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.
The Best Beaches Near Foster City
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Half Moon Bay State Beach stretches over 4 miles, offering sandy shores, bluffs, and tide pools. It’s an ideal spot for sunbathing, picnicking, and fishing. With its gentle waves, it’s also a favorite among beginner surfers. The Coastal Trail, which runs parallel to the beach, provides a beautiful backdrop for joggers, walkers, and cyclists.
Pacifica State Beach
Pacifica State Beach is one of the most popular beginner surfing spots in the San Francisco region. This crescent-shaped beach is frequented by families and casual beach-goers looking to take in the scenic views. Surrounding the beach, one can find a huge choice of dining options, making it easy to spend an entire day enjoying the sun and surf.
.
.
Montara State Beach
Montara State Beach is about a 35-minute drive from Foster City, this beach is embraced by high cliffs and boasts two beach access points. It’s perfect for sunbathing, fishing, and surfing. Additionally, the nearby McNee Ranch offers a network of hiking trails with panoramic views of the Pacific.
.
Poplar Beach
Poplar Beach is a favorite for both locals and tourists. The beach is dog-friendly, making it perfect for pet owners. Steep trails lead down to the beach, but once there, you’re greeted with vast expanses of sand and striking views of the coastline. Horseback riding is a popular activity here, allowing visitors to traverse the sandy shores on horseback.
.
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Gray Whale Cove is a secluded paradise, ideal for those looking to escape the typical beach crowds. Surrounded by cliffs, this beach is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. Swimming can be tricky due to strong currents, but it’s a perfect spot for sunbathing, picnics, and whale watching, especially during the migration season.
.
Best Restaurants in Foster City
$-Inexpensive $$-Moderate $$$-Pricey $$$$-Ultra High End
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine $$ – $$$
At Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine they offer meals of excellent quality and invite you to try their delicious food. Eat delicious food. Grab a drink. But most of all, relax! Telephone: +1 650-212-5788 Web: Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
The Fish Market $$ – $$$
The Fish Market serves only the freshest catches from waters near, far and everywhere in between. Their simple, smoky, mesquite grilled fish made them famous, and that’s just a fraction of their menu. Great oyster bar, and sashimi and sushi made fresh. Telephone: +1 650-349-3474 Web: The Fish Market
Waterfront Pizza $$ – $$$
Waterfront Pizza has been serving the bay area for over 20 years. They are dedicated to providing customers with quality food and great prices. Each and every order is made from scratch using the finest and freshest ingredients on the market. Telephone: +1 650-573-6634 Web: Waterfront Pizza
Godfather’s Burger Lounge $$ – $$$
When you visit us at Godfather’s, you will experience two things, the peering eyes of the movie greats in a setting heavily influenced by the arts of the motion picture, and yes, the love for the best burger you will ever taste. Telephone: +1 650-637-9257 Web: Godfather’s Burger Lounge
Iron Gate Restaurant $$$$
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
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