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

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• Pacifica Area Map
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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

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• San Mateo and Map
• Maps of best hiddenSF things to do
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• Marina Walk Page and Map
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As shown on the map below you can also access it on the west end from St James Rd. (Expand the map and make it a satellite map for more clarity). From Sheep Camp Trail on the west end you can also go down under Hwy 280 and eventually work your way over to Canada Rd.

Crystal Springs Cross Country Course, 2600 Hallmark Drive, Belmont, CA

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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

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• San Mateo best things to do and map
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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

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• San Mateo best things to do and map
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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

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• Hollister Area Things To Do Page and Map
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Combined with the museum inside and the adjacent California Historical Park & Plaza you can get a good feel for California history. See The San Andreas Fault Walk for an extensive history & geology lesson.
Old Mission at San Juan Bautista

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• Hollister Area Best Things To Do Page and Map
• Morgan Hill Page and Map
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ICB is usually closed to visitors but on Labor Day Weekend you can visit more than twenty artists at work there. Their studios are open all three days of the weekend, Sat-Mon 8/30-9/1/14, 11:00 am-6:00 pm. This is the same weekend as the Sausalito Art Fair, within walking distance of the ICB building, so we recommend art lovers take in both on the same day.

Other open studio events are also held here throughout the year.
ICB Building, 480 Gate 5 Rd, Sausalito

Links: website

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• Best Sausalito Things To Do and Map
• hiddenSF links, google, yelp
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