Highlands, California — live current conditions, hourly and 7-day forecasts, NWS alerts, aviation weather, radar and satellite imagery, tides and marine conditions for Highlands, San Mateo County.
Tides, marine forecast and fishing conditions near Highlands. Nearest NOAA tide station:
Flight conditions near Highlands — sourced from the FAA Aviation Weather Center. Nearest reporting station: locating…
Live animated radar for Highlands and surroundings — RainViewer.
NOAA GOES-16 GEOCOLOR — live animated loop updated every 10 minutes. Shows cloud cover, storm systems and weather patterns across the continental US.
Source: NOAA/NESDIS GOES-East · Public domain · Auto-updates on page reload
Highlands unfolds as a tranquil expanse where rolling hills, cloaked in a verdant tapestry of coastal chaparral and eucalyptus groves, descend towards the vast, shimmering Pacific. It lies 3.1 miles south-south-west of San Mateo, CA (from San Mateo, CA: bearing 199°T), and is situated 6.4 miles west-north-west of Redwood City. The air here carries a constant, briny whisper, a perpetual reminder of the ocean’s proximity, and the light, especially in the late afternoon, takes on a honeyed quality, gilding the wind-swept grasses and casting long, dancing shadows across the terrain. The very character of Highlands is one of quietude, a place where the natural world claims a significant dominion, with winding roads revealing glimpses of homes that seem to have grown organically from the landscape, their architecture often mirroring the gentle slopes and the deep, resonant blues of the sky. This particular corner of San Mateo County, with its roots reaching back to the early days of California's development, has always held a certain allure for those seeking respite and a connection to the land. While no single industry dominates, a blend of residential living, small-scale agriculture, and a growing appreciation for its natural beauty defines the local economy. The proximity to the San Francisco Peninsula’s bustling centers means Highlands offers a unique duality: a peaceful haven for its residents, many of whom commute, while retaining a distinct, almost timeless character. It is a place where the rhythm of life is dictated less by the clock and more by the ebb and flow of the tides and the changing moods of the coastal weather, a subtle charm that imbues Highlands with its enduring appeal.
| Location | Highlands, San Mateo County, California |
| Coordinates | 37.519938°N, 122.34386°W |
| Timezone | Pacific Time (America/Los_Angeles) |
| ZIP Code(s) | 94402 |
| Area Code | 510 |
| Page generated | June 2026 |
| Weather data | Open-Meteo (open-source), NOAA National Weather Service |