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April 2023 by Paolo B.
Having grown up in the Peninsula my entire life, San Mateo has to be one of favorites in the 650. It's crazy how much the Downtown area has grown over the past couple decades! I think the thing that stands out to me most is the abundance of restaurants. In Downtown San Mateo is home to some of my favorite restaurants such as Sushi Sam's, Fire Wings, Rise Woodfire, Shabu Shabu, Espetus and much more. The diversity in food options makes the downtown a very underrated spot for foodies that people outside of the Peninsula don't know much about. Let's not forget all the beautiful and large cafes that are available to get some work done or catch up with old friends. San Mateo is also home one of the only last remaining shopping malls in the Peninsula. Hillsdale has transformed itself into a destination with an influx of entertainment and solid food options. Another area that doesn't get a ton of love is the 25th Ave street. There's a lot of hidden gem restaurants that's easy to forget they are there, but whenever I go, I'm always pleasantly surprised about the options available.
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March 2020 by Joel Miller
Called to report some grafitti on my street. Immediately resolved 1 spot. Needed to call again for the other though...
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March 2020 by Ulises Alcantara
Horrible!
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November 2019 by Henry M.
I do have an affection for the city. It sure has grown up since the 60's and dang are the house prices expensive!! Some areas remind me of Middletown America while other areas you can't even find parking in the street. It's eclectic old meets new kind of area with an old world charm, very nostalgic.
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September 2019 by Randy B.
My first jaunt into San Mateo was to eat at Cfood CRUSH in Downtown. Who knew? San Mateo seemed like it had a little goin' on, I was impressed, and I enjoyed my dinner, too. Things to do: 3.5/5 Safety: 4/5 Cleanliness: 3.5/5 GEOGRAPHY/OTHER -- Located about 18 miles south of San Francisco, San Mateo is a bit like a tale of three cities, in a way. Sure, it has a downtown (noted above), and it also has a new(er) development, featuring the Hillsdale Mall -- and it's not walking distance (about 2.5 miles away), and then -- you can reach just to the side of neighboring Foster City, and it has a own thing. Each has it's benefits. Down the center, the 92, all-the-while, right off the 101. HILLSDALE -- Hillsdale Mall, surrounding shops and restaurants are great and new. Beautiful new housing mixed with older neighborhoods give it some new charm, even though it's pricey at $5000/mo for 2BD/2BA apartment. Yikes! DOWNTOWN -- Albeit older, there's lots and lots of restaurants and bars with variety into different food cultures. There's a decent movie theater, Cinemark, too. Highlight for me: knowing that they have a Beard Papa. SAN MATEO/FOSTER CITY-ISH -- Totally different feel. I've gone here mostly for shopping, because they have the Target, Home Depot, Costco, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc. Residential all around. 25TH STREET -- Yelpers/foodies would appreciate this street with a number of noteworthy finds: KingKat Eatery and Velo City Pizza among others. CLEANLINESS -- Other than the Hillsdale Mall area (because it's newish), and a few blocks of downtown, it could use a hosedown. Not by homeless, but because of downright care. Needs some rehabbing prisoners in orange to swing by with plastic bags, rags, and cleaning solution! PERSONAL NOTE -- San Mateo will always have a special place with me. For 3 months, I resided at a corporate apartment (Park 20) -- it was a great experience and I enjoyed living here.
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July 2019 by Randy T.
San Mateo is becoming a tent city. Very unhealthy for a place where a starter home cost a million dollars.
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May 2019 by KTM E.
This is for the building department. I have returned for plan revisions 9 times. Each time they find something new. The requested revisions are arbitrary, petty and have no bearing on the intent of the building code. It's almost as if there is a competition between building, zoning and public works to find the most reasons to require a revision. Do not take the front desk staff at their word; get it in writing with the person's name.
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March 2019 by Kevin Leong
Garbage always being dumped on the street 39th ave // Pacific Blvd
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October 2018 by Patrick Z.
- Downtown is nothing but sewer stench now. - Have been in Downtown for lunch/dinner 3 times in the past month & the stench brings me to my knees. - Feel super bad for the restaurants & shops. - until the City does something about it, I'll be spending my money elsewhere.
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September 2018 by thomas c.
Electronic parking meter is a rip off. It will not extend my parking time when I add more money. I added money for 1 hr parking. Then I realized I needed 30 more minutes. I added more money. But it reset to just 30 minutes.
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August 2018 by LeAza D.
We're here usually for the festival's.. but every time, we come to the city.. after the festival's we try to do something in the area to stay local. But we keep forgetting their isn't much to do. Only selected things. We usually have picnics here, ice skating but we didn't want to do that yesterday after the festival... but we do luv this city though.
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January 2018 by Forrest W.
Really bad parking enforcement. Just got a ticket despite my valid permit smack in the middle of my dashboard as expected. You guys have eye balls or just choose not to use them today? Appeal process is a nightmare, of course.
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November 2017 by Charlie B.
Love my dog friendly town with tons of trails and places to eat! Always clean and sunny, thanks San Mateo!
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September 2015 by Ellen L.
i come here for a variety of reasons....to eat, to play, to shop.... living in rwc, this is the closest and best area to go for good asian food. whether it's sushi at sushi sams or ramen at ramen dojo or santa ramen or hot pot at little sheep, i can get the best of any asian food in the peninsula. there's also a variety of markets where i can buy asian groceries, i.e. nijiya market. there's also a great movie theatre right in the heart of downtown that plays all of the first-run blockbusters, with access to all of the best restaurants within a few minutes' walk. my only gripe about san mateo is the parking, as i always seem to need an extra 5-10-15 minutes to find parking in the downtown area. there's open lots, parking structures, and street parking, but i usually end up having to park on an upper level of a structure. if i'm lucky, i'll score street parking, but that runs $0.50/hour for the first 1-2 hours and $1.00/hour thereafter....not cheap!
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July 2015 by Bay Area Y.
what a JOKE! i did a fairly sizable remodel about 5 yrs ago. had to go back and forth with the city on every part of the architecture plans. i have no issues with staying within guidelines and code but their denials of my plans seemed to be subjective, arbitrary and flat out ridiculous. who i spoke to or had sign-off determined the outcome of our project. there didn't appear to be a consistent and efficient process in how resolutions were reached. fast forward several years after the planned and permit approved remodel was completed, i noticed leaking from an exterior balcony + rear of the house. used another contractor to open windows, doors, and balcony. it was determined that these areas were not flashed AT ALL or installed properly although inspector Jerry Douglas signed off that flashing, waterproofing, installation was up to code. of course the city took no accountability so why pay permit fees, call to have them inspect and sign off when there's no responsibility from their part... ohh i get it, kind if like how the dmv issues illegal immigrants drivers license even though they are not documented - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! i love this country/county of ours! called the city of sm last week and connected with several departments... there's a street sweeping fee on our Recology (garbage) bill however it's a city fee. understand that the fee is not only to sweep on our street (2x's a month) but to keep the neighborhood "clean". called to asked why it's been months since a sweeper has come down our street and was told they are short staffed... hmmm, okay but you continue to charge a quarterly fee as if it's being done. also called to inquire about a neighbors tree that's in their backyard property but limbs were on our property. wondering if it's my responsibility to continue to pay an abortionist $400 each time to maintain a tree that is not in my yard and not maintained by the homeowners. i was told that they can't give LEGAL ADVICE and i was referred to a conflict/resolution non-profit company!!! WAIT, what???!??? talked to another department about a shared alley between my home and this neighbors next door. i wanted to know if it was city property, private and if private 50/50 or something else. i was told that i needed to look at the title docs because they looked up the address and for some reason it's not listed. are you kidding me???!!!??? please hire competent people at the city of san mateo so that the level of service, information and resources are much more consistent and accurate when the public interacts with you seeking guidance and assistance!
