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Big Builds, Bold Bites & Bright Lights
Development updates in San Mateo, new wellness business, and great restaurants to try!
Greg Kemper
August 14, 2025
Hey neighbors,
Welcome to this week’s San Mateo Scoop! We’re serving up development updates, new foodie finds, and local businesses worth checking out.
We also have a stacked lineup of local events around the area for the weekend. Dive in and let’s make the most of the weekend around the Peninsula together!
In this week’s edition:
🦆 Foster City finalizes a geese management plan
🍔 Maverick Jacks, Sichuan Cuisine, Bakeries, and more
🎃 New pumpkin delivery business just in time for fall
📆 Concerts, movies, classes, and more!
Harvest and Holly: Your Local Pumpkin Concierge
Luxury holiday porch decor, styled and installed by a local Peninsula mom.
Turn your house into the envy of the block with heirloom pumpkins and specialty gourds in the fall, then with custom holiday lights in the winter. Delivered and professionally styled at your door, completely hassle-free.
🎃 Custom packages: Curated pumpkin packages of 30 to 130+ pumpkins!
🎃 White-glove service: Setup & design now, post-Thanksgiving pickup later
🎃 Local & convenient: Serving Daly City → San Jose, delivered by our local team!
Delivery windows book up fast—reserve your package with Harvest & Holly today!
🦆 Foster City finalizes a geese management plan
Foster City has finalized a nonlethal geese management plan after residents raised concerns over previous plans two years ago. The city accepted a contract with Wildlife Innovations for up to $428,000 for the first year of the pilot program, which would see them utilize dog hazing, lasers and drones as part of plan options to drive out the Canada goose.
The geese, which are more than just a nuisance to some residents, have decreased water quality in the lagoon, causing algae blooms, and introduced other health risks like E. coli. To read more about which parks are targeted and what other tools are utilized, click here.
🏗️ Formal Application Submitted for E. 3rd Avenue Apartment Building
A formal application has been submitted for an eight-story apartment complex at 668 E. 3rd Avenue in San Mateo. The project, led by Prometheus Real Estate Group, would add more than 100 units to the city.
The 84-foot structure would include 128 apartments, more than 110,000 sq. ft of housing, a two-level parking garage for 73 cars and 150 bicycles, and would include low-income housing. Read more here.
🚦Changes to San Carlos Intersection Sought to Improve Safety
San Carlos Planning and Transportation Commission proposed safety enhancements for the Highway 101/Holly Street interchange, aiming to implement within the next two years. This plan includes separated bike paths on Holly Street and installing flashing beacons at the on- and off-ramps.
These short-term enhancements would be made while long-term works are in-progress and are estimated to cost between $3-4 million, but would avoid a lengthy permitting process. City officials expect the project could move forward within 3 months if approved at the end of August. Alternative plans could take twice as long, cost nearly double, and would require further evaluation and permitting. Read more here.
🍔 Maverick Jack’s Coyote Point Pop-Up
From August through October, Coyote Point will be home to Maverick Jack’s Pop-Up restaurant. The pop-up location will serve drinks, burgers, sliders, hot dogs, and fries every Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm. San Mateo County Parks partnered with Mavericks Jacks at the request of visitors, who wanted on-site food without leaving the park. Read more here or check out Maverick Jack’s main menu.
beem Light Sauna Offers Light Therapy, Saunas, and More
300 S Ellsworth Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401
Beem Light Sauna just recently opened, offering red-light therapy, infrared sauna, and advanced light therapy are wonderful for metabolic boost, stress reduction, detoxification, pain relief and muscle recovery as well as skin rejuvenation. They design wellness offerings around your needs and goals.
In honor of their opening, beem® San Mateo's local owners are happy to offer a complimentary first-time experience to Scoop readers! You've probably heard of the benefits of red light and infrared therapies - now go experience it! Click here to learn more or call to schedule today: (650) 227-9400.
Click here to feature your business to our 10,000+ readers next week!
Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine opened in San Mateo on August 1. The globally-celebrated restaurant brand, specializing in bold, authentic Sichuan flavors is known for its attention to detail, including the exact second fish should cook to crafting perfect pickled greens. At the heart of the menu is their signature house-fermented sauerkraut, made using a traditional 23-day clay jar fermentation process. Learn more here. |
Atlas Bakery recently opened in San Mateo, offering a comfortable and casual environment to enjoy good food. They offer artisan coffee, fresh-baked goods, and a diverse breakfast and lunch menu which includes oatmeal bowls, specialty toasts, and hearty sandwiches. Check out their full menu here. |
Donato Enoteca has reopened following a month-long renovation aimed at refreshing both its space and menu. The restaurant has welcomed Chef Marco Bertoldo, who brings experience from prestigious European kitchens, including a three-Michelin-starred Ristorante Le Calandre. The updated menu focuses on Venetian-inspired small plates (cicchetti), unique pasta dishes, and a standout padellino-style pizza. Read more here. |
🎶 Central Park Music Series | Central Park | San Mateo | 8/14 | More
Live music fills the summer air in downtown San Mateo’s Central Park.
📚 Burlingame Library End of Summer Open House | Burlingame Public Library | Burlingame | 8/14 | More
Celebrate summer reading with activities, entertainment, and more.
🎵 Music in the Park Concert Series | Burton Park | San Carlos | 8/15 | More
Enjoy live music under the stars at San Carlos’s summer concert series.
🎬 Movie in the Park | Washington Park | Burlingame | 8/15 | More
Bring a blanket for a fun, family-friendly outdoor movie night.
🎢 Foster City Summer Days | Leo J. Ryan Park | Foster City | 8/15–8/17 | More
A weekend of rides, food, and fun on the Foster City waterfront.
💃 Mercy & The Heartbeats Summer Concert | Leo J. Ryan Park | Foster City | 8/15 | More
Dance along to high-energy hits performed live on the waterfront.
🍞 Summer Fruits & Cream Bread Making Class | Devil's Canyon Brewing Company | San Carlos | 8/15 | More
Learn to bake delicious seasonal bread with a creamy twist.
🎨 Burlingame on the Ave | Downtown Burlingame | Burlingame | 8/16–8/17 | More
A lively street fair with art, music, food, and entertainment.
🍜 West Coast Asian Foodie Festival | San Mateo County Event Center | San Mateo | 8/16–8/17 | More
Taste your way through Asian street food favorites and unique flavors.
🛍️ Love Local Summer Festival | Hillsdale Shopping Center | San Mateo | 8/16 | More
Shop local vendors, enjoy live music, and soak in summer vibes.
🐶 Central Bark | Central Park | San Mateo | 8/17 | More
A fun-filled day for dogs and their humans with activities and vendors.
🌌 Starlab Planetarium | Hiller Aviation Museum | San Carlos | 8/17 | More
Explore the night sky inside an immersive, portable planetarium.
How'd you like today's issue of San Mateo Scoop? |