Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Foster City, CA

  • Published 2022/05/26

The best things to do in Foster City are as unique as the city itself.

Located in San Mateo County, California, Foster City was built on a marshy island in San Francisco Bay in the early 60s and expanded using an engineered landfill in the 1970s.

A real estate tycoon, T. Jack Foster, owned most of the property in the city and had a hand in its early design.

Hence, the city took his name to honor his work.

However, if you walk around the city, you would not see any sign of its origins.

Foster City is a fantastic place to spend the weekend because of its abundance of watersides, restaurants, and parks.

Here are the best things to do in Foster City, CA:

Relax at Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park

Welcome sign of Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park

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This twenty-acre recreational park honors the memory of Congressman Leo J. Ryan.

There are restrooms and 20 acres of open space at Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park overlooking Central Lake.

Riverwalk at Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park

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At the top of the hill is a picnic area with uncovered tables for hire.

Aside from an outdoor amphitheater, it also has a boardwalk and a lawn that can accommodate a variety of activities.

You can attend various events, including concerts, graduations, and a Fourth of July celebration.

The grounds of Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park

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Ride a Cute Locomotive at Kiddos ChuChu

Foster City is famed for its beautiful gardens.

Residents of Kiddos Chu Chu may unwind and reconnect with nature at Kiddos Chu Chu.

Do something relaxing in your spare time like reading or listening to music or smelling flowers.

You may also meet new people or engage in festivities while you’re doing it.

When it comes to Kiddos Chu Chu, the happiness on the children’s faces may tell you everything you need to know.

There will be smoke and enormous wagons for kids and their parents.

You’ll also hear blaring horns and see lighting fixtures all over the railway, so the train will instantly draw anybody.

The locomotive sets the course for an exciting voyage with the Conductor, accompanied by the bell, lights, and whistles.

Children and adults alike will have the ride of their lives as the trackless train churns around your event.

Shred at Foster City Skate Park

There is a skate park in Foster City that is open to everybody.

This unsupervised hotspot is ideal for skaters of all levels, from beginners to experts looking to enhance their abilities.

Even though many teens use the park, they are always kind to the small ones and even warn others to control their language around them, as many reviewers noted.

You must wear helmets and knee and elbow pads at all times.

Before using the skate park, familiarize yourself with the regulations.

Please be aware that it closes at night for safety reasons.

Get Active at Foster City Fitness Court

Around 3.5 acres of the beautiful green area surround the free outdoor Fitness Court at Shorebird Park.

The court lets users of various fitness levels access suitable routines with a free smartphone app.

Additionally, there is ample parking, picnic areas, and direct access to the Bay Trail—a well-liked walking and bicycling path—all inside the park’s borders.

This unique gym is free to use and open throughout regular park hours.

Tee Off at Mariners Point Golf Center

This golf center is the best place in the Bay Area to train and improve your golf game.

It has 64 practice areas, including well-maintained practice tees.

Its driving range is a great place to work on your game with new, high-quality balls, legible distance markers, and well-delineated target greens.

The facility is accessible all week long to practice how to chip, pitch, and do sand shots of different lengths.

You can play golf at Mariners Point seven days a week at night on a challenging nine-hole course that overlooks the stunning San Francisco Bay.

Hike the San Francisco Bay Trail

You may find the San Francisco Bay Trail on Foster City’s levees.

Near Seal Point Park in San Mateo, the route in Foster City starts and concludes in Redwood Shores, near Oracle Bridge.

On the Bay Trail, the natural and built worlds collide.

You’ll find youngsters playing in playgrounds surrounded by groomed lawns behind their home walls on one side of the route.

On the other side, in the pickleweed marshes, spear-billed egrets forage for food.

Bicyclists, joggers, and dog walkers alike use this scenic bayside route.

Bring Your Fur Baby to Foster City Dog Park

Two distinct fenced-in dog play spaces are available at this public dog park.

Small, crushed granite bits are sprinkled around the astroturf sections in both kennels to give your dog additional stimulation and interest.

There are separate areas for big and little dogs to play in this vast park.

Between 6:00 a.m. and 8 a.m., dogs may run free.

After 8:00 a.m., though, you need to leash your pets.

People who have visited Foster City Dog Park have praised it for its meticulous maintenance and attention to detail.

Poop bags are readily available for your pet’s use throughout the park.

Park authorities urge dog owners to clean up and properly dispose of any canine waste products to maintain the park’s integrity and attractiveness for everyone.

All dogs visiting the park must be up-to-date on their vaccinations and have a valid state license, as stipulated by local ordinance.

Several water stations are located throughout Foster City Dog Park to ensure that Fido keeps well-hydrated while having fun.

There is no charge to use this public amenity.

However, dog owners must keep their pets on a leash outside the enclosures.

Ride the Waves at California Windsurfing

There is a terrific California windsurfing experience waiting for you.

Boat rentals and surfing training for all ages are available at this water sports facility.

You can try windsurfing, kayaking, hydro-biking, and paddleboarding here.

It’s a great place to take the whole family because of the moderate weather and the safety of the water.

The site provides courses in windsurfing, paddle boarding, and kayaking.

Try Water Adventures at Foster City Lagoons

Buildings near the waters of the Lagoon

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The Lagoon in Foster City is the city’s crown gem, including several waterways, walkways, and other recreational amenities.

Besides the 212 acres of water, 16.5 miles of navigable canals weave around artificial residential islands.

The region comprises a high-end resort with beautiful vistas in every direction, pleasant weather, and enough to do.

If you have toddlers or are not interested in windsurfing, you can try paddle boards, hydro bikes, kayaks, and paddleboats.

You can also rent a family-friendly electric boat, which can fit up to 8 people.

The Lagoon hosts several events throughout the year.

A day-long event culminates in a fantastic fireworks show on the Peninsula for the Fourth of July.

Additionally, there are Dragon Boat Races, which take place in 44-foot-long boats, and 5000-meter Rowing Regattas, where up to 360 crews compete.

Experience Jewish Hospitality at Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC)

You can find the Peninsula Jewish Community Center in the center of Foster City.

Funds for this project come from the San Francisco Jewish Community Federation.

It doesn’t matter whether the organization is affiliated with a particular religious or ethnic group; everyone is welcome.

As an award-winning pre-school, the PJCC offers a variety of summer camp programs and a sports complex with more than 50,000 square feet of space.

There’s something for everyone, from a swimming pool to adult clubs and meetings to art workshops.

Play Sports at Sea Cloud Park

If you play or have a kid who loves to play sports, head to Sea Cloud Park.

It is often called the Peninsula’s “sporting treasure.”

With facilities like soccer fields, baseball diamonds, grass areas, play structures for children, a snack shack, batting cages, and bathrooms, the Foster City Little League uses the whole 23-acre property.

The splendor of Sea Cloud Park is the icing on the cake, with a waterside vista and an abundance of flora.

Catch a tournament, play a ball game, or get a workout!

Gaze at Stunning Pieces at Foster City Art Gallery

The non-profit Foster City Art Gallery exhibits local and regional artists and their works.

This Gallery’s goal is to raise public knowledge about and appreciation of visual arts by exhibiting various artists all year long.

More than 100,000 people visit the William Walker Recreation Center in Foster City, California, to see the gallery.

The gallery spans ten by 275 feet.

The Foster City Art Gallery Selection Committee comprises city employees and volunteers who oversee the gallery’s operation.

Celebrate Your Special Day at William E. Walker Recreation Center

William E. Walker Recreation Center is at 650 Shell Boulevard in Houston.

Recreational facilities like this in Foster City aim to fulfill the community’s requirements.

Additionally, the recreation center provides summer camp programs and a wide range of seminars.

A few of the classrooms have views of the Lagoon, making them ideal for meetings, conferences, and informal gatherings of friends and family.

Lagoon Room is a prominent banquet space on the Peninsula for huge meetings, parties, weddings, and special events.

It has hardwood floors, a wet bar, and a stunning view of the Lagoon from its large windows.

Catch a Performance at Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory

One of the best community theaters in the state is Hillbarn Theater, which has operated for more than a century.

It had served the San Francisco Bay Area since 1941 when it opened its doors as the Hillbarn Theatre.

There’s a lot of history at Hillbarn Theatre, the sixth-oldest of its sort in the US.

This studio has produced more than 68 seasons of programming.

It provides after-school education programs, performing and scenario study workshops for kids, and plays showcasing some of the Bay Area’s greatest adult actors and actresses.

It’s a modest venue, yet its size allows everyone to enjoy a great view of the stage.

Sopranos and tenors shine in the orchestra, and the dancing and singing are also excellent.

In the foyer, they provide wine, coffee, and cookies and plenty of room to park.

Buying tickets in advance is advised since the theater often sells out.

Enjoy Beach Time at Gull Park

How about a dip on the beach?

Playgrounds, two huge grass spaces, a large lawn, and toilet facilities are all 3.1-acre Gull Park.

There are also reservable picnic tables.

The Lagoon features saltwater, and Foster City routinely flushes the whole body of water into the San Francisco Bay to maintain it clean.

You may also note that lagoon waters might seem exceptionally blue from April to October when aquatic vegetation develops.

Have fun with your family and friends while soaking up some rays on the beach.

Chill at the Clubhouse Bistro

The Clubhouse Bistro is a nightclub, a cocktail bar, and a cafe all rolled into one in the heart of Foster City.

The Clubhouse of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Mateo exudes an elite club ambiance with a laid-back, Northern California party attitude.

Every night of the week, the Clubhouse Bistro hosts a party, whether a happy hour get-together, a private party, a live DJ set, a dance party, a big-ticket sporting event or just a delicious meal and drink menu.

You’ll be blown away by the buffalo burgers, roast beef, and braised lamb.

It’s a great place to hang out with your pals and enjoy some delicious strawberry yogurt, apple pie, and orange cakes.

Explore the Foster City Farmers Market

One of the best things to do in a new location is to look into the local items.

Foster City Farmers Market is a great place to get local produce while in town.

It is in the old Orchard Supply parking lot.

Since its inception in 2012, this community-run farmer’s market has offered fresh vegetables and pre-made frozen dinners.

This market is a great place to get fresh local vegetables, but you’ll want to stick around for all the other tasty things to try.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never been to Foster City before or are only passing through, don’t miss out on these hidden treasures.

This quaint city is the perfect weekend getaway with your family.

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