Redwood City sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, roughly 27 miles south of San Francisco and 24 miles northwest of San Jose. With about 84,000 residents it is the third largest city in San Mateo County, and it has been the county seat since the county was formed in 1856. The city is known for its weather, and its long standing slogan, "Climate Best By Government Test," comes from a survey taken before the First World War in which the area tied with the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean coast of North Africa.

Downtown centers on Courthouse Square, where the 1910 San Mateo County Courthouse now holds the San Mateo County History Museum. Its glass dome is lit after dark and changes color every 11 seconds. The square hosts concerts and public events through the year, and the restored Fox Theatre anchors the surrounding blocks of restaurants and cafes.

The local economy runs on technology and healthcare. Oracle is the city's largest employer, followed by Stanford Hospital, the County of San Mateo, Box and Electronic Arts. Several of those campuses sit in Redwood Shores, a planned neighborhood on the bay side of the city. The Port of Redwood City, the only deepwater port on San Francisco Bay south of San Francisco, still handles working cargo.

Housing varies more here than in most Peninsula cities. Redwood Shores is newer and built around lagoons, while Emerald Lake Hills, Farm Hill, Mount Carmel and Woodside Plaza each have their own character, from wooded hillside lots to flat, walkable streets near downtown. Elementary and middle schools are run by the Redwood City School District, high schools by the Sequoia Union High School District, and Cañada College sits on 131 acres in the hills on the west side of town.