Best Playgrounds in San Francisco 

 
Don't miss this vibrant playground in Chinatown. Willie Woo Playground photo by Mike Liu via Flickr 2.0 

1. Willie "Woo Woo" Playground — Chinatown

Inspired by Chinese mythology, this captivating playground features a massive climbable water dragon entwined around a two-level tower and slide. Fiery Phoenix sculpture bridges and two play zones for toddlers and older kids make this playground one of the best things to do in Chinatown with kids. 

2. Helen Diller Playground — Castro/Mission

Great for more adventurous kids, the playground features a 16-foot-high super slide that kids will love, climbing structures, and free space to run around, all with stunning city views. For little ones that like to run off, security guards are outside the gate to ensure your kiddo doesn't leave without you! 

 
Play with a view at Presidio Tunnel Tops Outpost. Photo by Dan Friedman, courtesy of the Presidio Trust.

3. Tunnel Tops Outpost — Presidio 

At a whopping two acres, kids can play on slides, a rope swing, a fallen tree, giant boulders, and a tree stump staircase leading up the most Instagram-worthy picture of your kids playing with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. There are also two discovery stations where kids can build and interact with natural elements, like water and tree parts. To find out what to expect at Presidio Tunnel Tops Outpost, view our Instagram Reel. 

4. Sue Bierman Playground — Financial District 

Close to the Ferry Building, this playground is ideal for combining playtime with a visit to local San Francisco eateries during lunch. It has a charming ship structure and is fully enclosed, making it a good pick for toddlers. 

5. Lafayette Park Playground — Pacific Heights

With multiple metal slides and a cool water feature for hot days, this Pac Heights playground is ideal for kids of all ages. Tons of shaded areas with abundant trees are great for setting up a picnic lunch during play. 

6. Koret Children's Quarter — Golden Gate Park

Koret Children's Quarter in Golden Gate Park is an iconic playground featuring giant concrete slides that most kids can use to sit on a piece of cardboard. There are separate play structures for smaller kiddos and bigger kids, a large blue wave sculpture, a towering rope tower to climb, and a carousel. The little food kiosk nearby is great to stock up on water or indulge in a coffee while watching the kids explore.

7. Mountain Lake Park Playground — Inner Richmond

With a renovation initiated by a group of local mothers in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, the playground is designed to be safe and accessible for preschool-aged kids and up. Each play area is separated by age and ability, with an enclosed tot spot, sensory equipment throughout, and concrete slides for adventurous kids. 

8. Joe DiMaggio Playground — North Beach

The two-acre park features two metal slides and a giant climbing web for kids to play on. Adjacent to the playground is the North Beach Library, making it an ideal opportunity to return or check out some new books. Since you're in North Beach, stop by one of the many bakeries nearby for a pastry or focaccia. 

9. Cayuga Playground — Outer Mission

Considered a local favorite and hidden gem, this neighborhood-tucked playground has wooden aboriginal art along the paths with totems, sculptures and more, as well as a giant rope gym to climb. Kids who love all things automotive will love seeing BART zoom across as they play. 

Best Playgrounds in the East Bay

10. Roberts Regional Recreation Area — Oakland

Tucked away in the Oakland hills, this huge barrier-free wheelchair-accessible playground has slides, climbing structures, bridges, tunnels, and more. Little education stations like a map of the US, tracing games, and a "name that vegetable" are engaging ways to learn through play. On hot days, head over to the Roberts Pool, a heated outdoor pool open April - September with lifeguards on duty. Plus, Roberts Regional Recreation Area is an underrated location to see towering redwood trees. 

11. Heather Farm Park — Walnut Creek

An all-abilities playground is heaven for kids who love to slide. Bring some cardboard pieces, and kids can take turns sliding down the artificial turf hills. There is also a climbing wall, pirate ship, curvy slides, sand pit, as well as a water feature and swim center perfect for hot days. 

12. Adventure Playground — Berkeley

If you ever wanted to build a part of a playground, this uber-cool Berkeley spot is the place. Open on the weekends and ideal for the older set, kids can use hammers, paint, nails, and saws to build structures to become a part of the playground. There is also a zipline and climbing web. 

13. Kennedy Park — Hayward 

Farm-loving kids can pretend to ride a tractor, climb a beanstalk, go inside a barn, and even go on a teacup or train ride on the weekends. This playground is ideal for kids ages five and under, as older ones may get bored. There is a Target across the street if you forgot anything, and a snack bar onsite serving popsicles and ice cream. 

 
Young kids will love Totland in Berkeley. photo by Archibald Jude via Flickr 2.0

14. Totland — Berkeley

Parents of little ones four and under, rejoice! Totland in Berkeley is the perfect spot to play in the morning before heading home for naptime. Ideal for ages 10 months to 4 years, the small playground features swings, climbing structures, slides, and a messy water area, but what makes this place special are the dozens of push toys and ride-ons left by families who have outgrown them. 

15. Imagine Playground — Dublin

Right behind the giant head art installation is this deceivingly large playground with massive structures, sand pits, climbing domes, and all-abilities everything. Kids who love to climb will have a blast here, with tall structures that are challenging and fun. There is a big, cushy floor throughout, with play areas spaced out so nothing feels crowded. The bathroom is also relatively large and can fit a stroller. 

16. San Pablo Park — Berkeley

Kids who appreciate a good treehouse to play in will want to check out this Berkeley spot. The large playground is set for kids ages two to 12 with room to slide and swing. Kids can climb up the rope to get to the treehouse and go down the tunnel slide. There is also a tot lot with slides, music and water installations, swings, a big grassy area, restrooms, and plenty of picnic areas. Note that it is street parking, and the weekends can get crowded. 

17. Sabercat Playground — Fremont

Located in Central Park in Lake Elizabeth in Fremont, this playground features a very cool rock sabertooth cat structure with a slide as the main attraction. Kids can climb faux trees and ropes, and the playground for younger kids has fun structures that look like dinosaur bones. There are also great scooter and bike trails with a creek for cooling off on hot days. 

18. May Nissen Park — Livermore

This beautiful forest-themed playground is vibrant, with cushy floors, giant colorful daisies serving as shade, and plenty of room to climb, jump, run, slide, and swing. Bathrooms are on-site, and parking is plentiful. There is a grassy area to run around in or throw the ball. 

19. Christie Park — Emeryville

Tucked behind Public Market in Emeryville, this ocean-themed playground includes a climbable whale, kelp structure, surfboards, snail slide, and cushy soft flooring. Since it's just behind Public Market, which hosts free events during the year, it's an easy spot to spend the day. 

Best Playgrounds in the North Bay / Marin

20. Marinwood Park — San Rafael

Marinwood Park is a hidden gem with a little something for everyone including big open fields, a shaded playground, and a creekside trail perfect for nature walks. The play structure has great climbing equipment and a seasonal pool nearby for those hot summer days. 

21. Corte Madera Town Park — Corte Madera

This park has a fantastic updated playground with tall slides, tons of climbing structures, and a separate toddler area. A paved path circles the park for scooters and beginner bikers, plus a pond with ducks nearby. Plenty of shade and picnic tables make it an easy all-day spot. 

22. Piper Park — Larkspur

Located in Central Marin, the two-acre newly renovated playground has climbing structures with slides, a spinning cone named "The Apollo" swings, and more. It also has numerous sports fields and views of Mt. Tam for a day of playing and relaxing.

23. Pioneer Park — Novato

This playground is a local favorite with a huge grassy field, is well-shaded, and has a small creek for kids to explore. The play area has swings, slides, and climbing features, plus picnic areas nearby. It’s an excellent pick for families who love nature but still want a solid playground. 

24. Freitas Park — San Rafael

This small but mighty park tucked into a neighborhood has a fantastic play structure with climbing walls, slides, swings, and even a water feature. It’s fully fenced, making it great for toddlers, and there is plenty of shade. It's also rarely crowded so kids can play without the chaos. 

25. Millenium Playground Memorial Park — San Anselmo

This wooden fortress-style playground is a dream for kids who love to climb. It has endless nooks, bridges, and towers to explore. There’s a separate toddler-friendly area with a train theme, play castle, dinosaur, and big grassy fields for running. It's also community-built, making it that much more special. 

Best Playgrounds in the South Bay / Peninsula

26. Magic Mountain Playground — San Mateo

Nestled within Coyote Point Recreation Area, this playground has a very cool grand castle-and-dragon theme, offering expansive structures for imaginative play like a gigantic tunnel slide. Beyond the playground, families can explore scenic trails, a marina, and CuriOdyssey, a favorite museum for young kids.

27. Las Palmas Park — Sunnyvale

This Polynesian-themed park features palm trees surrounded by a picturesque pond and a unique tropical island playground with a spider web climber and a rock wall. There is also a tot lot, tennis courts, a fenced-in dog park, a shaded sand pit, and cement slides for adventurous kids. 

28. Paddock Park — San Mateo

An easy playground to visit with little ones, this neighborhood spot in Bay Meadows is fully fenced with a sand pit, two playgrounds for younger and older kids, clean changing rooms, and street parking. Restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores nearby make it a good day for errands and play. 

29. Magical Bridge — Palo Alto, Redwood City, Sunnyvale, & Mountain View 

These playgrounds set a high standard for inclusivity, featuring zones tailored for various activities like swinging, spinning, and sliding, all designed to be accessible to children of all abilities. Unique elements such as a two-story playhouse, interactive musical installations, different slides, and a soft, cushy floor make it a must-visit. Check out our Instagram Reel to see what to expect at Magical Bridge in Palo Alto.

30. Seven Seas Playground — Sunnyvale

The nautical-themed playground features a large pirate ship structure for older kids and a separate play space for toddlers. There is lots of shade, musical structures, and bathrooms. The park also has one of the Bay Area's best splash pads. 

31. Washington Park — Burlingame

Recently renovated, this park boasts a playground with innovative equipment like climbing nets, slides, musical installations, swings, and more. Its proximity to downtown Burlingame allows families to easily transition from playtime to family-friendly dining. There are also tennis and basketball courts, and plenty of room for park birthday parties. 

32. Burton Park — San Carlos

Burton Park is the oldest park in San Carlos and is conveniently located near downtown. From parades to festivals, movie nights, music concerts, camp-outs, many community events take place here. The playground has separate areas for older and younger kids with the standard playground equipment, and the tot lot is completely fenced in. 

33. Beresford Park — San Mateo

The best all-ages park, Beresford, has a sprawling playground with a mix of classic play structures and more challenging elements like a boulder wall and rope climbers. There’s also a skate park for older kids and teens, a bocce court, and a community garden. Plenty of shady picnic spots and 10 swings are here for kids who love them. 

34. Nealon Park — Menlo Park

Enjoy a charming nature-themed playground with faux logs, a “campfire” play area, and a little cabin structure that sparks adventure-style imaginative play. It’s also one of the few playgrounds in the area with a dedicated adaptive swing. 

35. Rotary PlayGarden — San Jose

This fully accessible, fenced-in playground is a sensory wonderland with a massive roller slide, in-ground trampolines, and a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round. Water play areas are open during the summer, with musical elements and a butterfly garden for kids of all abilities. It's great for kids ages three to 12. 

36. Hellyer County Park — San Jose 

The cabin-themed playground has climbing ropes inside, a faux log-enclosed slide, musical floors, swings, benches, and plenty of structures to climb. Green fields and a large lake surround the park, so whether you're feeding ducks, riding scooters, or exploring the Coyote Creek Trail, there's plenty to keep little adventurers busy.

37. Emma Prush Farm Park — San Jose

Kids can get up close with farm animals, roam open fields, and play on a barn-themed playground complete with a gigantic hen for a day of fun. Kids can climb up the chicken through multiple routes, look at the park through its eyes, and zoom through the super slide to get down. The park also has a working farm with chickens, goats, and even peacocks.