If you have little ones in your life, you know the Peninsula is full of great places to play. Everyone has their own neighborhood favorites, and some draw visitors from a bit farther afield. We’ve compiled a list of some fun public parks with play spaces (and we know there are plenty more out there). Whether your child is into climbing, wading or playing pretend, there’s something for everyone.
South San Francisco Library and Parks and Recreation Center
Kids love libraries. Kids love parks. It’s always exciting when the two fun (and usually free) activity options are close together! South San Francisco’s Library and Parks and Recreation Center had its grand opening in 2023, and adjoining the shiny new library and civic space is a 1.3-acre park, complete with an accessible and pretty darn fun playground.
South San Francisco Library and Parks and Recreation Center, 901 Civic Campus Way, South San Francisco
Washington Park, Burlingame
Washington Park, once home to the Gunst Estate, is Burlingame’s oldest city park and offers historical significance, lovely shady trees and plenty of room for play. Its location close to downtown and the Caltrain station makes it a fun destination for an adventure riding the rails with little ones.
Washington Park, 850 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame
Moss Beach Park, Moss Beach
As befitting a park by the coast, Moss Beach Park’s playground has a suitably nautical vibe with sea creatures and a shipwreck theme, inspiring imaginative maritime play. Located near Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, it could be the perfect pit stop while waiting for the perfect time frame for tidepooling.
Moss Beach Park, 516 Virginia Ave., Moss Beach
San Mateo Central Park
San Mateo is a city blessed with many fun places to play, but if I was choosing just one, I’d have to go with the iconic Central Park. As the name suggests, Central Park has a convenient downtown location (so you’re close to plentiful coffee and lunch options) and is central to many community events throughout the year. Kids love to watch the koi fish and turtles in the pond at the beautiful Japanese Garden. Sadly, the 75-year-old mini train ride is currently on hiatus but according to the city’s website, plans are underway to replace it.
San Mateo Central Park, 50 E. 5th Ave., San Mateo
Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo
Coyote Point is rightfully an essential part of many a Peninsula kid’s childhood, not least because of CuriOdyssey, a beloved science museum and zoo where you can see all kinds of critters (mostly rehabilitated animals who cannot be returned to the wild) and partake in hands-on science learning. (CuriOdyssey also has its own specialty playground designed by Magical Bridge Foundation.) Coyote Point is also home to the enchanting Magic Mountain Playground (here there be dragons!) featuring 11 slides and 13 swings along with spring riders, balance beams and a 42-foot-high castle with one of the longest enclosed slides in California. Its location right along the Bay means there is all sorts of outdoor fun to be had.
Coyote Point Recreation Area, 1701 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo. Coyote Point has a $6 vehicle entry fee. CuriOdyssey general admission for adults is $25.95; $21.95 for seniors 62 and over, children and students; and free for infants up to 17 months old.
Huddart Park, Woodside
Huddart Park is the perfect place to bring your family for a day in nature, with its majestic redwoods, fragrant bay trees and shady canyons. The short but scenic Chickadee Nature Trail even works for strollers. It’s also a perfect picnic spot and has a playground, barbecue pits, and day and overnight campsites for youth. Horseback riding, archery and amphitheater reservations are also available.
Huddart Park, 1100 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside. There is a $6 vehicle entry fee. Check website for reservation fees.
Stulsaft Park, Redwood City
Redwood City’s woodsy Stulsaft Park, a popular spot for summer camps, has two entrances (upper and lower), both of which are well worth checking out. The upper area has the playground, featuring a crayon-themed water feature and big hillslide slides. The wilder side, entered from Recreation Way, has the magnificent and magical creek. This part also features trails that allow dogs off-leash, so if, like mine, your family takes delight in encountering jubilant, muddy pups splashing through the creek at close range, this is your spot.
Stulsaft Park, 3737 Farm Hill Blvd. and Recreation Way off of Goodwin Avenue, Redwood City
Nealon Park, Menlo Park
Nealon Park is a very popular spot to play. It has an updated, enclosed, all-abilities playground designed with inclusivity – and fun – in mind. There are tons of things to climb, swing on and slide down, with an appealing nature and camping theme.
Nealon Park, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park
Rinconada Park, Palo Alto
Palo Alto’s 19-acre Rinconada Park is a great headquarters and launchpad for a day of play. In addition to the playground, there’s also the beautiful Magic Forest redwood grove and swimming pools (including the fountain-full wading pool), plus proximity to the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo for the science and animal fans, the Palo Alto Children’s Library for the bookworms, the Palo Alto Art Center for the budding artists, and even the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, which offers both indoor and outdoor shows for kids.
Rinconada Park, 777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto
Magical Bridge playgrounds, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Redwood City and Santa Clara
Magical Bridge playgrounds offer engaging, accessible and inclusive play opportunities for folks of all ages and abilities, with multisensory features such as sound installations along with special events, live performances and volunteer programs that encourage kindness and community. The original is going strong in Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park, and the Magical Bridge Foundation has opened multiple additional locations including in Redwood City, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara. More Magical Bridge playgrounds are coming soon, including in Mountain View, Portola Valley and Daly City.
Magical Bridge playgrounds, Mitchell Park, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto; Red Morton Park, 938 Valota Road, Redwood City; Fair Oaks Park, 540 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Sunnyvale; Central Park, playground near intersection of Homestead Road and Kiely Boulevard, Santa Clara.
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