Foster City CA in Santa Mateo County is a unique, one-of-a-kind planned community, one of the first in the U.S. It’s about 25 miles south of San Francisco and 30 miles north of San Jose along the San Francisco Peninsula. It is literally an island built on landfill on the Bay . Foster City’s Werder Pier is a remainder of the original expanse of the San Mateo–Hayward Bridge. It is also one of the state’s longest and oldest piers in existence. Foster City CA boasts world-class kite surfing and world-class windsurfing. Take a look at Foster City CA, and start planning your vacation here today. For all the great area beaches, click here.
Weather – When to Visit Foster City
Foster City has a mild climate, with warm dry summers, and cool wet winters. The warmest month of the year is July with an average daytime temperature of 81° F and an average nighttime of 55° F , while the coldest month of the year is December with an average daytime temperature of 57° F and an average nighttime temperature of 39° F . The busiest months for travel to Foster City is June and July. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance.
Foster City Attractions
San Mateo Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden, in San Mateo Central Park is one of the finest gardens in California. It was designed by landscape architect, Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo, and features a granite pagoda, tea house, koi pond and bamboo grove. The Japanese Garden is beautiful throughout the year, but be sure to visit in the late Winter and early Spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
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San Mateo-Hayward Bridge
The San Mateo–Hayward Bridge is a bridge crossing the U.S. state of California’s San Francisco Bay, linking the San Francisco Peninsula with the East Bay. The bridge’s western end is in Foster City.
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Seal Point Park
Waterfront area featuring windsurfing, a biking trail, dog park & outdoor classrooms led by rangers. Seal Point Park includes a multitude of pathways for walking, cycling, bird watching and a 3-acre dog park. You can walk the boardwalk along the Bay Marshes where you can observe wildlife – including the endangered California Clapper Rail.
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San Francisco Bay Trail
The San Francisco Bay Trail is a planned 500-mile walking and cycling path around the entire San Francisco Bay running through all nine Bay Area counties, 47 cities, and across seven toll bridges.
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Hayward Region Shoreline
Hayward Regional Shoreline consists of 1,811 acres of salt, fresh, and brackish water marshes, seasonal wetlands, and public trails.
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Things to do in Foster City
California Windsurfing
No matter the season, California Windsurfing has the perfect water adventure for you. Whether you’re vacationing or looking for something new and fun in your neighborhood. You want a better, or more fun and affordable place to Windsurf, Stand Up Paddle Board, Kayak, or Ride a Pedal Boat than California Windsurfing. Telephone: +1 650-594-0335 Web: California Windsurfing
Venture Jeeps
Venture Jeeps is an all inclusive, family friendly, four-wheeling, camping, outdoor experience. What does that mean for YOU? It means for one fee, you are provided with: a modified & capable Jeep, all necessary camping gear* if two day trip was selected* meals, and a competent trail guide in his/her jeep to make your trip most memorable & worry free! Telephone:
+1 888-425-4884 Web: Venture Jeeps
California Canoe & Kayak
The West’s finest and most extensive Paddlesports company since 1972! They have been committed to providing safe and enjoyable classes and trips for over 40 years and would love to help you discover and develop your paddlesport endeavors. As paddlers, they will support you on your adventures in and around San Francisco bay & beyond! Telephone: +1 650-593-6060 Web: California Canoe & Kayak
Fly Bay Area
FlyBayArea offers U-Fly SkyTours around the Bay Area in airplanes. Choose from four different SkyTours and get a chance to fly the plane with one of our professional flight instructors. Fly over San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the Pacific Coast. A unique aerial tour for locals and visitors alike. Telephone: +1 650-631-2927 Web: Fly Bay Area
Bay Area Ridge Riders
Trail rides for experienced riders. Bay Area Ridge Riders takes you on an equestrian adventure through forests, meadows and ridges in the San Francisco Bay Area. They specialize in rides for experienced riders and therefor provide responsive, well-conditioned horses for a vigorous ride. Telephone: +1 650-296-2236 Web: Bay Area Ridge Riders
Best Restaurants in Foster City
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$$ – $$$ Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
At Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine they offer meals of excellent quality and invite you to try their delicious food. Eat delicious food. Grab a drink. But most of all, relax! Telephone: +1 650-212-5788 Web: Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
$$ – $$$ The Fish Market
The Fish Market serves only the freshest catches from waters near, far and everywhere in between. Their simple, smoky, mesquite grilled fish made them famous, and that’s just a fraction of their menu. Great oyster bar, and sashimi and sushi made fresh. Telephone: +1 650-349-3474 Web: The Fish Market
$$ – $$$ Waterfront Pizza
Waterfront Pizza has been serving the bay area for over 20 years. They are dedicated to providing customers with quality food and great prices. Each and every order is made from scratch using the finest and freshest ingredients on the market. Telephone: +1 650-573-6634 Web: Waterfront Pizza
$$ – $$$ Godfather’s Burger Lounge
When you visit us at Godfather’s, you will experience two things, the peering eyes of the movie greats in a setting heavily influenced by the arts of the motion picture, and yes, the love for the best burger you will ever taste. Telephone: +1 650-637-9257 Web: Godfather’s Burger Lounge
$$$$ Iron Gate Restaurant
Dating back as far as the 1050s, the Iron Gate is one of the Peninsula’s oldest fine dining restaurants. They have raised the bar of excellence with fine French Continental Cuisine. Telephone: +1 650-592-7893 Web: Iron Gate Restaurant
Best Nightlife in Foster City
Clubhouse Bistro
The Clubhouse Bistro is Foster City’s hottest nightclub, cocktail lounge and bistro restaurant. Located in the San Mateo area at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Clubhouse radiates an upscale club atmosphere with a laid-back, Northern California party vibe. From happy hour meet-ups, to private parties, live DJ’s, dancing, big-ticket sports events and an expertly crafted food and drink menu. Telephone: +1 650-570-5700 Web: Clubhouse Bistro
Club Shoreview
Super strong drinks for a tiny little price. Interesting clientele of mostly locals, but when you will feel right at home. No food, but the restaurants in the mall will deliver. Pool tables, TV sets and jute box round out this corner hot spot. Great little cozy bar! Telephone: +1 650-579-5539 Web: Club Shoreview
Kingkat Bar & Eatery
A place of enjoyment and relaxation at one of the most enchanting places of the city, in the middle of the San Mateo. Enjoy modern Asian Fusion at the highest level. The quality lies in the composition of best products. Telephone: +1 650-458-3838 Web: Kingkat Bar & Eatery
Antone’s Cocktail Lounge
This place is an old school bar; it even has that old-school bar smell. There is a video game cocktail table in the lounge, and it has all the old arcade classics on it. Telephone: +1 650-574-9672 Web: Antone’s Cocktail Lounge
Bucky’s Cocktail Lounge
Strong drinks, great sing-a-long music, and a pool table. They are also dog friendly! They have the bar top, some tables, and an outdoor patio in the back with string lights. Great little hole-in-the-wall! Telephone: +1 650-349-4711 Web: Bucky’s Cocktail Lounge
Best Hotels In Foster City
Courtyard by Marriott San Mateo Foster City
Make yourself at home in one of the 147 air-conditioned rooms featuring Smart televisions. Don’t miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and a fireplace in the lobby. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit the Courtyard by Marriott San Mateo Foster City.
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Crowne Plaza Hotel Foster City – San Mateo
Welcome to the Crowne Plaza® Foster City – San Mateo, here to deliver you services and amenities you won’t find anywhere else. Dine at one of their 3 restaurants, dip in their indoor pool and Jacuzzi, and experience the height of relaxation with the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage Program, featuring complimentary sleep kits, in any one of the 353 well appointed guestrooms or suites. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit the Crowne Plaza Hotel Foster City San Mateo.
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TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Mateo Foster City
TownePlace Suites by Marriott® is an extended-stay hotel where you can balance work and life as you like, with the comfort, flexibility and affordability you require. Relax and feel at home with a fully equipped kitchen and wireless high-speed Internet access. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit the TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Mateo Foster City.
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Cloud Metals B&B
Cloud Metals in Foster City provides accommodation with free bikes and barbecue facilities. All rooms feature a kitchen and a shared bathroom. Free WiFi is included. All units at the guest house are equipped with a seating area. The units feature a wardrobe. A continental breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit Cloud Metals B&B.
This was such a great article to read! You definitely spent a lot of time on this piece, and it was very interesting to read. I was born and raised in California, and I’ve never heard of Foster City! I’ll definitely have to check it out! 🙂
Well yes Sierra, you do have to check it out! California is a big state, so I understand why you might not have heard of it 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
For a long time, I was looking for something that informative. Beautifully described and well written. Everyone should read it and I am going to share with my friends as well. Thanks a lot for sharing with us.
Thank you Abdul! Glad you enjoyed my Foster City CA review.
Fantastic review, I love your site….I am so ready for a vacation and Foster City seems the right choice. I would love to dine @ the Iron Gate Restaurant sounds like it have a lot of History. Great Job!
Thanks Tina! I am glad you enjoyed my Foster City CA review!
hi Lea,
Wow, what a lovely place to visit! My son and I are planning a trip to San Fransisco this coming summer and since Foster is only 25 miles from San Fransico, we will put it on the list of place to visit. I really like Cloud Metals B&B, even though it’s only a three stars hotel, it looks beautiful. I’ll check this further:)
Thank you for the useful information
Great Daniella, yes I like that particular B&B as well. I was kind of surprised that the rating. But there are not a lot of options in this little beach-side community. You will have a wonderful time. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions.
Great review and thanks for sharing it. There are many choices on places to enjoy in this city. Especially the Japanese Garden, looks so beautiful from the image.
You would really enjoy visiting Foster City CA and the whole area. Thanks for visiting my Foster City CA review.
I love it when I come to your site and I get to see a vibrant and dialled in post about places I have never heard of before. I am keenly interested to visit Foster city. My sister actually married a dude with that surname and I will be most pleased to pass along the link and see if a trip can be booked! I love a historical and vintage kind of vibe and I would be very interested to see and experience the pier of which you speak. Thank you Leahrae for continually churning out such quality content! Much appreciated and a very beneficial resource!
You are so welcome Bex and thanks for continuing to visit beach travel destinations. I am glad you enjoyed your visit to Foster City CA!
That’s a great information, i not been there before, this hotel looks very good!
Thanks for your article! It makes me want to go there!
You should visit Foster City CA! It is a beautiful place in California with so much to offer. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
Wow, thanks Leahrae for this marvelous post.
Seems like there are many things to do in Foster City.
It really is a place to be.
I will bookmark this post.
In short, I have bookmarked the whole website. LOL.
Will share with my family and friends 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed your digital visit to Foster City. Yes, I have tons of choices for you on my site for a great beach vacation or quick getaway. Let me know if you ever need any help with planning.
Thanks for the great post on Foster City. It is very scenic. I am planning to visit CA , next year. Are there any activities for children? Also, I am a vegetarian- can you recommend any vegetarian restaurants?
Hi Priya and you will have a wonderful time. For vegetarian restaurants try Veggie Lee, Village Hummus, True Food Kitchen, or Veggie Garden. All are good choices 🙂 Foster City has 21 parks – most all with activities for kids. The Foster City Lagoon is another great choice, as well as the Hillbarn Theatre. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Hi Leahrae !
I really enjoyed your new post. You made me want to pack my things and set off.. yesterday! I loved your detailed presentation of this new destination. This digital visit will soon be followed by a real one !!
Glad you enjoyed Effie! Thanks for your digital visit to Foster City CA!
Super detailed information, thanks for taking your time to share this with us.
I am thinking for some time to visit California Windsurfing and your post is very
inspiring
Great and you will love windsurfing. I am wondering if this is new for you, or have you done this before? I would love to try it, one think I haven’t yet. Thanks for visiting my Foster City CA review 🙂
Hi Leahrae,
Thank you for providing such a detailed post on this beautiful place called Foster City. It seems like a pretty cool vacation spot. I have family members and friends that are looking for a cool vacation spot. I will share your article with my family and friends. Thank you so much!
Regards
Pam
You’re welcome Pam and glad you enjoyed your digital visit to Foster City CA!
Hi Leahrae,
Foster City Bay looks like to have a lot of choices on places to stay and places to go to. Thank for gathering all of the great locations for further inquiries as you have saved me a ton of time.
Much appreciated and I will try to come back and let you know how my own queries go with some of the recommendations above.
Ok, I look forward to hearing back from you! Have a marvelous time!
San Mateo Japanese Garden looks exquisite. I really like the Foster area in California. I think I like the the idea of planning something for the Clubhouse Bistro as well. Looks quite nice.
I really appreciate this review. Thanks for the details!
You are welcome Jacob, and thanks for visiting beach travel destinations. I hope you found everything you need for a great beach travel vacation 🙂