Lower Your Utility Bills at Bay Meadows: Smart Energy & Recycling Tips for Peninsula Living

Living at The Apartment Collection at Bay Meadows means being part of one of the San Francisco Peninsula’s most thoughtfully planned neighborhoods—where sustainability and convenience go hand in hand. Located in the heart of San Mateo, Bay Meadows was designed with walkability, green space, and environmental stewardship in mind. Residents across all five communities—Field House, Quimby, The Russell, The Morgan, and Hawthorne—can enjoy modern homes in a neighborhood built to support a balanced, eco-friendly lifestyle. With a few simple habits at home, residents can reduce energy use, lower monthly utility bills, and contribute to the broader sustainability goals that define Bay Meadows.

One of the easiest ways to cut energy costs is by making small adjustments to everyday routines. Use natural light whenever possible before turning on lights, unplug electronics when not in use, and adjust thermostats slightly during the day to conserve energy while maintaining comfort. Running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads and using cold-water settings when possible can also reduce electricity use. Avoiding the peak, high-demand hours between 4-9PM (when electricity is most expensive) is also critical for saving money. At Bay Meadows communities, thoughtfully designed residences already support efficient living—making it even easier for residents to adopt simple habits that reduce environmental impact while saving money.

Decluttering is another powerful way to live sustainably. Reuse is the new recycle. Clearing out unused items not only frees up space but also allows residents to donate and upcycle responsibly. The City of San Mateo offers a helpful list of organizations that accept donations throughout the area, while the San Mateo County Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Guide provides information about where to donate items countywide. Residents can also participate in the popular Citywide Yard Sale each July, an excellent opportunity to give gently used items a second life. For larger or harder-to-dispose items, San Mateo hosts free residential recycling events at Beresford Park (2720 Alameda de las Pulgas) on May 30 and October 10, 2026, helping residents responsibly recycle items that may not fit into standard bins. Check the City of San Mateo calendar for event announcements and dates annually.

For materials that require special handling, San Mateo County offers free year-round Household Hazardous Waste disposal by appointment on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (excluding major holiday weekends). Residents can easily schedule a drop-off appointment here. Those looking to deepen their sustainability practices can also explore programs from the San Mateo County Sustainability Department, which hosts hands-on workshops and community events throughout the year. Compost workshops teach residents how to recycle kitchen scraps and plant waste—even in apartments—while Fixit Clinics provide tools and volunteer coaches who help repair electronics, appliances, toys, and other household items rather than sending them to landfills. Together, these resources make it easier for residents of The Apartment Collection at Bay Meadows to save money, reduce waste, and support the environmentally conscious spirit that defines this award-winning San Mateo neighborhood.

A Thriving, Sustainable Design

Bay Meadows in San Mateo stands today as one of the San Francisco Peninsula’s most inspiring examples of sustainable community design. The award-winning, 83-acre transit-oriented neighborhood has transformed a former racetrack into a vibrant, walkable urban village where homes, parks, offices, and neighborhood retail come together seamlessly. Designed with the future in mind, Bay Meadows prioritizes reduced car dependency, with direct access to the Hillsdale Caltrain station, allowing residents to easily travel to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and beyond. What was once an underused stretch of land has become a dynamic place where people can live, work, gather, and connect—while treading more lightly on the environment.

The thoughtful design of Bay Meadows has earned significant recognition for its commitment to sustainability and community building. In 2024, the neighborhood received the Green Building Honorable Mention from Sustainable San Mateo County as well as a Citation Award from AIA San Mateo County, highlighting its innovative planning and environmental leadership. These accolades reflect the development’s strong sustainability metrics, which include construction materials with 37% recycled content, 100% FSC-certified wood, and design strategies that achieve 43% reduced potable water use. The newest residential building, Hawthorne, also incorporates modern cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, an emerging mass-timber technology that lowers carbon impact while enabling efficient, forward-thinking building practices.

Green space plays a central role in everyday life at Bay Meadows. The neighborhood features 18 acres of parks, trails and open space, including the 12-acre Bay Meadows Park, pocket parks throughout the community, and the beloved Persimmon Park community garden where residents grow their own produce.

California Home + Design magazine’s Michelle Konstantinovsky shares how Persimmon Park, our community garden, is informing a farm-to-table ethos at Bay Meadows.

“It may not be a day at the races, but now a day at Bay Meadows in San Mateo is so much more. The sprawling, 83-acre former horse racetrack is now home to a thriving urban village, including a community garden, high school for gifted youth, apartments, and townhomes. Thanks to some sustainably minded architects and developers, the underused piece of land is now prime real estate in one of the country’s most densely populated metro regions. Situated mid-way between San Francisco and the tech-centric South Bay, Bay Meadows has completely transformed since the 2008 racetrack closure. The star of the new site is undoubtedly Persimmon Park, the 99-bed community garden designed by CMG Landscape Architecture …Exemplifying a true “farm-to-table” ethos, gardeners grow organic veggies in the planter boxes, grill them on the barbecue, and serve them to community members on an outdoor table.”

Beyond its parks, Bay Meadows was intentionally designed for walkability and everyday convenience. Walkscore.com ranks the neighborhood highly among walkable communities on the San Francisco Peninsula, thanks to its proximity to transit, shopping, groceries, parks, and community amenities. Residents can stroll along Delaware Street, the neighborhood’s lively retail corridor, where local favorites like Blue Bottle Coffee, Fieldwork Brewing Company’s beer garden, Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar, The Breakfast Club, and Sidewalk Juice create a welcoming hub for gathering and dining. A nearby farmers’ market and the vibrant restaurants of downtown San Mateo are just minutes away, making it easy to support local businesses while reducing the need for car trips.

Today, Bay Meadows continues to evolve as a place where thoughtful design meets modern living. The blend of sustainable architecture, transit access, green infrastructure, and neighborhood retail creates a community that feels both current and timeless. Whether commuting via Caltrain, tending vegetables at Persimmon Park, or meeting friends along Delaware Street, residents experience a lifestyle shaped by sustainability and connection. To learn more about Bay Meadows’ sustainable design, neighborhood amenities, and community vision, visit baymeadows.com.

A Perfect Pairing: Enjoy Bahche Mediterranean & Fieldwork Brewing Favorites Together in the Beer Garden at Bay Meadows

An exciting new partnership between two neighborhood favorites just expanded the ways to gather, savor, and relax in San Mateo. Fieldwork Brewing San Mateo has paired with Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar, bringing their vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dishes straight to your table—no middleman, no detours, just hot food and fresh beer landing together like they were always meant to. The entire menu is available for pairings! It’s outdoor dining everyone will love — casual, dog- and kid-friendly, and designed for lingering conversations with friends and family.

The collaboration blends Bahche’s vibrant, flavorful mezze and classic coastal Mediterranean menu with Fieldwork’s ever-changing craft brew tap list and welcoming beer garden setting. Guests simply scan the QR code at a Fieldwork table, sip on their favorite pour, and have Bahche dishes delivered directly — creating a seamless dining experience in one energetic outdoor space. This pairing brings together bold flavors and refreshing brews, whether enjoying a Chloe Belgian Pale Ale with tzatziki, kalamarkakia and spanakopita or savoring a High & Fine Lager paired with the souvlaki of your choice: grilled chicken or beef tenderloin, shrimp skewers or keftedes, traditional ground lamb meatballs on a skewer. Don’t forget a Hazy Double IPA alongside baklava for dessert — making every visit feel like an occasion.

“Their bold flavors were made to hang with our hop-forward beers: juicy IPAs cutting through rich burgers, crisp lagers lifting grilled meats, and bright pale ales playing off lemon, herbs, and smoke. It’s a true table-side collaboration—Bahche fires the food, Fieldwork pours the beer, and you get the best of both worlds in one seamless experience,” says Fieldwork Brewing.

Preview your perfect pairing by visiting the Fieldwork Brewing San Mateo beer list and Bahche menu before your visit here.

The atmosphere at Fieldwork San Mateo enhances the experience even further — bocce courts invite play, fire pits provide warmth as the sun sets, and open-air seating lines the spacious beer garden. Loyal fans of the neighborhood taproom appreciate its welcoming vibe: “Perfect for an afternoon with kids and adults. The beer was phenomenal and the food was good! Two enthusiastic thumbs up!” as one visitor shared about the space.

Another fan noted Fieldwork’s outdoor area as “a great place to hang out with friends … a lovely outdoor spot for fine beers along the way.” These sentiments reflect why Fieldwork’s beer garden has quickly become a go-to local hangout — and now, with Bahche at the table, the experience is even more complete.

Whether it’s a bright weekend lunch with your dog in tow, a spontaneous midweek dinner under the lights, or cheering on your favorite teams on Fieldwork’s Jumbotron during game days, this partnership makes Bay Meadows feel like home. With Mediterranean mezze and crafted beers flowing together, Bahche and Fieldwork bring a new kind of shared moment to the neighborhood — one filled with laughter, community, and easy-going outdoor dining that captures the best of Bay Meadows life..

Bay Meadows February Agenda

February is here, and life around Bay Meadows and the Peninsula is buzzing with ways to get out and enjoy the season. This month is full of community gatherings, family-friendly fun, cultural celebrations, live music, fitness, and creative experiences—all just a short walk or train ride away.

When you live just steps from Caltrain, getting from here to there is easy—and car-free. Grab the Hillsdale Caltrain schedule and dive into our February event roundup to discover all the ways to celebrate, create, explore, and connect throughout the month ahead.

Bay Meadows Run Club with Basecamp San Mateo. Join this free fun run Wednesday evenings at 6pm 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 welcome. 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 Bay Meadows.

Sunday Downtown San Mateo Farmers Market. West Coast Farmer’s market runs year-round at 222 East 4th Avenue Sundays from 9am to 2pm in Downtown San Mateo. The farmer’s market has a curated selection of fresh fruits, veggies, and a couple of tasty food trucks to fuel your morning stroll.

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.

February 1, Master Gardener Plant Clinic in San Mateo. Join UC Master Gardeners Rich Busacker, Susan Houston and Debra Skorupka and get your hands dirty while learning how to make “soil blocks” – a method of starting seeds in cubes of compressed soil. This seed starting method eliminates the use of plastic pots and reduces the disruption of plant roots when transplanting.

February 6, First Friday Nights. On the first Friday of every month, from 5 PM until 8 PM, parents and kids celebrate together at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo. Dance to some of your favorite hits, while enjoying animal presentations and science activities.

February 6, San Mateo County History Museum FREE First Fridays. Visit the SMCHM every Friday for free First Friday events, where children enjoy special programs including crafts and storytime, and adults can join a docent-led tour of the museum.

February 7, Sweetheart Dance in Redwood City. Enjoy music, dancing, festive photo booth, crafts, and tasty refreshments. Dress up in semi-formal attire and make magical moments with your little ones.

February 8, Lunar New Year Celebration in Belmont. The City of Belmont and Belmont Library is hosting an afternoon filled with dance, music, crafts, and more! This celebration is free and open to all ages.

February 8, Bot Bowl and Flying Football Fun Fest in San Carlos. Take a turn commanding programmable robots to run plays in the Hiller Aviation’s own robotic stadium! Fly a drone through football uprights, and explore gridiron aerodynamics while folding, flicking and flying a paper football!

February 12-14, Valentine’s Day Jazz with Stella Cole at Fioli in Woodside. Let love take center stage this Valentine’s Day with an enchanting evening in the Ballroom, featuring the captivating Stella Cole. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable concert experience with your valentine—where timeless tunes and an intimate ambiance weave a spell of romance.

February 15, Financiers & Madeleines in San Mateo. Enjoy a delightful hands-on baking class where Baking Arts San Mateo invites you to explore two elegant French treats perfect for tea time and special occasions.

February 18, Sunset Trivia (at O’Neills). Unearth your team’s potential at O’Neills Irish Pub in San Mateo! This vibrant spot, perfect for continuing your evening, hosts exhilarating trivia every Wednesday at 7:15 PM.

February 20, Latin Night Dance Party (at Motion Arts Center). Enjoy weekly Latin Night Dance Party filled with Salsa, Bachata, and Cumbia music in San Mateo. Bring neighbors and get ready for an unforgettable night of dancing and fun on the dance floor.

February 27, Karaoke (at Chill Spot Rendezvous). This San Mateo cafe offers a wonderful space to relax, feel good, and community activity and events to enjoy: music, karaoke, spoken word, open mic and more.

February 28, 14th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration in Redwood City. Featuring lion dancers, martial artists, taiko drummers, other live performances, and kids arts and crafts for this vibrant celebration of the Year of the Horse.

February 28, Lunar New Year Family Day at Fioli. Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Lunar New Year with dazzling Lion Dance performances, festive games, and engaging activities hosted by local community partners in Woodside.

February/March 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 timeslot. 6-week in-studio classes for pottery.

Discount Tuesday (at Cinemark Century San Mateo 12). There’s never been a better time to turn up on a weekday, because every Tuesday at Cinemark is Discount Tuesday—cheap movie tickets are always within reach.

Bel Mateo Bowl Friday, Saturday and Sundays in San Mateo.
Karoake – Fridays from 7:30 – 11:30pm hit the mic with friends for some Karaoke.
Planet Bowling – Bowl in the dark under black lights on Fridays from 9:30 – 11:30pm and Saturdays from 8- 11:30pm.
Incredibowl – Fridays 9:30 – 11:30pm and Saturdays from 8 – 11:30pm interactive graphics elevate your bowling game with Incredibowl.
Family Pizza Night – Sundays from 5-8pm Family Pizza Nights and all you can bowl 8-10pm!
All You Can Bowl – Sundays enjoy unlimited bowling for 2 hours 8- 10pm!

Bicycle Sundays. From 9am – 3pm, 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 including jogging, bicycling, hiking, roller-skating, and walking. Cañada Road between Edgewood Road to the Filoli entrance will remain open to vehicles. 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.

The Russell Puts Home and Play at Front and Center

For those searching for a home that balances everyday ease with an energetic vibe, The Russell at Bay Meadows stands out as a natural fit on the San Francisco Peninsula. Centrally located in San Mateo, adjacent to Hillsdale Shopping Center, this transit-oriented, mid-urban community places residents just steps from dozens of cafes, restaurants and retailers, parks, and miles of walking and biking trails. Hillsdale Caltrain blends into the neighborhood for seamless commuting to both San Francisco and San Jose – serving as a key transit hub for residents of Bay Meadows and those that work at neighborhood employers such as Roblox.

The Russell offers the comfort of a true residential retreat paired with the energy of a thoughtfully designed neighborhood—ideal for young professionals, growing families, and those looking for a well-connected, minimal maintenance lifestyle.

The Russell’s 158 one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats are designed with both style and functionality in mind. Inside each residence, you’ll find stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, wood flooring, recessed lighting, walk-in closets, central heating and air conditioning, and an in-home washer and dryer. Many homes feature private patios, balconies, or front stoops, extending living space outdoors and creating a welcoming connection to the community beyond your front door. It’s a home that feels modern, comfortable, and easy to live in—whether you’re hosting friends or settling in after a long day.

Life at The Russell extends well beyond your apartment walls. Residents enjoy access to a heated outdoor swimming pool and spa, fire pits and a pétanque court for relaxed social gatherings, a clubroom with billiards, and a fully equipped functional fitness center. Pet lovers appreciate the pet-friendly atmosphere, complete with an on-site grooming spa, while EV parking, secure garage access, dedicated bike storage, and a bike repair workshop support an active, sustainable lifestyle. Bozzuto’s concierge-level services like “Away from Home” and package acceptance, add another layer of convenience to the resident experience at The Russell.

Perhaps what resonates most is how connected life feels at The Russell—something residents experience every day. “One of the best parts of living at The Russell is the location. Everything I need is within walking distance, from coffee shops to shopping and dining. It feels connected and accessible while still being a comfortable place to come home,” shares Victoria C.

From morning walks through winding pathways and pocket parks, and days spent planting roots in a garden plot in Persimmon Park Community Garden to evenings spent at Fieldwork Brewing’s San Mateo Beer Garden at Bay Meadows, playing bocce and dining on delicious bites from Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar or relaxing poolside, The Russell offers a lifestyle rooted in community and ease.

To see if this is the right fit for you, explore current availability and floor plans and contact the leasing team to book a personal tour today.