Redwood City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Redwood City showing street scenes and a city
Redwood City which includes a city
Redwood City which includes a city, heritage architecture and an administrative building
Redwood City featuring a fountain
Redwood City which includes street scenes and signage

From a vintage theater to a bustling downtown scene, discover the varied treasures of this city on the San Francisco Peninsula. 

Experience California charm in Redwood City, a friendly spot on the peninsula between San FranciscoOpens in a new window and San JoseOpens in a new window. Enjoy great weather and exciting activities.

Step back to cinema’s golden age at historic Fox Theatre, which looks much the same as when it opened its doors in 1929. Red-carpeted stairs invite you to relax inside. See performances ranging from live concerts and plays to acclaimed films.

Learn about the area’s history in the San Mateo County History Museum in the county’s original 1910 courthouse. The imposing gray stone structure has striking columns and a stained-glass dome. Inside see how early people used natural resources to survive and build the community in the Nature’s Bounty exhibit. Examine two dozen intricate model ships based on historic models in the Ships of the World exhibit. Simulate riding a wave and learn about Half Moon BayOpens in a new window’s famous surfing conditions in the Maverick’sexhibit.

Walk past Lathrop House, just behind the courthouse. The Gothic-style home is actually one of the Peninsula’s oldest mansions, built in 1863. Enjoy the area’s beautiful weather in the sprawling Courthouse Square.

Relax under a pine tree or see a live concert. Find out why Redwood City has its name. Although you’ll have to go to Redwood National ForestOpens in a new window to see the real giants, look for redwood trees soaring throughout the city.

Check out Redwood City’s burgeoning downtown. From the packed calendar of events and rich variety of shops and restaurants, find many choices to meet your interests. Watch a movie in the state-of-the-art Century Redwood City 20. Stroll through Shops on Broadway, an up-and-coming cluster of restaurants with shops and a theater.

Redwood City is conveniently located along San Francisco Bay. Go to Redwood City Station and hop on Caltrain, a commuter train connecting to San Francisco in the north and San Jose in the south. Without traffic, drive between Redwood City and downtown San Francisco in 40 minutes. Reach San Francisco International Airport in 20 minutes by car.

Where to stay in Redwood City

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Woodside

You'll enjoy the mountain views and restaurants in Woodside. You might want to make time for a stop at Santa Cruz Mountains or Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve.

Woodside
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Redwood Shores

4/5(5 area reviews)

Travellers come to Redwood Shores for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like San Francisco Bay and Elmar Beach while you're in town.

Redwood Shores
Redwood City featuring heritage architecture, an administrative building and a fountain

Downtown Redwood City

If you're spending some time in Downtown Redwood City, Fox Theatre and San Mateo County History Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Redwood City
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North Fair Oaks

While there might not be top attractions in North Fair Oaks, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Foundry and Fox Theatre.

North Fair Oaks
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Roosevelt

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Roosevelt and surrounding area, you can visit Fox Theatre and Woodside Central Shopping Center.

Roosevelt
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Redwood Oaks

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Redwood Oaks and surrounding area, you can visit Woodside Central Shopping Center and Fox Theatre.

Redwood Oaks
Good Nite Inn - Redwood City
Good Nite Inn - Redwood City
2.5 out of 5
485 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, CA
The price is ₹6,578 per night from 29 Jun to 30 Jun
₹6,578
₹7,429 total
29 Jun - 30 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Redwood City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,293 reviews)
"Good Inn but Not enough parkings especially late at night"

Reviewed on 9 Jun 2025

Good Nite Inn - Redwood City
Grand Bay Hotel San Francisco
Grand Bay Hotel San Francisco
4 out of 5
223 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City, CA
The price is ₹8,155 per night from 20 Jun to 21 Jun
₹8,155
₹10,982 total
20 Jun - 21 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Redwood City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Had a good stay"

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2025

Grand Bay Hotel San Francisco
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is ₹16,162 per night from 13 Jun to 14 Jun
₹16,162
₹22,952 total
13 Jun - 14 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,698 reviews)
"It is peefect for short vacation with a family."

Reviewed on 9 Jun 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Coral Reef Inn & Suites
2.5 out of 5
400 Park St, Alameda, CA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
6.8/10 (2,735 reviews)
"Very friendly they help you if you need something thank you so much"

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2025

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
2 out of 5
5 Santa Ana Ave, Daly City, CA
Stay at this apartment in Daly City. Popular attractions San Francisco Zoo and Serramonte Center are located nearby.
6.4/10 (24 reviews)
"Overall a great place to stay. It was very clean and the bad was very comfortable. Having a private bathroom is a luxury. My only dislike was the paper thin door which didn't block out any sounds in or out."

Reviewed on 13 May 2025

Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara
Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara
4 out of 5
588 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Santa Clara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Santana Row Shopping ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (44 reviews)
"This place is very nice and clean. The rooftop pool is great. Just as others commented, there are codes to remember and the pull out couch is not meant to be slept on. It’s all springs. I booked a place that is supposed to sleep four. I put my two kids on the floor on mats. The sleeper sofa is terrible. ..."

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2025

Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Redwood City

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 20%
4 - Good
7
4 - Good 70%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Far too tired because of this experience to enjoy the area.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It's a nice small city with a decent transport connection. We were here for a conference so didn't see much of it.

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