Old Maps of San Mateo County, California for Metal Detecting

Plan your next treasure hunt with 184 historic maps of San Mateo County. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.

  • Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
  • Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
  • Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.

Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of San Mateo County.


San Mateo County, CA maps

(184)
  1. 1892 Map of San Mateo
    1892 Map of San Mateo
    1892 San Mateo
    1892 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula in the 1890s reveals a landscape of ranchos and rising rail towns. Trace the early footprints of Colma, Millbrae, and South San Francisco alongside vital water infrastructure like the Crystal Springs Dam.

  2. 1896 Map of San Mateo
    1896 Map of San Mateo
    1896 San Mateo
    1896 Print · USGS
    The northern San Francisco Peninsula comes alive in this late nineteenth-century survey. Genealogists and historians can trace early trackage of the Southern Pacific R. R. through Colma and Millbrae, or locate the Industrial School and Brewer School.

  3. 1897 Map of Palo Alto
    1897 Map of Palo Alto
    1897 Palo Alto
    1897 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula and Santa Clara Valley emerge in the late nineteenth century as academic and rail hubs. Trace the early footprints of Stanford University, the primary line of the Southern Pacific RR, and the transition of old ranchos like La Purisima Concepcion.

  4. 1899 Map of Palo Alto
    1899 Map of Palo Alto
    1899 Palo Alto
    1899 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula was entering a period of rapid development in the 1890s as railroad towns began to flourish around the new Stanford University campus. You can trace early property lines across Pastoria de las Borregas or locate nineteenth-century landings like Cooley Landing and Jagel Landing.
    11 unique versions available

  5. 1899 Map of Haywards
    1899 Map of Haywards
    1899 Haywards
    1899 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline at the end of the century was a landscape of industrial salt works and vital maritime landings. Genealogists and historians can trace the early rail stops at Haywards Sta. or locate family trade hubs at Mulford Landing and Jarvis Landing.
    5 unique versions available

  6. 1899 Map of San Mateo
    1899 Map of San Mateo
    1899 San Mateo
    1899 Print · USGS
    The northern San Mateo peninsula appears here in the late nineteenth century as a landscape of early rail lines and critical water infrastructure. Trace the early development of South San Francisco, the sprawling Cemeteries of Colma, and rural schoolhouses like Hoyt School.
    6 unique versions available

  7. 1902 Map of Santa Cruz
    1902 Map of Santa Cruz
    1902 Santa Cruz
    1902 Print · USGS
    Coastal California at the end of the Victorian era reveals a landscape of redwood forests, early university towns, and remote Pacific outposts. Genealogists and historians can trace the early rail corridors through Boulder Creek and Felton or locate coastal landmarks like Pigeon Point and Halfmoon Bay.
    9 unique versions available

  8. 1915 Map of San Mateo
    1915 Map of San Mateo
    1915 San Mateo
    1915 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula at the start of the twentieth century shows a landscape transitioning from rural ranchos to industrial centers and suburbs. Genealogists can trace family footprints at Colma, locate the Hoyt School, or follow the Southern Pacific RR through Baden Sta.
    6 unique versions available

  9. 1915 Map of Haywards
    1915 Map of Haywards
    1915 Haywards
    1915 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline and inland foothills are shown here in the mid-1910s during a height of coastal industry. Genealogists and historians can trace old shipping points like Mulford Landing, early salt operations at Union City Salt Works, and the rail lines of the Western Pacific.
    4 unique versions available

  10. 1939 Map of San Mateo, 1956 Print
    1939 Map of San Mateo, 1956 Print
    1939 San Mateo
    1956 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula at the brink of the 1940s reveals a landscape of ridge-top vistas and growing railroad towns. Researchers can trace the early layouts of Burlingame, San Bruno, and Millbrae, or locate institutional landmarks like St Josephs Military Academy and the extensive Chinese Cem.
    3 unique versions available

  11. 1940 Map of Halfmoon Bay
    1940 Map of Halfmoon Bay
    1940 Halfmoon Bay
    1940 Print · USGS
    The San Mateo coast and Santa Cruz Mountains appear here in the early 1940s, balancing rural ranching with early oil exploration. Genealogists and local historians can trace family-named sites like Bowman Ranch and old rural hubs including Pescadero and La Honda.
    2 unique versions available

  12. 1940 Map of Ano Nuevo, 1943 Print
    1940 Map of Ano Nuevo, 1943 Print
    1940 Ano Nuevo
    1943 Print · USGS
    The San Mateo and Santa Cruz coastlines appear here in the early 1940s, highlighting a period of rural ranching and isolated coastal outposts. Genealogists and historians can trace the locations of Coastways Ranch, the Whitehouse Camp, and Trantor.

  13. 1941 Map of Ano Nuevo Pt.
    1941 Map of Ano Nuevo Pt.
    1941 Ano Nuevo Pt.
    1941 Print · USGS
    The rugged San Mateo coastline comes alive in the early 1940s, showing a landscape of maritime navigation and coastal ranching. Genealogy and history buffs can locate early landmarks like Pigeon Point LH, Notley Junction, and the historic Coastways Ranch.

  14. 1941 Map of Palo Alto
    1941 Map of Palo Alto
    1941 Palo Alto
    1941 Print · USGS
    The Peninsula and Santa Clara Valley are seen here in the early 1940s, just as the region began its mid-century transformation. Researchers can trace the layout of Stanford University, the military grounds of Moffett Field, and local landmarks like Flood Park.

  15. 1942 Map of Ano Nuevo
    1942 Map of Ano Nuevo
    1942 Ano Nuevo
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Central Coast south of Pescadero appears in this wartime survey, showing a landscape of remote ranching and prominent maritime landmarks. Researchers can trace early 20th-century coastal sites like Coastways Ranch, Notley Junction, and the iconic Pigeon Point light station.
    2 unique versions available

  16. 1942 Map of Hayward
    1942 Map of Hayward
    1942 Hayward
    1942 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline and inland foothills come alive in the early 1940s as industry and infrastructure reshape the landscape. Researchers can trace the original footprints of Russell City and Mt Eden or locate the historic Oakland Speedway and Fairmont Hospital.

  17. 1943 Map of Palo Alto
    1943 Map of Palo Alto
    1943 Palo Alto
    1943 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula was still a region of orchards and academic outposts in the years following the Great Depression. Researchers can trace the development of early Silicon Valley through the Southern Pacific line and family landmarks like Duveneck Ranch and the Whisman Dist School.

  18. 1943 Map of San Mateo
    1943 Map of San Mateo
    1943 San Mateo
    1943 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Peninsula during the mid-war years shows a region of expanding shoreline industry and established hillside communities. Researchers can trace historic landmarks like St Josephs Military Academy and the Golden Gate National Cem.

  19. 1943 Map of Halfmoon Bay
    1943 Map of Halfmoon Bay
    1943 Halfmoon Bay
    1943 Print · USGS
    San Mateo County's coastline and mountain ridges appear here during the mid-war years, showcasing a landscape of rural schoolhouses and coastal hamlets. Trace family roots and local landmarks from the Pulgas Water Temple to old sites like Pescadero and Purisima Sch.

  20. 1947 Map of San Francisco, 1948 Print
    1947 Map of San Francisco, 1948 Print
    1947 San Francisco
    1948 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area in the late 1940s reveals a region transitioning from wartime intensity to post-war suburban growth. Trace the historic rail lines of the Southern Pacific RR or locate early military footprints at Fort Funston and Moffett Field.

  21. 1947 Map of San Francisco South, 1955 Print
    1947 Map of San Francisco South, 1955 Print
    1947 San Francisco South
    1955 Print · USGS
    Post-war San Mateo County and the city's southern edge are caught here during a period of rapid peninsula growth. Genealogists can trace the many memorial grounds of Colma, while historians can locate the Tanforan Race Track and early San Francisco International Airport.

  22. 1947 Map of San Leandro, 1956 Print
    1947 Map of San Leandro, 1956 Print
    1947 San Leandro
    1956 Print · USGS
    The East Bay shoreline in the late 1940s shows a fascinating mix of industrial salt production and rapid suburban development. Researchers can trace early aviation at the Oakland Municipal Airport or locate community anchors like San Lorenzo Village and the Oakland Speedway.

  23. 1947 Map of San Mateo, 1957 Print
    1947 Map of San Mateo, 1957 Print
    1947 San Mateo
    1957 Print · USGS
    Mid-century San Mateo County shows a landscape of growing suburbs and salt marshes before the era of massive bay fill. Genealogists and historians can locate the San Mateo Junior College, trace the Southern Pacific line, or find the California Military Academy in Belmont.

  24. 1947 Map of Newark, 1958 Print
    1947 Map of Newark, 1958 Print
    1947 Newark
    1958 Print · USGS
    The industrial shoreline and agricultural plains of the East Bay are captured here just after the war. Local historians can trace early landings like Jarvis Landing and family landmarks such as Patterson Ranch and the Masonic Home.

  25. 1948 Map of San Leandro
    1948 Map of San Leandro
    1948 San Leandro
    1948 Print · USGS
    Post-war East Bay growth is on full display in this late 1940s survey of the shoreline. Genealogists and historians can trace the emergence of San Lorenzo Village or locate local landmarks like the Oakland Speedway, Powder Works, and the Naval Chapel.

Showing maps 1-25 of 184

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Frequently asked questions

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