On-Line Atlas of the San Francisco Bay Area

Focus: San Mateo County

Located immediately south of San Francisco, San Mateo county is a mix of sprawling urban development and natural areas. Named in 1776 by the Spanish, San Mateo county experienced its first major growth in 1863 with the coming of the railway. Refugees from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake greatly increased the county's population. The San Andreas Rift Zone, the driving force behind the area's sesmic activity, is one of the defining physical features of the Bay Area.

View looking east toward the Bay from high up in the Rift Zone

The map below shows some of the major communities and transport links in the area. The map shows that most urban development is on the bay side of the peninsula, while the ocean side is largely rural. The San Andreas Fault rift zone approximately parallels Interstate Highway 280 through the map area. Follow the links below the overview map for more information about the county and its people.

Overview: San Mateo County