Redwood Oaks - Redwood City, CA

Located 27 miles south of San Francisco, Redwood City’s first residents were the Ohlone Native Americans. In 1776, the Spanish arrived under the command of Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza. Spain controlled the California area until Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1822, after which time California became a Mexican territory. After California became the 31st U.S. State, Redwood City became the county seat of San Mateo County in 1856. The wharf district of the city provided needed transportation to the lumber industry during the early history of Redwood City, and this harbor still plays a large role in the economics of the city.

In downtown Redwood City, visitors can find the San Mateo County History Museum, located in the town square. Here you can explore the history of the Ohlone people and the logging community from the city’s early history, sit in the judge’s chair in the courtroom and stroll through ever-changing historical exhibits, including the archival and three-dimensional collections.

Each December the city hosts its Annual Children’s Festival and Fireworks Show in downtown Redwood City. Family-friendly events such as a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, ice sculpture demonstrations, a children’s parade and a fantastic fireworks display all set the tone for a fun, holiday outing.

The Fourth of July festival has been going strong for over 75 years, and each year thousands of residents and visitors come to the city for the spectacular festivities. The invitation-only parade, the largest Fourth of July parade in Northern California, brings in competitors from around the state, who vie for the cash prizes that are awarded to place winners.

In early October, Cañada College hosts the Arts and Olive Festival. Over 80 vendors from the olive industry come together in Redwood City to raise money for the college’s scholarship fund. Attendees can sample wonderful olive-themed foods and learn about the history of olives in the area. Children will love the face painting and crafts available, and everyone will enjoy the live music found throughout the festival area.

Redwood City has a diverse population with many different cultures, and this reflects in the diversity of dining establishments found in the city.

Known for authentic Mediterranean food and a great happy hour, Mandaloun has the locals coming back over and over. For a small-plate selection, the braised and grilled lamb riblets served with an herb vinaigrette whets your appetite for the main course. One of the house entrée specialities, the fungi pizza features a mix of different mushrooms, fontina and mozzarella cheeses, and a drizzle of delectable truffle oil as a finish.

For a taste of New England seafood, look no further than Old Port Lobster Shack on Veteran’s Boulevard, where Maine lobster is featured. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients in both the naked and dressed lobster rolls, as well as in the superb clam chowder and lobster bisque. Other house specialities include a seafood fettuccine and a heavenly lobster macaroni and cheese.

Executive chef and owner Manuel Martinez opened La Viga Restaurant, and residents can’t get enough of his take on Latin American/Mexican food. This restaurant does have a few of the usual Mexican dishes most people are used to, but the chef definitely has put his unique spin on dishes not necessarily associated with Latin cuisine. Start off your meal with the ceviche trio, consisting of shrimp and mahi-mahi in delectable sauces. The caldo de mariscos pairs prawns, clams, red snapper, mussels, tomato and potato together in a spicy chipotle sauce that makes your taste buds sing.

The Mardi Gras Lounge has karaoke four nights a week, and the locals say it’s the best neighborhood dive bar in town. Friendly staff serves up tasty cocktails, and you definitely see a wide variety of clientele visiting for drinks. Stop in for a game of pool, or order a sandwich with your beer and eat outside on the patio.

For a great place to unwind after work and enjoy a cocktail, check out 840 Wine Bar. They have an extensive wine and cocktail menu, and the food selection also is a hit. Order a wine flight to accompany the artisan cheese plate, which features five cheese selections served with crackers and fresh fruit. On the weekends, you can usually find a DJ or band playing music.

Redwood City has multiple transportation options for residents and visitors alike. To travel by car to outlying destinations, Highway 101 and Interstate 280 run close to the city, making traveling by car convenient. Public transportation hubs for the SamTrans bus service are located throughout the city, and a monthly pass costs residents $96 per month. The Redwood City Caltrain stop can be found in the downtown area. Daily passes for the train cost between $6.50 and $26.50, depending on which zone you travel to. Base fares for UberX transportation begin at $2.20, making this an affordable option for residents and visitors.

Thirty different parks in Redwood City allow you to find the perfect park for your outdoor activities. During the summer months, the city operates two swimming pools. Dogs are allowed in all the parks as long as they are leashed.

One off-leash park especially for Fido is Shore Dogs Park. Larger dogs have their own fenced area away from smaller dogs, and the park is open from dawn until dusk.

Red Morton Park has one of the two swimming pools in town, and residents can take along a picnic or use the available barbecue pits to cook on the grounds. Children can play in the playground or play a game of tennis or basketball on the available courts. The park also features the 13,000-square-foot Phil Shao Memorial Skate Park.

Housing costs in Redwood City average higher than surrounding areas.The average rental unit is priced around $1,500 per month.

The cost of basic insurance ranks approximately 122 percent higher here than the rest of the United States and averages $2,514 per month. A doctor’s appointment also costs more in Redwood City, at approximately $118 per visit or 14 percent higher than other areas of the country. A pizza costs approximately $10, or 9.7 percent higher than the national average, but a bottle of wine costs 12.4 percent less than the U.S. average at approximately $7 per bottle.

The Redwood Trading Post has been in business since 1952, and when residents need outdoor gear, this shop has exactly what they need. Featuring top brands such as Wolverine, Eagle Creek and Columbia Sportswear, the trading post has everything an outdoor enthusiast needs for camping, fishing and much more.

Featuring antiques such as hard-to-find die-cast cars, classic toys and sports cards, Curious Things on Broadway Street has something for every antique hunter looking for great deals. Here you can find a Marvel action figure for your little one, and then you might stumble across that vintage Star Wars figure you just have to have.

For a shopping center where you can run all your errands in one place, Sequoia Station fits the bill. With stores such as Barnes and Noble, Old Navy and Pier One Imports, residents can get their shopping done and then dine at restaurants such as Max's Cafe for an early dinner. Max's also opens for breakfast, making it a great place to stop after your early morning mall walk. Woodside Plaza features stores such as Michael's, Great Clips and Pet Food Express. Here you can ship packages at the UPS Store and grab a bite to eat at Round Table Pizza. Residents can also buy a gallon of paint at the hardware store or fill a prescription at the updated Rite-Aid, making this shopping center full of convenient shops.

For local fresh produce, the Sigona's Farmers Market on Middlefield Road offers fresh seafood, homemade soaps and heirloom tomatoes among the wide variety of offerings from local vendors. Spend over $30, and get freebies to go with your purchases. Locals shop at Chavez Supermarket for necessary Latin ingredients, and residents also have Whole Foods, Nob Hill Foods and Safeway among the many grocery store options.