Overview
Redwood City is on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 4 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Redwood City
Lathrop House
One of the peninsula's oldest mansions, built in 1863. Located behind the old Courthouse.
San Mateo County History Museum
This 1910 county courthouse has been restored and now serves as the town square and the county's museum. While the museum is small, it is considered a hidden gem within Redwood City. The entire building can be rented out…
Cinemark Redwood City 20
This 20-screen theater is part of a major retail complex, with shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a 2-level underground parking structure.
Fox theater
This Art Deco venue has seating for 1100 people, and features live performances.
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.
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 — 2 mi away. Directions
- SFO San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
Most of Redwood City is bracketed by two freeways: I-280 to the west and US-101 to the east. Redwood Shores, however, is a substantial part of Redwood City that is east of US-101.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning San Mateo County History Museum, Fox theater
- Lunch Bluefin Sushi & Teriyaki Grill
- Afternoon Cinemark Redwood City 20, Lathrop House
- Dinner Bangkok Bay Thai Cuisine
- Evening Milagro's Cantina
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
Get in
By train
By car
Most of Redwood City is bracketed by two freeways: I-280 to the west and US-101 to the east. Redwood Shores, however, is a substantial part of Redwood City that is east of US-101.
- There are several exits off the Bayshore Freeway US-101 that lead into Redwood City. From north to south, they are: Marine Parkway and Redwood Shores Parkway that lead eastward to Redwood Shores, Whipple Avenue that leads westward towards the little historical downtown area, Woodside that leads westward (as Seaport Blvd) to the Port of Redwood City and eastward is Hwy 84 from the Dumbarton Bridge, and Marsh Road that merges directly with the Dumbarton Bridge.
- Exits off of the more scenic Junipero Serra Freeway I-280 include, from north to south, Edgewood Road that leads eastward to downtown, Farm Hill Road that leads eastward to Jefferson Avenue, Woodside (Hwy. 84), and Sand Hill Road that leads to nearby Stanford and Palo Alto.
By bus
SamTrans buses of the San Mateo County Transit District serve Redwood City and link to Caltrain, as well as having express bus service to downtown SF and to San Jose, and peninsular points between.
By plane
Equally convenient to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and to San Jose International Airport (SJC), Redwood City is also served by the little San Carlos airport, which is off Redwood Shores Parkway and hosts an air museum worth going out of your way to see.
By boat
Redwood City has a deep seaport, even though the logging trade is not noticeable any more. Small craft and fishing boats head out of the port, sailing classes are available, and there's at least one cruise ship that makes port here. The nearby marshes and salt-evaporating ponds make for nice quiet noodling about in a kayak.
Get around
Downtown is more than small enough to walk around.
See
See San Mateo County History Museum
This 1910 county courthouse has been restored and now serves as the town square and the county's museum. While the museum is small, it is considered a hidden gem within Redwood City. The entire building can be rented out as a venue. With a beautiful plaza, water fountains, a grand staircase, and a stained glass dome, it was designed to rival San Francisco's City Hall.
See Lathrop House
One of the peninsula's oldest mansions, built in 1863. Located behind the old Courthouse.
Do
Do Cinemark Redwood City 20
This 20-screen theater is part of a major retail complex, with shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a 2-level underground parking structure.
Buy
Shop Sigona's Farmers Market
A longstanding grocer in the region, named because they sell local produce as well as commercial produce from all over. Splendid house brands of dried fruits, nuts and other specialties. A splendid cheese selection and organic meats.
Shop Kaiser Farmer's Market
Eat
Eat Bangkok Bay Thai Cuisine
Worth going out of your way for these folks and the wonderful food they make. Nice place for a working lunch or dinner, or to take your favorite date.
Eat Bluefin Sushi & Teriyaki Grill
Mainly a catering and take-away hole in the wall cafe (especially while construction downtown drags on), this is a great little cafe around the corner from the CalTrain station. Fresh sushi to go, pre-packed or made to order.
Eat Harry's Hofbrau
A carvery and brewery in the old German biergarten style, only thankfully without the oompah band.
Eat Tacos El Grullense
Authentic street food from a Mexican village tradition! Trade ambience for flavor. There are several El Grullense locations in Redwood City. Most locations accept credit cards (including the Middlefield location).
Drink
Drink City Pub
Great selection of micro-brews and good food.
Drink Milagro's Cantina
Mexican restaurant with good tequila bar.
Drink Gourmet Haus Staudt
German beer garden.
Sleep
Nearby
San Carlos
City / town · 6 listings · 2 mi away
Menlo Park
City / town · 75 listings · 4 mi away
Belmont
City / town · 9 listings · 4 mi away
Foster City
City / town · 8 listings · 5 mi away
Woodside
City / town · 8 listings · 5 mi away
San Mateo
City / town · 21 listings · 6 mi away
Palo Alto
City / town · 53 listings · 7 mi away
Portola Valley
City / town · 1 listings · 8 mi away
My experience
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