In fact, many people find that moving to the coast helps to alleviate long standing allergy problems. The county-wide area has over 40 beaches and parks. Sailing, fishing, surfing, golf, horseback riding, whale watching, hiking, biking and many other sports and recreational opportunities are available for your year-round enjoyment. The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a county facility which features a protected tidepool habitat containing many varieties of species that can be observed at low tide. There are developed and undeveloped beaches and campgrounds, lighthouses and youth hostels, hiking and equestrian trails, blufftops, mountain-tops and monuments.
Many areas have parking accommodations or are accessible through public transportation.
The area also offers a 369 berth yacht harbor with commercial and pleasure fishing capabilities, fishing pier, public swimming pools, and bowling lanes. Health and athletic clubs feature tennis, aerobics programs, swimming instruction and water aerobics, tournaments and many other activities. Employment San Mateo County, which is made up of 19 cities, has an estimated employment of over 330,000 jobs. About half of the Coastside's working population commutes around the Bay Area to San Francisco or Silicon Valley for the many job opportunities there. The principal industries on the coast are agriculture, commercial fishing and tourism.