This museums pretty cool. I love that it's free. It's pretty small so it's quite a time saver if…read moreyou're pretty busy. I mean once you step in you're seeing the entire museum. The part about where they showed memories of the Circle Star Theater really gave me some flashbacks. I took a picture of some pretty cool mannequins here too. The guy that works here is pretty cool too.

This was the last stop for the San Carlos Walking Tour!…read more We were treated with free drinks and pie. The people who work here are super sweet. Lots of cool things to look at. The fire truck was a hit with my nephews!

Thanks to my cousin's husband who shared the info regarding Bootleggers Steps, I would not have…read morechecked it out. We hiked up to Mori Point & yay, We found Bootleggers Steps. Bootleggers Steps in Pacifica, CA. is a 200-foot climb with 185 steps that offer breathtaking views of the Pacific Coastline . If you find get to Mori Point, you will find Bootleggers Steps. Hmm, I wonder why this place got its name and found out Bootleggers Steps got their name from the park's history as a site for bootlegging during Prohibition. Details: Distance: 0.11 miles, 200 foot climb Views: 360-degree panorama of Pacific coastline History: Former site of bootlegging and World War II structures Heading up to Mori Point/Bootlegger was a quick 9 minutes, ( per hubby's GPS) but longer for us because I stopped along the way to take photos. The path was safe leading to the spot, just rocky at some areas, but OMG, Wow, the view was breathtaking so worth it giving up other SF plans for this. I had fun going down the steps and back up, easy peasy, My Life's grateful moments was experienced here!!

Outdoor stairmaster. This is my happy place. I thought sunset was the obvious best time to come but…read moreone day I did a full moonlit hike and was converted. One the edge of a cliff someone was playing the violin it was a very special moment that almost felt like a simulation. Everytime I come here I see something new and fascinating, I suppose that is the art of noticing.

Visiting the House is like stepping back in history. The Plymire Schwarz House is a must for…read morelifelong South City residents, new residents and visitors alike. Beautifully decorated, with knowledgeable docents, it's a great way to learn about the history of South San Francisco.

Stopped by here on the way to the beaches of Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, and it was beautiful…read more It's a very small lookout point (almost like a mini rest stop), with limited parking, limited seating, and limited space overall. But the views are amazing, especially on a sunny winter afternoon with calming clouds embellishing the sky. Probably nothing too spectacular to make it worth a visit on its own, but a cool spot nonetheless.

It's on point. I…read morehave driven past this lookout point in 30 + years of living in San Francisco, Daly City and Pacifica. If you're a local like me, it's located on the west-bound side on Sharp Park Road between Skyline Boulevard and Highway 1. It's a scenic, winding road that you'll really need to pay attention to with all the twists and turns. Every time I passed by the place, I thought about stopping and enjoying the view. But being a local, I told myself that I have plenty of time to do so. Heck, just like it took me 20 something years before actually riding a cable car and I've never been to Alcatraz yet. Not until we moved to the East Bay that we finally decided to stop here. Well, after hiking with the Wifey, we grabbed some food in San Bruno and drove to this spot to make it a romantic dinner in the car - similar to when we started dating. I didn't know the actual name of this overlook, and there's a plaque explaining that it was named after the former mayor of Pacifica, Grace McCarthy. Born in Memphis, Tennessee on August 14, 1908, she moved to the Bay Area and married Carl McCarthy. Grace served on California's first Coastal Conservation Commission and the California State Coastal Commission. She was also on the County Planning Commission, fought for disability rights and served on Pacifica's City Council and as Pacifica Mayor three times. A beloved mayor and truly worthy of this vista point named after her. The overlook provides a view of the northern part of Pacifica, Pacifica Pier, Oceana High School and Milagra Ridge on the right. We got lucky since the sun came out, and Karl The Fog was present all day during our hike earlier. It's a gorgeous view regardless if the weather is foggy or sunny, and I think the best time is during the sunset. The golden glow of the sun as it sets over the horizon in the Pacific Ocean is better than any screen saver out there. It certainly made our dinner date that much more romantic under the circumstances.

Very cool, and very odd at the same time. Over the years while working nearby, I've come to…read moreappreciate the "wind harp" sculpture. A 92 foot structure of metal, it's actually very cool. When windy, this "thing" really howls with a tone like no other. If in a nearby building, you can actually hear it while inside at a meeting. At the same time, you get used to it. Recommendation: Pick a windy day to visit There's rumors about it (I suggest to try it): ================================= * If you throw a metal object, it will redirect and cling like a magnet to the sculpture * Try to throw a ball thru the sculpture, and it will bounce/reflect away and not penetrate. A Poem: ======== In South San Francisco's gentle breeze, A wind harp sculpture sways with ease, Its graceful form, a work of art, Sings a song from the depths of heart. A melody woven from the wind's embrace, Whispers secrets in an airy space, Strings of metal, resonating free, Echoing the city's symphony. Tall and slender, it reaches high, Against the clear, blue, open sky, Capturing the essence of the coast, In its harmonious, airy host. As the Pacific's breath does flow, Through this sculpted harp, music grows, A serenade for those who pass, A moment of peace, a breath, a class. So, in South San Francisco's grace, This wind harp sculpture finds its place, A reminder of nature's artful dance, In the city's embrace, a sweet romance.

We came on a cool and quiet day, there was a bit of wind, but not much. We also didn't go…read moreunderneath the structure, just around it, along the concrete pathways circling the grassy area where the towering piece of art is situated. We sat on a bench looking out into the distance. The area's not high enough to really offer spectacular views of any kind (the more desirable scenery is blocked by ordinary looking buildings). But the atmosphere at this site was peaceful. And the sculpture, stretching toward the sky, resembled a harp in its unique way, even if it didn't sound like one. We parked at a lot for TMB Baking since it was most convenient.

I've lived two streets away from this little creek and park for six years and never realized it,…read morebut this year during quarantine I noticed it on Maps and had to check it out. The first time I came here I was actually a little scared! It's a legit woodsy area right next to a neighborhood, with a small babbling (or maybe trickling) creek. The mallard ducks like to call this place their home, mostly visible in early morning or evening (you can sometimes catch them sleeping!). After you get used to the insular quietness of this park, you come to really appreciate it! It's a very short path (I think my Fitbit logs it as about 200-300 steps across), but it's very peaceful. You can listen to the birds chirp, the squirrels rush about, and the water and gentle rustling of leaves. I also found it funny to catch the squirrels yelling their heads off more than once. It's located between two streets, so you can clearly see houses on both sides, and it's pretty safe. I'd recommend taking a stroll! But not too many so I can keep the quietness to myself :)

Arroyo Park is probably one of the honey's favorite parks in the area due to the mallard ducko…read morefamily that is in residence in the stream. We originally thought it was just the drake and his two ladies, but it turns out there's at least two drakes and three hens, though we don't usually see them all together. The park is open during daylight hours and is usually pretty quiet, surprising for being not that far from the bustling El Camino street. You can hear the brook babbling and birds, and it's really quite a lovely stop.

Directions here were very easy to find, parking was very open with handicap spaces on an early…read moreMonday afternoon! I noticed they had outhouse style restrooms which were cleaned, stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. The path down is slightly downhill, and is dirt paved. Wear shoes you definitely do not mind being covered in dirt. Maybe a three minute walk. There were people picnicking quietly for an afternoon date on the lawn with a blanket, that's a great idea. There is a large grass area for many families to enjoy together. Seeing it in person was really nice. Brought some teenage girls here who really enjoyed it. We enjoyed taking some pictures together. I definitely see why this area is used as a professional photography spot!! Will I come here again: if in the area and cooler weather absolutely for a gorgeous family style picnic!!

Pulgas Water Temple is definitely a unique little spot and the fact that it's completely free to…read morevisit is a huge plus. I can absolutely see why people stop here for photos and the dome and pool make for a very pretty setting. That being said, I spent maybe 10 minutes here before feeling like I had seen it all. There's not a lot to explore and my visit was made particularly less enjoyable by how crowded it was. There were at least three people doing elaborate professional photo shoots and dozens of what I can only describe as full-on Instagram productions happening around the area. It was noisy and there wasn't much room to move around and it really took away from what I imagine is a normally peaceful experience. I was here on a weekday afternoon as well so I'm not sure when a slower time might be to visit. I feel like I should preface this review with the fact that I stopped here immediately after spending the morning and early afternoon at Filoli, so in comparison it probably isn't helping me have a hugely favorable opinion of my experience here. There are also signs advising that no dogs are allowed, which I think is pretty ridiculous. This is definitely worth a quick stop if you're in the area, especially because parking is free and there's no admission fee. However, unless you are one of the people who are spread out on a blanket or carrying boxes of props for a full-on production, this is definitely not a place that you would spend very much time. For me it was an interesting, very quick, one time stop.

The Lathrop house sits in the middle of San Mateo's governmental center. Originally built in 1862,…read moreit has been moved twice, became a house of ill repute, was converted to a boarding house in WWII, and now has been restored to its condition following the residence of the first three owners. The house is now in very good condition, is being elegantly decorated for the holidays, and offers excellent docent-led tours that reveal the wonderful charm of this vintage house. Hours are limited. Plan ahead. It is definitely worth it if you are at all a history buff.

The house move in November is now May and just happened and is resting above the new foundation! I…read moretook probably 200 pictures, some of them are in here showing the move and the hydraulic system to save this beautiful historic 1863 Steamboat Gothic style house. it is nestled up against the SAN mateo history museum across the street from its former location on Hamilton Street. Once it is lowered onto the new foundation in about a week it will reopen again after about 120 days to make sure that everything is secure and safe. They also need to reattach the stairs and add a handicapped ramp. It had quite a history and it's time which you can read a lot online. One of the most prominent owners was Sheriff Joel Mansfield who was the sheriff of Redwood City for quite some time and was loved by many and buried in the Union cemetery nearby with his wife Mary. Hopefully this new location will bring more visitors and hopefully more donations to help preserve this wonderful mansion.