Bay Meadows

Get ready to enjoy a full month of activities in the Bay Meadows neighborhood and beyond. We’ve rounded up an agenda full of fall fun, from turkey tosses to tree lightings, there’s festive holiday events, ice skating, and more around San Mateo and just beyond. When you live just steps from Caltrain it’s easy to get from here to ‘there’ car-free! Get the Hillsdale Caltrain schedule here. Explore the roundup and map out your month:

Your pre- and post-feast runs are right here at Bay Meadows when you join the San Mateo run club!

November 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30, Bay Meadows Run Club with Basecamp San Mateo. Join this free fun run Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm and Saturday mornings at 8am. Meet at 3050 S. Delaware for a 2-, 3-, 4- or 6-mile loop (something for everyone) to get moving. Run, jog, or walk. Happening weekly – rain or shine. All paces and people are welcomed. Members often gather in Town Square for a Blue Bottle coffee or at Fieldwork Brewing Beer Garden after each run. Plus, there’s no fee! You heard right – membership is not required. This is a community building fun run, compliments of our neighbors at Basecamp San Mateo.

November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, College of San Mateo Farmers’ Market. Shop seasonally and fresh each Saturday from 9am to 1pm (year-round) at San Mateo’s largest farmer’s market located at 1700 West Hillsdale Boulevard. The best summer produce is joined with the first of the fall harvest. Get your stone fruit before it’s gone, and also enjoy apples, grapes, and winter squash! Seasonal Highlight: Acorn Squash.

November 1, First Friday. The San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City will be open without admission fees the first Friday of every month as part of its continuing “FREE First Fridays” program.

November 1, Fright Night in the Cellar. Prepare for a night of ghostly grooves throughout the decades and spine-chilling potions at Domenico Winery in San Carlos.

November 1-3, Fall into Science. Look for autumn-themed exhibits at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo like the Bone Zone, ghostly illusions, carnivorous plants, seasonal spins on our Wind Tube and MicroEye, and more. Throughout the science center and zoo, you’ll find pumpkin photo ops for your #fallintoscience selfies, and our always-popular hay bale adventure area offers space to clamber and climb in the Bay View Grove.

November 1-December 1, Zoppé Italian Family Circus. The Zoppe Italian Family Circus returns to Redwood City for the 17th year for spectacular two-hour performances that will enthrall the entire family.

November 3, Día de los Muertos Celebration. The San Mateo History Museum will join with Casa Círculo Cultural and the Parks and Arts Foundation to present a Día de los Muertos celebration.

November 3, Quick Introduction to Ikebana Design. From this talk and demonstration, you will get an overview of basic ikebana design principles and techniques at the San Mateo Arboretum.

November 4, First Day: Letters to Santa. This holiday season, youth can write a letter to the North Pole and get a free personalized response in return from Santa and his elves (aka Belmont Parks & Recreation Dept).

November 7, Starlight Nights. Fall and winter evenings come alive at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. Experience San Carlos Airport at night and explore the heavens above with these special evening adventures.

November 10, Japanese Whipped Cream Roll Cake. A new cake baking and making workshop with Baking Arts in San Mateo.

November 11, Veterans Day Ceremony. Join the Veterans’ Memorial at Twin Pines Park in Belmont at 10 a.m. for a special ceremony honoring all United States veterans.

November 15, Tree Lighting Celebration at Hillsdale. Welcome Santa and join in lighting the Hillsdale Shopping Center San Mateo holiday tree adjacent to Bay Meadows at 6:30pm. Let the circus of wonder and holiday cheer begin with aerial artists, music and more!

November 15, Photos with Santa at Hillsdale. Snap a photo with Santa and explore his wonderland featuring interactive displays and games beginning Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24. All photos will take place at Macy’s Center Court on the Lower Level of Hillsdale Shopping Center San Mateo.

November 16 – January 12, San Mateo on Ice. Located in Central Park, the outdoor ice rink features 11,000 square feet of REAL ice. Skaters will be able to skate in the sunshine during the day or under the stars at night. San Mateo on Ice offers daily recreational ice skating, parties, private ice time and special event bookings.

November 16, BodyRok Pilates & Brunch. Kick off your Saturday morning with a Pilates class and stay for brunch. The one-hour class is led by BodyRok at Pinstripes in San Mateo.

November 16, SnowFest 2024 at Sports Basement Redwood City. Their biggest, most exciting, and most snow-tastic event of the year is back – introducing SnowFest 2024 presented by Palisades Tahoe.

November 16-17, The Figurative Vessel with Lee Akins. Discover the art of large-scale coil building in these immersive two-day ceramics workshop at Clayroom in San Mateo, focused on exploring the relationship between vessels and the human body.

November 17 – December 11, Santa Pet Photos at Hillsdale. Bring your furry family members to visit with Santa at our neighboring Hillsdale Shopping Center, Sundays & Wednesdays from 5-7pm and get a photo in time for your holiday greetings!

November 17, Yin & Sound Healing Experience. The goal is to release deeply held tension in the muscles to access the connective tissues and rebalance the energetic body. Nandi Yoga in San Mateo.

November 17, Pupsgiving Feast. Bring your pup to Parkside Aquatic Park in San Mateo to feast on a 3-course DIY menu from Motherpuppin (leftovers box, waffle bar and a pot pie!) and be sure to order ahead from Pawpatch Bakery! PawPawrazzi  will be there to capture the moment.

November 19, Annual Holiday Boutique + Craft Fair. Join Domenico Winery in San Carlos for a fun and festive shopping experience while you sip on delicious wines. Get ready to browse unique, handcrafted items from local small businesses.

November 21, Thursday Night Lights. Mark your calendar for holiday carolers and extended shopping hours in San Carlos on selected Thursdays, (December 5, 12, 19). Enjoy live entertainment and make this holiday season unforgettable by purchasing gifts from your favorite local shops.

November 23 – Dec 24, Craft a Gingerbread House. Kathy’s Creative Kakes annual Gingerbread House decorating workshop will return to Hillsdale San Mateo Shopping Center next to Bay Meadows on Monday, November 18 through Tuesday, December 24. For just $45 per house (to include all the confections) up to 2 kids can decorate an edible holiday house. The workshop will be open daily during mall hours at Nordstrom Court’s Upper Level. Reservations are encouraged through kathyskakes.com.

November 23, Holiday Craft Faire. Browse and shop for wonderful handmade items throughout facilities in Twin Pines Park in Belmont, all while getting in the holiday spirit.

November 23, Skate Against Hate. Enjoy FREE roller skating and connect with community resource booths, all promoting uniting against hate in Redwood City. Wear something orange to show your support.

November 24, Head West Marketplace comes to San Mateo for 4th Sundays in Nov + Dec (22), popping up on South B Street in downtown San Mateo from 11am to 4pm. Shop small with ~50 local makers, merchants and crafters from 1st Ave to 3rd Ave. The 2 blocks will be full of live music and there are plenty of specialty local spots aligning the shopping area to eat and drink too!

November 24, Kids’ Carnival at Hiller Aviation Museum. Aircraft checkouts, cockpit exploration, glider and helicopter construction and more are just some of the activities available at each Kids’ Carnival in San Carlos.

November 27, Turkey Toss! The Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos will be dropping little soft, squeezable Turkeys that the kids can take home with them. There will also be a Turkey Hunt all day. Find all the Turkey’s hiding in the Museum and win a prize.

November 29, Donate to the Giving Tree at Hillsdale. Make a child’s holiday by purchasing a gift to bring to the Giving Tree Station at Hillsdale San Mateo Shopping Center. Donations for children accepted and distributed by the Samaritan House.

SAVE THE DATE Dec 7, Clayroom San Mateo’s Handmade Holiday Sale is happening right here at Bay Meadows! Support small and purchase specialty artisan pieces directly from members. Invite friends to this one-day-only holiday mixer. RSVP here. 

November/December Sessions at Clayroom. When signing up for 6-week classes, one signs up by selecting (signing up for) the 1st class. Classes 2-6 will occur on a weekly cadence during the same day of the week and time-slot. 6-week in-studio classes for pottery.

Rock the Dock Concert Series. Lounge on the Redwood City waterfront and enjoy live music, dancing, food and fun! Rock the Dock concerts run every Saturday through November 2024.

Trivia Night: Every other Monday at Hillsdale. Gather your pals every other Monday from 6-8pm for Trivia Night hosted by Sandcastle Entertainment! Fantastic food, beer and fun at The Refuge.

Bicycle Sundays. A 3.8-mile segment of Cañada Road along Crystal Springs Regional Trail is closed between the Filoli entrance and Highway 92 allowing for non-motorized activities. Check for holiday closures.

 

Experience Midurban life. Bay Meadows is a family-friendly neighborhood with lots of open space to enjoy all-year long. Whether it’s growing your own vegetables in an organic community garden, playing a game of pick-up basketball after work, team building over bocce in the beer garden, picnicking with family on warm summer nights or with a run around the park, there’s no shortage of green space to explore. Check out life out and about at Bay Meadows by following us on Instagram.