Best Parks in San Francisco for Families: 15 Kid-Friendly Spots Around the Cit
If you’re looking for the best parks in San Francisco for kids, you’re in the right place. Navigating San Francisco with little ones can feel a bit overwhelming: hills, traffic, finding parking, hustling to lunch…Trust me, I’ve been there. For families living in or visiting the area, finding kid-friendly green spaces can feel daunting amidst the hustle of city life, and it helps to know exactly where to go.
As a Walnut Creek-based newborn, maternity, and family photographer, I’ve had the honor of serving over 1,000 families from across the Bay Area, including many from San Francisco. While I specialize in studio sessions, I often talk with families about the best ways to enjoy the city with children.
This guide was created to help you explore the best parks in San Francisco by neighborhood, complete with practical details and updated descriptions to make your visit easy and enjoyable.
And if you’re dreaming of a photo shoot to document how little your kids are in this stage of life, feel free to peek at my milestone & family photography session offerings.
15 Best Parks in San Francisco for Families
Golden Gate Park & Koret Children’s Quarter
Bowling Green Dr & Martin Luther King Jr Dr, San Francisco, CA 94117
While every family has their favorite spot, many would agree that Golden Gate Park easily ranks as the best park in San Francisco thanks to its size, diverse attractions, and family-friendly amenities. Golden Gate Park spans over 1,000 acres, making it the biggest park in San Francisco. The Koret Children’s Quarter is one of the oldest public playgrounds in the country, recently updated with a modern climbing structure, historic concrete slides, and a large carousel nearby.
Best for: Toddlers to elementary-aged kids
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street and limited lot parking nearby
Nearby: Music Concourse, SF Botanical Garden, California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco Botanical Garden
1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Located within Golden Gate Park, this 55-acre living museum hosts over 8,000 kinds of plants from around the world. It offers wide walking paths, shaded benches, and grassy open spaces perfect for quiet exploration.
Best for: Mixed ages, quieter play
Playground: No
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street and Music Concourse Garage
Nearby: De Young Museum, Japanese Tea Garden
Stern Grove Playground
2750 19th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132
Tucked into a wooded canyon in the Parkside neighborhood, Stern Grove is a peaceful retreat with tall eucalyptus trees and a cozy playground. It's ideal for families seeking natural surroundings in the San Francisco area.
Best for: Mixed ages
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking along Sloat Blvd
Nearby: Pine Lake Park, West Portal cafes
Presidio Tunnel Tops & Outpost Playground
210 Lincoln Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94129
One of the newest parks in San Francisco, Presidio Tunnel Tops covers 14 acres of urban parkland overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. The Outpost Playground is a nature-based play zone with logs, ropes, and sandy areas, designed for adventurous play.
Best for: Toddlers to big kids
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Paid lots nearby
Nearby: Presidio Visitor Center, food trucks, Crissy Field
Mountain Lake Park & Playground
1000 Lake St, San Francisco, CA 94118
Located at the edge of the Presidio, this 15-acre park features a recently renovated playground, walking paths, and a small lake with ducks. It’s a favorite for local families looking for calm in the parks in the San Francisco area.
Best for: Toddlers to elementary-aged kids
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking
Nearby: Clement Street cafes, Presidio trails
Presidio Heights Playground
Clay St & Walnut St, San Francisco, CA 94118
A quiet neighborhood park nestled in Presidio Heights with a playground and shaded picnic spots. Its compact size and friendly atmosphere make it ideal for quick outings.
Best for: Toddlers and young children
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking
Nearby: Sacramento Street cafes and bakeries
Francisco Park
Bay St & Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
One of the new parks in San Francisco, Francisco Park is built on a former reservoir and features panoramic views, modern playground equipment, and wide lawns. It’s ideal for families who want an open space near the water.
Best for: All ages
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking; limited
Nearby: Ghirardelli Square, Aquatic Park
Alamo Square Park
Steiner St & Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Famous for the Painted Ladies backdrop, Alamo Square Park is a multi-acre green space with sloped lawns and a fenced playground. It offers one of the best views in the parks in San Francisco.
Best for: All ages
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking
Nearby: Hayes Valley shops and cafes
Lafayette Park
Gough St & Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94109
This centrally located park offers sweeping views of the city, two play areas, and plenty of grassy space. It’s a well-kept local favorite in the parks in the San Francisco area.
Best for: Toddlers to big kids
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking
Nearby: Fillmore Street eateries
Alta Plaza Park
Jackson St & Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Alta Plaza is a terraced park with panoramic views, a shaded playground, and tennis courts. Located in Pacific Heights, it’s a popular neighborhood spot with lots of open space.
Best for: Mixed ages
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking
Nearby: Sacramento Street shops and cafes
Mission Dolores Park & Playground
Dolores St & 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
One of the best parks in San Francisco, Dolores Park is known for its vibrant energy, views of the skyline, and large grassy areas. The updated playground includes accessible features and splash areas.
Best for: All ages
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street and nearby paid lots
Nearby: Valencia Street restaurants, Bi-Rite Market
Mission Bay Kids Park (Mission Creek Park)
290 Channel St, San Francisco, CA 94158
This is one of the best parks in South San Francisco, featuring a new playground surrounded by landscaped paths and creek views. It’s designed with modern equipment and is particularly toddler-friendly.
Best for: Toddlers and young kids
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street and garage parking nearby
Nearby: Spark Social SF, Oracle Park
Yerba Buena Gardens
750 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Situated in SoMa, this garden-style park includes a large lawn, playground, art installations, and an adjacent carousel. It’s a peaceful retreat in the heart of downtown.
Best for: Mixed ages
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Paid garages nearby
Nearby: SF MoMA, Metreon, Contemporary Jewish Museum
John McLaren Park: Herz & Redwood Grove Playgrounds
100 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco, CA 94134
As the second biggest park in San Francisco, McLaren Park covers over 300 acres and includes wooded trails, amphitheaters, and multiple playgrounds. Herz and Redwood Grove are popular spots within the park for families.
Best for: All ages
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking inside the park
Nearby: Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, Visitacion Valley shops
Glen Canyon Park & Recreation Center
70 Elk St, San Francisco, CA 94127
This canyon-style park in San Francisco offers a nature escape with rock outcrops, trails, and a large rec center with playground. It’s perfect for active families who enjoy a touch of adventure.
Best for: Elementary-aged kids and up
Playground: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking: Street parking
Nearby: Glen Park BART, Canyon Market
Tips for Visiting Parks in the San Francisco Area with Kids
Weather & Layers: The weather can shift quickly. Bring jackets and dress in layers, especially near the water.
Parking & Transit: Use public transportation when possible. Many parks have limited or metered parking.
Safety & Crowds: Avoid peak afternoon crowds at Dolores and Mission Bay on weekends. Supervise kids near steep areas and trails.
What to Bring: Pack snacks, water, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and a picnic blanket.
These Moments Deserve to Be Remembered
All these fun moments with your little ones are worth remembering. At Eva Baker Photography, I focus exclusively on studio-based newborn, maternity, and milestone sessions in Walnut Creek. I provide wardrobe guidance, hair and makeup options, and heirloom-quality artwork. If you want to document your family as you are now, learn more about our Bay Area family photography experience!
FAQs About Visiting San Francisco Parks with Kids
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Yes, most parks are family-friendly with maintained equipment and clear signage. Always supervise young children closely.
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Mission Bay Kids Park, Mountain Lake Park, and Presidio Heights Playground are flatter and more manageable for younger children.
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Francisco Park, Alamo Square, and Presidio Tunnel Tops offer beautiful scenic views.
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Golden Gate Park is the largest, spanning over 1,000 acres.
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Most parks listed have restrooms. Changing tables may vary; it’s best to check before visiting.
Book Your San Francisco Family Photographer
There are an endless number of fun family activities in San Francisco! Whether you’re exploring Glen Canyon or relaxing at Yerba Buena Gardens, we hope this guide to the best parks in San Francisco for families helps you enjoy the city’s green spaces.
If you’re looking for timeless portraits of your growing family, learn more about our full-service studio experience here.