About the Best of San Mateo Area program
Presented by the San Mateo Area Chamber of CommerceLet’s Celebrate What Makes the San Mateo Area Special!
In the inaugural year in 2024, over 22,000 votes were cast, and the results are in for the best businesses that make the San Mateo Area so special.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural awards program, the Chamber wants to recognize the exceptional businesses – for profit and nonprofit, large and small – that make the San Mateo area a great place to live, work and play.
The entire community participates through an online transparent voting process. By voting, you help lift these businesses and our local economy. Each business that wins is recognized with a “Best of” logo and promoted through plaques, window clings and certificates as well as through print, social and digital marketing. There is no cost to participate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best of San Mateo Area?
Supporting our local businesses is more important than ever. The Best of San Mateo Area Program, presented by the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrates small businesses and businesses of all sizes that make this place special. This is done by encouraging you, the community, to nominate and vote for your favorites.
Each business that wins is recognized with a “Best of” logo and promoted through plaques, window clings and certificates as well as through print, social and digital marketing. By voting, you help lift these businesses and our local economy.
How do I vote for my favorites?
The Best of program is carried out in two phases: a nomination and voting phase. During the nomination phase, you can write in your favorite business for each category on our nomination page. After the one-month nomination phase, you get to vote through our digital ballot. It’s easy to register and vote for your favorites.
How does a business participate?
Businesses are nominated by the public. If you are a San Mateo area-based or San Mateo area-serving business, you can register for a free Best of San Mateo Area badge during the nomination and voting rounds to help you get out the vote. We’ll provide you with a custom “nominate us” badge that can be shared with your customers.
Businesses that have physical locations in the City of San Mateo or in one of the contiguous communities are eligible. These cities include:
- San Mateo
- Burlingame
- Foster City
- San Carlos
- Belmont
- Redwood City
In addition, businesses without a physical location in the San Mateo area that serve San Mateo area residents are also eligible.
How are winners chosen?
Businesses with the most votes from the public after the voting phase are the winners.
As a business, why should I participate?
There’s no cost to businesses to participate. The program’s goal is to raise awareness of San Mateo businesses and to encourage shopping locally. If you run a local business here in San Mateo, we invite you to fill out the above form and we’ll send you a custom nominate us or vote for us badge (depending upon the program phase).
Winners will receive an array of benefits including window clings for your storefront, digital assets showing your business was voted as the best, and an invitation to an award celebration.
Optional recognition awards will also be made available after the contest to help promote winners including listings in a Best of San Mateo Area Magazine, a website listing winners by category and custom award plaques.
Are there options for San Mateo Businesses to advertise through the Best of San Mateo Area website?
Yes. Please visit Best of San Mateo Area 2025 advertising information.