Downtown Redwood City Homes and Neighborhood Guide

Redwood City neighborhood guide

Downtown is the center of Redwood City and of San Mateo County government. Courthouse Square fronts the 1910 county courthouse, whose glass dome lights up at night and which has housed the San Mateo County History Museum since 1999. The square hosts free Friday evening Music on the Square concerts in summer. Arches over Broadway carry the city's Climate Best by Government Test slogan, which grew out of a 1925 newspaper contest.

The Fox Theatre on Broadway opened on January 2, 1929, as the New Sequoia Theater and now hosts live shows, while a 20 screen cinema with shops and restaurants opened in 2006. Restaurants line Broadway and the streets around the square. The Downtown Library and the Redwood City Caltrain station are both a short walk from the square, so a lot of daily life here happens on foot.

REDWOOD CITY 6. Downtown 6 101 280 84 El Camino Real Caltrain San Francisco Bay N

Downtown is shaded. Borders are approximate, see the Redwood City map for the full picture.

At a glance

  • 1910 courthouse, home of the San Mateo County History Museum since 1999
  • Fox Theatre, opened in 1929, now a live event venue
  • Free summer Friday concerts on Courthouse Square
  • Redwood City Caltrain station within walking distance

Homes and Streets

Downtown housing is mostly multifamily. After the city adopted its Downtown Precise Plan in 2011, a wave of new apartment and condo buildings went up. The plan allowed up to 2,500 market rate and 375 affordable units, a capacity that has now been built. Older single family homes and small apartment buildings remain on side streets around the core, some dating to the late 1800s.

See current homes for sale in Downtown →

Parks and Open Space

Courthouse SquarePublic plaza with fountains in front of the old courthouse, home to summer concerts
Mezes ParkFull block park with tennis courts and play equipment, just north of downtown
Main Street Dog Agility ParkFenced dog agility park on Main Street

Public Schools Nearby

Hoover SchoolGrades TK-8, Redwood City School District. Nearby neighborhood school; assignment varies by address.
John F. Kennedy Middle SchoolGrades 6-8, Redwood City School District. Middle school for students from TK-5 neighborhood schools.
Sequoia High SchoolGrades 9-12, Sequoia Union High School District. Campus on Brewster Avenue, close to downtown.

School assignments follow district attendance boundaries, which can split a neighborhood and change over time. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district, for example the Redwood City School District.

Getting Around

The Redwood City Caltrain station is downtown, and El Camino Real and Highway 101 run along the edges. Broadway, Middlefield Road and Main Street are the main local streets.

Nearby Neighborhoods

CentennialMount CarmelCentralStambaugh Heller

Downtown FAQ

Where is Downtown in Redwood City?

Downtown is the center of Redwood City and of San Mateo County government. Courthouse Square fronts the 1910 county courthouse, whose glass dome lights up at night and which has housed the San Mateo County History Museum since 1999.

What are homes like in Downtown?

Downtown housing is mostly multifamily. After the city adopted its Downtown Precise Plan in 2011, a wave of new apartment and condo buildings went up.

What public schools are near Downtown?

Public schools near Downtown include Hoover School (grades TK-8), John F. Kennedy Middle School (grades 6-8) and Sequoia High School (grades 9-12). School assignments follow district attendance boundaries and can change, so confirm the school for a specific address with the Redwood City School District.

What parks are near Downtown?

Parks and open space near Downtown include Courthouse Square, Mezes Park and Main Street Dog Agility Park.

How do I get around from Downtown?

The Redwood City Caltrain station is downtown, and El Camino Real and Highway 101 run along the edges. Broadway, Middlefield Road and Main Street are the main local streets.

How can I find homes for sale in Downtown?

Browse current listings in Downtown on Joseph Suarez's site, or join his off-market list to hear about homes before they are listed publicly. Thinking of selling? Request a free home valuation for a local estimate based on recent nearby sales.

Thinking about Downtown?

Whether you are buying or selling, Joseph Suarez can walk you through recent sales, street by street pricing and what is coming up before it hits the market.

See homes for saleWhat is my home worth?Get off-market listingsContact Joseph

← Back to the Redwood City neighborhood guide  or  browse all Peninsula neighborhoods

Updated October 2026 by Joseph Suarez, Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Burlingame, DRE 02085594.

Sources: Wikipedia, Redwood City School District. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.