1. What is the weather like?
Sunshine and mild temperatures. Average annual temperature is a pleasant 68F/20C degrees (summer highs rarely over 78F/25C degrees and winter lows in the mid 50F/10C). Average rainfall is approximately 20in/50.8cm per year, occurring primarily from December to March.
2. What and when is Mavericks?
Mavericks, a yearly phenomenon anticipated by the best and most intrepid surfers around the globe, is a world-renowned 60-foot wave surf spot located off Pillar Point on the San Mateo County coast. This natural event is regarded by many to be the most challenging in the world, prompting the annual Mavericks surfing contest, considered the “Super Bowl of Surfing.” The Mavericks Surf Contest is held yearly between November and March. When perfect conditions are met, the two dozen surfers are called in with just 24hours notice to compete.
3. Where can I go wine tasting in the area?
San Mateo County boasts a variety of wineries and wine tasting rooms all within an hour’s drive. If you wish to go wine tasting, you simply cannot miss Barterra Winery, Domenico Winery, La Honda Winery, La Nebbia Winery, Woodside Vineyards/AutoVino and Thomas Fogarty Winery.
4. What is there to do on the Stanford campus?
Visitors to the Stanford Campus are more than welcome to explore the Stanford Campus on their own or to partake in one of the guided tours. The hour long walking tours that depart from the Stanford Visitor Center are held every day at 11:00am and 3:15pm, and are free to the public. The walking tour covers central campus and includes the Main Quad, Memorial Church, Science & Engineering Quad and the White Plaza. Golf cart tours are also available at a cost of $5.00 per person. This tour covers the same areas as the walking tour in addition to the Red Barn, the Cantor Arts Center and athletic facilities (reservations must be made online 2 weeks in advance at http://www.stanford.edu/dept/visitorinfo/tours/golf_cart.html 
). Another site to see on campus is the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts. The center is home to one of the largest collections of Rodin bronzes in the world outside of Paris, free to the public and open 5 days a week. (For hours, please see museum.stanfoard.edu).
5. What is Filoli Center?
A National Historic Landmark located 30 miles south of San Francisco on the eastern slope of the Coast Range, the 654-acre Filoli estate contains as its central portion a historic house and 16 acres of formal gardens. Occupied from 1917-1936 as a private residence. Filoli was then donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975. Filoli was featured in the television show Dynasty, and has been used in numerous movies and television shows. Today visitors may tour the gardens or partake in one of the tours described below.
Guided House & Garden Tours are available, by reservation, during the open season. This is a two-hour docent-led tour through both the house and gardens.
Nature Hikes are available, by reservation, on Saturdays at 10:00 am. The hike covers roughly three miles of trails and takes approximately 2 1/2 hours. Nature docents describe wildlife, plants, endangered species, and the historical background of the area. Visitors must hike with a docent.
Orchard Tours are available on selected days throughout the open season. Tour the unique heirloom orchard and learn about the tradition of the gentleman’s orchard and how Filoli is conserving not only the rare fruits, but also this defining landscape feature of the country estate. Filoli’s Holiday Traditions A unique holiday shopping boutique is not to be missed! (Nov. to Dec.)
6. Where can I go whale watching?
Whale watching is available on the Pacific Ocean departing from Pillar Point Harbor just north of Half Moon Bay. A variety of companies offer the chance to partake in ocean adventures including Half Moon Bay Coastside Tours. In addition, whale watching is also possible while kayaking on the ocean with California Canoe & Kayak and Half Moon Bay Kayak.
7. What items do you sell at the California Welcome Center San Mateo?
We sell tickets to local attractions including Go San Francisco Card, CityPASS, Aquarium of the Bay, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Blue & Gold Fleet, and Red and White Fleet. We also have some souvenir items available for purchase.
