Major city · United States
Foster City
Skip as a base unless you have a reason to be here: it is a residential lagoon suburb with no downtown. One night for a corporate stay, or a half-day for the lagoon walk.
Foster City is a planned residential suburb on San Francisco Bay's Peninsula, built around a lagoon system and known for corporate offices (Gilead, Visa, Sony) rather than sights. There is no downtown and no rail station; buses and the Highway 92/101 junctions are how you arrive. Travellers use it as a quieter, cheaper bed between San Francisco and San Jose, or for the lagoon-side walk and July 4 fireworks. Most people see it in half a day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (rain), though winter is mild
- Airports
- SFO · OAK · SJC
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Foster City911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Foster City Police (non-emergency)650-286-3300
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Foster City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe by US city standards; the real issues are car break-ins in shopping-centre lots, fast traffic on Hillsdale and CA-92…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 650-286-3300 Foster City Police (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSFO San Francisco International (About 15–25 min by car via US-101; no direct rail link to Foster City).
- Getting aroundNo train station: SAMTrans buses and AC Transit express routes from Hayward and Union City BART serve the city…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner main$18–32
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or burrito$12–18
- BeerDraft beer at a bar$8–12
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SFO San Francisco International (About 15–25 min by car via US-101; no direct rail link to Foster City) · OAK Oakland International (About 35–55 min by car; cross the bay via the San Mateo–Hayward Bridge (CA-92)) · SJC Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (About 30–50 min by car via US-101 south)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Foster City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No train station: SAMTrans buses and AC Transit express routes from Hayward and Union City BART serve the city, plus a shuttle from Hillsdale Caltrain in San Mateo (service has been cut back — check current times). By car, CA-92 exits at Foster City Blvd and Edgewater/Mariner's Island; US-101 connects via Hillsdale Blvd. Inside the city, walk or bike the lagoon paths; a car or rideshare is needed for anything beyond the centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40–70 min
Drive CA-92 west to US-101 north, or bus to Hillsdale Caltrain then train to the city
Caltrain from Hillsdale is the stress-free option; driving means bridge traffic and parking costs.
Door to door: About 25–55 min
CA-92 west over the hill
Coast road; go early on weekends or the two-lane highway backs up.
Door to door: About 10–20 min
Drive or SAMTrans bus north on Hillsdale Blvd
Nearest real downtown for dinner and shops.
Door to door: About 20–35 min
US-101 north, or bus to Hillsdale Caltrain then one stop north
Better restaurant strip on Burlingame Avenue.
Door to door: About 20–30 min
US-101 south to Willow Rd
Mostly offices and a small downtown; combine with Stanford if you go.
Door to door: About 20–30 min
US-101 south
Courthouse Square has the best evening food and drink south of San Mateo.
Door to door: About 15–25 min
US-101 north
Useful mainly for the BART/Caltrain interchange and airport hotels.
Door to door: About 20–30 min
US-101 north to Sierra Point Pkwy
Small industrial-residential city with little for a visitor.
Door to door: About 20–30 min
US-101 north
Biotech offices and the airport; not a sightseeing stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Shell Blvd / Hillsdale area
Mid-range corporate hotels, walkable to Leo J. Ryan Park and the Marketplace shopping centre.
Chess Dr (north of CA-92)
A small cluster with the Crowne Plaza and the Clubhouse Bistro; car needed for everything.
Edgewater Blvd
Lagoon-view restaurants and offices; a few hotels nearby, quieter at night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$190 | US$190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$160 | US$320 |
| Rideshare SFO → Foster City, one way1 × US$35 · check | US$35 |
| SAMTrans single ride2 × US$3 · check | US$5 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$58 |
| Trip total≈ US$319 per person per day, bed included | US$638 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Deli sandwich or burrito | $12–18 |
| Sit-down dinner main | $18–32 |
| Draft beer at a bar | $8–12 |
| Rideshare across towncheck | $12–20 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No downtown and few late-night options: plan dinner before 21:00 or drive to San Mateo.No downtown and few late-night options: plan dinner before 9:00 PM or drive to San Mateo.
- Buses are infrequent in the evening and on weekends — check the last departure before you rely on one.
- Lagoon paths are shared with cyclists; keep right and watch driveways.
- Summer fog and afternoon wind off the bay can make the waterfront cold even when inland is warm.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Foster City Police (non-emergency)
- 650-286-3300
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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Foster CityFoster City
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Foster City Police (non-emergency)650-286-3300
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates-general are in San Francisco (about 30–45 min north).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare SFO → Foster City: about $30–45, 15–25 min (check)
- SAMTrans single ride: about $2.50, exact change or Clipper card (check)
- Hillsdale Caltrain → San Francisco: about $7–9 one way, 30–40 min (check)
Say or show
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- To this address, please — To this address, please
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Foster City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (rain), though winter is mild · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 9 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SFO: rideshare and taxi bands field-checked, last SAMTrans and shuttle times, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Leo J. Ryan Park and the lagoon, the Marketplace, Edgewater.
- Place pages with verified hours (Leo J. Ryan Park, lagoon paths, cityFEST) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bridge and fog fixtures so CA-92 crossings and waterfront plans can go green or be rerouted.
Sources
- officialCity of Foster City — official site
- officialSAMTrans
- officialCaltrain
- secondaryWikivoyage: Foster City, revision 4809348 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Foster City
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