Central Park in San Mateo, California

By Rachel Puryear

Urban parks make for very special places within a city, whereby residents can get out and enjoy nature, right in (or near) their own neighborhoods.

San Mateo, a small city about halfway between San Francisco and San Jose, boasts its own big urban park – San Mateo’s Central Park. There’s lots to do here for the whole family, and plenty of room to explore and enjoy nature.

Koi fish in pond in Japanese garden.

The Japanese gardens are a major highlight of the park. Stroll over serene paths crisscrossing a pond filled with beautiful Koi fish, and lots of foliage. During Spring and Summer, the Koi fish are fed at 11 am and 3 pm – while the park is open to the public.

There’s also a beautiful rose garden to stroll through, with a gazebo in the center. This is a gorgeous and popular local spot for weddings. See here for a map of the rose garden, and a list of roses on display.

There’s a great, large playground for the kids, as well as a mini train ride. For the entire family, there are barbecue areas, and an ice rink during Wintertime. There’s also a baseball diamond.

Central Park’s recreation center holds morning aerobics classes, and then is available for meetings and events. See here for more about the park’s rec center.

See here for more about visiting Central Park in San Mateo. Also visit nearby downtown, with plenty of food and other entertainment options.


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