Within 15 miles of Belmont, CA · Updated 2026-07-13Belmont doesn't run its own splash pad, but the Peninsula makes up for it fast. San Carlos and Redwood City both have water play within a few miles, and Menlo Park and Palo Alto add an inclusive playground and a classic wading pool further out. Here's where Belmont families head when the fog burns off and the afternoon heats up.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Belmont
1. Burton Park (San Carlos)
Location: 900 Chestnut St, San Carlos, CA 94070
San Carlos's nautical-themed destination playground. Burton Park is the oldest park in San Carlos and has a large pirate ship structure for older kids alongside a separate toddler play space. Musical structures and a splash pad (May 1 through September 30) make it an all-day spot. The nautical theme holds kids' attention in a way standard climbing equipment doesn't, and the separate toddler zone means different ages can spread out.
Good to know: pirate ship structure, toddler zone, splash pad, musical structures, restrooms.
Parent tip: It's a small neighborhood park with a nautical-themed playground right next to the splash pad, easy stop if you're not up for a longer drive.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Burton Park portal.
2. Stulsaft Park Splash Pad (Redwood City)
Location: 3737 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94061
Giant crayon spray jets, 17 miles from San Bruno. Stulsaft Park's crayon-themed splash pad runs two daily sessions (10:30am–noon and 2–6pm), free, from late May through September. The 42-acre wooded park with trails and BBQ pits makes it a full outing rather than just water play. Cooler setting than most Peninsula parks due to the hillside elevation. Good pick for a summer weekend when you want water play plus picnic space.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, trails, picnic areas, BBQ grills, restrooms.
Parent tip: There's a dog park and hiking trails on site too, worth packing a leash if the whole family's coming along.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Stulsaft Park city page.
3. Magical Bridge Playground (Redwood City)
Leaving Belmont, you're looking at under 10 min without traffic, close enough that the kids won't gripe about the car ride.
Location: 1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061
The Bay Area's most celebrated inclusive playground, Magical Bridge at Red Morton Park is built so every kid plays side by side: Magical Bridge was designed with the explicit goal of making sure kids with physical, sensory, and cognitive differences fully participate alongside everyone else. Accessible surfaces throughout, sensory play elements, no sudden overhead surprises, the design rewards curiosity and works for the widest age range. The adjacent Red Morton Park adds a skate park for older siblings. Free, open year-round.
Good to know: inclusive playground, accessible surfaces, sensory play, skate park nearby, restrooms.
Parent tip: This inclusive playground is designed for kids of all abilities, sensory play elements sit right alongside the splash pad.
4. Belle Haven Pool Splash Pad (Menlo Park)
Driving from Belmont, about 11 min without traffic gets you there, easy to pair with a lunch stop in Menlo Park.
Location: 1041 Ringwood Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Splash pad with locker rooms and outdoor shower included in a Peninsula facility: Belle Haven is one of the more complete free splash facilities on the Peninsula, the splash area is backed by a proper instructional pool, locker rooms, and an outdoor shower so you don't drive home soaked. The family-friendly layout keeps the splash zone in direct view of the seating area. It serves the Belle Haven neighborhood but is open to the public, making it an under-the-radar option that doesn't get the weekend crowds of more famous Peninsula parks.
Good to know: splash pad, instructional pool, locker rooms, family restrooms, outdoor shower.
Parent tip: It's a real pool with a family splash area attached, free to use with locker rooms and an outdoor shower on site.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Belle Haven Pool facilities status page before packing up the car.
5. Rinconada Park Kiddie Pool (Palo Alto)
From Belmont, it runs about 15 min door-to-door, and Palo Alto's roads are simple to follow from the highway.
Location: 777 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301
The Peninsula's best toddler water park, a short drive south: Rinconada Pool's kiddie area is shallow (1–3 ft), features a mushroom fountain, water streams, and pedal bikes that shoot water, more of a curated water-play experience than a basic splash pad. It's shaded, has restrooms right there, and the adjacent wading pool keeps even the youngest kids engaged. Admission is charged in summer season; check Palo Alto Parks for current rates and hours.
Good to know: splash pad, kiddie pool, restrooms, playground, shade, wading pool.
Parent tip: The mushroom fountain and wading pool are a gentle option for toddlers, with a bigger playground right next door.
Before heading out, review the Rinconada Park Kiddie Pool status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
6. Mitchell Park (Palo Alto)
Starting in Belmont, the drive takes about 17 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 600 E Meadow Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Tennis, pickleball, and the wading pool seal the deal: After cake at Mitchell, older kids can hit the tennis or pickleball courts while little ones splash in the seasonal wading pool. It's the closest thing to a full-service birthday venue in Palo Alto's park system.
Good to know: inclusive playground, water play, splash pad, pickleball, soccer fields, tennis.
Parent tip: This is a full recreation complex, splash pad, all-abilities playground, and a dog park, budget a couple hours if the kids get going.
How we picked these
We pulled these from each city's parks and recreation pages, not directory sites. Most are free public splash pads, with a couple of pool-based options that carry a modest entry fee, noted under price for each pick. We checked for shade, restrooms, and nearby playgrounds, and ranked by distance from Belmont.
Planning your visit
The Peninsula's splash pad season generally runs April through October, with the sunniest, warmest stretch in late summer and early fall. Mornings tend to be foggy and cool, so early afternoon is usually the sweet spot for water play. Bring a light jacket for the drive over even on a warm day, coastal fog can linger.
For more kids' events near Belmont this week, see the Belmont events page.
Belmont Splash Pad Checklist
- Two towels and a dry change of clothes per kid: wet swimsuits on a hot car seat are miserable.
- Water shoes: rubber soles grip wet concrete; bare feet burn on pavement between jets.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen, applied 15 min before arrival: Burton Park and most Belmont splash pads have minimal shade, so a portable canopy extends your session past midday.
- Your own water bottle: splash pad water recirculates through a filtration and chlorination system and is not safe to drink, even when it runs clear.
Swim Diapers and Water Hygiene
- Swim diapers only for children not yet potty trained, regular diapers absorb recirculating water, swell, and can contaminate the shared system. Most municipal splash pads require them.
- Don't swallow the water: it's treated recreational water, not drinking water. Repeated swallowing can cause gastrointestinal illness.
- Rinse off after with soap and water. Keep kids with open wounds or a recent stomach illness out of places like Stulsaft Park Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Belmont Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Belmont, CA?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout splash pads within about 15 miles of Belmont. The top picks include Burton Park, Stulsaft Park Splash Pad and Magical Bridge Playground, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which splash pads near Belmont are free?
5 of the 6 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Burton Park, Stulsaft Park Splash Pad and Magical Bridge Playground. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Belmont?
Burton Park in San Carlos is the closest pick at about 2.2 miles from Belmont. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon, short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.
When do Belmont splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Belmont-area splash pads open Memorial Day weekend (late May) and run through Labor Day or mid-September, depending on weather and maintenance. Hours typically run 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, check each splash pad's official page (linked in the cards above) before driving out, since closures for cleaning and weather are common.
Are the splash pads near Belmont open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Belmont-area pads run on heat-activated sensors or set seasonal hours (often 10 a.m.–8 p.m.), and some close one weekday for cleaning or shut off in bad weather. Before you load up the car, check the official page linked on each card above, it carries the current day's hours and status.