Yes, a Taco Bell. However, this may be the greatest one in the world right smack on the beach complete with a 10 million dollar view of the Pacific Ocean.

Dining is obviously cheap and down and dirty but if you are in the area and like Taco Bell food … then why not. We usually sit on the large outside beach deck together with surfers who walk up with sandy feet to order through the outside window and with our dog, Buddy. He likes the tacos too!
Taco Bell, Pacifica State Beach (aka Linda Mar Beach)

phone: (650) 355-4210
links: website, yelp

Related Links:

• Pacifica Area Map
• Half Moon Bay Trails & Beaches & Map
• Maps of best hiddenSF things to do
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This new restaurant to the neighborhood offers Scandinavian food. We’ve been a couple of times and find the food to be tasty. Service improved greatly the second time, probably due to the bad Yelp reviews.

Our recommendation is the breakfast menu which is available all day. The breakfast fare is much lighter than the lunch and dinner options and is well priced. For example, try the Danish pancakes with lingonberry jam and whipped cream for $8.95. They also advertise a “Happy Hour Dinner” everyday from 4-6 pm but you should probably call to confirm details.
Scandia Restaurant, 742 Polhemus Rd, San Mateo, CA 94402

phone: (650) 372-0888
hours: Weekdays 11-2, 4-9 pm. Sat & Sun 8-2, 4-9 pm (As of 9/12/14)
links: website, yelp.

Related Links:

• Crystal Springs Shopping Center & Map – Scandia is just across the street from this shopping center.
• San Mateo Things To Do & Map – Several more things to do nearby.
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phone: (650) 610-0200.
hours: 11 am-10 pm. To 11 pm Friday and Saturday
links: website, yelp

Related Links:

• San Mateo and Map
• Maps of best hiddenSF things to do
• Top of page or Home page

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Related Links:

• Marina Walk Page and Map
• The Presidio— & Map – description of the best things to do
• Maps of best hiddenSF things to do
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El Palenque Tacqueria … one of the most authentic around

Locals love this little authentic taqueria in San Mateo. It’s one of the best in town … both taste and price are excellent. Mainly take out so seating is limited.

On the east side of Hwy 101 via the 3rd Ave exit. See map below. While you are in the area check out the excellent coffee shop, Kingston Cafe, next door.

phone: (650) 342-4040
hours: 10 am-8:30 pm 7 days/week
links: yelp

Related Links:

• San Mateo best things to do and map
• Maps of best hiddenSF things to do
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Kingston Cafe

This hidden gem of a coffee shop has very tasty food and nice friendly service. It’s owned by a husband & wife team who have made the place way more appealing than the chains. Everything is organic and they have fresh sandwiches, soups, salads, breakfast sandwiches and a good variety of organic hot drinks (e.g. chai latte, hot chocolate) and cold drinks (e.g., cold brewed coffee). $1 cookies too. Note that they are open early (6 am) but closed Sundays (bummer).

It’s not that far off Hwy 101 (if you know how to get there … take the 3rd Ave exit as shown on the map below). Free off-street parking (big lot to the north) and wi-fi. While you are in the area check out the good little Mexican take-out place, El Palenque Taqueria, next door.
Kingston Cafe, 19 N Kingston, San Mateo, CA

phone: (650) 4377-2276
hours: Open 6 am- 5 pm but closed Sundays and after 3 pm Saturdays.
links: website, yelp

Related Links:

• San Mateo best things to do and map
• Maps of best hiddenSF things to do
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Located north of Hollister on Highway 252 at the bottom of Pacheco Pass, this large roadside attraction is the most impressive fruit stand you will ever see and a great pit stop for the kids.

It has been built up for over four generations who keep on adding buildings such as Casa de Restaurant (24 hr restaurant), Casa de Wine (wine tasting), Casa de Sweets, Casa de Carousel, Casa de Choo Choo (2-mile long narrow gauge railroad) and more. Watch for peacocks roaming the campus and several other entertaining “home made” sights.

The Hollister Renassance Faire is also held here every Saturday and Sunday for a month in the fall (10am-6pm, Sat-Sun, 9/13/14-10/12/14). This is an interesting excuse to visit but be advised that it can get quite crowded.
Casa de Fruta Roadside Attractions

Related Pages:

• Hollister Area Things To Do Page and Map
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The Nineteenth Hole, Tres Pinos. Authentic saloon and eatery since 1883.

This is a good place to pick up a brewski and tri tip sandwich on your way back from a trip to Pinnacles National Park. Weekend evenings can sometimes get busy so they suggest making a reservation for dinners after 5 pm.

19th Hole, Tres Pinos, CA

Address: 7071 Airline Hwy, Tres Pinos, CA
Phone: (831) 628-0100
Links: website, yelp

Related Pages:

• Pinnacles Page
• Hollister Area Best Things To Do Page and Map
• Morgan Hill Page and Map
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Famous Johnny’s Bar & Grill, inspiration for “The Wild Ones”

Johnny’s Bar became history on July 4th, 1947, when 3,500 motorcyclists from all over the state rode into this small town with only 5 policeman. They came to rally, race and to party … but really didn’t run nearly as amok as “The Wild One” movie exaggerates.

Johnny’s became the rally headquarters of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club, a member of which rode his motorycycle into the bar where the owner let him park it by the wall. The Boozefighters still go back every 4th of July to celebrate, to give a toast to Boozefighter Wino Willie Forkner’s ashes (which are displayed on the wall), and to soak up the history and mystic of the place.

The whole town now celebrates the historical 1946 rally with one of the biggest motorcycle drive in California every 4th of July.
Johnny’s Bar & Grill

526 San Benito St, Hollister, CA
Phone: (831) 637-3683
Hours: Breakfast & Lunch 10:30 am-3 pm, evenings
Links: website yelp

Related Pages:

• Hollister Area Things To Do Page and Map
• History of Johnny’s and the famous 1947 Motorcycle event
• Annual Fourth of July Motorcycle Rally – Johnny’s is the unoffical headquarters of this 150,000 person event
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Tacos Peralta menu

Cheap, delicious, quick Mexican food to go.  Nasty decor but the beef burritos for $4 are outstanding! Open 7 days/week from 10am-8pm Mon-Sat and 9:30am-6pm Sun (summer hours).

Close to Highway 101 but a a little tricky to get to the first time.  See map below for exact location.  From Hillsdale Blvd headed west across Hwy 101 take the first left hand turn on Saratoga Dr and then another immediate left on what is also called Hillsdale Blvd. Look for the BevMo  … the food truck will be parked along the street across from BevMo Liquors.
Tacos Peralta Food Truck

Address: 342 E Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo CA
Phone: (650) 363-2597
Hours: Open 7 days/week from 10am-8pm Mon-Sat and 9:30am-6pm Sun (summer hours)
Links: yelp

Related Pages:

• Best San Mateo County Things To Do and Map
• Best Foster City Things To Do
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