Matthewson Park
Rate this placeNearby: Cronan Park Vetter Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Matthewson Park is a beautiful and popular park located in San Mateo County, California.
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Summary
There are many good reasons to visit this park, including its stunning natural beauty, extensive hiking trails, and various recreational activities.
The park is home to several points of interest that visitors should see. One of the most popular is the Crystal Springs Reservoir, which offers breathtaking views of the park and the surrounding hills. Other points of interest include the Sawyer Camp Trail, which is a popular hiking and biking trail that runs through the park, and the Pulgas Water Temple, a historic landmark that was built in the early 1900s.
There are also several interesting facts about Matthewson Park that visitors should know. For example, the park is part of the larger San Francisco Public Utilities Commission watershed, which provides drinking water to the city of San Francisco. Additionally, the park was named after William Matthewson, a former San Mateo County Supervisor who was instrumental in the creation of the park.
The best time of year to visit Matthewson Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is at its most beautiful. This is also the best time to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and picnicking.
Overall, Matthewson Park is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting San Mateo County. With its stunning natural beauty, numerous recreational activities, and interesting points of interest, it is a great place to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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