Outdoors
Outdoors near San Mateo
40 national forests, lakes, parks and campgrounds within reach, by activity.
Hiking
23 places · closest 19 mi
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK), Rob Hill Group Campground and more
Best: year-round
Camping
22 places · closest 19 mi
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK), Rob Hill Group Campground and more
Best: year-round
Fishing
22 places · closest 13 mi
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) and more
Boating & paddling
22 places · closest 13 mi
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) and more
Best: April–October
Biking
17 places · closest 13 mi
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) and more
Best: year-round
Picnic spots
11 places · closest 22 mi
Kirby Cove Campground, S F Bay Model Regional Visitor Center and more
Best: February–November
Horseback riding
5 places · closest 19 mi
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK), Golden Gate National Recreation Area and more
Best: year-round
Wildlife & birding
23 places · closest 13 mi
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) and more
Swimming
10 places · closest 19 mi
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK), Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and more
Closer to home
Places come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; distances are straight-line miles from downtown.