Book urgent care & walk-in clinics near me in San Mateo, CA

San Mateo is the commercial and population hub of San Mateo County, sitting at the center of the Peninsula between San Francisco and Silicon Valley. A diverse city of roughly 100,000 residents, it offers some of the Peninsula's most accessible urgent care options for workers, families, and commuters who need same-day care without an ER visit. For the full Bay Area network, see urgent care in San Francisco.

What services do urgent care clinics in San Mateo offer?

San Mateo urgent care clinics treat a broad range of conditions—respiratory infections, skin conditions, pediatric illness, sports injuries, occupational health needs, and preventive care. Sutter Health's Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame is the closest major hospital and supports outpatient urgent care services across the central Peninsula.² Kaiser Permanente's San Mateo offices serve Kaiser members directly, and several independent walk-in clinics along El Camino Real and 3rd Avenue serve the broader population.

Does urgent care in San Mateo accept Medi-Cal?

Yes. Several urgent care clinics in San Mateo accept Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program administered by DHCS.¹ San Mateo County Health's community clinics serve Medi-Cal and uninsured patients across the Peninsula, providing access for lower-income residents in a high-cost county.³

How does San Mateo urgent care relate to San Francisco?

San Mateo is approximately 20 miles south of San Francisco on the Peninsula, connected by Caltrain and US-101. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, San Mateo has a population of approximately 104,000 residents,⁴ making it one of the Bay Area's mid-sized cities with strong local healthcare capacity. Its central Peninsula location and strong Kaiser and Sutter presence mean most urgent care needs are handled locally. San Francisco and Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto serve as regional specialty hubs.

Nearby urgent care

• San Francisco, CA — Bay Area hub, 20 miles north
• San Carlos, CA — Peninsula neighbor to the south
• Burlingame, CA — adjacent city with Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
• San Bruno, CA — Peninsula neighbor to the north