Overview
Foster City is a quaint suburban city in San Mateo County in the beautiful state of California. Located on the Peninsula of the famous San Francisco Bay area, the city is a picturesque residential town with several large companies, often associating it with nearby Silicon Valley. Occupying a total area of almost 20 square miles, Foster City is a planned community that sits on an engineered landfill on the San Francisco Bay. An affluent community of about 30,500 residents, the city has been named several times as one of the Best Places to Live by the Money Magazine and ranked 10th of the 2009 list of America’s Top 25 Towns to Live by Forbes.
When to Visit
With almost endless days of sunshine and year-round mild temperatures, anytime is the best time to visit Foster City and the neighboring cities in San Mateo County. There are also a lot of festivities held in the area that are all worth the trip. Foster City’s Fourth of July fireworks are considered the best in the Peninsula. So if you’d like to celebrate Independence Day with literally flying colors, plan your trip for the first week of July. Foster City also holds its Annual Arts and Wine Festival in June. Now going on its 41st year, the festival features arts, crafts, talent shows, live entertainment, walks along the lagoon and festival food. Carnival rides in the evenings make for non-stop entertainment for the whole family.
Accommodation Tips
Just like in most California destinations, vacation rentals are popular lodging options in Foster City. If you’re planning an extended vacation with the whole family or a large group, a rental is a best and most economical way to go. The city also has several hotels and bed & breakfasts that cater to different travel styles, needs, and budgets. If you want a hotel close to the airport, stay at the Crowne Plaza Foster City – San Mateo. It is a 3.5-star property that offers on-site restaurants with room service, complimentary wired and wireless Internet access, and elegantly-appointed rooms. Another good choice of accommodations is the Courtyard by Marriott which offers business-friendly amenities like a business center, free high-speed Internet access, and shuttle service. Book your Foster City Hotels with Reservations.com.
Things to Do
Foster City offers many activities for everyone, with plenty for the adventurous. You may experience world-class windsurfing at the San Francisco Bay or spend some quality tee time in the city’s golf course. The waters of the lagoon are perfect for dragon boat racing, kayaking, pedal boating, and canoeing. And if you’re looking forward to a romantic night, a lagoon cruise would be a nice prelude. The city’s parks are also great venues for hiking, biking, skating, bird watching and picnicking. You can also sit back and enjoy good music and great company during Summer Concerts at the public amphitheater.
Best Dining Spots
There are plenty of great dining venues in Foster City. For consistently great Mexican food with unbeatable views, head to Taco Bell by the Sea. While the food is typical Taco Bell fare, you get to sit outdoors and relax while drinking in the scenery. Tokie’s Japanese Restaurant is a slice of Japan right on the Peninsula, offering excellent sushi, teriyaki, sukiyaki, and other Japanese favorites. There are a number of other places that offer delicious Asian cuisines like Joy Restaurant, Tai Wu Restaurant, and Tabla Flavors.