San Mateo Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the Bay Area, and one of the favorite bridges to past through. I often come here to come to and from the peninsula especially commuting to San Francisco. Going through this bridge gives you this type of oceanic and mountainous sceneries where everything is pretty much chill. My favorite is coming back to the East Bay since that's like coming from a long journey and going back home. read more

Insomnia mixed with receiving my latest fastrak flex pass has me somehow reviewing my local Bay Area bridges lol... this is another one I find myself on once a month or so if my day takes me this route. Maybe towards the South Bay or Santa Cruz I'll need it to or from-depending on if I'm going back home to the city afterward or if I'm headed so where else. There's no potholes and the bridge gets me across water so I guess I'll give it 5 stars. One time though, like- in college maybe 30 yrs ago, I recall crossing this bridge after a company Xmas party and it was so foggy I thought we'd never make it home. So now, whenever I'm on this bridge, all my passengers must hear me recount that fateful night... and they all get really mad. Bc they're really just over that story. So the lesson here is- use this bridge if you're in the area and need to cross o er the water in a car. I'm driving when I'm on it, but please enjoy these fastrak flex pictures. They are very much bridge related. read more

San Mateo Bridge - Local Flavor Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This bridge is easy to drive and much less traffic than Bay bridge. The view is great on and off the bridge. The slope for the bridge is bit steep so make sure your car is strong enough to drive upwards. read more

San Mateo Bridge - View from San Mateo side - Local Flavor Near Me - San Mateo, California

Date: 8/28/2023 Time: 7:45 AM 75° Sunny It has been almost 40 years since I have driven across the San Mateo Bridge (Hwy. 92). Being a single mom back then, some of my Saturdays involved crossing the bridge to get to Fashion Island Mall with my daughter for some window shopping and having lunch. Thereafter, it was Hwy. 101 northbound to SF to the Bay Bridge to Oakland (home). Well, Fashion Island Mall has been long gone. What memories I had of traveling across this bridge. Then my husband used to commute from Alameda to his job in Redwood City on Hwys 92 and 101 and return. Two of the days he had a 16 hour workshift (swing and graveyard) and one 8 hour graveyard shift. That commute was from 1987 to 1996. Now my daughter does the driving. I'm in my early 70's and I haven't driven a vehicle in almost 20 years. I don't have the desire to drive. The San Mateo Bridge is about 7 miles long from Hayward to San Mateo. The one thing I like about this bridge is it is not as crowded as the SF Bay Bridge. Traffic runs smoothly along the way in both directions. It used to take me about 45 minutes to travel to San Mateo from Alameda, and another 15 minutes to Redwood City to visit my husband at work. Now with more cars on the road, it is taking my daughter driving me to Redwood City about an hour and 20 minutes. read more

Longest bridge in California and the 25 longest in the world by length This bridge crosses the bay Linking the East bay with the SF Peninsula The bridge is part of State Route 92 This bridge has breath taking views of the bay It's so fun to drive over and enjoy the view read more

So there appears to be a few reviews for this vital yes vital link between the Peninsula and the East bay so I thought I would cover all of my bases As I work my way North looking at the major bridges in the Bay Area The Hayward - San Mateo Bridge is next up. Lets be brutally honest here and say right away it is the most tedious of all of the bridges. its quite long, more than half the bridge is at best what would be described as 'Stalinist era gulag" chic, and there is no dedicated bike lane (but in all honesty, its super long so I'm not sure anybody would want to bike it anyway). It also seems to be the prefered bridge for CHP revenue generation. Mind you speed each direction especially on the down slope. It is not uncommon to see Ponch and John lined up waiting to issue a ticket. As noted it is long. At just over 7 miles, according to Wikipedia, it is the 25th longest in the world (who knew) and link Foster City with Hayward, and is the only spot on the Mid Peninsula to the East Bay (and vise versa). It is also the water borne extension of Hwy 92 which extends all the way West to Half Moon Bay. As with most of the bridges in the bay Area, tolls are collected West bound and traffic can be a bear at times. It also is part of the approach path for SFO so you will see alot of aircraft flying over While it lacks a bike path to cross the Bay Trail meanders near the approaches of both sides. read more

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The San Mateo (SM) Bridge is my favorite bridge crossing on SF Bay. Once you get on, it's a road race across the span. Back in the old days, the causeway was only 2 lanes and there was always a backup. I have had two flat tires on the SM bridge. Both times a tow truck rushed out there, and helped me. Yes, those call boxes actually worked. Best things about the SM Bridge? Three wide lanes, shoulders, and nice views. You experience how vast SF Bay is when you're driving on the causeway. What's the worst thing about the SM bridge? At a certain time of the year, near sunset, drivers going westbound are blinded by the sun. It has caused many accidents. Always have sunglasses..... read more

This bridge is ok by me!! It connects Foster City to Hayward, and that long straight away coming from Hayward, let's just say it's a good place to open up your car and see what it can do, if you know what I'm saying, but be on the lookout for CHP, they know this also. After that comes the climb, when it seems more narrow. This connects the Eastbay to the Peninsula, the middle bridge between the Dumbarton Bridge and the Bay Bridge!! read more

San Mateo Bridge - Local Flavor Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Cool bridge. I'm glad they expanded to 3 lanes when heading to San Mateo from Hayward. It's helped a bit to ease congestion. I've always preferred using this bridge rather than the Bay Bridge. Sometimes I feel like I'm just floating on the water cause a portion of the bridge is pretty low. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the water level below the low portion is approximately only 12 to 15 feet deep. The views are not nearly as nice as they are on the Bay Bridge. Still, this is my favorite bridge in the Bay Area. Correction, the Golden Gate Bridge would have to be my favorite bridge in the Bay Area. read more

San Mateo Bridge - Local Flavor Near Me - San Mateo, California

This is my Go To Bridge !!! I've always liked it because it has less Traffic than the Bay Bridge. It's also a Shorter Path over Water. I believe than the Bay Bridge!! Also great bridge to Cruise a Sunset!!!! That's why the San Mateo Bridge is Baller On A Budget Approved Bridge !!!!!! read more

Remember when this bridge had only one span? Two lanes in each direction? No place to pull over in an emergency? Oh, how nice it is now. Being mostly causeway, it's not a drop-dead gorgeous view. Although it's pleasant. You get the nice views on the high-rise section near Foster City: high-end suburbia and green hills going west, the beautiful bay and tan hills going east. And you pay the same toll all the time. It doesn't increase during rush hour. The San Mateo Bridge is a nice one. Just don't stop in the middle to take photos :-) read more

Going to give this bridge 5 stars. Magnificent views from the apex, super straight approach, and it gets you to really cool places. If you commute, it can be as nasty as it gets but you can't hate on the bridge for that. We have a lot of bridges in the Bay Area. This is a good one. read more

the original San Mateo Bridge was built in 1929. the modern version was upgraded in 1967. various updates have been implemented to provide more lanes thruout the years. it's a beautiful scenic drive under blue skies. not fun during rain storms nor heavy traffic. it's definitely nervewrecking to slam on the brakes when traffic is suddenly stopped for whenever reason. i usually just drive. no more sightseeing. too many drivers weaving in and out of traffic these days. read more

I have to admit and agree that this is the longest bridge in California. I usually ride on this bridge every day during rush hour in the morning and rush hour in the afternoon. Some pros about this bridge: The view is beautiful!! It's so peaceful to me when I'm driving, listening to music and enjoying the nice scenery! The toll agents are rather nice and a pleasure to see early in the morning. Some cons: Traffic going to the peninsula is crazy in the morning between the hours of 6AM-9AM. I like the fact that on your right-hand side, once you get to the toll, the three lanes are usually open for cash / fast track which speeds up traffic. Once you cross that part it's a crazy mess! But as drivers merge it seems to get better. If this is your first time driving on this bridge you would notice that during the high-rise there becomes the most traffic and seems to have the most fender benders accidents. Also, be aware that heading back to the East Bay on the bridge there seems to always be police looking for speedy drivers. So make sure you're not so heavy on the pedal. Also be aware that when getting off the bridge towards the peninsula there's usually police setting and monitoring the speed as well, but I usually see them during the hours of the time when I'm leaving and or going to work. There are times when I'm driving on the bridge and I noticed that it starts to shake from all the drivers that are driving on it! I think this is the only thing that spooks me about this bridge. If it wasn't for the San Mateo Bridge, I think my only option would be the Dumbarton bridge! And that bridge is a nervous wreck in the morning. Taking the San Mateo Bridge is about 4 miles less than taking the Dumbarton bridge and getting into work. Just remember that this bridge gets very congested early morning and late afternoon during rush hour, so make sure that you give yourself a lot of time when getting on this bridge. read more

This is truly a beautiful bridge! It definitely does not get the attention it deserves. Now I've heard how beautiful and peaceful it is to cross the San Mateo Bridge, but it's definitely unlike anything once you see it with your own eyes. I crossed the bridge right before sunset, so I definitely witnessed a beautiful skyline. The sun was settling down and it's rays were reflecting over the calm water. Most of the bridge is just above the water and I couldn't believe how extremely close it was! You can see the waves moving and I was mesmerized by the view. I felt it was like I was just sitting on the water watching the waves move around. You also get a great view of San Francisco on the horizon and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance as well. The toll to pay wasn't that bad either at $5 and it was definitely worth it. I'll always remember that beautiful drive and being surrounded by all that water! read more

It's the San Mateo Bridge. Nothing special. Lots of traffic!! $5 bridge toll (GET FASTRAK PEOPLE!) so worth it. It's free! You just upload money onto it and you can do it fast and easy at home, online! read more

You have cars speeding at 80 - 90 over 100 mph across this bridge near the toll plaza coming from Foster City to Hayward and the police don't pull anyone over. Why even have police if their not going to give out speeding tickets. Waste of tax payers $$$ read more

I don four instead of five because going the wrong way can be tragic, but not in a car accident way, just avoid the non reverse commute hours. Even if, and especially if you are crawling, please affirm the wonders around you. If you fear heights and blustery gusts, better off lyfting over what can be compared to a seaplane experience. I had a recurring childhood nightmare about high tension pylons growing taller and chasing me through a field where I would run away and every step became larger and larger until I was bounding like a horned antelope, then decided to flap my arms and found I could fly for a while until I was safe, then land gracefully out of sight of the electric pole monsters. Now I am blessed to experience this commuting towards the sun weekdaily. If you have ever dreamed of flying your car, this could be the closest you'll get for a while, like driving a speedboat only without as much chop, then take off for a while as the bridge inexplicably twists at top. Look safely north west in the afternoon to glimpse magnificent kite boarders terrorizing the odd ancient wind surfer. Keep rubber necking north and with clear luck the millennium building can be seen towering over TransAmerica, leaning towards downtown pizza. To the northeast fog typically camouflages giant cranes that precede the land which used to house oaks and raiders. To the south lies Dunbarton, rising from a mirage like a distorted reflection of the bridge you are now on. The water will be devoid of maritime vessels. One hand suffices to count all the boats, but look up to find flying whales descending towards the cushion carpet clouds creeping over Colma, approaching the tarmac two by two like tired Giants in the eleventh inning. The saline surface of the not so flat plane below you varies from glistening glass, to clouds of ripples, to whitecaps spaced as tightly as can only be experienced on this shallow but wide expanse of engineering. Some shallow spots sparkle like freshly fallen snow crystallized by the summer sun. Golden Gate and the Bay bridge are notoriously beautiful. If this bridge were anywhere else it would be considered spectacular. read more