The San Mateo Japanese Garden Reviews

love this peaceful getaway far from the maddening crowds. the manicured trees, landscaped gardens, koi-filled ponds, lovely flowers... we had our wedding photos taken here, it is such a beauteous place in the middle of san mateo.

Set in the center of the city, we just happened upon it. It was pleasant and provides solitude.

Beautiful Japanese oasis in the middle of the city. Took a casual stroll through the garden with my husband, very romantic. Lots of photo opportunities.

An elegant Japanese garden in the heart of a busy suburban city. It is a bit small, thus you can walk through it very quickly, but a nice place to disconnect, see lots of design details or even better just catch your breath and withdraw for 15 minutes.

A beautifully maintained garden with an adjacent park, playground, tennis courts in the heart of downtown San Mateo.

The Japanese Garden is beautiful throughout the year. In the late Winter and early Spring the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

The easy level walkways, large pond filled with many colorful koi, teahouse, pagoda, gazebo, shrine, artistic landscaping & lantern sculptures throughout the garden makes this place a thrilling pleasure to visit each time.

The design of the teahouse is influenced by zen principles of simplicity and plainness. It is located in a quiet place in the garden and offers a place for deep reflection and contemplation.

The five tiers of the pagoda represents the from bottom to top: earth, water, fire, air, & heaven.

The gazebo is a view pavilion where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view if the garden. There is a bench inside the gazebo to rest.

The shrine was donated to the City of Ssn Mateo from the sister city Toyonaka, Japan as a symbol of friendship.

The are numerous plaques throughout the garden describing the significant of what you are looking at. Take a moment to read.

In the back of the garden under the tall trees, the air is cooler due to the dense foliage above. It is a pleasure just to walk in the cool air under the trees in the garden on a hot day.

San Mateo downtown is filled with hustle and bustle, but a three short blocks away in San Mateo Central Park is the Japanese Tea Garden, a place of BEAUTY, PEACE, & SERENITY

The biggest bonus in going to the SM Japanese Garden is that you can feed the fish at 11 a.m. and at 4 p.m. (for free, no less) everyday. So if you have a little one, this is a really fun activity and there are several spots to feed the fish so it's not overly crowded and impossible. I also like that SM Japanese Garden is a hidden gem and not many people know about this garden. You don't get the crowds like you would at SF's Japanese Garden in GG Park, and it's still very quiet and very peaceful. The reason this is graded a 4 than a 5 for me is the size of the garden. It also doesn't have a tea shop or a store. The fact that it's free is a big plus even if it's smaller.

For the visitor with a small family going to this, you can make a half day's activity out of this.. The following is a suggested itinerary: You can take the kids to the Japanese garden to feed the fish before or after you take the kids to the central park playground and the train ride right in that same park. Then when it's time to eat, try one of the fabulous ramen places (many 5 stars yelp reviews for those places!) in downtown SM, which is a short walk from that park since the garden and central park is right downtown. And if the kids are still not tired, walk the kids over to Talbot's Toyland (a locally owned toy store) that is large toy store with so many toys for the kids to explore. On the same block next to the toy store is a frozen yogurt shop if you want to close off the day w/ something sweet. There, done. :-) Fun family fun w/ very little to spend.

Koi restfully linger in the low ponds surrounded by very pretty classical Japanese landscaping dotted with stone lanterns. This is ina peaceful corner of the very busy San Mateo Central Park. I will buy a tea at Starbucks and sip it as I stroll through. A pleasant place to wallow away an hour any day of the week.

A very pretty and tranquil Japanese garden right next to downtown San Mateo and El Camino Real that's open daily.Find one of the quiet hidden benches to sit and relax or walk the paths and cross the pond that probably 100 koi call home.

This garden is a beautiful respite from a hectic day. A peaceful place centrally located in the city. The landscaping is lovely and meticulously cared for. It is free to the public and family friendly. Make sure to cross the street and take a nice walk in the gardens behind the community center. Metered street parking within easy walking distance available along the street. Check the hours on website.

It provides a serene surrounding in the middle of a suburb......peaceful with a touch of Asian tranquility.

I wouldn't make a special trip to see this garden. It is very small and in needs of some serious maintenance. If you happen to be in the area and looking for a nice place to walk, this is a good alternative if you also include the rest of the public park that surrounds it. There is a nice little rose garden adjacent to this garden that you should definitely include. The park seems to be well attended but families during the midweek which is nice.

Very small garden in the Central Park San Mateo. Not worth to go unless you live nearby. You can spend 15 mins max there and 15 mins walk around the park.

It is very picturesque and lovely to be at water and coy are very calming. Good place to go to calm blood pressure!

This is a small tea garden. My young son loves it when i bring him, he loves to see the koi. Good place for photos.

Beautiful tea garden with a pagoda from San Mateo's sister city. Well-kept plants and trees, koi pond and a tea house. No tea seems to be served there as there are no food or drinks allowed. Free admission and adjacent parking structure. My brother who has lived in Japan says it is very authentic. It makes for an enjoyable visit. I would guess it is about 1.5 acre.

This is an excellent garden. I have been to Japan and this garden holds up to the famous creations of Kyoto. It is small, but packed with great flavor.

Wonderful place to sit and meditate, or just watch the koi. If you're in the area, make sure you check it out.

The Japanese Garden is tucked away in Central Park in downtown San Mateo. It is very cute but small. Not something you could make a day of and the tea house does not serve food - in fact it isn't even open for viewing. I think it is just a facade. However, the gardens are pretty but I wish there were more explanations of what we were looking at. Make it part of your downtown San Mateo experience as you can park there as well at the meters and explore the adjacent rose garden.

Great spot to take the kids for an afternoon visit to walk around, look at the Koi fish, granite pagoda and bamboo grove.

This little spot has been around for decades. Perfect for a quiet slow walk. Meet an old friend. Take a young child to see the Koi. Always an artist or photographer. Great for both. Romantic couples, lunch hour diversions, solitary stroll...all welcome.

This is a hidden gem in downtown San Mateo. It's a very small Japanese garden with a Koi pond and gazebos to set and relax. Would be a great place to take a book on a sunny day and set and listen to the water.

Great place to spend a pristine and peaceful afternoon/evening. But don't know why it is called tea garden though.

This small garden a three minute walk from the downtown San Mateo district is a study in quiet loveliness. Take the time to walk slowly through it and experience it from many angles. Watch the shadow of a perfectly trimmed flowering shrub play over the pond and the fish swimming just below the surface. Look at the juxtaposition of the large polished wood branch against the circular reed window on the porch of the Japanese tea house. Listen to the small fountain that fills a small basin and then drips down onto perfectly rounded stones. Show your children the different angles of light, plant and structure. Very much worth a visit.

It's a garden in the park so it's free. They did a good job with the garden n the koi pond is fun to look at. Small garden but it is relaxing to sit in.

The Japanese Tea Garden in the San Mateo Central park has much to offer. It is hard to imagine that such a peaceful place exists in a busy, busy downtown area. Take a few minutes to relax and enjoy this wonderful garden.

Central Park in San Mateo is a nice oasis away from the hustle/bustle of San Mateo's business district - and the rest of the peninsula. It's nice to go for a little stroll there and the Japanese Garden is one of the best aspects of the park. It's small and has limited hours, but it's still worth it. A calm , Zen experience.

What a nice little serene space to enjoy. It’s not big but it is nice. It’s located inside of San Mateo Central Park. A nice place to come and walk around and sit for a bit to relax and get some zen time.

A hidden treasure in the Central Park in San Mateo. I love this place and so do my kids. We go multiple times per year. I wish it were my back yard.

We had some extra time so we decided to visit the Japanese Gardens in San Mateo, which are very close to the San Francisco airport. There are coin metered parking spaces on the street which are readily available while you're visiting the gardens. There is no charge to visit the gardens. They are very well maintained. We stayed for about 30 minutes. It's peaceful and quiet. The main attractions are a granite pagoda, a tea house and a large koi pond.

Note - no dogs are allowed in the tea gardens. There is a place to park strollers when you first arrive.

See the website for more details: http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=718

Beautiful garden near down town San Mateo. The garden is well cared for and quite unique. Parking is ample, and San Mateo has some of the best weather on the peninsula. This is an easy strol, and self guided. Take your time and enjoy.

This is a lovely place, especially for us Japanese Americans. This garden is very well maintained, various types of maples, pines, camellias, etc. so that you can enjoy here season by season. Large beautiful koi (carps) are in the pond but please don’t feed or scare them.

This is a remarkable spot near downtown San Mateo. Located in Central Park the garden was a gift of the Japanese city of Toyonaka. (I wonder what San Mateo gave them in return?) If you have been to a Japanese garden you know what this place is all about. I prefer it to the one in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park because it's nearly empty whenever I visit. To me a crowded place of serenity is an oxymoron. Not here!. Alas, no tea cafe but free admission.

the japanese garden is within the central park of San Mateo. The Japanese gardean is souranded by central park, senior center, tennis courts, baseball diamond, a rose garden, picnic grove, botanical garden and right next to downtown San Mateo. This park has koa pond, well trimed landscape, pagoda, pathway, The garden is not big. But! the pathway is designed in such a way, you feel a lot of privacy and serenity. Every Tue, Thursday and Sunday, the botanical garden has plant sales around noon for several hours. When you are in the garden, you wouldn't know you are one block from the busy route 82. Enjoy!! There is a stone carved to remember the Japanese American solderies fought for USA during WW II

truly a wonderful place to visit when in San Mateo. Lovely spot to stroll and enjoy the beautiful suroundings in the middle of the city.

Very nice place, can only reflect what others said.I love the layout and attentions to details.Great place to take family or just to unwind Place is in need of maintenance so.

It's a good getaway to relax for a few minutes or go read a book. It's right in the middle of San Mateo and easy to access.

If you have kids they will enjoy the koi fish or walking around. You can't bring strollers in but there is an area to park them.

So beautiful, serene but they don't allow dogs, so know in advance. They also have limited hours so do check. Very nice.

Very nice, peaceful, tranquil, and well maintained.
Unique just for what it is...
A nice little get away spot, to visit, meditate, zen-out.

Try it.

Such a lovely and tranquil part of our town and well worth a visit and a relaxing walk through. Beautiful colours in the flowers

I'm glad this exists. It's not big, but it's perfect for what it is: a site of contemplation.

But as other reviewers note, it's difficult to meditate or sit peacefully here as many parents allow their kids to run in and scream and yell at the koy. Sort of the opposite of what you want in a Japanese tea garden.

Nevertheless, a really great secret place.

This garden is a little gem right in the middle of downtown San Mateo. It's well maintained and so pretty in every season. Have a little Zen in your life stop in or even walk through and it will lift your spirits.

I've been coming here with my son since he was a baby and he was always mesmerized by the koi fish, fountains, plants and walking paths. We especially like to come here during the summer when they do public koi fish feedings. Wonderful garden with a quiet, serene atmosphere!

very cute , small nice and quiet well kept clean and lovely it is a walk through no strollers allowed. respectfully blissful

Spot. Ahhhhh the bliss we feel when we come to this park. Our family loves coming here and we have been many times. The Koi fish, the sound of the water, the bridges, the Buddha’s and the magical flowers. There are days we just go and hang out especially on a beautiful sunny day. It’s not a huge garden but a pretty one!

I enjoyed this place as depending on seasons, they feed the fishes in the Japanese pond. After that I enjoy walking in the park and feel the cool breeze.

If you need to kill some time, stop in to see the giant koi. The Japanese Garden has a few pretty features, but we enjoyed the greater garden area outside of this part, especially the rose garden.

This place is located within the San Mateo Central Park, in downtown San Mateo. But once you set foot in this garden, all hustle of downtown leaves you. There are ponds with gigantic koi fishes. Very beautiful. There are a couple of seats in the garden where you can sit down and contemplate the tranquility . The best thing: it's FREE.
No pets allowed though.

We came across this wonderful bit of paradise by accident. Had a picnic with the kids just outside in a park area. It really is lovely.

Located within the expansive San Mateo Central Park (which includes tennis courts, open grass areas for family play, a huge rose garden, a train for pre-schoolers and older children's play equipment), this separate Japanese garden is worth a look. Visiting is free, in contrast to Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden. Strolling past authentic Japanese buildings, a koi pond, and viewing scent filled plants creates a Zen calm. Brightly colored fish swim under a central bridge, and the paths allow many focal points for photos. Some buildings provide inside benches for private contemplation. It's a quiet spot in a busy world to watch fish, birds, and squirrels -- thus connecting with nature. I gave it one less star due to the need for side street parking -- which is ample -- but using parking meters requires that one hold onto a sense of time pressure. I'd recommend paying for an extra hour in order to fully relax in this garden, then explore other parts of the whole park during one visit.

The gardens are nice and natureish even though they are near roads and pollution. It is calm and relaxing there. It is so beautiful.

The gardens are very nice and well maintained. It is very small in size. We took a leisurely stroll and it took us maybe 15 minutes. Nice place to take a quick break from driving or just to reset your mind a little.
Good for little ones to explore things a bit.

Lovely small garden to relax on a bench near the koi fish ponds, or just enjoy a walk around! Worth checking out.

The San Mateo Japanese Garden is perfect for a quick tranquil walk in the middle of your busy day. It's relaxing and beautiful, the atmosphere removes you from the hustle and bustle. We've been here plenty of times.

Very well maintained and enjoyed by people of all nationalities. Reminds me of Japan. Don't miss it but remember it closes at 4pm.

Great place to visit for pictures and for a walk. It is very nice. Great restaurants in the area for after

I was staying nearby and had to see the Japanese Garden. It's small but its peaceful personality makes up for the size. A beautiful crane, buddha, and teahouse are on the grounds. The grounds are immaculate and very scenic. It's a nice, quiet place to reflect and relax. I took a short stroll and enjoyed the many photo opportunties. I would've really enjoyed it if the teahouse was open and I could get a comforting, hot tea. Next time, I will bring my own hot tea and enjoy it even more.

Nice place and free. I parked by the meter on the street. It's only a short walk to the Japanese Garden. It's definitely worth the stop if you're in the South S.F. Bay area.

I used to take my grandson there when he could barely walk. The feeding of the fishes was the highlight of the morning. The serenity this place offers is a great treasure in the middle of downtown San Mateo. We are fortunate to have this nearby.

Feeding fish is an excellent time to visit to see the excitement in the eyes of old and young people.

The Japanese Tea Garden in Central Park in downtown San Mateo is a little gem, a little bit hidden out of the way unless you know to look for it. It is one of the finest tea gardens in California and was designed by landscape architect, Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo. It features a granite pagoda, tea house, koi pond and bamboo grove. It's beautiful throughout the year, but be sure to visit in the late Winter and early Spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Note: dogs are not allowed in the Japanese Garden.

Hours of Operation:
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
They have some incredible Koi fish - Koi Feedings:
11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, during Spring and Summer (fish are not fed during public hours November - February)

Great place to walk around and explore your thoughts. Walk around without your headset. Very well maintained.

Japanese garden at San Mateo is small . And cute . And so immediately you relate to it being Japanese . U feel it is bonsai of a garden . We visited it last month on our trip to frisco on a morning where we had time to kill before heading for 17 mile drive . Nice small place if u stay in San Mateo for a summer vacation . But skip if u are on tight time schedule .

I in the center a the city San Mateo, Central Park, you will find this nice Japanese garden. The garden has a very good layout with walk paths around the koi ponds. If you come at the right time you can watch feeding of the fish. The koi fish is big and in a lot of different colors. You will find several good views for photography. If you are critical to the true theme for Japanese gardens you may think it's wrong with asphalt on the walk paths, but it's good for a lot of traffic of visitors. The big glass wall building in the background is on the minus side.

Lucky are those who live close to this paradise garden.
This place has been a part of my life as long as I can remember whether it was a solo visit just to enhance a meditative ability or just simply bring my children since the time they could walk so they too may appreciate peace in its moments.
There is no excuse miss out, one must visit and take advantage of this beautiful ambiance decorated with beautiful greens, colorful flowers and observing the huge Kois floating and swimming freely in one of many streams of water.
Even the parking all around the park and the facility is easy and quite convenient, but hey don't just take my word for it come and see for yourself and you'll be hooked.
Namaste!

Just took a few minutes out of the day to visit this wonderful little spot. It was quiet and peaceful. The pond was filled with large coy fish which we watched swim for a couple of minutes. Would recommend visiting this place while in San Mateo.

Nice little piece of tranquility in a city setting. It’s part of a larger community park. Opens at 11am on a Saturday. Worth a short visit.

The San Mateo Japanese Garden is one of two japanese themed gardens in the immediate area. San Francisco has a park similar to this one but it's not free like the San Mateo location. The park itself has parking along the street that is metered so bring change. It's a very peaceful park located next to a community center. Take a moment to enjoy the architecture, landscaping, and the peaceful vibe that evident throughout the park.

My wife and I have been on multiple occasions. They have relatively short hours but the park is clean and well manicured.

This park inside the park (San Mateo Central Park) is a spectacular gem. "The Japanese Tea Garden is one of the finest tea gardens in California and was designed by landscape architect, Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo." I think that speaks for itself... a favorite mid-peninsula treasure.

I love the Gardens....it's small, but lovely......and Central Park is also very nice.......I've been to the park in the center of Vienna Austria and it has some comparisons.........and for a nice afternoon out, it's really very pleasant.

Enjoyed a leisurely walk through the garden - very nicely kept, shady rest and meditative! Nice way to get “away” for a little break from the world

Been here so many times when we lived on the peninsula...

Nice, open and clean.

If you have out of town guests, stop by and then go over and check out one of the nearby restaurants or bars...

Lots of street parking and kid friendly.

Probably can't bring your dog.

We went to this area specifically to see this garden and were not disappointed. Though small in acreage, every inch is carefully manicured to get the most out of this beautiful oasis in the middle of town. Very peaceful, pleasant and clean --

Rain or Shine, this place can be so serene...a beautiful place close by and with lots to see and do. Right in the Central Park

A hidden gem in San Mateo Park. Stop and smell the flowers and watch young families enjoying this beautiful spot.

very peaceful part of San Mateo park if parents aren't letting children run wild. Koy fish are there also and names of plants

We visit the Japanese garden on Saturday and was to busy, then we returned on the middle of the week and was perfect, it's small but bright win ZEN
Love it,.

It is so peaceful and beautiful here! You should definitely try to watch the coi feeding if possible.

Good to be in a relaxing atmosphere without spend thousands of dollars going to the Orient. Peace and quiet with beautiful oriental buildings, flower and greenery gardening. What and where can you find such a place in and so close to San Francisco?

The gardens are beautiful. We also saw morning Tai Qi and perhaps some other types of group exercise happening. We walked through with out baby, easy to navigate with a stroller, and the larger park has plenty of activities for kids of all ages. We were there early on a weekday - lots of babies playing & nannies chatting. All and all a good spot!

This is one of San Mateo's secret treasures. If you love gardens and solitude this beautiful place is a must see. Located right near the downtown area in Central Park the hours are somewhat restricted but it is a wonderful place to stroll, relazx and even take the children. There is a huge koi pond that the kids love.

When one needs some alone time this is the place to go. Also, I take my grandchildren here and they have a lot of fun learning about the plants and trees.

I have been here intermittently over 30 years. The garden design is lovely, and when kept up properly, it's fun to visit, even with kids (they like the koi). Come on a weekday or at a time when it isn't crowded to get the sense of peace that is proper for Japanese gardens like this. It's not open all the time, by the way, so check for hours so as not to be disappointed.

gercek bir Japon un yasadigi bascenin simdi halka acilmasi. dugun fotograflari icinde harika bir yer.
territory belonging once to a Japaneses gardener open now to public. fabulous palce for wedding photos too.

This is a small beautiful garden right in the heart on San Mateo. Lovely place to decompress before heading back to the hustle and bustle.

Small, but very enjoyable. The coy fish pond is great and very relaxing. I enjoy a visit every time I am near the park.

Yes it is quite small but it was lovely. It got really crowded when we visited on the weekend with kids running around.

Best Japanese park I've visited in the us so far. They even have a tea house and a pagoda.

The design is great, compact but refreshing. Great place for kids as well.

The garden is small but very well thought out and is a lovely place to take a stroll or sit and gaze at the plantings.

Small peaceful and wonderful. Great for small kids too, fun for them to walk over the small bridges and enjoy the flowers and beautiful plants.

Located right in Central Park.

This has become more beautiful over the years. The fish bigger than I recall even. This was a very pleasant hour time spent there. Many photos opportunities, even in the winter.

The Japanese Gardens in San Mateo is quite charming. First parking can seem to be a bit difficult for the out of towner, as the huge Central Park, in which the Japanese Gardens is contained, can be quite busy. That said, park under the tennis courts on East 5th. If you miss it the first time, just lap the block and try again, I know I have has to do that! Once under the tennis courts, you will find shaded easy parking. It may take a minute for you eyes to adjust in the parking lot as it is not brightly lit, but lit enough after a minute of adjustment. The machine for the parking fee is on the end by the entrance and I found the price quite reasonable. Now exit at the far inside of the lot and presto you are right at the entrance to the Japanese Gardens. The beautiful coy pond is loaded with huge fish! The walk around is so pleasant and it just seems so cool and peaceful as one stroll. Bring a great friend for some wonderful chats, or come alone and let it be reflective and meditative. What ever you choose. This place is so clean, peaceful, well maintained and lovely, I want to come again and again and again ….

WE come here nearly every weekend. The landscape is amazing and we love looking at the fish and relaxing. And it is totally free!! Best deal around--check it out!

Located in Central Park in San Mateo, you are transported to the peaceful beauty and tranquility of a Japanese Garden, as if you were in Japan.

The grounds are immaculate and the bonsai trees, bushes, trees and koi pond make this a beautiful setting. You can take a very short walk through the garden, crossing over wood bridges, where you will see the koi fish swimming right underneath you.

Some of the koi are decades old & there are also special feeding times.

The visit can be as short or as long as you wish. It's a great place to unwind and feel the beauty of nature. Even a short 10 or 15 minute visit provides a moment of relaxation in an otherwise hectic world.

(I have had to tell kids to quit throwing rocks on occasion, (parents were totally clueless), but most are respectful.)

We have taken several beautiful pictures of the grounds & the colorful koi. I first started visiting this place in the 1980's and now, over 30 years later, it remains a truly beautiful & special place.

americans and their time invested into japan as a nominal profit school children respects government

My mother brought me here to look at the pond with the hundreds of koi fish and I have been blessed to take my own hold to see these same fish swimming for decades in the same beautiful garden. Who knew that koi can live longer than humans! Take about heirloom gardens of living things. Next door to a nursery and beautiful Asian center where they tai chi at 7am everyday and play baseball in the evenings. But for me the Japanese garden is just as beautiful if not better than the Japanese tea garden in the golden gate. I'm biased because I live walking distance and can go play tennis or get Starbucks or fly a kite all without looking for parking. Lucky San Mateo!

Placed in the middle of the San Mateo Central Park, time seems to pause in this place. This garden relaxes you as you walk in the gates. It seems to invite you to STROLL, not briskly walk around its environs, and by doing so, your whole body just slows down and you start becoming delighted by the surroundings. I once spent a whole hour just sitting on the bench in the little hut near the gate, just people watching, enjoying the serenity... completely forgot the time, and had to be kicked out when they closed at 4pm!

First, the garden is inside the central park. The map on tripadvisor seems wrong. It got the spirit of east asian garden -- twisted and packed. It is a little too small, that I finished it in 10min.

Took our 6 yr old granddaughter here. She loved the koi, bridges and Japanese lanterns. Park is very small, so exlpoed it all, including lingering at several spots, in just 30 minutes. Parking is available for 50 cents an hour under the tennis courts that is accessed from 5th Ave.

This is a nice little walk through garden if you are in the area. Children seem to enjoy the bridge and seeing the fish. It's well kept and adjacent to a large park behind the small building; rest rooms are available during the day outside the building.

Inside the Central Park. Very well kept. Zen, peaceful & quite an amazing find. Nice for date, clear your mind, stroll 🚶🏻‍♀️ or just enjoy the koi pond, trees 🌳 & peace.

It always seems busy and hectic once the day begins. To step aside and quietly feel the inner sense of being, a simple quiet, better yet, silent stroll through the Japanese Gardens in San Mateo or San Francisco can be such a transporting time.

I enjoy the tranquility of this pocket garden in San Mateo. The plants are mature and very well tended. Fellow visitors honor the quiet rules, much appreciated.

Beautiful and quiet. Very well maintained. Visited with my young teenage Grandson and we both enjoyed the beauty.

Who would've thought of visiting a Japanese garden in downtown San Mateo, in the mist of Central Park on 5th Avenue. But this little gem, seldom visited by outside visitors, is tranquil, authentic and just as welcoming as the Japanese garden in Golden Gate Park. It is also intimate and not overwhelming.The coi fish are mature and very hungry. During spring you can also catch a duck mom escorting her newly hatched ducklings across the paths. Charming!

Many people don't know this little hidden treasure in San Mateo. It is inside of San Mateo's mini "Central Park". It was designed by landscape architect, Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo, and features a granite pagoda, tea house, koi pond and bamboo grove. The Koi fish in the pond are HUGE. The garden is beautiful all year around, especially during the spring when flowering trees are blooming.

I went with my parents, and my 3 year old and we had a pleasant time at the garden. My 3 year old enjoyed crossing the bridges over the water features, and spotting the fish. I went on a weekday during the morning and it was pretty quiet. Not as spectacular as the San Francisco Japanese Gardens, but it is free.

when in doubt, go and have a picnic and you decide! See what you think .... not to mention the WWII fallen heroes memorial, quite a story.

We went to the very nice San Mateo Japanese Gardens which is in Central Park. We parked in the underground parking garage for the park ($1.00 for 2 hours so reasonable price given its location downtown).

We enjoyed going to the gardens. Its fairly level so makes for easy walking, There are nice ponds with koi fish. Its peaceful to see the water falls. There is a Japanese tea house. Throughtout the garden there are various Japanese statues.

The garden area is carefully maintained by the hard working gardening staff.

There is a Shenden shrine from the sister city of San Mateo, Toyonaka, Japan.

Its a popular Japanese Garden and is free to visit. Given the number of Japanese Gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have rated it very good, however not excellent as there are other superb and a couple of better Japanese Gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This is the gem of San Mateo, hidden in the back of Central Park. It is maintained better than any other public Japanese garden in the Bay Area with many key garden elements: artistically structured trees, bamboo railings, small attractive bridges, koi, a tea house and more.
Too bad its hours are 10 AM to 4 PM. I have very often seen people disappointed, arriving at the gates shortly after 4 PM.

This is a hidden gem in very peaceful and well manitained community; you do not want to miss it if at all possible!!

Lovely and free Japanese Tea Garden. Although much smaller than the one in San Francisco, it is free and great to walk through, read the history, and view large koi fish. Quiet and beautiful.

What we loved most about our visit here is the serenity that it imparts. It is relaxing and spiritual, a beautiful escape.

a quite small garden that was very well done. It is a free place with plenty of parking in the area. We were meandering around about 45 minutes at that was enough.

It's pretty small, but worth a stop if your in the area. A large pond, tons of koi and plenty of opportunities for beautiful pictures. Entrance is free and there is lots of parking in the area.

I have gone many times to look and walk around Very close to my home The gardens are well kept and look so nice

This free garden is a serene spot admist the sound of running water. Nice for a walking meditation. Interesting Japanese shrines from San mateo's sister city in Japan. The Central Park arboretum and rose garden are near by.

Great place to grab lunch, sit in the garden and watch the koi fish. Great for families and romantic strolls

This place is so magical and beautiful. my first time going to the Japanese gardens was not planed, but once I set foot I realized that I was in paradise. The flowers are so colorful, bright and beautiful. The greenery and the pop of color makes it visually gorgeous. i wish my back yard looked as beautiful. Pure heaven!

In California, anybody (and I do mean anybody) can be licensed for a day to perform a wedding. Several years ago, some friends of my daughter asked me todo exactly that.

So, after they got the necessary permit, I performed the ceremony. I've been asked to do it on several occasions, and each time it has come off well. This is a suitable place to do it.

This is a great spot to unwind and relax in downtown San Mateo. It's located inside Central Park. It's a serene and tranquil location that features a fish pond with Asian inspired decor and foliage.

This garden is about the size of a city block, I would say. The plants are mature and varied and well, tended. The pond is large and crescent-shaped, with very large, colorful koi and two bridges. There is a tea house and another, more rustic shelter.

My four year old son loves this garden's winding paths, waterfall and stream, and bridges. He clambers around and watches the fish, plays hide and seek, and puts flowers in Buddha's lap. It is also a favorite place for wedding photos.

Overall, it is a delightful, authentic Japanese garden.

The Japanese Garden is located in San Mateo Central Park and is a peaceful getaway. It is fairly small but has some lovely features like a granite pagoda, tea house, koi pond, bridge, and bamboo grove. You can catch koi feedings at
11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the spring and summer. During November through February fish are not fed during public hours. The garden was designed by Nagao Sakurai, a landscape architect of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo. If you are in the area visit the garden during spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Japanese Garden.

this is a beautiful place to see. It is right in town, and it's within walking distance if you're in downtown San Mateo and feel up to going for a walk. beautiful plants and flowers

I go to the Japanese garden in Central Park, San Mateo to take in the view, do some walking exercise and meditate.

This has always been my go-to area if I need to have quiet time and space. Lovely garden with koi pond. I especially like coming for fall colors. Well maintained and wheel-chair accessible. Highly recommend.

Someone knew how to create a true Japanese garden. This is one of the best I've seen. A sense of serenity and peace envelopes you the minute you step through the gate.

This is my local park and we never tire of the Japanese Garden. Come around 11am so you can feed the coi. Always have to remind my husband to let the other kids have a chance. Lots of little side trails and items to look at. The place is not huge but much to see here and it's free.

This is a tranquil spot-an authentic Japanese garden replete with wooden bridges over streams, small meditation house, and more. I feel safe here. Best to visit when there are a few people.

Lovely place to be taken away to another world for a few quiet moments. Easy to find in Central Park San Mateo.

Smaller garden than others, but it has a lot to see and because it is smaller, I found it to be more calming and peaceful. I admire all the time taken by the gardeners to keep the trees and plants in perfect condition.

Nice garden inside San Mateo's Central Park. Visited on a weekday, no crowds at all. Very quiet and peaceful, well kept. The only thing we didn't see was a public fish feeding, which they don't do during the winter.

this place is like a dreamscape, bring your camera and take lots of pictures. it is next to a public park with soft ball fields, tennis courts, too. The hours are strange, so check first on the internet. a great little treasure.

This is a very beautiful garden with a wonderful layout and walking paths. Great place to people watch or meditate. Gorgeous Koi in a very pretty pond area. No charge to get in and occasionally they have the tea house open.

Such a beautiful spot in the middle of Central Park, downtown San Mateo. It is kept imaculate all year long, and in the spring the blossoms are breathtaking. The perfect place to take a calming stroll.

Nice small and quite garden very well taken care of. A nice place to meditate and usually not crowded

This small Japanese garden remains a wonderful oasis in San Mateo's downtown area.
The volunteers maintain the trees & bushes beautifully. I always enjoy strolling through the garden when I am in Central Park (the Japanese Garden is located in the park) or on the south side of downtown San Mateo. The garden gets crowded at times because it is small. If in downtown, stop in the Japanese garden for sure and also check out the Rose Garden during blooming season, but don't make a special trip just to see the Japanese Garden

I have gone there there quite often over the years, and it never gets old. It doesn't take long to walk the way through the garden. Its also free to get in and great for children.

If in San Mateo and have to to relax and unwind in a beautiful setting, this is a park to see. Small, but beautifully designed and a lovely place to sit quietly.

In the midst of a bustling suburbia there is a quiet a peaceful respite in the middle of San Mateo Central Park. With its nicely manicured bonsai and peaceful koi pond it's a great place to come and meditate. Free of charge!

A perfect spot to take kids or a leisurely stroll. I have been bringing my daughter here since she was a tiny thing and still 8 years later she loves it there. Its very peaceful yet fun for kids to look over the bridge at the coi fish. The water has been a bit murky and the fish seem to reside in one spot. A great place to go but do not expect hours of entertainment. This is a 20 minute visit at best.

Small Japanese garden that is a pleasant stop if you are in
Central Park. The garden is well maintained and is in the
typical Japanese style with a pond, tea house and well
maintained plants and trees.

I've lived in San Mateo for many years; the city has consistently done an incredible job of providing great service & amenities for residents and visitors. The Japanese Garden in Central Park - and in fact all of Central Park - are a delight and tribute to the city's staff and management. The Garden is small but full of beautiful specimens of Japanese horticulture. Its a real oasis for a quiet stroll, although I managed to breach the quiet a number of times while my children were toddlers and regularly fell into the koi pond . . . but it is still charming and wonderul and I so appreciate the dedication of the city, its workers and volunteers for maintaining such a beautiful spot.

Nice little Japanese garden. Great for strolling any time, any day of the week. This garden is in the Central Park of San Mateo which also has a fantastic swing area for kids.

Lovely place to stroll or meditate. Quiet and calming Japanese Garden with interesting historical notes on structures therein.

expected so much but there is nothing. It was a small size part that you find everywhere. The best thing here is fishes.

When visiting Central Park you need to time it to be sure the Japanese Tea Garden is open. It’s worth the time coordination to see this miniature jewel. There is a great deal of dedication and finesse that goes into maintaining the garden and the keepers are quite proud of their efforts.

It’s magical watching little ones watch the koi swim as well as traverse the numerous miniature bridges and pathways with relative carefree freedom.

It’s a wonderful photo op site- of the garden itself and of loved ones. The backdrop is spectacular, even if the cherry blossoms don’t happen to be blooming.

Traditional Japanese tea services used to be enacted there, though I have honestly not been present for one in the last few years.

If you’re in San Mateo it is worth visiting this treasure- and it’s FREE!

Our visitors are always surprised to find such a beautiful garden in downtown San Mateo. Wonderful setting for photos.

We rented out the garden for our intimate wedding ceremony and it was perfect! This was the closest I've seen to East Coast foliage since moving to the West Coast. The garden is maintained well and kept clean. Everyone who has seen the photos have commented on how beautiful the colors were.

What a great place to visit in the morning or late afternoon. The gardens are in pristine condition and the surroundings are extremely clean. There's a walkway that takes you through the garden that allows for some personal quiet time. Although I enjoy it mostly in the morning or late afternoon, I I do go there at lunch times often.

I absolutely LOVED this place, it is so beautiful and serene :) Although I could sit and visit for hours, anytime during the year, it may be best to go in the Spring.

This place is so peaceful. We walked through the tea garden then the rose garden. I saw a lot of people with children as well so it looked like that would be fun too.

San Mateo has a lot of Japanese heritage, they have lived there since 1906 and have important ties to the area. Just blocks away are fab Raman restaurants and Sushi places. Maybe 30!

This is a small japanese garden but it feels refreshing though. Walking in the garden is nice and when i visited (december 2018), it was not crowded. The tributes to japanese culture help understand what is so special about maintaining a good garden

It's a lovely little garden in the heart of San Mateo. It tends to get crowded, and it closes earlier than the rest of Central Park. But overall, it's worth a stroll.

A hidden treasure in San Mateo park. It is one of the reasons I loved living in San Mateo for 10 years.

This is a very well-maintained and truly beautiful Japanese garden. It is hidden in Central Park, San Mateo.

Well worth a visit if you are in the area as a tourist.

As a local, this is a great place to meditate or just have some quiet times.

Please keep The Garden and adjoining rec center there.
We need preservation.
SIP should reward all properties with value.
We appreciate the heritage.

If you are staing in San Mateo, particularly if you are froma colder climate, this place is peaceful and green

Decently maintained Japanese garden with fish (I think koi) available. It is not on the scale of Golden Gate park's Japanese Tea Garden, but still pretty good.

a great serene spot in downtown San Mateo, you can step and and just relax, forgetting all your cares and worries, watch the Koi and chill out

The japanese garden is located within the San Mateo Central Park. There is a beautiful pond in the middle of the garden with fishes and ducks. It is surrounded by paved pathways. There is also a small japanese tea hut ( I actually thought they would serve Japanese tea there, but I was little disappointed )... They have little beautiful wooden bridges over the small streams of water. If you feel the need to relax your mind and body, this is the perfect place to feel yourself.

Once you enter and walk awhile looking at all the fabulous flowers and other landscape. You feel as though you are no longer in the City of San Mateo. Truly a Japanese experience. The whole City Park atmosphere is relaxing.

This garden is much smaller than I remember it as a kid, but I took my little kids there and they liked seeing the ducks and the ponds. We spent maybe 15 minutes there before we went to the park. It's a quiet serene place, so if you want to enjoy your tea or coffee, this would be a good place to sit.

Want a slice of peace and quiet? The Japanese Garden is the place to go. One recent day I visited during a soft rainfall-it was magic. The rain drops hitting the surface of the koi pond created a magical atmosphere that only I witnessed-I was the only one present on that rainy day. Visit during the spring and you will be rewarded with blooms and new shoots from the many Japanese maple trees.

The name originall conotes a busy and somewhat commercial location like the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Japanese Teas Garden. But this oasis is different. It is smaller, quieter, and somehow more relaxing. You will see people of all ages walking slowly, enjoying the grounds, the foliage, and the atmosphere. When you want a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, come here to soak in the surroundings.

This Japanese Garden has it all - religious pagodas, viewing structures, koi fish, walking bridges, lush greenery and flowing waters. My pulse went WAY down when I walked into this place. I got easy metered street parking (bring quarters as the meters only take coins) for three hours of bliss. The park is open midday and is totally free. People were meditating, lounging and strolling the garden. For little kids it's ideal because it's not too big and is easy to navigate- there's even a stroller parking area so you can really walk the small garden. A true gem in Central Park.

A great place to sit and chill near the restos, shops and offices in San Mateo. Families with young children walking around enjoying the sun.

Nice quiet place to relax away form the noise of the busy streets of downtown. I also have taken some gorgeous photos of my children here. The Japanese landscape makes for unique photo backdrops.

Link on trip advisor is wrong. Look up the location yourself with Google Maps. The garden is located inside Central Park. Laurel avenue and E 5th is best location.

Garden is nice. Hidden gem. I never knew it was there.

A lovely, restful place to visit within a great park adjacent to San Mateo's downtown. Beautiful landscape and many koi fish to observe in the pond. I live nearby & visit often.

This serene, Asian oasis is an obligatory stop off if you happen to visit San Mateo.
Right in the heart of downtown, you can duck in to meditate and enjoy the soothing
aesthetics of a well-landscaped, authentic Japanese garden! The main Rose Garden
in Central Park is right nearby, another lovely place to take a rest. Keep in mind that
the hours are limited in the Japanese Garden but Central Park is always open. If you
are traveling with children, you might call ahead to schedule your visit during feeding
time at the koi pond.

This garden is a joy for everyone from little children, to quinceañera photographers to people in wheelchairs. In addition to its collection of manicured specimen plants and trees, it offers well-designed sight-lines, little moon bridges, a koi pond, an occasionally-opened tea house, and other little Japanese touches like rope fence lashing, and a rock tree weight to shape a branch. Sometimes you will see a heron or turtles.

Quiet, peaceful, relaxing place to visit and take photos. You can spend 15 min. or 2 hrs. Good place to watch the feeding of the Koi. Kids love it.

It is hard to believe you can find this place within a park. Just from the look outside on the busy streets filled with many eateries, one can't imagine that you can get a glimpse of such serene peacefulness within the area. It's so beautifully kept with the waterfall and bonsai trees around.

It's a good Japanese garden, but just not 'very good'. Nice to walk around, but lacking many of the beatiful aspects of a 'real' Japanese garden. There was an interesting public meeting place just outside, full of south east Asian ex-pats when I visited.

This little garden is a pretty place to stroll through. Don't go out of your way to get there, but if you're in the area looking for a nice walk it's very nice.

Very enjoyable, even when the weather is not quite perfect; a real joy to experience a nature environment.

It is located in San Mateo's Central Park. I tended to frequent it on weekdays. It has all the characteristic of a typical Japanese Garden. It is a lovely place to find some peace and quiet in the heart of town.

Beautifully maintained gardens & magnificent koi. Very peaceful place in Central Park when not overrun with baby strollers, as paths & bridges are quite narrow. Weekdays are quietest. Winding paths allow various viewpoints. This is well worth the visit.

Local favorite. Got married here and love strolling through regularly. Hours are little short and they close on some holidays, but that make sense as (I think) there is just one gardener taking care of it.

If you have small kids, I can't think of a better place to go if you need to spend a few hours. I brought my toddlers here all the time to see the Koi fish swim around and to cruise around the pathways. After spending time here, we had lunch on the grass and went to the main park to play on the play structures. A no brainer for dad's who need an easy way to fill the day

This is a charming but small Japanese Garden is the focal point of lovely San Mateo city park. Worth a visit if you are in the park, but hard to get to since it closes at 4:00 pm. Also, not pet friendly- so if you are waling your pups (which I do every day in the San Mateo city park), then plan to look longingly through the gate.

This is a great place to meditate...and appreciate a Japanese oasis ... right in the middle of San Mateo!!! You and your family can enjoy the tranquility of the area while watching the beautiful koi fish swim around the pond that winds around and through this "park within a park". A definite "must see" when you are in San Mateo.

One of the best locations to take wedding, graduation, or just family photos. It’s so beautiful and well maintained here. Plenty of parking. Check out this place

Love this garden. So pretty. So well kept. Very clean. Very calming. I went here with some relatives and they loved it

This is in the middle of town and next to the city park. The park is small but with the flowering trees and small stream its a very peaceful setting.

Indeed a solemn place to have your wedding! My sister got married here last April 2016. I'm always here at the Japanese Garden for my daily dose of tranquility and last April first time I saw it as a wedding venue! It was so perfect for my sister wedding! It was was a very intimate feeling for my family and guest!

The Japanese Garden may be small, but it's beautiful. I marveled how in March, everything was in full bloom and the koi were out in full force. There are some benches to relax, and the entire place is just really peaceful... Free admission too!

The Japanese Tea Garden is part of the larger park owned and maintained by the city. We enjoy visiting this garden at different times of the year. There is always something to see with the seasonal changes. It is quite small, has paved walkways, is accessible, and easily explored in about an hour. Afterwards, one can explore the rest of the main park which has a beautiful rose garden and some sculptures.

The gardens are nice and peaceful even though they are near roads and pollution. It is calm and relaxing there. It is so beautiful. Must enjoy a quiet evening here

It is a pretty and unique Japanese Garden right in downtown San Mateo, easy to get to and very enjoyable to hang out there.

This garden is special. San Mateo's Japanese cultural influence is experienced no where better than the beautiful Japanese Garden. The plant and fish pond are expertly maintained. Japanese maples, azaleas, camellias are some of the stars of the garden. Best months to visit are April through June. Check website for times when fish are fed.

I was new to area and happened upon these gardens while investigating the park. It was a very relaxing walk, with beutiful maintained garden. no fee for entry and i thought it was just as nice as a garden as the one in the city.

Good place to take some nice pictures. This place is very small. You will cover the full place in less than 5 minutes. There is ample parking for Central Park.

A very beautiful petit Japanese garden in the northeast corner of the Central Park with a pond . Has a small walk way with a wooden bridge n a nice tea house adorns it. The pond is full of colourful fishes n the garden of course has a variety of beautiful flowers. For the roses u need to visit the rose garden which is about a 100 meters from the Japanese garden.

This small and beautiful garden is situated in the downtown area. You would drive through shops and residential buildings first. It's hidden behind Central Park. You have to walk about a block before you see the entrance. Admission is free but you you would have to go there during their short hours of operation. It's better to go there during the weekdays so you won't have to fight for the area's limited parking. Be prepared to bring some coins for their parking meters. Once you're in, you see a pond of large goldfishes, a gazebo, a pagoda, a shinden (shrine), a Buddhist statue and lots of well kept landscape. No pets or food. Understandably, it's not a picnic park. Otherwise, the park would not be as clean as it was.

The garden is serene and quiet, a lovely place to walk or meditate. I have gone there many times to watercolor or watch the brilliantly colored coi.

Since we have been in San Francisco's Japanese Garden and in Portland's Japanese Garden, we decided to visit San Mateo's Japanese Garden. It is MUCH smaller than the other two gardens, but STILL worth a visit.

This is a great place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of master gardeners. It's an intimate space, but will make you feel as if you're in Japan. Go when they feed the koi they're amazing.

This garden is lovely, but it isn’t particularly extensive compared to many others I’ve visited. They do not allow food or drink, but the park in which they’re set does. If you’re in San Mateo, it’s wellworth a visit.

Small beautiful place, my bf and l enjoyed this little garden alot, is quiet and definetly leave you with a sence of pece.

I have been going to this park for 25 yrs. I spent alot of time pushing my kids in strolers thru here. it is an awesome place.if you love nature this is a must visit.

I grew up coming here and now love to take my own children. I never tire of the stone paths, coi fish, the teahouse. The gorgeous plants and flowers and of course the arched bridge.

Very well kept right in San Mateo's Central Park. Only reason I didn't give it a full 5 star rating was that there are paths which are not really paths on the sides that should have been blocked off.

When I visited, there were people there taking wedding pictures; that's how beautiful it was! Trees were well trimmed, flowers well kept, and koi feed nice and fat.

Great place for a bit of meditation or a Wedding, I'm lucky enough to be able to walk there from home,

This is a good place to visit if you are in the area. There is fish in the pond and plenty of shade if you are there during the summer

The Japanese garden is the perfect place to relax and quiet gardens away from the stress of modern day life. The Garden is a nice place to meet old friends and have a chat

This is a small, modest Japanese Garden. There is metered on street parking and a parking structure. Easily found, located on El Camino at Fifth Street within San Mateo's Central Park. Central Park has other attractions including a playground, picnic grove, a small green house/arboretum, Rose garden and more. If you like to stroll, budget two hours - more if you want to sit and enjoy.

The Japanese Garden, again is modest in size, but well done and well tended. The azaleas were ending their bloom, but the camellias and rhododendrons were providing color. A circular path takes you around the perimeter and a koi pond is in the center. Several paths break off and meander, separated by hillocks and vegetation. A bridge crosses over the pond. There is a pagoda, an "overlook" (high ground but plantings prevent a true Panoramic). Koi are plentiful and fed at 11:00 and 3:00. A variety of birds also call this place home. Relatively quiet, there is a Park and Recreation (?) building adjacent that had restroom facilities and a senior center.

We visited on a Thursday and found it moderately busy. Quiet enough to truly enjoy the beauty of this facility.

If you really like gardens, make an effort to come. If you enjoy gardens, stop by when you are in the area. If you are blasé, maybe you will enjoy a special trip out here. We will not return JUST for the garden, but will return when we are in the area.

This small Japanese garden is a wonderful place to wander through and soak in the beautifully laid out landscapes. Trees, plants, water, fish, fountain, rocks, statues, and pagoda all combine for a lovely stroll and a relaxing atmosphere. I have visited several times and have not found the garden crowded. Note: you can not bring food into the gardens--but some there are some lovely quiet places outside in Central Park to eat a lunch.

It was a hot afternoon (by San Mateo standards) so we stopped into this sweet Japanese Garden to cool off. We enjoyed watching photographers take photos of two different wedding parties. A perfect backdrop for them to capture the beauty of their special day.

Find your way here for a quick walk and visit. It is small and quaint with a calm lovely feeling. Fun for little kids to visit and walk about the bridges. Perfect pic-nic day at the park.

What a beautiful garden! Full of roses and trees! There's a big fountain right in the middle and it's surrounded by bushes with flowers. People just come there to lie down and relax in the shade of the trees.

We stumbled on this beautiful Japanese garden and were so delighted. It's right off of El Camino Real yet you don't hear any of the traffic noise, and yet it's close to downtown. There is no admission so you can take a stroll anytime (I believe) from 9-4pm. It's the perfect spot for reflection, look at the koi fish, or admire the plantings.

This is a beautiful garden in the middle of San Mateo's Central Park. Seems like a weird place for a Japanese garden, but it's really nice.

It is nicely done, wish it was a bit bigger and could stay open a little longer. Closes at 4,so can't enjoy much since it's very hot during those hours and also kids are at school. There are lots of cat-fish there which kids love to watch.not much seating since it is very small.

This is a small Japanese style garden located in San Mateo's Central Park. It takes perhaps 15 minutes to walk through the garden, but you can spend more time decompressing while watching the koi in the ponds or sitting in a pavilion just watching the world unfold. It's quick, it's attractive, it's normally not noisy and in our experience always clean and in good order. It is right next to San Mateo's thriving and busy downtown area.

It's a beautiful garden even in a drizzley day. The Zen garden was fine even though the children were screaming.

It's a beautiful park, and a nice place to take photos. My daughter's high school graduation picture was taken there!

We live in San Mateo and have made trips to the Japanese Garden part of our regular ritual for visiting its downtown. It's a lovely garden, with several interesting vantages. We find it best it just opens in the morning and it's not too crowded. As such gardens go, it is modest in size.
Small children find it delightful. The tiny stream, the bridge and the canopied paths are right-sized for well-supervised toddlers.

It has lovely history, and it's deeply appreciated by locals and tourists. Again, the garden is not large nor does it have an operating tea house, but it is well-designed and quite charming.