Hotels in San Mateo, CA

About 20 miles south of San Francisco lies San Mateo, a lively city resting on the sweeping San Francisco Peninsula. Anyone visiting this well-rounded town will appreciate its vibrant downtown, which boasts cutting-edge cuisine, art galleries, upscale boutiques, and beautiful historical buildings. There’s also a wealth of parks, nature trails, and green spaces to explore, plus fun activities and outdoor experiences for kids to enjoy, too. And being so close to the big city, you’ll have reason enough to leave your hotel in San Mateo for a sightseeing excursion in San Francisco during your stay! So, pack your good walking shoes, as we’re about to cover a lot of ground in this Bayside town.

Being so close to San Francisco, you’ll want to take advantage of the opportunity to sightsee in the big city while staying at the best hotels in San Mateo, so get an early start, don your best walking shoes and get ready to see some amazing spots. Ride a signature SF trolley up to famous Lombard Street, stroll the storied streets of Chinatown, pop over to the city’s eastern shoreline and discover Embarcadero and its several waterfront attractions. If time allows, check out the Palace of Fine Arts, the Conservatory of Flowers, or the Exploratorium—the perfect place to entertain and delight the little ones. Before heading back to your hotel in San Mateo, you’ll want to try one of the city’s world-renowned restaurants, which you’ll find on just about every block of the metropolis.

During your stay at top hotels in San Mateo, make sure to carve out a solid morning or afternoon to see the stunning San Mateo Japanese Garden. This Japanese garden boasts expertly manicured gardens, a tranquil koi pond, a pagoda (perfect for people watching), and a teahouse within its 16-acre grounds. Spend a few hours strolling the gardens and listening to the sounds of surrounding nature before heading into town for a nice bite to eat.

If you’re visiting San Mateo during the weekend, don’t miss one of the town’s most lively events, the College of San Mateo Farmers’ Market. Bring your reusable bag and pop down to Hillsdale Boulevard to behold the buzzing stalls featuring vendors slinging seasonal fruits and veggies, hot coffee and baked goods, local artisanal goods, and even art.

Make the most out of travel when you join Hilton Honors, our rewards program exclusive to members. The second you sign up for this free-to-join program, you’ll start earning points toward future stays and gain access to discounted rooms, promotions, and other members-only perks. Enjoy working from exclusive business lounges and knock out important emails while away. What’s more, you can streamline all of these extras through our easy-to-use Hilton Honors app. Download it today to start using fun features, like digital check-in and check-out, keyless entry, and more.

Have a fantastic trip to Northern California, and don’t forget to bring a camera for all the photos you’ll be taking of the beautiful SF peninsula during your stay at our hotels in San Mateo!

Don’t forget to check out our nearby hotels in Alameda, San Francisco, and Berkeley.