San Mateo

Mid-20th century pictorial map of the San Francisco Peninsula.

The Sun Loves San Mateo…And So Will You!’ promises this fun brochure issued in 1956 by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. ‘The City with California’s Perfect Climate’ is located about 19 miles south of San Francisco and boasts superb convention facilities, a robust transportation network, and numerous recreational opportunities, according to the promotional text.

The pictorial map magnifies San Mateo’s position on the peninsula, with illustrated vignettes representing points of interest like Stanford University, the Methuselah Redwood, and the Cow Palace in San Francisco (home of the 1956 Republican National Convention). Ten different San Mateo businesses are numbered and identified within the image, with corresponding photographs and descriptions found along the top and bottom folds.