The Lathrop house sits in the middle of San Mateo's governmental center. Originally built in 1862,…read moreit has been moved twice, became a house of ill repute, was converted to a boarding house in WWII, and now has been restored to its condition following the residence of the first three owners. The house is now in very good condition, is being elegantly decorated for the holidays, and offers excellent docent-led tours that reveal the wonderful charm of this vintage house. Hours are limited. Plan ahead. It is definitely worth it if you are at all a history buff.

The house move in November is now May and just happened and is resting above the new foundation! I…read moretook probably 200 pictures, some of them are in here showing the move and the hydraulic system to save this beautiful historic 1863 Steamboat Gothic style house. it is nestled up against the SAN mateo history museum across the street from its former location on Hamilton Street. Once it is lowered onto the new foundation in about a week it will reopen again after about 120 days to make sure that everything is secure and safe. They also need to reattach the stairs and add a handicapped ramp. It had quite a history and it's time which you can read a lot online. One of the most prominent owners was Sheriff Joel Mansfield who was the sheriff of Redwood City for quite some time and was loved by many and buried in the Union cemetery nearby with his wife Mary. Hopefully this new location will bring more visitors and hopefully more donations to help preserve this wonderful mansion.

Came for my 30th birthday, left with one less irrational fear…read more I'm terrified of heights, but Nakela was so calm, funny, and reassuring that I somehow ended up actually enjoying myself. He made the whole experience feel safe and unforgettable. If you're on the fence (or white-knuckling it like I was), book with Nakela. He'll have you conquering fears and grinning the whole way. Thanks for making my 30th one I'll never forget!!! You rule!!

What a phenomenal experience! I surprised my husband with a Fly with Friends experience. No flights…read moreexperience needed, a pilot goes up there with you. Alexis took care of the takeoff and landing, and did an excellent job coaching my husband during the flight. I recommend this for anyone that wants to try flying and/or see the Bay Area from through new eyes'

Redwood City bills itself as "Climate Best by Government Test," but that 1920s slogan is about the…read moremost exciting thing going for this mid-peninsula mediocrity. The revitalized downtown is trying desperately to be something it's not, with Broadway Street feeling like a developer's sterile vision of urban vitality--chain restaurants, overpriced gastropubs, and occasional boutiques that won't last another year. There's no actual character here, just manufactured "vibrancy" surrounded by bland mixed-use development that could exist anywhere from Arizona to Oregon. The city can't figure out what it wants to be, stuck in an identity crisis with pockets of genuine poverty and crime alongside tech money gentrification, lacking the authenticity of either. You get all the Bay Area problems--astronomical housing costs, homelessness, property crime--without any of the actual amenities or cultural institutions that make those costs remotely justifiable elsewhere. The waterfront is just a few corporate office parks and some marshland, the neighborhoods are either sketchy or cookie-cutter suburban sprawl, and the schools vary wildly in quality depending on which side of the tracks you're on. There's no compelling reason to visit Redwood City when every surrounding town does something better--San Mateo has a more functional downtown, Menlo Park has better schools, San Carlos has more charm. It's the participation trophy of Silicon Valley cities: technically there, technically functional, but utterly forgettable.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Redwood City sucks! I hated living here. I really tired giving it a chance but I encountered too…read moremany problems here with multiple different people. There are a lot of egotistical people that act like their s*** don't stink that live here. I hated living here and glad I moved away.

This review is only for the Musical Storytime for young kids in the morning (mainly geared towards…read more4 and under). Lynn, the librarian who does this musical storytime is entertaining and fun. She has the songs on the screen so you can follow along. It's great that she sings the same core songs so everyone gets to know them and sing along and enjoy. It's also great that she plays a clear ukelele while singing the songs. Occasionally she might have some simple instruments to share with the young ones. You can grab a blue mat to sit on the floor during the half hr story time. During the summer, the room gets pretty packed so it's advised that you arrive on time or seating is limited. It sometimes gets a little noisy because it's hard to keep young babies from screaming and crying, but it doesn't bother Lynn. She keeps going. Lynn reads a few books in between the singing. At the end, all of the little cuties go up to Lynn and get a sticker...something they all look forward to and enjoy.

Friendly and resourceful staff. The fireplace in the back is an especially nice, cozy area…read more Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, the unruly adolescents and their shenanigan make trying to work/read a problem. We appreciate this library and hope they find a way to address this issue so everyone can enjoy their experience.

I heard this medieval French-style grain silo was a hot spot for lovers to come make-out so I came…read moreto be a creep about it but it's just a weird little historical kiosk that forks Alameda de las Pulgas across from a church. It's weird but I kinda dig that. I had to (I think illegally) park at the church to check this place out since street parking is a tiny bit of a hike away, but it's in the middle of the road and otherwise takes all of 4 seconds to see. There some flowers, decorative trees and bushes on the triangle of land for which the silo sits. It was, as the marker notes, built in 1924, it was the sales office for the Belmont Country Club, which they go out of their way to mention had a pool on the historical marker. Not sure why that's relevant but maybe they wanted to get their money's worth of character on the engraving. It's a thing to look at during a drive-by but other than that it's not really an out of your way thing. Great to navigate toward if you're ever stuck on the treacherous Ralston traffic and trying to find better back roads.

For the first 10 yrs of my life, my family would pass by this seemingly random, funny-looking tiny…read moretower https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/florence-pantano-historical-landmark-belmont?select=llHUodipogHk2ObiYESy-A on a median of the Alameda de las Pulgas + Covington Road intersection every day while on the way to school. I would sometimes wonder aloud if it were once a tower of an ancient castle or was the entrance to someone's secret underground home, but my parents would always respond with a nonchalant, "I don't know." More recently now as an adult, I was passing by one day + decided to pull over to do some exploring to finally uncover the answer to my childhood curiosity. A plaque on the ground https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/florence-pantano-historical-landmark-belmont?select=vNL5rk4OtC_8QPOEPumMhg says the structure was built in 1924 as the sales office for the Belmont Country Club Properties. Further research on the all-knowing interwebs has told me that the Belle Monti Country Club was established with the grand vision that Belmont (called "The Hub of the Peninsula" at the time since it's located exactly halfway between San Francisco + San Jose) could become a mini Hillsborough, as the Club would draw in the rich from San Francisco to buy property in the scenic hills. But as luck would have it, the stock market took nose dive... leading the company into bankruptcy during The Depression + majority of the land was eventually resold for housing or commercial purposes. However, the building that had been the Belle Monti Country Club Clubhouse was purchased in the 1950s to became what still stands as the Congregational Church of Belmont, located right across the street. The little tower is now a historic landmark donated by local real estate agents Pantano Properties. It was given a face lift + re-dedicated in 2007 as a "micro-park" thanks to grants + donations from various groups in the community. While I personally don't know who in the right mind would actually venture over to spend time in a "park" that resembles a gnome home, I have to admit that I do appreciate how much better it looks than how I recalled from my childhood. Interwebs sources: http://archives.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=75830 http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_7045149

I live in the south Bay, but I love to travel for food and support local businesses. Community…read moreevents are always my favorite because so many people come together, people in the Bay Area are so nice and welcoming, and you get to meet staff and business owners of small businesses in the area. Everyone was super friendly, happy to talk about their food, or drinks, or restaurants. The music and band was really good, and it was the perfect day to gather around to support local businesses. Thank you Yelp for doing this, another successful community event, and I cannot wait to visit the businesses that I stopped by and talk to. I had a really good ceviche and guac from the Mexican restaurant giving out samples, I went to various boobs that had beer, ales, and IPAs that were really delicious and I look forward to coming back to the Peninsula and supporting them.

Our 1st Yelp event together, minimum $20 Donation, lots of good Booze, Old Fashions, Espresso…read moreMartini, Margaritas, Wines, Beers & Tequilas. Great food samples from the Peninsula areas. Live Band was fun, friendly service & great weather.

I have enrolled my son (6) in a few of their programs over the last two years. Overall, I would…read moresay the programs are a hit and miss. The Smart Tots programs was very good, minus the food choices made for the children (see below regarding the food). He liked his ice skating classes (although that was administered by Belmont Iceland staff) and the chemistry class he just finished. I enrolled him in a hip hop class and that was abysmal. It was 45 minutes of the kids standing around. The staff was trying to teach these kids a full-blown routine (age 5-7, really?). Yeah, that went over well. The kids stand there and start looking at the ceiling, dreaming about the ice cream vending machine and Pokemon and, in the end, they receive little to no exercise or fun. The big issue I have with SCPR is the food the instructors are choosing to serve these kids. Hey, I am ok with a mini-cupcake or a little treat at the end of the week/program, but these people.... HOLY COW! Here is the snack menu for the chemistry camp for this past week: Monday: Granola Bar and Capri Sun (not the best, but ok) Tuesday: "Trail Mix" (consisting of gummi candy, nuts, M&Ms, & Skittles) Wednesday: Oreos (3) Thursday: Pepsi (with refills) and watermelon Friday: Cake Now, the camp did issue a snack schedule, but a traditional trail mix consisting of nuts, raisins, and a few M&Ms is vastly different than the farce of the "trail mix" that was served. Maybe their trail mix is for the trail to the local dialysis clinic. Additionally, Pepsi was not on the schedule, nor was the cake. And in the Smart Tots program, there were a few days where the kids were giving cake or cupcakes AND candy AND juice. Thanks, those were some fun afternoons. I can maybe, perhaps, somewhere see where an underpaid summer instructor would just shove sugar bombs at the students, but the fact that after complaining, the management MADE EXCUSES when their mission statement includes "health and wellness" ... well, I just don't see that these people give a crap about the children they supposedly serve.

I love the San Carlos Parks & Rec department…read more Where else can you get a Yoga class or a guitar lesson for less than $10.00? And it doesn't stop there Hula for Health, Pilates, Salsa dancing, Kayaking, Fencing. For those who are less active knitting, stained glass, photography, cooking & wine tasting too, the list goes on. They offer something for everyone, from the old to the young and young at heart. They even have programs for those with special needs. If you have some free time & a little extra cash check out the activity guide, even if you are not a San Carlos resident you are welcome.

It's a beautiful theater. The drinks are reasonably priced considering the situation. Parking…read morewasn't hard to find. The customer service was very friendly.

Great theater in the heart of Redwood City! Took the train from San Jose and arrived in half hour…read more Station is two small blocks from downtown. Many restaurants, coffe shops and a few bars walking distance. The theater even sells alcoholic drinks that you can enjoy at your seat while watching the show! I went for a Mariachi concert. Sat in the balcony. If you are not tall, either sit in lower balcony or after 5th row of upper balcony. There is a pony wall that can obstruct your view.

Solid charcuterie plates and awesome wine (to take home) deals!…read more Can't speak to the food, but would come back if not in a rush (service on the slow side, they are a mom and pop shop so not well staffed)

We decided to try out a new wine place this weekend as the sun was finally out and we are glad to…read morehave discovered Wine Gallery. We went in late afternoon and it was cozy and calm. The wine and rosé we got were good recommendations. The artichoke dip was pretty tasty and so were the olives. Anna was great at ensuring we had a good time and she even brought us a deck of Uno cards to play. Turns out they have live music in the evenings on certain days. All in all I'd recommend Wine Gallery and we look forward to returning soon.

As a long time Belmont Greek Festival attendee, I am glad to see they have brought it back and…read morecontinue with this fun tradition. I usually stop by to show my support and pick up A Lot of food for my family or colleagues. My friend used to attend church here so I always support them. I came at 7pm today and there was a line for the cafeteria. Since I had to work and was bringing back meals, I asked for 6 to go containers. The lady at the table organizing trays and plates flat out told me "No!" She then proceeded to ask me if I was really going to get 6 meals. I explained that I was picking up dinner for my colleagues and she finally gave me one tray and 6 containers. As a long time supporter, I have never had an issue with this and the volunteers or members are more than happy that I enjoy their food and support them. I got my meals and paid for them, but fail to understand why it was her business to ask who and how many ppl I am feeding and why she should deny me more than one to go containers. I have never had a bad interaction with the staff and they are usually super helpful or happily talk to me about their culture or food. Regardless of that one person, I did not let her ruin my experience. I picked up some delicious loukamades, moussaka, leg of lamb, Greek salad, spanakopita, pilaf, calamari, and chicken.

The past few years were challenging for the Belmont Greek Festival, but this year's festival (2023)…read morewas better organized and awesome. Here is what you should know. 1) Credit card only for entrance, food, drinks, etc. 2) This year, they had shuttle buses as usual, but only three parking areas. See goholycross.org for information. 3) The lines seemed shorter this year, and weather was cooler than usual. 4) THE FOOD! it was great from desserts to entrees and side dishes. Things change from year to year. This year, they didn't have dolmas, however they had plenty of other goodies: -Lamb -Chicken and much more. 5) The volunteers were pleasant and personable. Come enjoy the cuisine and culture. Opa!