Overview
Coyote Point packs more into one county park than most families use in a full day: a sandy bay beach with calm wading water, the massive Magic Mountain Playground (a castle-and-dragon structure with 11 slides and 13 swings, one of the longest enclosed slides in California), live SFO flight approaches to watch directly overhead, and CuriOdyssey science museum and zoo as a separate paid option on-site. It's a genuine full-day destination rather than a quick stop — the combination of unstructured beach time, big playground, and optional structured museum content means every age in a multi-kid family has something to lock onto.
How to Do It
The park entrance is at 1701 Coyote Point Drive in San Mateo, just off US-101 (take the Poplar Avenue exit northbound or the Dore Avenue exit southbound, follow signs toward the bay). The entrance fee pay station is right at the gate — $6 per car, accepts credit cards and cash but does not give change. Pull through to the main parking lot near the beach and Magic Mountain. Start at the playground if you have younger kids who need to burn off energy first, then move to the beach for wading and sand play. The paved promenade that circles the point is about 2 miles and works well for running or biking with older kids. CuriOdyssey is at 1651 Coyote Point Drive — it's a short drive or walk deeper into the park from the main lot. If you're doing both the park and CuriOdyssey in the same day, go to CuriOdyssey first when kids are fresh, then wind down at the beach.
Tips & Tricks
The beach is sheltered bay water, not ocean — calm, no surf, and shallow for a long stretch. It's good for wading and playing in the sand, but the water is cold year-round and not really a swimming beach in the traditional sense. Older kids can wade out comfortably; bring water shoes for rocky sections near the water's edge.
The Magic Mountain Playground is being redesigned — the county selected a new concept through a community process in 2025, so check current status before your visit. Even if construction phases affect part of the structure, the surrounding picnic area and beach remain fully accessible. Arrive before 10am on summer weekends to claim a shaded picnic table near the playground; they go fast.
Watching planes land at SFO is one of the best free shows in the Bay Area from this park. The flight path brings planes in low directly over the point, especially in the mornings when westerly approaches are common. Set up on the eastern shore of the promenade with a clear view north for the best sightlines.
CuriOdyssey requires separate admission ($29.95 adults, $24.95 children 18 months to 17 years, free for infants under 18 months) and is open every day 10am to 5pm (last entry 4:30pm). The park vehicle entrance fee is the same whether you visit CuriOdyssey or not. If you have an AZA, ASTC, or ROAM reciprocal membership from another institution, call ahead to confirm reciprocal access — it can significantly reduce the cost.
Planning
Park vehicle entrance fee: $6 per car at the electronic gate (credit card or exact cash). No per-person admission for the park. CuriOdyssey is separate: $29.95 adults, $24.95 children 18 months-17 years, free infants. Park is open every day of the year, 8am to close (5pm December-February, 7pm March, 8pm April-August, varies in fall — check the county parks website for current seasonal hours). No reservation required for general park access. Bring sunscreen, layers (the point can be windy), water shoes for beach access, and a picnic — there are first-come, first-served tables with BBQ grills throughout. The beach section and playground are best from March through October; winter visits are possible but wind and cold limit beach time. All ages work here — this is one of the few activities on the peninsula where an infant and a 7-year-old will both be engaged simultaneously.
