Find & Book Professional Filming Locations in San Mateo - 21 Unique Spaces Available

About San Mateo

San Mateo is a metropolitan center located in California’s San Mateo County. Nestled along the scenic San Francisco Peninsula, this urban center is only approximately 20 miles away from the heart of San Francisco itself.

A city of great historical significance, San Mateo was originally the home of the Ohline Indians who made the move here to enjoy its mild weather conditions and plentiful fresh water supply. In time, a railroad was constructed that connected San Francisco to San Jose together via San Mateo. With the completion of the railroad in 1863, San Mateo’s population began to increase. Today, San Mateo is well-renowned for its bustling downtown core that is chock full of interesting amenities including shops, eateries, and public parks to enjoy.

Unfortunately, San Mateo has a relatively high cost of living and is rated as 48% more costly than other urban centers in California. One of the city’s biggest drawing cards is its wonderful year-round climate. San Mateo enjoys comfortable summers and mild winters. With only 24 inches of rainfall each year as the city’s average, San Mateo is one metropolitan center that offers bountiful amounts of sunshine to those who choose to live, work, or play in this picturesque suburban region.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to do some San Mateo filming, you’ll have no problem finding a filming space here.

Filming Options in San Mateo

The search for the right place in which to do some San Mateo filming may be time-consuming. Once you have decided on the right venue, you will need to bring together a group of local experts to help you get your space organized and outfitted so filming can begin. There are many supply companies, rental businesses, and designers that can help you get the job done in no time.

• Audio-Visual Equipment Rentals
  Thinking it’s time to add a few new pieces of equipment before making the move to your San Mateo filming locale? Are funds fairly limited right now? If so, we’ve got good news for you. San Mateo has many AV equipment rental companies that offer an excellent selection of the latest gear for the film industry. Available for affordable prices and on adjustable rental terms, you can gain access to everything you are looking for at a price that won’t break the bank with one of San Mateo’s top rental companies on the job.
  
  
• Security
  It is always a good idea to have some type of expert security company to design a protection plan to keep your property safe at your San Mateo filming locale. There are many excellent security firms from which you can choose in San Mateo. Whether your needs include on-site guards, cameras, or outdoor patrols, the right security team can help.
  
  
• Catering
  To maintain an efficient production schedule, why not hire a catering company to provide a buffet of snacks, meals, and beverages to keep your cast and crew well fed at your San Mateo filming locale? From tea and coffee service to four-course plated meals, there are many San Mateo catering firms that can ensure you’ve got all that you need to maintain optimal energy levels during your film shoot.

Filming Companies in San Mateo

Now that you’ve settled on the perfect spot for filming in San Mateo, the next item on your chore list is getting the place ready for production to begin. Feeling overwhelmed by all that still remains to be done? Thankfully, you don’t have to tackle this project all on your own. There are a plethora of experts in the filming field in San Mateo you can hire to lend a hand.

• Megahertz
  Megahertz is a top-notch AV equipment rental company serving San Mateo, Santa Clara, Fremont, and the surrounding areas. Stocking an excellent selection of the latest audio-visual equipment for rent or short-term lease, you’ll have no difficulty finding the items you need and for a price you can afford with Megahertz on the job.
  
  
• Securitas
  One of the most highly recommended security firms in the country, Securitas proudly provides its top-tier protection plans to ensure the safety of its residential and commercial customers in San Mateo and the surrounding area. The staff at Securitas are highly trained professionals with experience in military and police work, providing them with a well-rounded skill set when it comes to comprehensive security strategies to keep your property safe and secure at all times.
  
  
• San Mateo Catering Company
  San Mateo Catering Company, one of the most popular catering firms in the region, specializes in high-end cuisine suitable for events of any size, scope, or style. Offering an excellent selection of menu items, the team at San Mateo Catering Company proudly handcrafts their dishes from the freshest ingredients to ensure the ultimate in flavor.

Pros and Cons of Filming in San Mateo

San Mateo is a scenic city with many attractions to draw visitors to its shores each year. Still, even with all this urban center has going for it, there are positives and drawbacks to choosing to do some filming in San Mateo.

Advantages

• Attractive lifestyle
  San Mateo was featured on the list of the Top 100 Places to Live in the Nation in Livability. Magazine’s 2018 edition. The city earned its ranking as #29 on the list because of its strong and stable economy and excellent location.
  
  
• Consistently beautiful climate
  If moderate year-round weather is your preference, San Mateo is one city that can deliver. Winters are very mild here with summer temps quite comfortable.
  
  
• Lots to do in the great outdoors
  If you love nothing more than spending time in the great outdoors, San Mateo just might be your idea of paradise. Among the most popular outdoor attractions here are Central Park, the Japanese Gardens, and Coyote Point.

Disadvantages

• Expensive cost of living
  Unfortunately, life in San Mateo is quite costly. Its cost-of-living expenses are rated as quite high.
  
  
• Very crowded
  The population density is quite high in San Mateo. It is a popular place to live, work, and play due to its close proximity to San Francisco.
  
  
• Lots of traffic
  Unfortunately, San Mateo is affected by the typical Bay Area traffic. Its roads are fairly congested at all hours of the day and night.

Famous Locations in San Mateo

• Japanese Garden
  For true lovers of nature, a trip to the Japanese Garden is not to be missed. Situated on 16 acres of property in Central Park, you will be treated to an incredible display of beauty that includes cherry and bonsai trees, koi ponds, waterfalls, and a stunning granite pagoda. Be sure to bring your camera because your phone will not give you the depth and vibrant colors here.
  
  
• Sawyer Camp Trail
  Sawyer Camp Trail is a hiking trail that measures six miles in total length. A path considered to be moderate in intensity, Sawyer Camp Trail has some challenging terrain but rewards those who tackle it with some of the most beautiful views in the state. Along the way, you will climb the rocky hills and tramp through the thickly wooded forests to see some of the most nature-filled spots in the city.
  
  
• Old Downtown San Mateo
  San Mateo’s downtown core has an elegant charm that is all its own. This popular area is chock full of interesting shops, quaint eateries, and even many beautiful historic buildings that are well worth exploring. Take the time off from filming to check out this area of downtown that all the locals rave about.