Celebrating & Preserving
San Mateo Park
San Mateo Park is a community within the City of San Mateo. Designed in 1896 through a collaboration between architect George Howard and famed landscape architect John McLaren, designer of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
San Mateo Park's winding streets were laid out to conform to the gentle rolling terrain and 62 islands were formed, each to be planted with unique trees.​
​
The architectural designs in San Mateo Park include works by such renowned architects as Julia Morgan, Bernard Maybeck, and George Howard, representing styles from Queen Anne Victorian, to Arts and ​​​
Crafts, to period revivals of the 1920's and 30's.
Scroll down for more...
Events
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
Meet at 9am Warren and Occidental Rd on Thanksgiving Day for our second annual Turkey Trot! Please click here to register if you plan on attending.
​
Announcements​​
Historic Policy Update
The outcome of the City's Historic Policy Update could have far-reaching consequences for San Mateo Park. Your SMPNA Board has been in contact with the City to ensure that we have a voice in the process and the outcome. We have offered to host a City-led event to gather input in San Mateo Park. Watch here and on their website for regular updates. Historic Policy Update Effort. ​​
​
Small Cell Towers
New Small Cell (5G Wi-Fi) equipment has been scheduled to be installed in San Mateo Park. Five permits have been approved and four more are awaiting approval. READ MORE
Mike James, mikejamesphoto.com
Mike James, mikejamesphoto.com
John Mclaren
Landscape Architect
A Brief History
Winding Streets Punctuated by 62 Planted Islands
In 1896, John McLaren and George H. Howard started the development of San Mateo Park.
​​
McLaren, drawing on his work at Golden Gate Park, supervised the planting of native oak and redwood trees, elms, maples, poplars, palms, cedars and exotic tree specimens from around the world including cork oak and olive trees on the boulevards and islands throughout our neighborhood. ​
​
In the 1970's, the San Mateo Park community formed a neighborhood organization to bring the community together, and to maintain this unique and purposeful design. Today the San Mateo Park NA works closely with the City of San Mateo to maintain islands and plant trees as designed over 100 years ago.
