San Diego Parks and Playgrounds

Use this guide to find parks and playgrounds in San Diego where parents and kids can play and spend time outside together. Browse practical details to help you choose a place for your next outing.

Parks and playgrounds

  1. Gardens + museums + park dayBalboa ParkBalboa Park · Gardens + museums + free park tram
  2. Bay play + picnic + pathMission PointMission Bay · Tot lot + bay swim access without lifeguard
  3. History + views + trailsPresidio ParkOld Town · Two-plus miles of historic hill trails
  4. Lake loop + play + youth fishingChollas Lake ParkOak Park · 0.8-mile dirt loop + youth-only fishing
  5. Big nature + visitor centerMission Trails Regional ParkSan Carlos · About 60 miles of trails + Old Mission Dam
  6. Canyon trails + nature centerTecolote Canyon Natural ParkClairemont · 6.5-mile canyon network + exhibits
  7. Ocean views + coastal geologySunset Cliffs Natural ParkPoint Loma · Coastal bluffs + seasonal whale views
  8. Sports + skate + tot playRobb Athletic FieldOcean Beach · Skate park + sand tot lot + large field mix
  9. Three play areas + picnicLa Jolla Community ParkLa Jolla · Three large play areas for varied ages
  10. Tot lots + courts + fieldsDoyle Community ParkUniversity City · Tot lots + sand volleyball + ball fields
  11. Play + picnic + basketballAzalea Neighborhood ParkAzalea Park · Children's play + barbecue picnic tables
  12. Play + broad field sportsSan Ysidro Larsen FieldSan Ysidro · Playground + soccer, baseball, and softball fields
  13. Inclusive play + kid trailsSan Dieguito County ParkDel Mar · about 22 miles from downtown San Diego · Inclusive playground and TRACK Trails

Wildlife to look for nearby · July

These are examples of wildlife parents and kids may notice in parks and natural areas in and around San Diego.

  1. Warm-season reptilesA snake or lizard warming in open ground · Sunny coastal-sage and trail edges
  2. California grunion runsSmall silver fish riding waves onto wet sand · Open sandy coast only where nighttime access is legal
  3. Late-spring marine layerLow morning cloud softening the horizon · Coast and nearby western neighborhoods
See the seasonal nature calendar

Explore more in San Diego

Find more family-friendly ideas and local guides for your city.

See San Diego guides