A group of people with backpacks standing in a field - youth group history adventures

Self-guided · County in California

Youth Group History Adventures in San Mateo County, CA

History hunts for youth groups, where teams race to find nearby markers and earn badges along the way.

San Mateo County is one of 58 counties in California. Groups in San Mateo County, CA that meet every month are always looking for an outing worth the drive. Local history is the one that never runs out.

A group of people walking down a dirt road - youth group history adventures — Photo: ASTRONAUD23 ㅤ on Unsplash

A group of kids sitting in a hammock in the woods - youth group history adventures — Photo: Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash

Group of friends hiking on a grassy mountain trail - youth group history adventures — Photo: Timur Shakerzianov on Unsplash

On the record near San Mateo County, CA

The 12 nearest

469 listed historic sites on the record within 30 miles of San Mateo County, CA. 53 listed sites carry San Mateo County as their county.

De Sabla, Eugene J., Jr., Teahouse and Tea Gardenunder a mile from the center of San Mateo County · District · San Mateo · listed 1992National Register of Historic Places
Coxhead, Ernest, Houseunder a mile from the center of San Mateo County · Building · San Mateo · listed 2000National Register of Historic Places
US Post Main Office--San Mateounder a mile from the center of San Mateo County · Building · San Mateo · listed 1988National Register of Historic Places
Vollers, Amelia, Houseunder a mile from the center of San Mateo County · Building · San Mateo · listed 2015National Register of Historic Places
National Bank of San Mateounder a mile from the center of San Mateo County · Building · San Mateo · listed 1997National Register of Historic Places
Hofmann, Arthur and Mona, House1.0 miles from the center of San Mateo County · Building · Hillsborough · listed 1991National Register of Historic Places
Burlingame Railroad Station1.1 miles from the center of San Mateo County · Building · Burlingame · listed 1978National Register of Historic Places
Yamanouchi, Yoshiko, House1.5 miles from the center of San Mateo County · District · San Mateo · listed 2023National Register of Historic Places
Hotel St. Matthew1.5 miles from the center of San Mateo County · Building · San Mateo · listed 1998National Register of Historic Places
Newhall Estate1.5 miles from the center of San Mateo County · Building · Hillsborough · listed 2007National Register of Historic Places
Carolands, The1.8 miles from the center of San Mateo County · Building · Hillsborough · listed 1975National Register of Historic Places
Whifler, William A., House2.6 miles from the center of San Mateo County · Building · Burlingame · listed 2016National Register of Historic Places

Distances are straight-line from the center of San Mateo County, CA. Many sites are private property or working buildings - view them from the public way. See them on the map.

Youth Group Adventures in San Mateo County, step by step

1
Set the area and the list of markers to find
2
Split into teams or go solo, with the map open
3
Find each marker and answer one question from its story
4
Photograph the marker to prove the find
5
Count the badges and pick a harder hunt for next time

What people in San Mateo County, CA ask first

How much does it cost to visit these sites in San Mateo County, CA?

Most listed sites can be seen from a public road or sidewalk at no cost, and the app is free to use. Some sites are private homes, working churches or museums with their own hours and fees. The record for each one says what it is, so you know before you go.

Where does the information on these sites come from?

From published records: the National Register of Historic Places, the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark program, and the Georgia Historical Society and Georgia Department of Natural Resources marker program. Every site on the page names its source.

Can our group in San Mateo County, CA build its own route?

Yes. Pick the listed sites that fit your theme, add your own notes for each stop, and share the route with members or the public.

Do members need to download anything?

The map runs in a phone browser, so members can open a link and go. The app keeps track of badges for anyone who signs in.

How a visit works in San Mateo County

Step 1
Find the place
Every stop starts as a pin with real coordinates. In San Mateo County, CA the map shows what is listed around you and how far each one is, so the first decision is where to go, and it takes a few seconds.
Step 2
Read the story
The record behind each marker is kept whole: what happened there, when, who was involved, and why it was worth a sign. You read it standing where it happened, which is the part a textbook cannot give you.
Step 3
Get there under your own power
Walk it, run it, hike it, ride it or drive it. Stops in San Mateo County, CA are chained into routes that fit the way you move, so a lunch break, a long run or a Saturday drive can all pass through history.
Step 4
Collect it and come back
Each stop you reach counts toward a badge, and a photo or a correction you send makes the record better for the next person. The map remembers where you have been, so the next trip starts where the last one ended.