seating with views over the lagoon.
Eat Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
Great Thai food that is a Foster city classic from curries to dry fried rice to noodles.
Drink
Drink The Clubhouse Bistro Sports Bar Foster City
The Clubhouse Bistro is a small suburban nightclub with a cocktail lounge and bistro restaurant. Located in the small part of Foster City north of 92; while undistinguished, it's the only such venue in this part of the peninsula.
Sleep
Foster City has several hotels, mostly focused on mid-range corporate accommodation.
Go next
- Hayward- 92 East. About 20 minutes away.
- San Jose- 92 West to 101 South. About 30 to 50 minutes away.
- Half Moon Bay- 92 West. About 25 to 55 minutes away.
- San Francisco- 92 West to 101 North. About 20 to 35 minutes away.
Nearby
San Mateo
City / town · 21 listings · 3 mi away
Belmont
City / town · 9 listings · 3 mi away
San Carlos
City / town · 6 listings · 3 mi away
Redwood City
City / town · 24 listings · 5 mi away
Burlingame
City / town · 39 listings · 6 mi away
Millbrae
City / town · 19 listings · 8 mi away
Menlo Park
City / town · 75 listings · 8 mi away
Woodside
City / town · 8 listings · 8 mi away
My experience
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