14 Coolest Playgrounds in the Bay Area (2024 Map)

We’re collecting parent reviews for the best playgrounds in the San Francisco Bay Area! From cool destination playgrounds to hidden gem neighborhood parks, see what parents say about the top local spots for kids to play outdoors. Click the map view and zoom in to discover the best Bay Area playgrounds near you.

Your reviews, tips & photos will help other families looking for a new playground to check out, so please chime in and share the scoop on your favorites!

Our list of Bay Area indoor playgrounds has you covered when the weather isn't cooperating, too.


 

    Rotary PlayGarden

    Pin

     (3106.9 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Play for the whole day at this amazing playground in the Bay Area! Sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Jose, the park offers lots of great spaces for kids of all abilities to explore. From traditional playground equipment to water and sand play, kids can swing, slide, climb and splash! Be sure to check out the landscapes of play, featuring natural spaces perfect for stretching your legs or enjoying some imaginative play.

    Jack Fischer Park

    Pin

     (3112.1 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Designed with younger children in mind, Jack Fischer Park is home to a variety of play equipment, interactive water feature, and a hill with a walking path. In addition, there are lots of open spaces to play, as well as restrooms and picnic area, making it a great place to enjoy some time outdoors as a family.

    Magical Bridge Playground

    Pin

     (3121.2 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Considered the nation's most "innovative and inclusive playground," Magical Bridge features fully accessible equipment, including a wheelchair accessible treehouse and merry-go-round, smooth pathways, and tactile surfaces, creating a fun and engaging environment for children of all abilities.

    Frog Park

    Pin

     (3130.4 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Once an overgrown lot, Frog Park is now one of Oakland’s most popular parks! Volunteer-built, the park sits on a 3 block-long greenbelt, with playgrounds at either end. The southern Redondo Playground is designed for pre-school age children, while the larger Hardy Playground on the north-end has active play areas and climbing structures for bigger kids. The park also features a creek, butterfly gardens, and plenty of space to explore.

    Adventure Playground

    Pin

     (3134.3 mi)

    Time

    Hours vary seasonally

    Price

    Free

    Visitors to Adventure Playground can enjoy playing on the many kid designed and built forts, boats, and towers, riding the zip line or creating with hammers, saws, paint, and recycled materials. 

    Children's Creativity Museum

    Pin

     (3140.6 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Large playgrounds in front of this popular San Francisco museum for kids have plenty of soft floor space to run and feature two major tube slides. Kids will love taking a ride on the nearby LeRoy King Carousel, too.

    Esmeralda Slide Park

    Pin

     (3141.7 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Nestled within a hilly neighborhood, Esmeralda Slide Park transforms the natural incline into two long slides and a sandbox. There's scenic views and lush landscape.

    Hellen Diller Playground at Mission Dolores Park

    Pin

     (3142.0 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Located in one of the most popular parks in San Francisco, Hellen Diller Playground features a number of fully accessible playground elements, including age-designated areas for older and younger children. Kids will enjoy the Sand Garden, Shipwrecked Boat, Natural Climbing Stone, a 45 foot long Super Slide, and more. It's a great place to enjoy views of the city skyline as well as frequent festivals and cultural events.

    Alamo Square Playground

    Pin

     (3142.7 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Bring a picnic blanket, snacks, and lounge outside at Alamo Square. This all-ages, fenced in and multi level playground is located in a popular park that directly overlooks views of San Francisco's famous Painted Ladies.

    Alice Chalmers Playground

    Pin

     (3143.8 mi)

    Price

    Free

    The newly renovated playground opened in the fall of 2020 with an incredible, super tall tower as its central, jaw-dropping feature. The tower itself includes a twisty slide, climbing wall, platforms and internal climbing nets, and is surrounded by play features such as climbing stacks, a sandbox, and a large spinner.

    Presidio Wall Playground

    Pin

     (3144.1 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Inspired by the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, one of the best playgrounds in San Francisco offers a Parisian-style play area within view of the Golden Gate Bridge! Kids will enjoy fun and challenging playground equipment, including climbing and spinning structures, as well as an interactive wet sand play sculpture and fields for playing ball.

    Koret Playground

    Pin

     (3144.6 mi)

    Price

    Free

    Koret Playground's roots date back to 1888, and it's believed to be the nation’s first public playground. While it still features its historic concrete slide, the park has been updated with a fun rope climbing structure, and wave-inspired climbing wall. The playground is part of the larger Koret Children’s Quarter, featuring a 1914 carousel.

    Golden Gate Heights Park

    Pin

     (3145.2 mi)

    Price

    Free

    The new & improved Golden Gate Heights Park is a perfect place for San Francisco kids who love to climb, with a tall rope structure, rock wall, and play bridges to provide plenty of options for active play.

    Bay Area Discovery Museum

    Pin

     (3145.9 mi)

    Price

    $15-$20

    The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a children's museum offering many STEAM exhibits for families to explore. Kids will love learning about space, digital technology and art while using their imagination. Enjoy one of the several playgrounds or participate in a pop-up program. Bay Hall features boats, trains and tunnels in a simulated San Francisco setting. Lookout Cove lets kids explore nature in an interactive playground and the Tot Spot is a perfect place for toddlers to run around and burn off energy.

Primary photo:   Upparent

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

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