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San Mateo Japanese Garden - Entrance
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,428 Google reviews · Garden wedding venue in San Mateo, California
Spring blossoming Japanese gardens with a koi pond, pagoda & teahouse in a 16.3-acre city park.
Plan your tour
- Pets pet-friendly comes up in reviews — ask about having your dog in the ceremony
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (650) 522-7490
- Website cityofsanmateo.org — most venues book tours right on their site
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–4 PM |
The setting
“The koi pond, small waterfall, stone lanterns, and well-manicured trees give the space a serene, authentic feel — like a little slice of Japan tucked away in the city.”
“It is a lovely place and surrounded by a city park, that too is lovely, especially when the roses are in bloom!”
“We visited on a Saturday afternoon, and this small but elegant Japanese garden inside San Mateo Central Park was the perfect peaceful retreat.”
“The koi pond, small waterfall, stone lanterns, and well-manicured trees give the space a serene, authentic feel — like a little slice of Japan tucked away in the city.”
Amenities couples mention
“It is a lovely place and surrounded by a city park, that too is lovely, especially when the roses are in bloom!”
“We visited on a Saturday afternoon, and this small but elegant Japanese garden inside San Mateo Central Park was the perfect peaceful retreat.”
“The koi pond, small waterfall, stone lanterns, and well-manicured trees give the space a serene, authentic feel — like a little slice of Japan tucked away in the city.”
“At the entrance, there’s a clear sign that says no food, no drinks, and no dogs are allowed inside the garden.”
What couples say again and again
“🌸 Ambiance & Scenery: The San Mateo Japanese Garden is an absolutely beautiful and serene place.”
“Well kept grounds, clean, koi fish still plentiful and nice to look at, and still congregate under the first bridge for visitors to feed them.”
From the reviews
We love doing engagement photos at the Japanese Garden! It's perfect and our couple had so much fun. Can't wait to be back to do more engagement photos
Getting married at San Mateo Japanese Garden - Entrance
San Mateo Japanese Garden - Entrance comes up for weddings — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the tour worth it. First, see the garden at the time of day and season you'd actually get married — a garden that glows at golden hour in June can look very different at noon in March, so ask what's in bloom for your date and walk the path your guests take from parking to ceremony to reception. Second, bring your real questions: the rain plan (where does the ceremony move, and does it hold everyone?), shade and bugs for a summer afternoon, the catering and bar policy, the music curfew, and exactly what's included — tables, chairs, setup, and teardown are where quotes quietly diverge. Popular garden dates book 12–18 months out, so if the tour feels right, ask what's open in your season before you leave.
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