Things To Do in Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA is a vibrant community set along the western shore of San Francisco Bay. Founded in 1854 as the county seat of San Mateo County, it earned the nickname “Climate Best by Government Test” for its temperate weather. Redwood City blends historic charm with modern innovation. Its downtown revolves around Courthouse Square, which hosts festivals, farmers markets and outdoor movies. The waterfront at Port of Redwood City features marinas, restaurants and pathways linking to Bair Island Ecological Reserve. Parks from Edgewood Park’s chaparral slopes to Red Morton Community Park’s playgrounds appeal to nature lovers and families. Cultural landmarks include the restored Fox Theatre and San Mateo County History Museum.
Courthouse Square
2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063, United States
At the heart of downtown Redwood City, CA sits Courthouse Square—a seven‑acre plaza framed by historic Victorian‑era buildings and modern office towers. The square’s brick‑paved open space hosts three seasonal farmers markets weekly, with over fifty local growers and artisans offering organic produce, cut flowers and handcrafted goods. Benches beneath mature palm and olive trees invite lunchtime respite or impromptu gatherings. On summer evenings, free outdoor movies and concerts draw families to bring blankets and picnic baskets. Decorative string lights and seasonal banners enliven the plaza for Halloween festivals, holiday tree lightings and the annual Día de los Muertos procession.
Fox Theatre
2215 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063, United States
The Fox Theatre, nestled on Broadway in Redwood City, CA, is a beautifully restored 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival movie palace turned live‑performance venue. Originally opening as a cinema in 1929, the theatre’s façade features ornate stucco, arched windows and a neon marquee. Inside, the two‑story lobby impresses with hand‑painted murals, decorative wrought iron and a grand staircase leading to the balcony. After a meticulous restoration concluded in 1999, the 1,400‑seat auditorium now hosts concerts ranging from indie rock and jazz to world music and comedy shows. State‑of‑the‑art sound and lighting systems ensure an immersive experience, while plush seating and excellent sightlines make every seat desirable.
San Mateo County History Museum
2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063, United States
Housed in the 1910 County Courthouse on Broadway, the San Mateo County History Museum showcases the region’s evolution from Native American lands to the digital age in Redwood City, CA. Exhibits occupy five gallery rooms, each focusing on key eras: Ohlone heritage, Spanish mission beginnings, Gold Rush settlement, agricultural boom, and Silicon Valley emergence. Artifacts include Ohlone baskets, Spanish‑era ceramics, a scale model of the county’s first railroad, and vintage orchard equipment. Interactive touch‑screens allow visitors to explore oral histories, historic photographs and census maps.
Pulgas Water Temple
56 Cañada Rd, Redwood City, CA 94062, United States
Just west of Redwood City’s hills, the Pulgas Water Temple stands as a monumental testament to California’s early 20th‑century water engineering. Modeled on ancient Roman temples, the structure features a circular colonnade of fluted columns supporting a Doric entablature and a central pergola. It marks the terminus of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, completed in 1934 to bring Sierra Nevada water to the Bay Area. Beneath the columns, crystal‑clear water from the aqueduct flows quietly into a reflecting pool, offering a tranquil setting for contemplation.
Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve
10 Old Stage Coach Rd, Redwood City, CA 94062, United States
Rising above Redwood City, CA to 1,300 feet, Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve spans over 467 acres of chaparral‑covered hills, serpentine grasslands and seasonal wetlands. This preserve protects one of the Bay Area’s most botanically diverse habitats, home to rare wildflowers like the Bay checkerspot butterfly host plant, dwarf plantain and hummingbird sage. Fifteen miles of multi‑use trails wind across ridge‑top overlooks offering panoramic views of the South Bay, Diablo Range and the Pacific Ocean on clear days.
Bair Island Wildlife Refuge & Trail
3 Uccelli Dr, Redwood City, CA 94063, United States
Lying between Redwood City’s downtown and the bay, Bair Island Ecological Reserve protects over 3,000 acres of tidal marsh, mudflat and upland habitats. Once diked agricultural land, the reserve was restored beginning in 1997 to reestablish native marshlands that flood with the tides, providing critical habitat for endangered species like Ridgway’s rail and the salt marsh harvest mouse. Public access is limited to guided tours operated by Save the Bay, ensuring minimal disturbance. Visitors board buses at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge visitor center or join kayak tours that navigate the estuarine channels.
Red Morton Park
1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061, United States
Adjacent to the library and senior center, Red Morton Community Park offers over ten acres of family‑friendly recreation in Redwood City, CA. The park’s signature Magic Mountain playground features a towering wooden fort, slides, rope bridges and rock‑climbing walls designed to resemble a mountain adventure. Separate toddler play areas ensure age‑appropriate activities. Picnic groves with reservable tables and barbecue grills host birthday parties and family reunions year round. Two ballfields accommodate youth baseball and softball leagues, while lighted tennis courts support evening matches.
Stafford Park
Hopkins Avenue &, King St, Redwood City, CA 94062, United States
Stafford Park is a compact 1.6‑acre neighborhood park featuring two age‑appropriate playgrounds, a seasonal splash pad, and shaded picnic areas with built‑in grills. A paved loop trail encircles the lawn and flower beds, inviting walkers and casual cyclists. Evenings come alive with summer concert series and community gatherings, making it a vibrant, accessible recreational spot in Redwood City, CA.
Stulsaft Park
3737 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94061, United States
Stulsaft Park is a 3‑acre community park in Redwood City, CA featuring a lighted baseball diamond, a full‑size soccer field, and a shaded playground with swings and climbing structures. Picnic tables and open lawns invite family gatherings, while a paved walking loop connects all amenities, making it a versatile spot for sports, play, and casual strolls.
Andrew Spinas Park
3003 Bay Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063, United States
Andrew Spinas Park is a small waterfront green space overlooking Redwood Creek and the bay’s salt‐marsh habitat. It features a modern playground with shaded play structures, picnic tables under mature oaks, and a paved segment of the Bay Trail that invites walkers and cyclists to enjoy scenic marsh views and seasonal wildflower blooms in Redwood City, CA.