Explore nature in acres of coastal beauty at Coyote Point Recreation Area on the sparkling San Francisco Bay. Enjoy a magical playground and interactive education center, see wildlife, view the oceanfront surroundings and learn a bit in San Mateo’s beautiful park.
The park has many trails and picnic spots. Walk through a grove of fragrant eucalyptus trees. Observe coastal birds and other wildlife. Lie on the grass and watch planes flying in and out of nearby San Francisco Airport.
The state-of-the-art CuriOdyssey science and nature center offers endless entertaining possibilities. Interact with animals in realistic habitats. Let your kids have fun absorbing knowledge from educational displays and hands-on exhibits, such as Forces and Backyard Science.
Meet the center’s wildlife inhabitants. Nearly 100 animals that cannot be released into the wild live here. Look for a bobcat, river otter, turtle, raccoon and more in habitats mimicking their natural environments. The walk-through aviary is home to native California birds ranging from owls to egrets and kestrels. Visit tarantulas, beetles, hissing cockroaches and other creatures in the invertebrate section. Walk among nature’s tiniest birds and surround yourself with fluttering beauty in the hummingbird and butterfly gardens.
Besides its impressive learning centers, Coyote Point Recreation Area offers facilities for outdoor entertainment. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn or go biking along its trails. Try your luck fishing or take a swim in the bay. Practice your shot at the rifle range. Take kids to the Magic Mountain Playground with a 42-foot-tall (13-meter) castle and separate sections for toddlers and older children.
Walk along the beach promenade to the Coyote Point Marina and Coyote Point Yacht Harbor on the eastern shore of the park. Watch youth sailboat classes throughout the summer and other boats coming into the marina. Just south of the park is Poplar Creek Golf Course. Reserve a tee time for 18 holes or have lunch before or after your stay at the point.
Visit Coyote Point Recreation Area any day during daylight hours. There is a vehicle entry fee to park your car here.
