San Mateo Japanese Gardens

Took a stroll through a local park today. Really wanted to see what all the hoopla was about the Japanese gardens they had in the middle of the park.

Pretty sure this sign was on the 4th avenue side though I could be wrong. I seem to easily get lost inside of parks.

Red Bull Soapbox Race

Find 75,000 people. Throw in a beautiful day in an awesome park. Add crazy teams willing to roll down an insanely steep hill going as fast as humanly possible in a contraption unfit for anyone but test pilots. Mix well and what do you get? One hell of a party!

Can't miss the ridiculous number of signs posted around San Francisco announcing the fun filled day!

Daiso Japan

In the U.S. there are dollar stores. In Japan they have hyakkin, or one coin shops. One of the larger chains is called Daiso of which one happens to reside in Hayward, CA.

Large, prominent lettering invites visitors into a Japanese goods filled Walmart.

18th Annual Autumn Moon Festival Street Fair

Moon Festival celebrations, though still relatively new to the U.S., have been held throughout Asia for well over 1,000 years. The holiday celebrates the bounty of the summer harvest. Each year San Francisco's Chinatown becomes a lively bazaar of celebration with food and music.

Colorful dragons symbolize good luck and prosperity for the autumn harvest.

San Mateo Farmer's Market

The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association is a non-profit corporation, founded in 1988, that is dedicated to establishing and maintaining successful Certified Farmers’ Markets around the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. The PCFMA operates weekly farmers' markets in Oakland, San Mateo and Danville.

A simple, painted sign sitting on the side of a stand. Organic markets are flourishing as people gravitate toward eating locally.