Redwood City

Climate

By train

• CaltrainCommuter train between San Francisco and San Jose/Gilroy with a stop at Redwood City Station, which is located near Broadway and El Camino. Redwood City marks the southern boundary of fare zone 2.

By car

Most of Redwood City is bracketed by two freeways: I-280 to the west and US-101 to the east. Redwood Shores, however, is a substantial part of Redwood City that is east of US-101.

• There are several exits off the Bayshore Freeway US-101 that lead into Redwood City. From north to south, they are: Marine Parkway and Redwood Shores Parkway that lead eastward to Redwood Shores, Whipple Avenue that leads westward towards the little historical downtown area, Woodside that leads westward (as Seaport Blvd) to the Port of Redwood City and eastward is Hwy 84 from the Dumbarton Bridge, and Marsh Road that merges directly with the Dumbarton Bridge.
• Exits off of the more scenic Junipero Serra Freeway I-280 include, from north to south, Edgewood Road that leads eastward to downtown, Farm Hill Road that leads eastward to Jefferson Avenue, Woodside (Hwy. 84), and Sand Hill Road that leads to nearby Stanford and Palo Alto.

By bus

SamTrans buses of the San Mateo County Transit District serve Redwood City and link to Caltrain, as well as having express bus service to downtown SF and to San Jose, and peninsular points between.

By plane

Equally convenient to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and to San Jose International Airport (SJC), Redwood City is also served by the little San Carlos airport, which is off Redwood Shores Parkway and hosts an air museum worth going out of your way to see.

By boat

Redwood City has a deep seaport, even though the logging trade is not noticeable any more. Small craft and fishing boats head out of the port, sailing classes are available, and there's at least one cruise ship that makes port here. The nearby marshes and salt-evaporating ponds make for nice quiet noodling about in a kayak.

Downtown is more than small enough to walk around.

• San Mateo County History Museum

  phone: +1 650 299-0104
  address: 2200 Broadway St
  This 1910 county courthouse has been restored and now serves as the town square and the county's museum. While the museum is small, it is considered a hidden gem within Redwood City. The entire building can be rented out as a venue. With a beautiful plaza, water fountains, a grand staircase, and a stained glass dome, it was designed to rival San Francisco's City Hall.

• Lathrop House

  phone: +1 650-365-5564
  address: 627 Hamilton St
  One of the peninsula's oldest mansions, built in 1863. Located behind the old Courthouse.

• Cinemark Redwood City 20

  phone: +1 650-369-3456
  address: 825 Middlefield Rd
  This 20-screen theater is part of a major retail complex, with shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a 2-level underground parking structure.

• Fox theater

  phone: +1 650-369-4119
  address: 2215 Broadway
  This newly refurbished Art Deco style venue has seating for 1400 people, and features live performances by artists such as Neil Young, Melissa Etheridge, and Bill Cosby.

• Farmer's Market

  address: 850 Winslow St
  Good fresh produce, breads, sopapillas, and some interesting crafts. Run by the local Kiwanis.

• Sigona's Farmers Market

  phone: +1-650-368-6993
  address: 2345 Middlefield Rd
  A longstanding grocer in the region, named because they sell local produce as well as commercial produce from all over. Splendid house brands of dried fruits, nuts and other specialties. A splendid cheese selection and organic meats.

• Kaiser Farmer's Market

  address: 1150 Veteran's Blvd

• Whole Foods Market

  phone: +1-650-367-1400
  address: 1250 Jefferson Ave
  From good, earthy groceries and staples to a picnic on the go.

• Bangkok Bay Thai Cuisine

  phone: +1-650-365-5369
  address: 825 El Camino Real
  Worth going out of your way for these folks and the wonderful food they make. Nice place for a working lunch or dinner, or to take your favorite date.

• Bluefin Sushi & Teriyaki Grill

  phone: +1-650-361-1160
  address: 2327 Broadway St
  Mainly a catering and take-away hole in the wall cafe (especially while construction downtown drags on), this is a great little cafe around the corner from the CalTrain station. Fresh sushi to go, pre-packed or made to order.

• Harry's Hofbrau

  phone: +1-650-366-3733
  address: 1909 El Camino Real
  A carvery and brewery in the old German biergarten style, only thankfully without the oompah band.

• Tacos El Grullense

  phone: +1-650-369-9013
  address: 2401 Middlefield Rd
  Authentic street food from a Mexican village tradition! Trade ambience for flavor. There are several El Grullense locations in Redwood City. Most locations accept credit cards (including the Middlefield location).

• Young's Ice Cream

  address: 2020 Broadway St
  Ice cream parlor with old-fashioned bins of candy.

• City Pub

  phone: +1 650 363-2620
  address: 2620 Broadway St
  Great selection of micro-brews and good food.

• RWC Underground Pub

  address: 2650 Broadway St

• Sodini's

  address: 727 El Camino Real

• Milagro's Cantina

  address: 1099 MiddleField Rd
  Mexican Restaurant with good tequila bar

• Martin's West

  address: 831 Main St
  Upscale pub.

• D. Tequila Lounge & Restaurant

  address: 851 Main St
  Tequila bar and nightclub

• Mardi Gras Lounge

  address: 1628 El Camino Real
  Dive Bar

• Gourmet Haus Staudt

  address: 2615 Broadway St
  German Beer garden.

• America's Best Inns & Suites

  phone: +1 650 369-1731
  address: 1090 El Camino Real

• Atherton Park Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 650 366-2000
  address: 2834 El Camino Real

• Best Western Executive Suites

  phone: +1 650 366-5794
  address: 25 5th Ave

• Best Western Inn

  phone: +1 650 366-3808
  address: 316 El Camino Real

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +1 650-299-0909
  address: 1836 El Camino Real

• TownePlace Suites

  phone: +1 650 593-4100
  address: 1000 Twin Dolphin Dr
  This all-suite hotel offers rooms with a kitchen, living room, and separate bedroom. It is located adjacent to the Bay, with a paved bike trail for those who want to enjoy the wetlands. Hotel amenities include free continental breakfast (bagels, cereal, juice), free parking, an exercise room, and free high-speed internet access. Despite being located adjacent to the San Carlos regional airport, the planes are small and don't make enough noise to be a nuisance.

• Good Nite Inn

  phone: +1 650 365-5500
  address: 485 Veterans Blvd
  Free wifi, pool, ihop next door.