The San Francisco Peninsula

Balancing the sophistication of world-class cities with small-town charm, The San Francisco Peninsula connects San Francisco to Silicon Valley.

Nestled between the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, explore the diverse offerings of The San Francisco Peninsula. Getaways here place you right in the middle of world-class dining, events, attractions with redwood forest escapes, and water adventures and beaches just minutes away. 

• Opened in 1941, the Cow Palace was originally built for livestock exhibitions and rodeos.
• Hosted a wide range of events, including presidential rallies, professional sports, concerts, and ice shows.
• Legendary performers such as The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and The Rolling Stones have taken the stage here.
• The name “Cow Palace” came from a contest winner who wanted to highlight the venue’s agricultural roots and unique character.

• Hidden gem with small-town charm offers amazing views of the Bay and easy access to SFO.
• Community Park features a playground, tables, a beautiful gazebo, and a weekly Farmers Market on Thursdays.
• Brisbane Marina is home to Sierra Point Yacht Club.
• The stunning San Bruno Mountain State & County Park includes 2,416 acres of rugged landscape, excellent hiking opportunities, and outstanding views.

• A major manufacturing and shipbuilding town in the 1900’s, 60-foot concrete letters spelling out “South San Francisco The Industrial City” were placed on Sign Hill in the 1920’s. 
• As the times changed, Genentech was founded in South San Francisco in 1973 and thus the city became the “"Birthplace of Biotechnology" as hundreds of other biotech and pharmaceutical businesses arrived.
• Two major streets in the city border Highways 280 and 101. Grand Avenue to the east and El Camino Real to the west offer visitors many restaurant options, businesses, museums, and more.
• The South San Francisco Conference Center features 20,500 square feet of meeting space and a light-filled atrium

• Located in South San Francisco, famously known as the Birthplace of Biotech, home to pioneering companies like Genentech.
• Just one mile from San Francisco International Airport.
• Near thousands of hotel rooms, making it ideal for local and international visitors.
• Just a mile from Oyster Point, the hub of South San Francisco’s biotech scene.

• Home to the endangered Mission Blue butterfly, found nowhere else on Earth.
• Mild microclimate makes it an ideal location for early aviation endeavors.
• Conveniently located just a few minutes from San Francisco International Airport.
• Site of YouTube’s global headquarters.

• Pacifica is known as "The Beautiful" and sits directly on the Pacific Ocean about 20 minutes south of San Francisco along Highway 1.
• The city is famous for its excellent surfing conditions at spots like Linda Mar Beach and Rockaway Beach, attracting surfers year-round and the annual Dog Surfing World Championships
• Pacifica was formed in 1957 by combining nine separate communities, including Sharp Park, Linda Mar, and Rockaway Beach.

• The iconic Taco Bell Cantina location in Pacifica offers oceanfront dining and is considered one of the most scenic fast-food locations in the world.

• Right next to San Francisco International Airport.
• Home to the largest intermodal center west of the Mississippi.
• Enjoy scenic views of San Francisco Bay while walking or biking along the paved trail.
• A self-guided Millbrae History Walk includes interesting and historically significant landmarks, such as the Millbrae Train Museum.

• SFO is 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown San Francisco, near Millbrae, Burlingame and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County.
• Offers flights to points throughout North America and is a major gateway to Europe and Asia.
• Largest airport in Northern California and the second-busiest in California and on the Western Coast of North America.
• The SFO BART station can take you to downtown San Francisco, the East Bay, and West Bay. 
• Take the Airtrain to the Grand Hyatt at SFO, a 351-luxury hotel on-site with 14,435 square feet of meeting space.

• Visit Broadway and Burlingame Avenue for upscale retail shopping, boutique stores, restaurants and cafes.
• Enjoy bayfront trails, water sports, parks, and unmatched natural views in the “City of Trees”.
• Built in 1894, Burlingame’s train depot was the country’s first permanent Mission Revival-style building.
• Minutes from San Francisco International Airport, stay at stunning waterfront, convention, and business-friendly hotels.

• Site of the San Mateo County Event Center, the largest events space in San Mateo County.
• Upscale shopping and dining may be enjoyed in downtown San Mateo and Hillsdale Shopping Center.
• Outdoor activities abound along the San Francisco Bay Trail and in Coyote Point Recreation Area.
• Explore Central Park’s serene Japanese Garden and the historic San Mateo Arboretum.

• Hosts fairs, concerts, expos, and tradeshows year-round.
• Home of the large annual San Mateo County Fair.
• Capacity to accommodate over 15,000 people across its various indoor and outdoor event spaces.
• Originally established in the 1940s as a fairground to support local agriculture and community gatherings.

• This planned community abounds with cultural arts programs, the Leo J. Ryan Park & Amphitheater, Hillbarn Theatre, hotels, retail stores and restaurants.
• The beautiful lagoon offers kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding, and electric boats, such as those rented at Edgewater Marine.
• Over 160 acres of park and open space include bike & walking paths, dog areas, tennis, basketball & bocce ball courts, picnic facilities, and a wildlife refuge.

• Offers a unique balance of small-town charm and close proximity to the urban center of Silicon Valley.
• Waterdog Lake Open Space features many scenic hiking and biking trails for all ages.
• Home of Notre Dame de Namur University.
• Celebrating its Centennial in 2026.

• Official motto is “City of Good Living.”
• Sister city with Ōmura, Japan.
• Hiller Aviation Museum showcases the history of Northern California aviation and helicopters.
• Celebrating its Centennial in 2025.

• The city’s weather is so ideal, “Climate Best by Government Test ” became Redwood City’s slogan.
• Features numerous community events, a walkable downtown with a plethora of restaurants, cafes & shops, and has a unique blend of history and innovation.
• Home to the San Mateo County History Museum, Domini Hoskins Black History Museum, and two colleges.
• All ages will love the beautiful Pulgas Water Temple, Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve, and the Port of Redwood City.

• Woodside is home to some of the tallest redwood trees on the San Francisco Peninsula, with many being third-generation growth after the original forests were logged to rebuild San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake.
• Woodside has over 50 miles of designated equestrian trails with many residents keeping horses on their properties.
• The historic Filoli Estate features a Georgian mansion and formal gardens open for tours
• The town maintains a "no streetlights" policy, making it one of Silicon Valley's darkest communities for stargazing.

• Built in 1917, Filoli in Woodside is a beautifully preserved Gilded Age estate featuring Georgian Revival architecture.
• Filoli is on the ancestral land of the Ohlone people
• “Filoli” stands for: Fight for a just cause, Love your fellow man, Live a good life.
• Filoli’s grand setting has been featured in Dynasty, The Joy Luck Club, The Wedding Planner and other films and TV shows.

• Home of the 4-star Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley and its award-winning Quattro Restaurant.
• The 1,940-acre Baylands Preserve is a major migratory stopover on the Pacific Flyway and has a substantial resident population of birds.
• Ravenswood Open Space Preserve is a great location for birdwatching and family adventures. View a variety of migrating birds including sandpipers, dowitchers, and avocets, plus great blue herons, white pelicans, and egrets.

• Mountain View's downtown Castro Street was originally a railroad line, and the historic train depot from 1876 still stands as one of the oldest buildings in the city.
• The city was named for its clear views of the Santa Cruz Mountains visible across the valley to early settlers.
• The city's Shoreline Amphitheatre, built in 1986, can hold 22,500 people and sits on former landfill that was transformed into a beautiful lakeside venue
• The Computer History Museum houses the world's largest collection of computing artifacts, including original Apple computers and working antique machines.

• Quaint, coastside town offer restaurants and shops, a scenic coastline and sandy beaches.
• The historic Point Montara Lighthouse also features a hostel.
• The Ocean View Inn along Highway 1 is a beautifully restored turn-of-the-century inn with spectacular views of sunsets.

• View the tidepools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve or visit Pillar Point Marsh for excellent bird watching opportunities.
• Go horseback riding or enjoy a lazy day on the beach.
• Seal Cove Inn boutique hotel sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is just steps from the beach.
• The California Coastal Trail is popular with local hikers and joggers.

• Overlooking the Pacific Ocean is the 5-star Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.
• Home a bustling Main Street, several wineries, a golf course, a variety of shops, restaurants, and hotels.
• Over 100 farms grow a multitude of food, while Pillar Point Harbor offers freshly caught fish right off the boats.
• The annual Art & Pumpkin Festival in October is one of the area’s most popular attractions.

• Home of Pigeon Point Lighthouse, known as one of the tallest lighthouses in the U.S.
• All ages will enjoy the town’s beaches, Memorial Park and Butano State Park.
• Arcangeli Grocery Co. / Norm’s Market is a family-owned bakery and store since 1929.
• Scenic Costanoa Lodge+Camp+Resort features lodge rooms, cabins, glamping tent bungalows, and an RV campground.