Peninsula Moves!

By Annie Loewen, Communications Intern

Summer is in full swing – the days are long, the weather is hot and everyone on your Instagram feed is on vacation. But you don’t need to travel outside of the Peninsula to have a good time. Check out this list of fun local summer activities accessible via public transportation. Oh and by the way – most of them are FREE!

1. Watch a movie outside

Ditch your solo Netflix sesh for a movie night under the stars, enjoying the latest box office hits, as well as classic favorites with your friends and family in cities up and down the Peninsula.

• Millbrae Free Outdoor Movie and Free Popcorn: Free movies and popcorn along with food trucks and games every third Friday of the month at Millbrae Central Park at 6 p.m. Take Caltrain to the Millbrae Station or SamTrans’ ECR. 
• Redwood City’s Movies on the Square: Movies every Thursday at 8:45 p.m. through August 29 at the Courthouse Square, easily accessible by Caltrain from the Redwood City Station along with the ECR & 274.
• Menlo Park’s 2019 Movie Under the Stars: Menlo Park’s movie night series is offered on Friday, July 26, at the Onetta Harris Community Center and then will continue at Burgess Park every Friday until September 20 at 8:30 p.m. Take Caltrain or SamTrans’ ECR to the Menlo Park Station or the SamTrans 296 to get you near the park. 
• Mountain View’s Summer Outdoor Movie Night: Movies at Sylvan Park every Friday at 8:30 pm (or when dark) until August 16 – all of them are kid friendly! Take Caltrain to the Mountain View Station to get you within a mile of the park. 

   2.      Go to a Farmers Market

Nothing says summer like fresh fruit and vegetables. Stroll around the food and vendor stalls provided by our local and agricultural businesses. 

• Burlingame Farmers Market: Every Sunday on Park Road from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and every Thursday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Take Caltrain to the Burlingame Station or the SamTrans ECR or 292. 
• The Farmers Market at Bay Meadows: Every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 3060 S. Delaware Street in San Mateo. Take Caltrain or the SamTrans ECR to the Hillsdale Station or the 292.
• The San Mateo Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the College of San Mateo’s campus. Take the SamTrans 250 route.
• 25th Avenue Farmers Market: Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at 194 W. 25th Avenue. Take Caltrain or the ECR to the Hillsdale Station or take the SamTrans 250 or 295 to get you near the Market. 
• Foster City Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 1010 Metro Center Blvd. Take Caltrain or the ECR to the Hillsdale Station and take the SamTrans 251 or 256. 
• Coastside Farmers Markets: 
  • Half Moon Bay’s Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Shoreline Station. Take the SamTrans 17 or 294. 
  • Pacifica’s Farmers Market: Every Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Rockaway Beach. Take the SamTrans 110, 112, or 118 to get there.  
• Belmont: Every Sunday morning from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Caltrain parking lot. Take Caltrain or SamTrans ECR to the Belmont Station.
• San Carlos: Every Sunday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. near the intersection of Laurel and Cherry Streets. Take Caltrain or the ECR to the San Carlos Station.
• Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. through November on the 500 block of Arguello just outside of the Caltrain parking lot. Take Caltrain or the SamTrans ECR or the 270 to the Redwood City Transit Center. 
• Palo Alto Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Gilman Street and Hamilton Avenue. Take Caltrain or SamTrans’ ECR to the Palo Alto Station.
• Mountain View: Every Sunday morning from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Take Caltrain to the Mountain View Station and go to the Caltrain parking lot. 

3. Sing and dance at a free “Concert in the Park”

Get your groove on with family, friends and neighbors as you listen to some talented local musicians all over the Peninsula. This will give you the chance to hear some free live music and finally BUSt out those dance moves you’ve been secretly practicing.

• Menlo Park’s Summer Concert Series: Concerts will be held at Fremont Park on Wednesdays until August 7 and then switch to Tuesday nights at Kelly Park until August 27. All events start at 6:30 p.m. Take Caltrain or the ECR to the Menlo Park Station.
• San Mateo’s Central Park Music Series: Thursdays from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. until August 15 in Central Park. Take Caltrain or the ECR to the San Mateo Station or take the SamTrans 250 or 295. 
• Redwood City’s Music on the Square: Friday nights 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. through August 30 at the Courthouse Square. Take Caltrain to the Redwood City Station or the ECR or the SamTrans 274.
• Foster City’s Summer Concert Series: Fridays from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. until August 16 at Leo Ryan Park. Take Caltrain or the ECR to the Hillsdale Station or the SamTrans 251 or 256.
• San Bruno’s Summer Concerts at the Rotary Pavilion: Concerts start every Friday on August 2 until September 27 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion. Take SamTrans’ ECR to El Camino Real/Santa Dominga Avenue.   

4. Go to the beach 

If you live in California and you haven’t visited the beach yet, then it’s not officially summer.  Catch some rays and waves at local beaches as you soak in the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. 

• Half Moon Bay: Go to the Half Moon Bay State Beaches or Poplar Beach to lounge in the sand or partake in various water activities. Take the SamTrans 17 or 294.
• Pacifica: Visit places like Linda Mar Beach and Rockaway Beach. Take the SamTrans 17, 110, 112, 118 or SamTrans OnDemand.

5. Take a hike! 

Escape the fast-paced cities, construction, and traffic of the Silicon Valley and get some fresh air as you hike around the Peninsula and see some of the gorgeous sites that our home has to offer. 

• California Coastal Trail: Hike the San Mateo County section of the California Coastal Trail in Pacifica. Take 17 for southern Coastside residents, otherwise take the SamTrans 110, 112, or 118 and connect to the SamTrans 17. 
• Sawyer Camp Trail: Hike, bike, run, or ride a horse on the Crystal Springs Segment outside of San Bruno. Take the SamTrans 295. 
• Sweeney Ridge Trail: Explore some hilly trails between San Bruno and Pacifica. Take the SamTrans 140 to get near the trail. 
• Sugarloaf Hill: Embark on a moderate two mile hike near San Mateo. Take the SamTrans 294 to get near the hill.
• Pillar Point Bluff: Take the SamTrans 17 to have views of Half Moon Bay Harbor and see the Mavericks. 

You can also check out our calendar of events under the “Events” tab at the top of the page. The list is being constantly updated, so check back for community events, concerts, sports, music festivals, and more. 

Happy summer!