San Mateo Event Center Reviews

Excellent venue for large events like Maker Faire. Easy to get around and lots of parking available.

Attended Maker's Faire. Had a great time. Entrance fee was rather outrageous, however! Not affordable for the typical family.

Was going to attend Maker Faire until I scoured the internet to find out that San Mateo County gouge for parking on top of already overpriced event tickets. It's notably a detail missing from all the event info as well as from the event center website. Very deceptive and with no alternative free parking in this den of civil enforcement, and I'll be boycotting this one thank you very much. My orders from the SO were to find a fine restaurant and then my day out would have been authorized - so I save on two fronts and $an mateo and their local businesses lose twice since downtown also has no free parking till after 6pm. $an mateo appears to be just a visitor unfriendly as san francisco with it's 24/7/365 parking meters - I'd have to blowout a tire or pop a kidney stone before I'd stop in either place.

Great ol' fashioned fair experience (rip-off games included). Visit the wheel, it has a nice view

Been here for several events over the years. Not generally too crowded but they do handle crowds pretty well and parking is not too much of an issue.

We have been at the center at least once a year due to volleyball tourneys and each year it pleasent. This year we have ran into heavy heavy rain during out short time. The center though wuiet cold does have ample room and courts. The snack bar unfortunately did not stay open past i want to say 2pm but they do have a Starbucks inside the facilities. Parking is $12.00. Bathrooms could be kept better and attending more frequently. The center is easy to navigate to. Unfortunately they do not allow food indoor to make it easy for traveling teams.

County fair: ride operator was annoying because their ticket reading system was down and kept people from riding the rides. Entrance fee is expensive and you don't get anything in return.

This is an older facility but it is very nice and very accommodating to our girls tournament

It's probably the most reasonable place to hold any event.

Attended the Maker Faire. Cellular service needs work - it can't keep up with the demand of 150,000 attendees.

Well, it's the fairgrounds. What more can I say? I've been coming here for the San Mateo County Fair since I was a kid, and it never changes.

Overall the venue is just ok. Pluses lots of space and buildings for vendors and groups to show their wares and offerings. The weather is usually mild. Bring a jacket and sunscreen just in case. Can access the venue via mass transit Deltas. The venue lacks on-site parking. Off site parking makes the venue difficult to use for the disabled. If you have a choice I would go elsewhere to hold an event.

I was impressed how many different booths and entertainment a fairgoer could get into like the piglet races, animal feeding the ultimate was feeding the butterflies with a cue tip. I had a lot of fun.

Great venue, lots of space. Attend the Bay Area Aloha Festival at this venue.

I was at this location for volleyball tournament and for the reasons that we were there it was great for the space.

Bead shows, quilt shows, harvest festivals....great venue. Plenty of parking..

Good assortment of fair rides for all levels of riders (those who love the crazy upside down and spinny stuff and those who don't). The food is...interesting... but all fair food is. The deep fried chocolate cookie dough was mind blowing!

Excellent time at the Maker Faire. Easy to get to by train as well

Parking lot is being replaced. Not a lot of places to sit down.

Parking here cost $20 so besides whatever the event fee is, be prepared for parking fee. The center is large enough to host large events. the room that was set aside for the speaker I want to hear had horrible acoustics and a horrible sound system and I could only understand 50% of what was said.But, in that we need large centers so that we can have large events, the center provides a much-needed service

I came to work at CDA CARES free dental clinic here. Staff was very on top of things and we're able to answer all my questions. The grounds were clean and organized and they let us use their restaurant to cook for staff and volunteers

Discovered that there is a lot more parking around the left side of event center!

We went to International chocolate festival and it was great. Cost for parking was $12 and its really big parking lot. Inside the building is very big and they have air conditioning.

This event center is nice to have around, has spacious buildings for various events, and a nice outdoor area. However, it needs renovations, as it is worn and over used, especially in the restrooms.

Free entry on Wednesdays. Great family fun. Food is a bit on the expensive side though.

We attend the Harvest Festival there every year. We love crafts fairs, and this is a very good one. The venue is ideal for the Fair, easy access, good parking, decent show food and entertainment, a good experience all around. Too bad they forbid photography inside or I could show it to you.

Large events space but limited shade and outdoor seating.

i have gone to MakerFaire here for at least five or six years. it is a great event space. the buildings are laid out well, the facilities are clean and well-kept and the toilets are bountiful. i don't know how many people come to MakerFaire but it seems like a lot and i don't feel stressed from the crowds. never been here for any other events, but i expect the event center to hold its own against huge crowds.

We've been coming here for junior sports events for over 6 years. We've also gotten a tailgating permit every time. Recently the center changed their parking rules. They don't allow in-out, and charge you twice for parking if you tailgate. Employees are overall great with service, I believe these policies need to change.

Family oriented enviroment, good food , and enjoyed watching War live in concert.

3 day volleyball tournament there. Each day was $15 parking, no reentering, then you still had to pay to get in the facility. Highway robbery if you ask me.

I came here for a volleyball tournament; the center was a great place!

The place is huge. It has a easy parking and enough for 3000 people that was in my event. I play 12 usd for the whole day however, no in and out privileges.

The County Fair is always a blast for the family, from rides and food to shows, it's a great day! I missed seeing the chickens this year, not sure they had any on display.

Parking here is pretty bad during the makers fair

Decent venue overall though

This place wont let you leave the parking lot once you enter....total BS. $15 to park and u cant leave once u enter. Lame....

Came here for maker faire. The space is huge but still navigable

Groupon is the only way to pay for the fair considering for a little one each ride costs $3

We were here for the maker faire. The grounds support a lot of different activities and facilities are mostly clean and well kept.

Best craft fair and entertainment I've seen in a long time! Thanks Zydeco Flames, we love you!

Large area, along with a beautiful lake. They have plenty of parking and plenty of activitys.

I think it could be a bigger fair, with food trucks as well as fair food

The most amazing part was that they took credit card payments for parking.

Lots of chioces of things to purchase, enjoy shopping, eating fairground foods, amusement park and free concert. Today was TLC.

Me and my girlfriend visited here for the County Fair. It was a blast! Lots of good "fair foods" and rides. The farmhouse was a madhouse!

The event center is well maintained and the food vendors are as expected. Dinged a star because parking is $35 per day. That's probably how they make their money...

It's okay but entrance is not pedestrian friendly. Needs to have multiple pedestrian entries to reduce parking congestion.