Apartments for Rent in San Mateo, CA (1,753 Rentals)

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San Mateo, CA Local Guide

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San Mateo Overview

San Mateo is a warm, welcoming city with down-to-earth people from all walks of life. Easy access to big cities and beautiful vacation destinations makes San Mateo a perfect place to raise a family, start a career, or anything in between.

What is the history of San Mateo?

First discovered by Spanish explorers in 1776, San Mateo soon became a farm town to grow and support the church. It wasn't until much later, in 1889, when the Crystal Springs dam was finished, assuring clean drinking water for future residents. This allowed San Mateo to officially become a town on September 3, 1894.

How is the weather in San Mateo?

Weather in San Mateo is beautiful as you avoid both extreme cold and extreme heat. The lowest you'll generally see for a high is 56 degrees in December and January. For the summer months, you'll see low 70s for a high with cool, comfortable nights. The comforting rainy season starts in November and lasts until March.

How do I get around town?

Everything you need is easily reachable by car, but you can also ride the bus, train or rail all around Northern California. You're also only 30 minutes south of San Francisco if you need to travel by plane.

What is the San Mateo commute like?

The major freeways running through San Mateo are the 92, 101 and 280. The 101 will take you to either San Francisco or San Jose in about 30 minutes if need be. Expect to add about 15 minutes to a 30 minute commute during rush hour.

What are the local media outlets?

You'll find a full array of radio stations that you'd expect from an area of big cities. The local newspaper, the San Mateo Daily Journal, is published six days a week, and ABC7 San Mateo is the go-to news channel.

Why live in San Mateo, CA?

San Mateo is great for those who don't want to deal with the burdens of a big city, but who would also like access to the big cities when needed. 35 minutes south and you'll end up in San Jose, or head 30 minutes north to the beautiful city of San Francisco. That's not to say San Mateo doesn't have its own impressive amenities. Downtown you'll find over 200 restaurants to choose from for a night of great food and entertainment. On top of all that, the San Mateo school district is one of the best around, with parents raving about great teachers.

What San Mateo landmarks should I see?

Small town landmarks such as Leon the Giraffe Statue in Central park add a classic, humble feel to the city that show you it's not all about the glitz and glam. For some of the most beautiful views in the Bay Area, you can head over to the College of San Mateo campus where you'll find a few extra-tasty food trucks always hanging out.

What is there to do around San Mateo?

From a serene Japanese garden for peaceful sightseeing to Coyote Point Recreation Area where you can hike, mountain bike or go boating, you'll always have something fun planned. Residents will also be able to tell you that there are many fun festivals throughout the year since the weather is nice year-round.

Any annual festivals or San Mateo events to know?

Speaking of festivals, one of the most popular is Maker Faire, which is held in the middle of May and hosts all sorts of crazy activities like sculpting, dancing and drone racing. Or, you can get a taste of Hawaii through the Bay Area Aloha Festival in August where you'll find yourself gorging on Hawaiian BBQ and exotic shaved ice.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

One of the most notable places to travel in the Bay Area is Napa Valley. In less than 90 minutes you can be knocking at the door of world-class wineries, restaurants and hotels. A weekend trip to the breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe is also only about a four hour drive.

Where is the best place to move in San Mateo?

San Mateo has many great neighborhoods that are perfecting for renting. San Mateo Park, Baywood-Aragon, Shoreview, Beresford, Marina Lagoon, Sugarloaf, Baywood Park and Haywood Park are some of the top neighborhoods to rent apartments in San Mateo. Those looking to live near the water may consider Shoreview or Parkside. Those looking for access to nightlife may want to live on the northern or southern tips of San Mateo for easy access to the big cities. This would include apartments in San Mateo Park in the north and Sugarloaf in the south.

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
San Mateo, CA

Ranked #70

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
San Mateo, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore San Mateo, CA Rentals by Map

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Getting Around San Mateo, CA

Walk Score®

86 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

73 / 100

Very Bikeable

Biking is convenient for most trips

Transit Score®

42 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about San Mateo

How much are Studio apartments in San Mateo?

There are currently 179 Studio Apartments in San Mateo with rent ranges from $1,750 to $4,122 with an average price of $2,795.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom San Mateo Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in San Mateo ranges from $2,100 to $9,999 with an average monthly rent of $3,379.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in San Mateo cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in San Mateo range from $2,485 to $8,540. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $4,365.

How expensive are San Mateo Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 191 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in San Mateo on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $3,659 to $6,913 - averaging $5,348 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

decorative image for A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent article

A San Francisco Local Expert’s Guide to the Top Budget-Friendly Bay Area Neighborhoods to Rent

Written by: Shannon Hilson

If you’re anything like me, the thought of San Francisco is synonymous with concepts like creativity, character, and quirky local style.

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

Written by: Cheryl Bowman

A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Written by: Marie Brown

You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.