San Pablo
Philippines · Asia

About San Pablo
San Pablo, officially the City of San Pablo (Filipino: Lungsod ng San Pablo), is a component city in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 300,166 people.
The city is also known as the "City of Seven Lakes" (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pitong Lawa), referring to the Seven Lakes of San Pablo: Lake Sampaloc (or Sampalok), Lake Palakpakin, Lake Bunot, Lakes Pandin and Yambo, Lake Muhikap, and Lake Calibato.
San Pablo was part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa beginning in 1910. On November 28, 1967, it became an independent diocese and became the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo.
San Pablo derives its name from the Spanish for Saint Paul, referring to the local patron saint, Paul the First Hermit. It was previously known as San Pablo de los Montes, which translates to "Saint Paul of the Mountains" in Spanish.
San Pablo's earliest historical record dates back to pre-Spanish times when four large barrios bounded by Mount Makiling composed of settlements, the most prominent of which was "Sampalok" (Sampaloc). In 1571, the first Spanish troops under Captain Juan de Salcedo arrived in the upland village of...
San Pablo travel guide
Getting there
Richmond is served by I-80 from San Francisco, Vallejo and Sacramento, I-580 from Berkeley, Marin County and Oakland and Richmond Parkway skirting most of town as a bypass. Public transportation is provided with an 1 inter-modal transit center comprising BART and Amtrak, with local buses run by AC Transit. BART connects Richmond directly to Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and other parts of the Bay Area. (See also Bay Area public transit.) The Golden Gate Transit 580 bus runs from the San Rafael transit center in Marin. The San Francisco Bay Ferry serves 2 Richmond Ferry Terminal at 1453 Harbour Way S, several times per day from San Francisco.
Amtrak, 1700 Nevin Ave. Three Amtrak routes service Richmond: the California Zephyr, the Capitol Corridor, and the Gold Runner. It is in the same building as the BART station. There is no ticket service, no baggage checking, and no luggage assistance. (updated Jul 2022)
Getting around
Some attractions are served by bus, but others aren't.
See
1 Little Point Richmond (Fairy Houses), Washington Ave between Richmond Ave and Bishop Alley. Lots of intricate little fairy houses in and around the trees lining both sides of the street. A mysterious and delightful public art installation to add some magic and whimsy to your day. (updated Dec 2023) 2 Marina Bay.
3 Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline (AC Transit bus 72M to Tewksbury Ave and Washington Ave, then walk down Washington to Belvedere Ave or Western Drive, either of which will take you to the park). Beautiful park in the Point Richmond neighborhood. The west side has quiet, easy walks along the bay and a picturesque lagoon. The east side has hilly hiking trails characteristic of the Bay Area, with great views of Marin to the west, the industrial and residential landscapes of Richmond to the east, Oakland and San Francisco to the south, and the San Pablo Bay to the north. If it's a clear day, you can even see Mount Diablo poking up above the ridge. The park also includes Keller Beach, a small strip of sand on the bay. (updated Dec 2023) 4 Golden State Model Railroad Museum, Dornan Drive (inside Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline, past the Ferry Point Tunnel), ☏ +1 510-234-4884. Sa Su noon–4PM Oct-Dec, noon-5PM Apr-Sep. The Golden State Railroad Museum consists of 10,000 square feet (1,000 square meters) of detailed, intricate O, HO, and N scale train tracks. You will find 3 large railroad tracks, constructed and owned by the EBMES, with models of various landmarks along California's railroad system. Also has some informational signs about railroad engineering and construction. The more you look, the more there is to notice. Fun for small kids or if you're into model trains. Open Saturdays and Sundays, but the trains usually only run on Sundays. $5 for adults and children 12+, $3 for seniors and children 4-11, $10 for families, free for children under 4. (updated Dec 2023) 5 Point Richmond Historic District. A number of historic buildings and the friendly, pint-sized Point Richmond History Museum. (updated Dec 2023) 6 Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (visitor center can be reached by bus 74), ☏ +1 510 232-5050. Consists of Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Marina Bay Park, a visitor center in the Oil House, the Ford Assembly Plant, a museum and WWII shipyard, preserving and interpreting the stories and places of America's home front response to World War II.
Do
1 S.S Red Oak Victory Ship (Dornan Drive at Ferry Point, not served by public transit), ☏ +1 510-222-9200. Launched in 1944, and commissioned as the USS Red Oak Victory ship, the Red Oak is the only vessel built by the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, California that is being restored. This last remaining Boulder Class Victory saw service in the World War II, Korea and Vietnam has the distinction of being the only ship operated by both military and civilian personnel during career. 2 Masquers Playhouse, ☏ +1 510-232-4031. Community theater with 100 seats, located in Point Richmond on the east shore of the bay. The Masquers playhouse has been producing and showing plays for the last 50 years. They show 5 productions year round. (updated Apr 2024) Point Richmond Music Festival. Many Jazz and music performances every Summer, every month June, July, August, and September. Live performances. The First Friday of every month. Starts at 5:30. 3 San Pablo Lytton Casino, 13255 San Pablo Ave, ☏ +1 510-215-7888. (updated Dec 2021)
Buy
Downtown Point Richmond has many shops and cafes.
Eat
1 Americana Pizza & Taqueria, 13350 San Pablo Ave Ste A4, ☏ +1 510-236-9005. Good take-out food, generous portions, good prices. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Club, ATM. 24-hour delivery free with minimum $15.00 purchase (updated Jul 2022) 2 Angelo's Gourmet Delicatessen, 12025 San Pablo Ave, ☏ +1 510-234-2485. Neighborhood deli with an extensive selection of good-quality sandwiches, with prices much lower than comparable delis in the Bay Area. (updated Jul 2022) 3 Anh Restaurant & Bar, 1950 Esplanade Dr, ☏ +1 510-680-5292. Harborside restaurant serving Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean dishes. Accessible via the San Francisco Bay Trail. Indoor and outdoor seating available. (updated Aug 2022) 4 Golden Gate Bistro, 803 Wright Ave Ste #101 (at the corner of Wright Avenue and Harbour Way South.), ☏ +1 510-374-6393. M-F 6AM-5PM, Sa 8AM-4PM, closed Sunday. Local breakfast and lunch spot in the industrial area north of Marina Bay. Well-known in the area for their breakfast burritos, breakfast potatoes and watermelon lemonade. Order at the counter under the awning, seating is outdoor patio dining only. Patio has a foosball table. (updated Sep 2022) 5 Lara's Fine Dining, 1900 Esplanade Dr, ☏ +1 510-234-1860. Italian-American and seafood restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. (updated Jul 2022) 6 Goldpie, 3219 Pierce Street, ☏ +1 510-529-5007. Su M 11:30AM-7:30PM. Goldpie was called "the East Bay's most exciting new pizza-pop up" in 2026 by Luke Tsai, KQED food editor. It is a pop-up pizza place in the parking lot of 7 Stars Holistic Healing Center. The pizza is all hand made, and cooked on-site. Lots of options, and they can make custom pies if you're vegan or vegetarian. $20-30. (updated Jul 2026)
Sleep
1 Hotel Mac, 50 Washington St, ☏ +1 510-233-0010. The most elegant hotel in the Bay Area, built in 1910, was the second hotel built in Richmond, after the Critchett Hotel (closed in 1909). Features a first class restaurant and bar. 2 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 2525 San Pablo Dam Rd, San Pablo, ☏ +1 510-965-1900. Breakfast included. From $154 double. (updated Jul 2021) 3 Courtyard by Marriott Richmond-Berkeley, 3150 Garrity Way (in the Hilltop District, near Hilltop Mall), ☏ +1 510-262-0700, toll-free: +1 510 262 0700, fax: +1 510 262-0927. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Feb 2026) 4 SureStay Plus By Best Western Point Richmond, 915 West Cutting Blvd, ☏ +1 510-237-3000. 5 Extendedstay America, 3170 Garrity Way, ☏ +1 510 222-7383.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.