12 Best Things to Do in Redwood City, California

By VI Staff on June 19, 2020 - Updated

Courtesy of nstanev - Fotolia.com

Located in the heart of the technology-rich region of Silicon Valley, Redwood City is the third largest city in the County of San Mateo and boasts beautiful year-round weather and the only active deep-water port within the south bay of San Francisco. The city's vibrant downtown area has been hailed as the entertainment hub of the San Francisco Peninsula and is packed with boutiques and shops, buzzing restaurants and bars, lively cafés and businesses and more.

1.San Mateo County History Museum

The San Mateo County History Museum is dedicated to showcasing the rich history of San Mateo County and the surrounding area. Located in the heart of downtown Redlands, the museum is housed inside the former San Mateo County Courthouse which was built in 1910 and is a beautiful example of the City Beautiful Movement with a spectacular stained-glass dome. The San Mateo County History Museum is operated by the San Mateo County Historical Association, along with the Sánchez Adobe and the Woodside Store, and maintains a collection of around 420,000 two- and three-dimensional items. The San Mateo County Historical Association also supports a creative schedule of changing exhibits at the San Mateo County History Museum, which is open Tuesday through Sunday.

2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063

2.Pulgas Water Temple

The Pulgas Water Temple is a beautiful stone structure built in the Greek Revival style that was erected to commemorate the 1934 completion of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct. Designed by architect William G. Merchant and located at the aqueduct's terminus on Cañada Road at Woodside, the Pulgas Water Temple consists of several fluted Corinthian columns arranged in a circle, upon which a large stone masonry ring with the words "I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people." To the east of the temple is a large, tree-lined reflecting pool and the grounds are a favorite spot for special celebrations such as weddings and receptions.

56 Cañada Road, Redwood City, CA 94062, Phone: 650-872-5900

3.Edgewood Park Natural Preserve

Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve is a 467-acre protected area that is renowned for its spectacular spring wildflower displays. The park boasts 160 acres of serpentine soil which forms an ideal habitat for many native plant species including endemic and rare species, as well as coastal scrub, chaparral, grasslands, foothill woodlands, and wetlands – all the major ecological zones specific to the San Francisco Peninsula except the Redwood forest. Edgewood is also home to a variety of animals and insects, including the endangered Bay checkerspot butterfly.

10 Old Stage Coach Rd, Redwood City, CA 94062

4.Pulgas Ridge Preserve

Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve is a small, well-managed public and recreation area with a large off-leash dog area in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Formerly a tuberculosis sanitarium owned by the City of San Francisco, the 366-acre park still boasts some old retaining walls and steps from the buildings but has now been cleared of all foreign vegetation and has more than six miles of hiking trails with access to cool canyons and beautiful views of the bay and surrounding hillsides from a ridge top. The trails are dog-friendly, and there are plenty of areas for dogs to run and play on and off-leash. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve is open from dawn to half-an-hour after dusk.

Redwood City, CA 94062, Phone: 650-691-1200

5.Fox Theater

Located in the heart of downtown Redwood City, the Fox Theater is a beautifully preserved community theater, and a top live entertainment and rental venue in Silicon Valley. Opened to the public in 1929 as The New Sequoia Theater, to show motion pictures, the theater has a seating capacity for 1,348 patrons spread over three floors and has an event venue next door is known as Club Fox, which offers endless opportunities for public or private events. The theater was renovated in 1950 to incorporate live performances and shows and have hosted famous singers such as Etta James, BB King, Melissa Ethridge, Neil Young, and others. The Fox Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is surrounded by an array of restaurants and bars for after-show entertainment.

2215 Broadway Street Redwood City, CA 94063, Phone: 650-369-7770

6.The Dragon Theater

The Dragon Theater is an intimate community theater that presents a season of performances and productions, ranging from comedy to dramas, and more. The theater is managed by the Dragon Productions Theatre Company which has been presenting the community with theatrical performances and plays since 2013 and houses a 65-seat intimate theatre area with full stage, studio space, and classrooms for acting classes and workshops. In addition to offering workshops and classes for both adults and students, the theater also hosts several events throughout the year, such as Monday Night Play Space, Dragon Late Nights, In Deep Radio and Circus Art Series. The Dragon Theater can also be rented for private events and functions.

2120 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063, Phone: 650-493-2006

7.Bay Club Redwood Shores

Bay Club Redwood Shores is a luxury 10-acre resort-style property with a wealth of amenities and facilities, dedicated family spaces, and a variety of children-friendly programs and events for the whole family. Amenities at the club include a 15,000-square-foot sports and fitness center with Pilates, yoga, and group exercise programming, a full-day spa and sauna, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, squash courts, four outdoor swimming pools, and water slides, and a social club. The club also offers boutique shopping and personalized services and hospitality such as child care, meeting facilities and more.

200 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94065, Phone: 650-593-4900

8.Bair Island

Bair Island is a 3,000-acre marsh and wetlands area in Redwood City that includes three islands, namely Inner, Middle, and Outer islands and forms part of the larger Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Surrounded by the Steinberger slough and Redwood Creek, Bair Island was once used for farming, grazing and salt production in the 19th century, but has since been transformed into a vital ecological reserve. The wetland that provides critical habitat for a variety of fauna and flora species, including the Salt marsh harvest mouse, the threatened California clapper rail, and an array of migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. Visitors can explore the island on guided tours along several walking trails around the naturally restored wetlands.

Redwood City, CA 94065

9.Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve is a regional park and reserves that is home to a variety of fauna and flora and offers a range of outdoor recreational activities. Based in the Santa Cruz Mountains in San Mateo County, the preserve consists of both dense forest and open meadows and boasts beautiful views towards San Francisco Bay from the summit of the 2,572-foot Borel Hill. The 3,137-acre preserve features over ten miles of hiking and horseback riding trails and is home to a wealth of fauna and flora, including bobcat, coyote, American kestrel, Northern harrier, and many bird species.

Redwood City, CA 94062, Phone: 650-691-1200

10.Vesta

Vesta is a friendly neighborhood Italian-inspired bistro-style eatery that serves delicious wood-fired pizzas, tapas and small sharing plates in a comfy, inviting environment. Operated by son and daughter-in-law team, Peter and Courtney Borrone, owners of Menlo Park's Café Borrone, Vesta is surrounded by good restaurants but is a favorite spot for pizza and tapas lovers and is always packed. The main dining room exudes a cozy ambiance feel with mossy green walls, and fresh flower arrangements and a covered back patio has a charming garden ambiance with plenty of heaters for cooler weather. The bistro also offers sidewalk seating with market umbrellas for watching the world go by while tucking into earthy and aromatic, rustic pizzas and an array of delicious tapas and small plates. Vesta is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Saturday.

2022 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063, Phone: 650-362-5052

11.Angelicas

Angelicas is a fine dining establishment in the San Francisco Peninsula area that offers an exceptional dining experience with live entertainment. Established by owners Peter and Angelica Cuschieri in 2013, the newly renovated dinner club pays tribute to the charm of the 1930s with an elegant dining room hung with chandeliers, a white marble-topped bar, and local artworks from a Woodside artist on the walls. An innovative menu features sumptuous cuisine includes highlights such as a macadamia nut brie and cheese appetizer, lamb shank and prime rib entrées and delicious desserts like a pumpkin cheesecake. Patrons can enjoy a variety of entertainment throughout the week from live jazz and other music to open mic jam sessions and comedy shows and Celtic dancing. Angelicas is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

863 Main Street, Redwood City, CA 94063, Phone: 650-679-8184

12.Milagros Latin Kitchen

Milagros Latin Kitchen is a Latin American-inspired restaurant that serves Jalisco-region Mexican fare in a vibrant and lively atmosphere. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining with two tequila bars, private dining rooms for special occasions, and a charming outdoor patio dining for alfresco dining for up to 100 people. The brightly decorated restaurant has an energetic and creative feel with curated and imported art pieces, eclectic furniture and antiquities from the tequila-growing region of Jalisco and all over Latin American. The menu features an array of dishes that have been prepared using locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce from small organic farms and boast an eclectic blend of Latin American flavors. The cuisine is matched with an extensive selection of Tequila, Rum and Pisco-based cocktails, authentic tequilas, daily pressed fresh juices and purées, and imported craft beers. Milagros Latin Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

1099 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063, Phone: 650-369-4730