San Mateo, California is located on the San Francisco Peninsula and has a population of around 105,000. The area is known for scenic vistas and a mild climate. The first people to live here were the Ohlone Indians. They lived here for 4,000 years before the first explorers arrived. The mild climate and freshwater creek made it an ideal home for the tribe.
Spanish explorers came in 1776 in search of a place to start a colony. One of the men named the creek “San Mateo Creek.” It wasn't until 1793 that mission fathers from San Francisco developed an outpost on the peninsula. The goal of the mission was to oversee the newly converted Christians when it came to raising livestock and food. Things changed in 1822 when Mexico gained independence from Spanish rule. The mission became secularized, and many residents became owners of large expanses of land due to the 1835 Mexican Land Grants. Large ranches were developed.
In 1850, Rancho San Mateo was sold to the Mellus and Howard firm for $400. Howard built El Cerrito here. It was the first of many great homes that would be constructed in the area. The first business enterprise in San Mateo was a stagecoach stop. By 1864, a railroad connected San Francisco to San Jose and passed through San Mateo. Soon after the train station was constructed, enough buildings popped up to create a downtown. As the railroad continued to bring people through the area, wealthy people from San Francisco found the mild climate and beautiful scenery to be a wonderful place to construct weekend and summer homes. Soon, San Mateo was made up mostly of these wealthy residents and the many people that worked for them. By 1889, they had their own churches, schools, and fire department. The area was officially incorporated as a town in 1889.
Today, people continue to visit the area in order to enjoy the weather and lovely surroundings. San Mateo has numerous outdoor spaces and parks. Tourists come to see places like The San Mateo Japanese Garden, Sawyer Camp Trail, and Coyote Point Recreational Area.
San Mateo Harvest Festival - Enjoy a weekend of holiday shopping and entertainment at this upcoming indoor arts and craft show. It’s held each November in San Mateo.
San Mateo County Fair - This upcoming event in June includes live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and carnival rides.
Half Moon Bay Arts and Pumpkin Festival - This upcoming event, held each October, includes arts and crafts, food, and pumpkin carving.
The RV storage facilities in San Mateo include Public Storage with keypad access, which is well-lit. Indoor and outdoor units are available starting at $267 per month.
Bay Area Self Storage has large units starting at $456 per month. Security is provided by electronic gated access, surveillance cameras, and on-site management.
CuriOdyssey is a museum of natural science and exploration. It is located in San Mateo, which is just south of San Francisco and nestled between the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. CuriOdyssey focuses on four main areas: nature, science, adventure, and human spirit. The San Mateo County Parks Department operates a number of parks in the South Bay, including the Coyote Point Recreation Area. This park has an RV campground where visitors can spend the night, as well as a boat launch and fishing pier. Coyote Point Recreation Area is home to a variety of birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife. The Japanese Garden in San Mateo Central Park is one of the finest gardens in California. The Japenese Garden is nestled within Central Park. It provides visitors an opportunity to spend a relaxing afternoon and explore the nearby Rose Garden. Magic Mountain Playground is a castle themed park for children. The park has a variety of slides for children to play on. The park also consists of a huge dragon structure. Lemos farm is another themed park for children and families. The park offers train rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, and bounce houses. The farm hosts a variety of events such as Easter Egg Hunts, Corporate events, and Field trips. The San Mateo County History Museum features a collection of artifacts related to regional culture and economics. The museum is not open every day so make a call or check online when you plan to visit the museum.
Pinnacles National Park is home to a colorful landscape of spires and rock formations. There are many trails within the park for hikers. The park's campground has several sites with full hookups for RVs. Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to the largest volcanic area in the Cascade Range. Its campground also has several sites with full hookups for RVs. Yosemite National Park is a great place to visit during the spring, summer, and fall. The park is located in central California and has plenty of lodging options available.
Portola Redwoods State Park is located in California, on the southern end of the San Francisco Peninsula. This park has a wide range of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, and swimming. Half Moon Bay State Park has a campground with several campsites. Each site has a table and a fire ring, but no hookups are available. There are restrooms with hot showers, but no laundry facilities or dump station. However, a dump station is available in the nearby town of Princeton. Pets on leashes are welcome in all areas of the park except the beach and picnic areas.
San Mateo is a great place to start your national park tour. The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offers visitors a glimpse into the maritime history of the area. The park contains many historic vessels, a maritime museum, and a research facility. Golden Gate National Recreation Area is another excellent choice for anyone interested in exploring nearby landmarks. This recreation area protects some of California's most beautiful natural areas, including Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods. Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park commemorates the role that women played in the war effort during World War II.
If you're looking for RV parks and campgrounds in San Mateo, consider the Coyote Point Recreation Area and Trailer Villa RV Park. Trailer Villa RV Park offers a high-quality RV park experience. They have amenities like Wi-Fi and electric hookups. These RV parks and campgrounds are close to the city center of San Francisco, California.
There are sevreal RV dump stations available in San Mateo and the surrounding areas. You’ll find dump stations at Pelican Point RV Park, Trailer Villa RV Park, and Half Moon Bay State Beach. Find addresses and additional info for each location in RVshare's guide to the best dump stations near San Mateo, California.
If you're planning a trip to San Mateo, California, and the surrounding area, consider renting an RV. You have many options for sizes and types of RVs to choose from. Class B campervans or travel trailers are perfect for solo travelers or couples. If you're traveling with a larger group, you can rent larger RVs that sleep up to eight people, like a Class A or Class C motorhome. It is best to plan ahead and reserve your RV rental in advance, so book your California trip today with RVshare!
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in San Mateo, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in San Mateo?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in San Mateo from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in San Mateo?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
