The hook
A eucalyptus-covered point jutting into the bay with a beach, a stretch of the Bay Trail, and a little wildlife center full of rescued native animals.
01Why it's worth it
Coyote Point is a green thumb of land pushing into the bay at San Mateo, shaded by old eucalyptus, with a beach, a marina, windsurfers, and a length of the Bay Trail that's good for a flat ride or walk with the water on one side and SFO's planes overhead. Tucked into it is CuriOdyssey, a small natural-history and science center built around rescued native animals, bobcats, owls, and foxes that can't be released back to the wild. It's aimed at kids but easy for anyone to enjoy. It's not wild, but it's a pleasant bayfront pocket and a reliable family stop, the everyday-good kind of place locals use and visitors skip.
02How to experience it
It's off Coyote Point Drive in San Mateo (small parking fee). Walk or ride the Bay Trail around the point and hit the beach; pay in to CuriOdyssey if you have kids or want the animals up close. Weekday afternoons are calmest.