San Mateo

Beresford Children's Playground

Stunning leaf shade structures, incredible equipment variety, sports courts, and fields — Beresford does it all. An absolute must-visit family park.

Borel Park

Enchanting treehouse park wrapped in greenery and flowers, shaded seating, carousel, and fully enclosed. No bathrooms but absolutely worth a visit!

Lakeshore Park / Marten's Field

Pirate ship playground meets bayside sandy beach — perfect for stroller walks, dog walks, and toddler bike rides with lovely water views. A relaxed neighborhood gem!

Laurelwood Park

A beautifully designed, fully enclosed playground inside a state park — creative, safe, and trail-adjacent. Bring water, skip if expecting big kid swings.

Laurie Meadows Park

Colorful, adventurous playground with tall slides, hideaway nooks, sensory pod, and shade structures — plus connected to Casanova Park over a bridge. A family favorite! 🌈

Magic Mountain Playground

Castle-themed mega playground at Coyote Point — marina, golf, bike trails, beach party area with BBQs, and right next to CuriOdyssey museum. An unmissable full-day destination!

Mariners Island Park

Idyllic streamside park with Canadian geese, an adventure ship toddler area, zip line, rock climbing wall, and perfect picnic spots. A true hidden gem!

Paddock Park

Small neighborhood park with a modern playground, lawns, picnic tables & restrooms.

Parkside Aquatic Park

Stunning lagoon with a sandy beach, two toddler playgrounds, and picnic tables overlooking the water — plus changing rooms for wet swimsuits. A beachside escape in San Mateo!

Ryder Park

Splash pad, sandpit with sand table, climbing structure, and changing tables — plus connected to Seal Point bay trails for bonus adventures. Check splash pad hours first! 💦🌊

Pinstripes

Italian-American fare, bowling & bocce in a sprawling space with indoor & outdoor seating & a bar.

Bay Meadows Park

Peaceful green space with walking paths, a duck pond, and open fields — lovely for dog walks and strolls, but no playground. Manage expectations.

Bayside/Joinville Park

Older playground skewing toward big kids, but surrounded by tennis, soccer, baseball, a pool, and an arts center nearby. A solid neighborhood all-rounder!

Casanova Park

Solid neighborhood playground for toddlers. Connected to plenty of amenities - dog park, gymnastics structure, and 2 additional playgrounds

Fiesta Meadows Park

Mostly just a poorly maintained soccer field and bathrooms — the playground is locked and reserved for residents only. Give this one a miss.

Gateway Park

Less about the playground, more about the vibe — a peaceful riverside oasis with ducks, green fields, and idyllic ambiance.

Harborview Park

Comfortable neighborhood playground with climbing structures, sandpit, swings, and spinners — plus a changing table and easy parking. A solid local stop!

Indian Springs Park

Safe neighborhood park but limited equipment variety — slides and monkey bars only. Great shaded seating and a big field. Fine for a quick stop.

Los Prados Park

Solid neighborhood park with a big tunnel slide, tennis courts, basketball, and shaded picnic tables overlooking the field. Dependable but not a destination.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park

Solid, well-rounded park near downtown with swings, basketball, soccer, and a community center — safe, reliable, and great for all ages. A dependable family favorite!

Persimmon Park

Tiny community garden pocket with a giant picnic table and tranquil vibes — minimal kids' activities, but pair it with nearby Paddock Park for a lovely outing

Seal Point Park

Flat stroller-friendly bay trails with stunning SFO plane views, and a huge dog park. No playground, but can easily walk over the bridge to Ryder park.

Shoreview Park

Enclosed playground perfectly set up for birthday parties with picnic tables right alongside — plus skate park, tennis, and basketball for older kids. Equipment is aging but safe.

Sunnybrae Park

Fully enclosed, multi-station toddler haven tucked in a quiet neighborhood — busy even on weekday mornings because locals know it's special!

Trinta Park

Perfect little league sidekick park — younger siblings have somewhere to play during the game. As a standalone playground? Give it a miss.

West Hillsdale Park

Quiet neighborhood park with an easy to miss entrance and limited toddler features. Solid locals-only stop but don't go out of your way.

Bel Mateo Bowl

Bowling alley with dozens of lanes & arcade games plus a snack bar & cocktail lounge.

Fieldwork San Mateo

Brewpub with a variety of seasonal house beer blends, plus basic snacks, in an industrial setting.

GAMA Ride

San Mateo Central Park

Downtown gem with rose gardens, Japanese tea garden, tennis, and a seasonal ice rink.