Central Park is located off of El Camino Real. Besides all the open green, garden, and forest space, the Park has beautiful Japanese Tea Garden, sports fields, benches, and a small children's train that runs occasionally. It also features a historic: - 900-foot artistic stone and iron fence built to protect and border the property on the west side along the El Camino Real. - Italian-made cast-iron dog statue that stands guard along the path near the Ninth Avenue entrance. I first discovered Central Park in San Mateo when I first moved the Bay Area in 1984. My first apartment was in Belmont (on Winding Way) and in the summer evenings I would stop at a cool and unfortunately long gone bookstore and coffee shop, and then wander over and relax in the Park. Most recently, Gayle and I were on the Peninsula, and while she was visiting a friend, I reacquainted myself with this large and lovely 16 acre park. The Park was once the estate home of Charles B. Polhemus, director of the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad and founder of downtown San Mateo. He lived on the grounds in a 13-room Victorian mansion in the mid-1800s. In the 1870s, William Kohl, a sea captain and founding partner of the Alaska Commercial Co., began buying large parcels of property in the area, including the Polhemus property, which he acquired in 1880. Kohl managed the very successful Alaskan trade and after many years at sea, established his home on the property in San Mateo and his business headquarters in San Francisco. During his 30 years living on the grounds, Kohl oversaw extensive plantings and landscaping, which have been largely preserved. The city of San Mateo then purchased the 16 acres in 1922 for $80,000 (a pittance by today's Peninsula real estate standards). read more

Central park is a gem in the City of Santa Clara. It's a great place to get some outdoor time specially during COVID-19. The park has a good trail in place as well as picnic areas to spend some time and relax. read more

Lovely park with pretty much everything it's a great place to come in the summer and chill for the day. There's plenty of grassy area's for Picnics, playing ball / Frisbee ect along with children's play area, Tennis Courts, Picnic tables with Grills, Baseball field, Japanese Garden (closes at 4pm I believe), Gazebo and Arboretum Throughout summer the Music Series takes part here every Thursday 6-8pm. Last one being August 11th. read more

When I first came to the Bay Area in 1997 I was fortuate to have someone who cared (Thanks Bro!) enough to show me a great place to settle for a whie. That place was right acroos the street from Central Park. It was so lovely (yea I said an un-dude word) to walk through he park on the way to the train staion. When the roses in the garden were in full bloom they definitely gave a person a reason to want to skip work that day. Weekend days just taking in the Japanese Garden are are memories that will be with me forever. My daughter's first train rides with sticky face from the ices cream cones later on are warm memories too. And everyone has to say hello to the dog and polish it nose just a bit more on the way in (and on the way out) This may no be the largest park in the bay, but its varied makeup along with its walking proximity to everything qualifies San Mateo's Central Park tops in anyone's book! read more

One of my favorite places to come to on the weekends with Sally (my dog). Very nice park that is well taken care of year round. It feels like there is something here for everyone regardless of what you are into, including tennis courts, picnic ground, baseball diamond and much much more. There is also plenty of space if you just feel like hanging out away from others and enjoying the view. Very grateful to have this beautiful park nearby. read more

Why would I give away my favorite spot to you sceney Yelpers. I'm not going to. But I will hint that Central Park in San Mateo has untold treasures. So precious you'll have to find on your own. But it isn't the Ball Fields, Picnic Areas, Bocce Yard, Horseshoes, Tennis Courts, Swings, or Seasonal Train Rides read more

Central Park - not NY - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

This park has almost everything. Tennis Courts - check! 6 of them too. Baseball field - check! Rose Garden - check! Japanese Garden complete with koi pond and bridges - check! Community Center - check! Picnic Area complete with grills - check! Playground area with equipment - check! It also has lots of grassy areas to just relax in, a stage to see or perform shows. I've heard they have a mini train that goes around for the kiddies to ride in, but I haven't seen it. Their summer music series are a blast to go to. The pump house looks so pretty, but it's been close when I go (mostly during odd hours). Parking underneath the tennis courts and its close proximity to downtown makes it a very convenient and fun place to go to. read more

Within the Central Park area of San Mateo, just off El Camino Real (82) there is a beautiful and serene Japanese garden with a well manicured landscape. Ponds and small footbridges dot this somewhat compact garden but it is a nice retreat when in the area. Heartily recommended when you want to kickback and relax a little in the San Mateo area. A nice place to visit. read more

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One of my favorite parks to go to! Park is decently sized, and there are lots of things to do. Here are general notes: - bathrooms are really clean! The walls are even marbled. - cool Japanese tea garden in the middle of the park. There isn't seating and you can't bring pets, but it's free! There is also koi pond feeding done every so often. - there is a small train by the jungle gym, cute for little kids - there is a baseball field, a tennis court, and tons of benches to sit on around the park - also have a greenhouse with plants for sale which is cool Overall it's a great place to go for a stroll. I always feel safe and love the general feel! read more

This is a great little park in the suburbs. It reminds me of Europe parks, I can't put my finger on why. Within the park is a rose garden, a sort of volunteer staffed arboretum that sells plants on weekends, a cool little Japanese garden and a walking path. And benches. And an ice cream man. It's pretty chill for short respites. read more

This is the most wonderful city park I have been to. Lovely gardens, picnic area, playground, small train, tennis courts, baseball field, ceramics workshop, plus so much more. And then, summer concerts. Perfection in a park. read more

this is a lovely park in downtown san mateo, great for adults and kids alike. i almost felt like i wasn't in (or near) downtown san mateo since it was so serene and peaceful when i visited! i came to participate in the international day of yoga last week, and was treated to free yoga on the great lawn area. there was a registration tent on one side, and vendors distributing food & drinks on the other, with instructor-led yoga classes taking place in the middle of the lawn. it was great to get in touch with nature on this first day of summer, and just bliss out for 75 minutes. nearby, there was a playground with multiple play structures for children. there was also a community center/building with some programs happening (i had to walk into here and inquire how to get to the yoga event!) i also saw a japanese garden nearby (but didn't have time to check it out). several sets of restrooms are available, and at least the one i used had running water, toilet paper, soap, and hand dryers...very clean too! parking is available underground (great for keeping your car cool on a warm day) for a fee of $0.50 per hour (credit cards accepted). although the lot wasn't that big, i didn't have a problem finding an empty space when i arrived. great location and just steps from the various restaurants, cafes, shoppes and other local businesses that line downtown san mateo. read more

Large open park with lots of facilities (baseball diamond, tennis courts), clean bathrooms, and open grass fields to lay on. There's a Japanese garden as well inside the park. read more

Central Park - Japanese garden inside the park - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

I can't believe I've lived in San Mateo county for literal years and have only been here for the first time this year. Now I can't stop coming here. Great chill spot to wander leisurely with a friend, have lunch, or even solitarily play Pokémon Go LOL. The fields are green and shady, the play areas and park flora are well maintained, and hello, how many parks have a stinking cute Japanese Garden?? This park is also really close to downtown San Mateo so if you get bored of the open air and peaceful nature, you can always pop over to Jamba Juice or watch a movie haha. read more

Great park for a weekend picnic! We brought our dogs here and they loved it. Initially we ate by the flagpole, but realized later that the off-leash dog area (which is also the baseball field) would have been totally fine for a picnic. There aren't so many dogs like a regular dog park that it would have been weird to eat. It felt just like a regular park where people were playing frisbee and soccer and just lounging. On Sundays parking is free. We found a spot in the underground parking under the tennis courts very easily. There were tons of friendly people here and everyone was respectful and having a beautiful weekend. The grass is well-kept too. The only bummer were the bathrooms. Overall they looked pretty new, but one of the toilets was really clogged and the entire bathroom was wet. You could tell they weren't maintained because all the toilet paper and seat covers were totally out. read more

My GF took me there yesterday. It was my first time in here. Nothing special. We just sat down and had a little picnic. That was it. But, nothing better than that! I don't know what I am reviewing. Am I writing about this park or just having a nice-picnic with GF without arguing, just hang out talking? I don't know, I don't care. But I had a wonderful time, a nice Sunday afternoon, with my GF and Sunday paper, at the Central Park of San Mateo! And there is a public bathroom open on Sunday. read more

Small park mainly for kids. This park Includes a small Japanese garden which is beautiful and peaceful. I would visit this place just for the Japanese garden. read more

I was just @ Central Park today with my 5-1/2 year old and her BFF same age. It was a gorgeous January day and when I came across some reviews on another website I could not believe what I was reading... "not in the best part of town..." ??? Ummm how is downtown not the best part of town? What IS the best part? Another one "... no perimeter fence in play area..." Umm, what's the point in that? The playground is too big for it to be effective and children are supposed to run. So basically I got sick of the Mall-Mama's who wanted an indoor padded babysitting pavilion and decided to check out Yelp reviews instead. Only a couple of annoying ones, which is par for the course... HERE'S THE DEAL on Central Park in SM: In downtown so a great location, tennis courts which I believe you can reserve a time for, ceramics studio, baseball diamond, original small gauge train for kiddies, playground under huge beautiful trees, swings, picnic areas with BBQs, arboretum and gardening center, rose garden, huge central lawn (in addition to the smaller ones) where they do host concerts (Sila & Afrofunk- hey!), signed mature tree specimens throughout, and a community center with a permanent outdoor stage. It is a meandering park so you have to walk and explore a bit, plus everything is better with a kid along. There is one other great picnic/lawn/peaceful-getaway area... but you wouldn't want to hear about that... ;-) OK: Mini-Train- is Privately owned, is the original train that was there and still run by the original family. They do it for love, not for money. It is open about 11-4 on weekends with added hours for concerts when possible. OK: Tea Garden- built through a partnership between the Japanese community and the City. Also open about 11a-4p. If you have kids show up for the Koi feedings and talk with the man who feeds them. Please follow the garden rules. OK: Rose Garden- currently hibernating but open as part of the main park. THE BEST PART: Community. Seeing all the happy children at the park, happy puppies on the paths, and happy yuppies with their families. Meet with friends (we did), run into people you know (we did), and play with kids who you've never met before (we did that too). My daughter learns how to deal with crowds, interact with people and meet other children. She gets dirty, and exercises in a fresh air, nature oriented environment (i.e. not foam and rubber, and with mature real trees that San Mateo wisely chose not to cut down during renovations, the trees are signed and central to the park's get-into-nature mission, they are original specimens from all over). Trees are in short supply at San Mateo's Ryder Park, otherwise a fun park, and in the play area at Washington Park in Burlingame, also ok (rubber ground & small sandpit in both). We're not all perfect- sometimes the lawns are too wet, I think. There was just one questionable man there today- and he wasn't dirty- Just bored and aimless. The P-90 guys have only been nice to me, offering to help me lift and carry things. (No, Thanks! & Smile :) We are a community and this is where we come to play. We are big and friendly and imperfect and converge in a not for profit park for play and music and nature and relaxation. FOUR stars for that and ONE star for love. Get out there and enjoy the shopping, food, movies, library, gyms, concerts and coffee! And make sure to get to Central Park and enjoy our COMMUNITY! Yeah San Mateo! (From the other site: "...there was only one covered slide, you could fall off all the other ones..." Really?... REALLY??? ...We totally suck, don't visit, don't enjoy, don't explore... heck our slides aren't even covered...) Instead of complaining, volunteer your time to make it better. read more

Definitely one of my go to place if I'm looking for a place to spend outdoors. I can play tennis, on the playground, walk around but I go there to do what I do best, lay around in the sun. I like to bring a lawn chair, beach blanket and my ipad or book and sit myself next to the giraffe right by the tennis courts or in the center field if I'm feeling social. Very nice, big open spaces and plenty to do to bring friends and family. I usually bring my out of town friends to the Japanese tea garden, the rose garden or to picnic on the center grass near the flag pole. Can't go wrong if you enjoy the outdoors! read more

AK told us to stop by here, since I wanted to walk off lunch and a half marathon that we ran that morning. So from 3rd street, we moseyed over to to 4th and then 5th and you practically run into Central Park. We went into the Japanese garden which is pretty well-maintained for a city park, with a pond stocked with koi and turtles and shady areas to take a load off. We stopped by the rose garden to stop and smell the roses, and watched people playing on the grassy area. It's a great place for a stroll and lots of people were out on a sunny Sunday afternoon. They have an arboretum where they showed a schedule of free classes/talks where you can learn about gardening and such. I think it's awesome that a city can have a nice park like this for everyone to enjoy. read more

I have never heard about, let alone been to, Central Park till yesterday... and boy, was I glad I did! I know this place means a lot to the community by the way my friends, who grew up in the area, talked about it. It's a park filled with everyone from toddlers to older folks, whether it's just a casual family lunch or a significant event such as a wedding in the Japanese Garden. For us, we made a reservation for Fitzgerald Field (baseball park) for our annual kickball social. We combined that with a picnic in the park and it was an absolutely perfect day. A couple of hints if you want to come here with a biggg group of friends; - It is actually a NO GRILLING PARK. That's right - leave your BBQs at home. Rangers do come by and bust people - You can't drink alcohol in this park UNLESS you pay a permit ($25 at Aug-09)... yet again, rangers will come by to check. Also, no glass - You can reserve the baseball field!! - Watch the squirrels... they will eat right off your picnic table Otherwise... fun place for a group picnic! read more

I love Central Park. I have so many childhood memories from this place. First -- from BEFORE the new play structure was put in and all we had were skinny metal bars and swings. "Zero gravity" and "ketchup" on the swings with my bff. Performing on the stage wearing a costume of a leotard and balloons at about age 5. Walking through the Japanese Tea Garden with my parents. Riding the miniature train. Getting snow cones. Practicing riding a bike. Bringing a bag of raw, unsalted peanuts from the Safeway down El Camino and feeding the squirrels - particularly Lefty. Hanging out after dark freshman year of high school with boys we shouldn't have. Walking here after a movie on a date. Besides it's ability to bring back memories, this is a good place for kids to hang out and play. There's plenty of shade, so it's great for a hot summer day. There are BBQ areas for parties and picnics, lots of grass for lounging or dog walking, tennis courts, a baseball field (which sometimes has a snack bar open.) It's great. read more

Overall, this is a huge and lovely park. It could use some updating on the equipment and TLC (WD40 on the baby swings - yowza, they are squeaky as hell!). There is a lot of shade for some of the play structures (not the baby swings though), so it's a pretty good place to let the little ones run around on a hot day. There are large fields with people flying kites and seems like a very family friendly place. We've never timed it right and seen the trains. It's such a big park that we haven't spent much time in the Japanese garden either. It is squirrel heaven and a fun place to hang. My dog thinks that the bronze dog statue is real and gets his hackles raised for it (while standing nose to nose). I'll have to get a picture or video of that someday - it's hilarious! read more

Central Park is a well-maintained, conveniently-located park in the heart of San Mateo. I'm writing a review because we recently reserved a picnic area and hosted a bbq in the park. There are various picnic areas available for reservation---I think the fee is $75. With that, you get numerous picnic tables in a fenced off area of the park. Reservations can be made over the phone or conveniently through the website as well. As opposed to the other non-reservable tables, you can also pay an additional fee to consume non-glass alcoholic beverages. I'm not sure how strictly this is enforced because the area next to us was hosting a wedding and had countless wine bottles. There is a parking structure beneath the park. Pay either $0.50/hr for up to 4 hours or $0.25/hr for up to 10 hours. Prices vary based on the parking spot location. read more

definitely one of the BEST small parks in San Mateo love the japanese gardens and all the trees lots of places to roam on the sidewalk truly relaxing place to hang out and people watch very close to downtown san mateo so you can enjoy your coffee! read more

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A grassy park, complete with green, real grass and everything. I took my little big dog and let her run around as I walked down the paths. There's a rose garden, a Japanese garden type thing (it was closed off so I don't know what it was exactly), tennis courts, umm a rec center... There was a class doing lunges and jumping jacks. They were entertaining to watch as I ended my walk. Minus one star for having to pay for parking- a quarter per hour. read more

Sad to post this... so disappointed on our scheduled reservation Sunday December 5th 2021 my mother in laws 90th Birthday to find out the special Wine room we requested a month ago was given away to another party ! read more

Came here to meet up with friends and had a picnic luncheon. The park is quite large with tennis courts, garden, plenty of area to walk around as well as lie down on the grass. Great place to come with little one's for a walk, to play on the grass, etc. There's an underground parking lot by the tennis courts as well as street parking. Both cost the same to park. Great walking distance from close by markets if you want to buy something and eat at the park. read more

As a little girl, I would come to Central Park with my aunties and play on their playgrounds, ride the little train and on our way out, have one of those pineapple cherry popsicles. The Japanese Koi Garden is a must see at Central Park. If there's no street parking along El Camino, there's lots of parking in the underground parking lot under the tennis courts. read more

I read about this place on SFGATE this week: Japanese Garden - We came at 4:15pm and it closed at 4pm. Pumphouse - A nice garden area with a fountain with a fence and some nice privacy for a wedding reception. Here is the website: http://www.sanmateoarboretum.org/SMAS_About/rental.htm They also have a gazebo area. A lot of bugs/flies in the bundles around certain areas of the park. There is a ceramic studio and a art studio for a park. Go check it out! A CON is that you have to pay 50cents/30 mins for parking. read more

Tennis court review only. These tennis courts are lumpy and cracked. They really need to be resurfaced, but they get some stars for having lights. Even though, the middle courts are a bit dark. read more

Barry Bonds used to play here when he was a high school kid. They say he was hitting the ball across El Camino Real when he was 16. Not surprising. This is named Central Park for a good reason, it is in the central part of San Mateo and attracts residents from all over the Bay Area. I drive up here to see the amazing rose bush displays. There are also lots of big, clean bathrooms, several busy tennis courts, many picnic spots with BBQ areas, a rec center plus believe it or not a real train. The baseball field has a really good snack bar by the field or if you don' t want that stuff there is lots to choose from in downtown San Mateo. There are also special events, like music in the park and plays in the park during the summer. All in all, Central Park is large, diverse and beautiful for young and old to get away from it all and enjoy nature. Be careful for the homeless though, they tend to drift over from the nearly train tracks (Caltrain). read more

Super cute park. Love that it's the old school wood park not the plastic-static in your hair kind of park. Nice to take a walk and then get lunch on 3rd after read more

Central Park - From the bottom of the playground ramps - Parks Near Me - San Mateo, California

The good: On a random Thursday afternoon like today, the park wasn't crowded at all -- plenty of shaded unoccupied playground space to explore. Parking on El Camino Real was plentiful. Ice cream cart ice cream sandwich was actually fresh and tasted fine! This place makes a great stop after a trip to Talbots Toyland. The bad: The playground equipment is old and could use modernizing. The ugly: Bums hanging out. One man was using a drinking fountain to wash himself off. read more

I used to come here when I was a little girl. The playground now is much different than it was way back then. Its a large park, and its shaded with trees in its designated areas. They have a large grassy field in addition to the sand & tanbark. Tons of kids go there, and its always nice to walk through, or even have a picnic. The japanese tea garden is beautiful, and there are tons of koi!! I remember they used to (maybe they still do) feed the Koi with Cheerios! A rose garden topps it off! read more

A train! A train, a train! (Albeit a small one without tracks...) Plus a playground. A Japanese friendship garden. And a rose garden. This park has a lot going for it. I'm a fan. read more

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One of my ultimate favorite places to take the kids, I'm a nanny, on a gorgeous, warm, sometimes, hot day. It's fabulous on a warm day, but what's great it that it's shady, due to the trees, so it's also nice to visit on hot days. And you can't beat that it is so reminiscent of NYC's Central Park. You also can't beat that it's so closely located to the San Mateo Main Library, and across the street from many eateries, and shopping. The park offers parking along El Camino Real, but I take advantage of the dirt-cheap covered parking located on 5th Avenue, if I remember correctly. You've gotta love the train rides, when it's open, and the variety of structures for children's of all ages. Do bring your shades, however, because the sun hits hard when you're in the sandy area. Do watch out for nannies/caregivers who seem to care more for talking on their cellphone or to others instead of monitoring or playing with their children. Often times, you'll find children walking up the slide when others are trying to go down it, or you'll see children, as children do to learn about their world, rush to the front of the line when other children have been patiently waiting for their turn. Really, nannies/caregivers should take part in guiding their children in safe "etiquette" of the playground. And let's not forget the Japanese Tea Garden. It, too, is shady in some parts so it's nice for the scorching hot days. It is always a treat to visit the Koi fish, and listen to Sam as he teaches us more about them. Lastly, the park offers an outdoor music event during the summer. I have yet to check it out, but it's definitely on my agenda for this year. read more

My ideal family outing in the late Winter or Spring when various blossoms are in bloom is going to the Japanese Garden after eating a Suruki bento in the grass on a picnic blanket. Pre-schoolers can have all kinds of adventures in the garden from acting out Three Billy Goats Gruff on one of the bridges or Rapunzel near the stone pagoda in the far corner. When the little train is running, they enjoy that as well, but its especially for really small kids. The rest of the play structures are just so so and are actually better for slightly older kids. Most of its in the shade and can get rather cool even on a warm day. read more

I actually want to give this place only 3 stars, but it's better than just a park..... The Japanese garden is nice... they have some cool play structures there for little kids.... this places gets pretty busy during the weekends and during the summer. oh.. and btw... if you are a parent with a big kid, please have them stay away from the little kid play structures. I don't want to have to regulate on your child, but if you don't, I will. read more

Overall, it's a really nice park. There's a Japanese garden and a rose garden!! The Japanese garden has koi!! Unfortunately we didn't know that the Japanese garden closed at 4pm so we got kicked out. read more