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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Best Foster City Area Hotels
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This is such an interesting spot, especially since it’s a planned community right on the bay. I didn’t realize there were so many good beach options within driving distance either. It seems like a mix of water activities and easy coastal access. Do you think it’s better as a base to explore nearby beaches or more for staying local?
It works really well as a base since you can stay in a quieter area and still reach places like Half Moon Bay or Pacifica pretty easily. Those nearby beaches give you more variety, especially if you want different scenery or activities. Staying local is nice for the water sports, but exploring a bit gives you the full experience of the area.
Foster City really is such an interesting hidden gem on the San Francisco Peninsula. I love that it’s a planned waterfront community built right on the Bay — that alone makes it unique. Werder Pier sounds like a great spot for sunset walks, and the fact that it’s one of the longest and oldest piers in California adds a cool historical touch. It’s also impressive that the area is known for world-class windsurfing and kitesurfing right in the Bay. For visitors staying in Foster City, would you recommend focusing on Bay activities like paddleboarding and kite sports, or planning more day trips out to places like Half Moon Bay and Pacifica for classic Pacific beaches?
For most visitors, the best experience comes from mixing both Bay-side and ocean adventures. Foster City’s lagoon system and open Bay access make it ideal for windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and relaxed waterfront walks along the levee paths. The steady afternoon winds create some of the best conditions on the San Francisco Bay for kite sports. However, driving 30–40 minutes west to Half Moon Bay State Beach, Pacifica State Beach, or Montara State Beach gives you dramatic Pacific cliffs, tide pools, and classic California surf scenery. Combining calm Bay recreation with rugged Pacific coastline day trips lets you experience the full variety of the San Mateo County coastal landscape.