Redwood City

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.

San Mateo County History Museum, 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.

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

3. Edgewood Park Natural Preserve

Edgewood Park 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.

Pulgas Ridge Preserve, Redwood City, CA 94062, Phone: 650-691-1200

If you are traveling with your dog, here are some helpful tips.

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.

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

6. 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. Map

7. 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

8. 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.

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

Visit Filoli Historic House and Garden where the 1980s shoy Dynasty was filmed.