Redwood City can be experienced from different perspectives: the Fox Theatre represents theater history, the San Mateo County History Museum is housed in a historic courthouse, and the Port of Redwood City offers public access to the water. These topics offer different ways to plan your trip—from architecture and local history to waterfront paths and a playground designed to be inclusive.
Islands and Water Access
Bair Island consists of Inner Island, Middle Island, and Outer Island, covering a total of about 3,000 acres. The Bair Island Ecological Reserve is a separate area: about 2,000 acres of Middle Island and Outer Island are part of this protected area. The figures therefore refer to different areas—once to the combined area of the three islands, and once to the area of Middle and Outer Island that is part of the reserve.
At the Port of Redwood City, there is more than a mile of public access to the water, with paths, viewpoints, and waterfront parks. This is a different focus from the information about Bair Island: here, the focus is on access to the water and the named areas along the waterfront. The port also has a public boat launch with access to San Francisco Bay. If you plan to use it, check the operating conditions before your trip.
Theater History and Architecture
The Fox Theatre opened to the public on January 2, 1929, as The New Sequoia Theater, under Ellis John Arkursh, for film screenings. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. Its architecture also has several clearly defined aspects: the interior is Moorish in style, while the exterior is Gothic. The Reid Brothers of San Francisco executed the architectural details.
The Fox Theatre is a live entertainment venue in downtown Redwood City and is also available for rental. This brings together the building’s former use for film screenings and its present-day function as a live entertainment venue. This is a specific distinction to consider when weighing your interests: the venue began as a movie theater, while its described current function includes events and rentals.
Courthouse and Local History
The San Mateo County History Museum is housed in the 1910 County Courthouse. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a stained-glass dome and a mosaic tile floor. Along with local history, certain architectural features are among the things that make the museum and its building interesting places to visit in Redwood City.
Courtroom A hosts monthly talks, presentations, and dramatic portrayals of local history. The room has been restored to its former appearance and features a restored stained-glass dome and restored furnishings. Unlike the building features described as permanent, the program is tied to specific dates. If you want to plan your visit around an event, check the current calendar beforehand.
The two cultural venues also differ in their focus: at the Fox Theatre, the emphasis is on its cinema history, architecture, and role as an entertainment venue; Courtroom A adds a monthly history program in a restored room. You can weigh whether you are more interested in theater history and architectural style or in portrayals of local history.
Another Focus: Magical Bridge Playground
Magical Bridge Playground is free for everyone and designed as a socially inclusive playground for people of all abilities. This adds a different kind of place to the mix of architecture, theater, and local history. Its inclusive design and free admission are the specific details you can use to decide how this focus fits into your trip plans.
To decide whether Redwood City is right for your stay, you can weigh the interests these places cater to: historic architecture and theater, local history, water access, or the inclusively designed playground. This lets you choose your destination before deciding on a particular order of visits; afterward, you can look for suitable hotels in Redwood City.
Discover more destinations: Millbrae, Colma, South San Francisco, Belmont, Foster City, Daly City, Menlo Park, Hillsborough
For the broader travel overview: San Mateo.
