14 Best Playgrounds in San Francisco

For those visiting with the family, this list of the 14 best playgrounds in San Francisco will help you find our most amazing parks for kids.

These top choices are all public free playgrounds in San Francisco. They feature a variety of things to do, including outdoor playground equipment, climbing ropes, slides, basketball courts, and more.

You'll find these playgrounds all around the city, including some near Fisherman's Wharf and others in local districts. They'll keep your little ones entertained for hours.

Read on for more details about each one.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

1. Dolores Park

District: Near the Castro and Mission Districts

Address: Dolores and 19th Streets

If you're looking for playgrounds in San Francisco with recreation facilities for young and old, you must check out Dolores Park (officially Mission Dolores Park).

This 16-acre green space was established in 1905 and offers plenty of lush grass and beautiful palms for shade. It's popular with locals who like to hang out here on sunny days, walk their dogs, or play tennis, soccer, or basketball.

The park is worth a visit for the stunning views of the San Francisco skyline alone. 

It's the perfect place for a family day out, as the kids will love the brilliant playground equipment. There are also two off-leash dog play areas if you are traveling with the WHOLE family.

I love that getting to Dolores Park is easy since the Muni Metro J-Church Line runs along its edge.

It hosts many festivals, performances, and cultural events throughout the year, so keep an eye out for what's on during your visit.

>> More about the nearby Mission Dolores attractions

2. Francisco Park

District: Russian Hill

Address: Bay and Larkin Streets

New parks for kids rarely come along, especially in a dense and thriving city such as San Francisco.

With the San Francisco Reservoir site standing empty and unused, the City of San Francisco allowed the local community to develop what is now Francisco Park Conservancy, a stunning green space overlooking some of the most iconic sights in and around the city.

This relatively new park opened in 2022. It also contains a new playground in San Francisco, which offers a wonderful outdoor area for kids to climb, slide, and play around in.

Four neighboring communities oversee the 4.5-acre site and offer a central green lawn space perfect for a family picnic with amazing views of the Bay, a dog park for exercising your four-legged friend, a community garden, and

Its location makes it one of the best playgrounds in SF for visitors staying in Fisherman's Wharf.

>> More about visiting Fisherman's Wharf

3. Seward Mini Park

District: Ashbury Heights

Address: 70 Corwin Street

Seward Slides mini-park is a hidden gem in San Francisco—a community garden with beautiful flowers and plants. The main attraction is the two long concrete slides designed by a local 14-year-old who won a competition!

Now be aware these slides are long and fast, and are NOT for younger children. Many adults may find them daunting, but you have to have a go at least once!

I suggest not going down in just your pants or shorts, as sliding down the concrete can be painful. Instead, bring some cardboard (or use some that others have left at the park), and you'll have a blast.

There is little else here in this charming and very pleasant community park, but I still recommend a visit. 

While it is a public, free playground in San Francisco, be aware that the park is only open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, and adults must be accompanied by children.

>> Discover more of San Francisco's hidden gems

4. Joe DiMaggio Playground

District: North Beach

Address: 651 Lombard Street

The recently renovated Joe DiMaggio Playground turned one block of Mason Street into one of the best playgrounds in San Francisco.

Locals were heavily involved in the design and development of this park, which opened in 2015.

This is an excellent choice for a family day out, with facilities including an indoor pool, tennis courts, other sports courts, and an accessible children's play area.

The landscaping makes this a beautiful place to walk around, and there is plenty of seating in the park, while the new bocce courts and a great picnic area add to the appeal.

Suitable for younger children, this is an excellent example of how communities can work with San Francisco Recreation and Parks to create usable and sustainable green spaces in the city.

>> If your kids love the pool, check out these fantastic SF hotels with pools

5. Playground at Washington Square

District: North Beach

Address: Filbert and Stockton Streets

Washington Square Playground has been recently renovated to provide improved facilities. The park was reopened in 2019 and is an impressive space with plenty to enjoy.

Not only have the facilities been upgraded to required accessibility standards, but the park has also been refurbished with balancing discs, monkey bars, a nest swing, park furniture for small children, a slide, and more.

The park has been planted with a fine array of flowers and shrubs, drainage has been improved, and it has become a popular destination for local families and tourists. Interactive and playful art installations are also part of the improvements to the park.

Take a picnic and let the children entertain themselves while the grownups have quality time in a beautiful and welcoming San Francisco park. Washington Square is also easy to reach by public transport, so put this one on your list.

>> Head one block south to see the 'Dear San Francisco' aerial show, which will dazzle the whole family

More Fun Things to Do with Kids in SF

6. Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground

District: Chinatown

Address: 830 Sacramento Street

The colorful Willie 'Woo Woo' Wong playground is one of the most unique playgrounds in San Francisco.

This playground caters to the Chinese community but welcomes all children and families to this recently refurbished garden with Chinese mythology-inspired outdoor play equipment.

The massive Chinese Water Dragon feature is a climbing tower and slide that will keep youngsters occupied for hours.

The basketball court, tennis court, and other hard courts, coupled with the comfortable clubhouse, are there for parents to take each other on in a leisurely game. An athletics court on the clubhouse roof was also part of the renovation.

The Chinese community plays an essential role in this multi-cultural city, so spending time at this charming SF kids park is well worth it.

>> Visit Chinatown on the popular Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

7. Alamo Square Playground

District: Alamo Square

Address: Hayes and Steiner Streets

The Alamo Square playground is one of the best playgrounds in SF because of its central location and postcard-worthy setting.

Alamo Square, a popular film and TV location featured in the opening credits of "Full House," is among the most picturesque San Francisco playgrounds, and therefore a favorite of both locals and tourists.

Visitors get a fabulous view of some of the most famous San Francisco sights from the hilltop, including the wonderfully evocative 'Painted Ladies' houses of Postcard Row.

The playground in the park, with a split-level design, is great for kids of all ages, while the off-the-leash dog area is a welcome bonus for families with pets.

Alamo Square also has a full tennis court, walking trails, a picnic area, and restrooms.

Easily accessible and worth a visit for the views alone, it's a wonderful choice for families so parents can relax and enjoy the surroundings. At the same time, the kids get plenty of exercise at this adventure playground in San Francisco.

>> Find out which other TV shows have featured this and other San Francisco scenes

8. Moscone Playground

District: Marina District

Address: 1800 Chestnut Street

This charming park between Laguna and Chestnut Streets is easy to reach and features an excellent playground for younger children, including toddlers.

It features lovely green areas for picnics, an indoor recreation center, and a new dog play area. Newly resurfaced tennis courts, basketball courts, a putting green, and a mini driving range are among its many other attractions.

With four ball fields and a choice of children's play areas, the Moscone Playground makes for an ideal family day out.

This is the first of the recently renovated San Francisco playgrounds to offer a bike track for young riders to learn to cycle, balance-bike, or scooter around safely.

>> For more cycling fun, check out these deals on Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours (and make sure to request specialized kids' equipment!) 

9. Playground at Portsmouth Square

District: Chinatown

Address: 745 Kearny Street

Portsmouth Square was not only the place where the US flag was first raised in the city in 1846, but also where, just two years later, they announced that gold had been discovered, leading to the ensuing Gold Rush of legend.

Now located in the heart of the lively and colorful Chinatown District, the square offers two playgrounds suitable for children of all ages and a pleasant and vibrant place to visit.

It's not unusual to see locals mingling with tourists who are observing and indulging in the fascinating Chinese culture in San Francisco.

Portsmouth Square is easy to reach by public transportation or on foot from other local districts. It also benefits from a large underground parking complex, as this is a heavy traffic area.

>> You and the kids might be lucky enough to celebrate Chinese New Year in San Francisco, or attend the Autumn Moon Festival

More Great Resources for Traveling to SF with Kids

10. Presidio Heights Playground

District: Presidio Heights

Address: 3437 Clay Street

Easily reached and located on Clay and Walnut Streets, Presidio Heights Playground and Picnic Area is a fine choice for a family picnic in pleasant surroundings.

There are two separate picnic areas that can be reserved in the morning or afternoon for group gatherings. There is also a clubhouse with restrooms included. 

This is one of the best toddler playgrounds in San Francisco, as there is separate outdoor play equipment for bigger kids, both areas with soft turf to keep them safe.  

While the basketball court is the only recreation facility, I recommend this park as a place where adults can meet and catch up while the kids enjoy the excellent play structures.

The picnic tables must be booked in advance as they are quite popular.

11. Duboce Park

District: Lower Haight

Address: Duboce and Scott Street

The Duboce Park Picnic Area offers the opportunity to book a perfect picnic location for large groups and families. There is a basketball court for recreation and a wealth of green areas.

Located at Duboce and Scott Streets, this is one of the playgrounds in San Francisco with nice areas for the kids to climb, slide, and jump around—one for tots, and another for older kids.

The playground area here has a fence around it to make it easier to keep an eye on your little ones. The enclosed dog play area is also very popular, if you happen to be traveling with Fido!

>> Find the best pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco

12. Helen Diller Playground in the Civic Center

District: Civic Center

Address: 55 Larkin Street

You'll find this relatively new playground in San Francisco in the centrally located Civic Center neighborhood, with our famous City Hall dome in the background.

It includes fabulous play spaces that serve a very dense area of the city, meaning local families, visitors, daycare institutions, and schools use these facilities.

If you're looking for an adventure playground in San Francisco, let your kids discover the "cloud forest" climbing feature, inspired by our foggy climate.

The unique playscape is full of futuristic shapes and ropes that draw everyone in to explore.

I recommend using public transport to reach the Helen Diller Playgrounds.

13. Koret Children's Playground

District: Golden Gate Park

Address: Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Bowling Green Drive

One of the most spellbinding sights in San Francisco's stunning parks and playgrounds is the Herschel-Spillman Carousel. You can find it in the Koret Children's Playground, a superb kids' facility within the famous Golden Gate Park, and one of the oldest playgrounds in San Francisco.

The current carousel dates from 1914 and was installed in Golden Gate Park in 1940. It was lovingly restored in 1977 and is now among the most popular attractions in the park.

Lavishly decorated and fun even for adults, the playground located in the park is also home to a historic concrete slide, climbing structures in both wall and rope form, and much more to keep the kids happy while parents relax.

Tables in the picnic area next to the carousel can be booked, and we strongly recommend doing so, as this is a very popular spot.

>> While in Golden Gate Park, don't miss the incredibly popular California Academy of Sciences

14. Grattan Playground

District: Cole Valley

Address: 201 Alma Street

Grattan Playground is located in the Inner Green Belt region off Stanyan Street and combines recreational facilities with one of the best playgrounds in SF for kids.

The wooden play structure is great fun for kids of all ages and offers a variety of activities. There are also swings for the youngsters to enjoy and a community clubhouse on site.

With a choice of basketball and tennis courts, an athletics field, and restrooms within the park, this is ideal for your family to spend a few fun hours during your visit to San Francisco.

It is also popular with locals, so don't be surprised to find it busy, especially during the holiday seasons. The picnic area is pleasant, but there are no booking facilities, so it is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Put this one on your list for when the kids get restless, and you'll have a place to go!

Playground at the San Francisco Zoo

I didn't include the San Francisco Zoo in the list of top 14 playgrounds above because it is a paid attraction. However, it's definitely one worth mentioning! 

The Elinor Friend Playground was a $3.2 million project that opened in 2013 to rave reviews. It is a nature-themed adventure playground unlike any other, specially designed for children of all ages and abilities.

The three distinct play areas are modeled after three distinct bio-regions: a River Play Area for toddlers, a Polar Zone for pre-schoolers, and a Banyan Tree climbing structure for ages 5 to 12.

During a day filled with observing animals in their habitats, your kids' imaginations will ignite as they crawl through a beaver dam, slide down an iceberg, or swing through a tree.

Use the link below to purchase your tickets. You won't regret this unforgettable family outing!

Indoor Playgrounds in San Francisco

Just in case, for those rainy or blustery days, here are some fantastic indoor playgrounds in San Francisco to keep your kids busy.

Unlike the 14 outdoor options listed above, these are NOT free public open spaces. But they will definitely keep your kids active and having fun if the weather puts you in a pinch!

• House of Air Trampoline Park: 926 Mason Street in the Presidio 
• Peek-a-Boo Factory: 5411 Geary Boulevard in the Richmond

In addition to these marvelous indoor playgrounds in San Francisco, you’ll find some excellent hands-on museums that the whole family will love. Top options include the Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay, and California Academy of Sciences. Get your tickets here:

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