San Mateo County is located in the U.S. state of California, a part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Covering an area of around 741 square miles, it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and San Francisco Bay to the east. The Santa Cruz Mountains run through the county. Its population is over 700,000 as of the 2020 census.
San Mateo County is known for its scenic beauty, affluent communities, technology companies, and diverse cultural and recreational opportunities. It has numerous parks, marinas, and historic sites. The county's economy is dominated by sectors like technology, health care, financial services, and retail.
The county seat is Redwood City. Other important cities and towns in the county include Daly City, San Mateo, South San Francisco, and Menlo Park, which is the home to Facebook.
It has a diverse range of climates, with coastal areas tending to be cooler and more foggy, and the inland areas warmer. The primary institutions of higher learning are the College of San Mateo, Canada College, and Skyline College.
Notable landmarks include the Filoli Historic House and Gardens, San Francisco International Airport, the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, and the towering high-tech headquarters of companies like Facebook and Oracle.