San Mateo County History Museum

The San Mateo County History Museum is housed in a Renaissance Revival building and displays over 420,000 objects across about 40,000 square feet of exhibition space. The collection tells the story of the region's development from its origins to the present day.

The building was constructed in 1910 as the county courthouse and served as the center of the judicial system for many decades. It was transformed into a museum in the early 2000s after extensive renovation work.

The 'Land of Opportunity' exhibition shows how different immigrant groups built their lives in San Mateo County over generations. Visitors can explore personal stories and objects that reveal their arrival and daily experiences.

The museum is located in downtown Redwood City and is easily accessible on foot, with adequate parking nearby. Visitors should plan for two to three hours to get a good overview and can use the research areas for family and local history if interested.

The courthouse began with just a handful of rooms and was a modest wooden and stone structure in its earliest days. The contrast between this simple beginning and the expansive museum it has become tells the story of the region's remarkable growth.

Location: Redwood City

Address: 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063

Phone: +(650)2990104

Website: https://historysmc.org

GPS coordinates: 37.48702,-122.22965

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:10