Fountains, palms trees, restored historic buildings, and new restaurants, shops, and apartment buildings. In case you haven't heard, there's a renaissance going on in Downtown Redwood City.
Over the last decade the city has brought major public and private investment into Downtown Redwood City, including new public buildings, housing, entertainment venues, transit facilities, and street improvements.
This week, explore Downtown Redwood City, which is quickly becoming known as the entertainment hub of the San Francisco Peninsula. Almost every evening there is some major public event in Downtown Redwood City, from Friday night concerts to dancing and movies.
In addition, a major retail and cinema complex has opened, the historic Courthouse has been restored, and a beautiful plaza has been completed. Indeed, Downtown Redwood City is thriving with a lively and active arts and cultural scene that includes the San Mateo County History Museum, Courthouse, Events on Courthouse Square, Century Theatre, and historic Fox Theatre.
The new beautiful Theatre Way, with its retail shops and restaurants complete with outdoor dining, is also great place to eat, drink, shop, stroll, and meet up with friends and family. Restaurants are aplenty and include a cross section of cuisines from cafes and creperies, sandwich shops, Italian, pizzerias, and taquerias to Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Persian. The Old Spaghetti Factory will open this fall.
Dramatic new light columns illuminate Theatre Way at night and the historic Fox Theatre provides the perfect backdrop to music, theater, art and dancing events on the Courthouse Square.
Spending an afternoon and evening here is easy. If you are arriving by car, Downtown Redwood City offers plenty of convenient and affordable parking options. There are numerous parking structures, lots, and on-street spaces as well as a County Garage with free parking on Middlefield Street. Plus, Redwood City’s Caltrain station is just a short walk from Downtown.
Start your visit by taking a self-guided walking tour of Redwood City’s historic structures and points of interest. The Path of History is anchored by a historic information kiosk and commemorative sculpture at the corner of Broadway and Main Street with a brochure, leading visitors throughout the many historic resources downtown.
Next grab a bit to eat at an outdoor restaurant on a European-style streetscape, watch a movie at Century Theatre, enjoy an ice cream cone in the plaza at Courthouse Square, featuring cascading water fountain bowls, benches, and a large, decoratively paved area at the foot of the Courthouse portico. Select fresh vegetables at the farmers market, shop, and pay a visit to the San Mateo County History Museum, exhibiting the history of the Peninsula from Native American inhabitants to today. Coastsiders will especially like the “Mavericks” exhibit with the “WaveRider,” where visitors can take a virtual ride of the famous surfing spot with its 40-foot high big waves.
Have dinner at one of the many restaurants on Broadway and Theatre Way, or picnic in the plaza and check out one of the many downtown events. The pavilions and kiosks are surrounded by comfortable tables and chairs and are outfitted with night lighting for events on warm evenings.
For a listing of Events on Courthouse Square, from jazz and salsa music concerts to watching an outdoor movie and dancing the fox trot, rhumba, salsa or tango, go to http://redwoodcitydowntown.com/Redwood-City-Downtown-Events.
