Berkley

Tilden Regional Park

There are so many things to see and do at Tilden Regional Park, you’ll want to go more than once! First, there are many trails for a variety of ages and skills. There is a Little Farm for your little one to learn about plants and animals. It is free, but if you bring lettuce or celery you can get up close and personal and feed the animals. Make sure you stop at the Merry-Go-Round while you there too! If you head to the Merry-Go-Round and surrounding areas in December you can see it decked out for the holidays! For a spot to cool down in the summer there is Lake Anza, a great swimming hole with a sandy beach. Bring the sand toys and make an afternoon out of it! The top attraction at Tilden Regional Park is the real-life steam engine train you can ride! It is free for kids under 2 and $3 per ride for everyone else.

Totland

As you can tell by the name Totland is the perfect place for kids 1-4 years old. One of the best features is that it is all enclosed! There are big and little features for all the toys like swings and slides. There is a sand play area with a water feature that can be activated with a button. There are plenty of benches for sitting and a bathroom with a changing table. A very popular and fun spot for your little ones!

Adventure Playground

After you visit the Shorebird Park Nature Center in Berkley make sure to stop at the Adventure Playground. Current “School Schedule” hours are Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm. This is a magical place where kids (with the help of adults and volunteers) can build and create using tools to saw, hammer, paint and more. There is a kid built fort and zipline. Plus it is free! It is suited best for kids 7 years old and up. Make sure to have your kid wear closed toe shoes as well.

Codornices Park

Photo Cred: @berkeley.homes via Instagram

Grab a piece of cardboard and slide down the cement slides at Codornices Park! This park is also filled with basketball courts, swings, beautiful walking paths, and it's connected to the Berkeley Rose Garden.

Piedmont

Dracena Park

Dracena Park is a hidden gem in Piedmont. The park is tucked away into a neighborhood and is worth the stop. Bring your scooters and bikes to take advantage of the path around the play structure and cardboard to ride down the cement slide. There is also a climbing wall that is perfect for older kids! Bring a picnic blanket as there are no tables.

Oakland

Frog Park

Due to the expansive wooden play structure Frog Park is a great place to take older kids! It may be hard to keep track of little ones at this park, so it is best to keep them at home. The wooden play structure is unique, intricate and fun. There is a climbing wall and a creek for kids to enjoy as well!

Roberts Regional Recreation Area

Photo Cred: @lifeofryann via Instagram — Photo Cred: @bayareagirldad via Instagram

This park is truly a hidden gem in Oakland. Roberts Regional Recreational Area is in the beautiful Redwoods. You can take a nice hike before/after playing on the playground. Guaranteed you will spend at least a few hours here. There is also a large field to run around on or have a picnic. Parking here is $5.

Walnut Creek

Heather Farms

Heather Farms Park as a whole has 102 acres, a rose garden, duck pond, swim center, skatepark, picnic areas and more. It is home to the Walnut Festival fair every September and Teddy Bear Tea in December. The playground is a massive, all ability playground like no other. Around the playground are picnic areas that are free to reserve. It is a great spot for birthday parties or just to run around and play! The playground is for all ages but due to the size it suits older kids best.

Larkey Park

The great thing about Larkey Park is it is situated next to Lindsey Wildlife Experience. That makes it the perfect outing for both! You can visit the animals and birds at the Lindsey Wildlife Museum then head over to Larkey Park to play. There are two playgrounds close to each other. There is a sand pit and new beach chairs for parents to relax in and watch your kids play.

Moraga

Moraga Commons

This park as a playground situated right by a large field and picnic tables. There are also easily accessible bathrooms nearby. If you follow the left path from the parking lot (opposite from the playground) and around the school, you will also find easy hiking trails for kids! They are not paved but my stroller managed well. You could easily spend a whole day here between the trails and playground. If you go in the spring you can find beautiful fields of mustard flowers.

Danville

Hap Magee Ranch Park

This is a perfect park for anything you may want! There is an updated playground, sand pit, walking trails, large grass field, picnic tables and even a little splash pad. It is right off the freeway but feels tucked away and is so beautiful. It is a former ranch, and you can see the history from the park’s entrance as you approach the barn façade.

Alameda

Jean Sweeney Open Space Park

Photo Cred: @amom2kidsandapark via Instagram

Jean Sweeney Open Space Park has a giant hillside slide, a zip line, a big sandbox, a log path, a large mallet instrument, a climbing net and a hammock swing. SO much for kids to do here! For the toddlers there is an almost gated play structure that has three slides, ladders, steps, bucket swings and a snacking table. Bathrooms are close to the play area. Around the open space is a bike path so be sure to bring bikes and scooters for a even longer outing.

San Lorenzo Community Park

This park is huge and even has a fun zipline! There is a pond with ducks, gulls and birds. There are several different climbing structures, bathrooms and picnic tables. There is so much for kids to do here!

Sabercat Park

Sabercat playground in Central Park is a nature themed park with structures for younger and older kids to play on. Bathrooms and picnic tables are all accessible from this playground. It is right near Lake Elizabeth if you are wanting to make it an all day outing. You can park at the “Central Park Visiting Center.”

Washington Park

If you want a mix of playing in the sun and cooling off at the beach - Washington Park is the perfect spot. Play at the playground then head to the beach at Crab Cove and cool off in the water or watch the kite surfers. The park is divided between an upper and lower section. To find the playground go to Upper Washington (bordered by Central Ave & 8th St).

San Ramon

Central Park

Photo Cred: Instagram @kristinatoddlerapproved

Come ready to get wet at Central Park in San Ramon. The water park features a little river and fun spray features! You will find picnic tables, plenty of grass and shade for when you need it! There is ample parking, clean bathrooms and free concerts in the park during the summer.

Castro Valley

Castro Valley Community Park

This quiet community park has multiple play structures for kids to choose from which makes it great for kids of different ages! There is a play structure perfect for toddlers that is fenced in from the other play areas. The park also has a splash pad that is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and goes from 11am-6pm every day. The water area is padded which helps with slipping and keeps the children safe while they play!

Dublin

Emerald Glen Park

Photo Cred: Instagram @activefamilymagazine

Emerald Glen Park is a large park with lighted tennis courts, lighted skateboard park, rose garden, bocce courts among other amenities. This park has one of the best water play features in the East Bay. It opens Memorial Day Weekend and goes until Labor Day. An extra bonus is that April through September there is also a farmer’s market every Thursday from 4-8pm!

Imagine Playground

This park is brand new and a must see! It is an all-abilities playground and has something for everyone. Not only is the playground amazing but it is located at the Dublin Sports Grounds so there are large fields near the playground as well. There are musical instruments, playhouses, climbing structures and even outdoor fitness equipment for older kids and adults. The playground is beautiful and colorful!

Best East Bay Parks