Best Parks Near Daly City, CA for Kids (2026)

Daly City's own parks anchor the lineup — Gellert Park's full-featured playground and sports complex on Wembley Drive, Westlake Park's tree-shaded playground with Tiny Tot programs, and the Magical Bridge all-abilities playground coming to Hillside Park. A short hop south brings 54-foot double slides at Junipero Serra County Park and San Bruno City Park's 300-acre sports complex. Here's what's worth loading the car for near Daly City.

Top-Rated Parks Near Daly City

1. Gellert Park (Daly City)

Location: 50 Wembley Dr, Daly City, CA 94016

The park Daly City families keep coming back to. Gellert Park at 50 Wembley Drive has more in one place than any other park in the city — playground, 1.5-mile track, baseball and soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, covered BBQ picnic areas, and a clubhouse for parties. Adjacent to the Gellert branch library for kids' events. Free, year-round, and easy to find.

Good to know: playground, baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, picnic areas, restrooms.

Parent tip: The Gellert Park Clubhouse at 111 Lake Merced Blvd (the main facility building) is reservable for parties — call Recreation Services at 650-991-8001. The playground and outdoor fields are open year-round with no reservation needed.

For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official Gellert Park page.

2. Westlake Park (Daly City)

Location: 145 Lake Merced Blvd, Daly City, CA 94015

The park for Daly City's youngest kids — Tiny Tot Playtime twice a week at Westlake. Westlake Park's Westlake Community Center runs Tiny Tot Playtime every Wednesday and Friday from 10am to noon — free, drop-in, designed for ages 2–5. The playground next to it has infant swings and equipment for toddlers. Tennis courts and picnic areas make it useful for the whole family. On Lake Merced Blvd, free parking, open daily.

Good to know: playground, tennis courts, picnic areas, restrooms, community center, tiny tot programs.

Parent tip: Tiny Tot Playtime runs Wednesdays and Fridays 10am–noon at the Westlake Community Center — free, no reservation needed, great for kids 2–5. The park itself is open daily with no fees.

3. Junipero Serra County Park (San Bruno)

Leaving Daly City, you're looking at under 10 min without traffic — close enough that the kids won't complain about the car ride.

Location: 1801 Crystal Springs Rd, San Bruno, CA 94066

54-foot double slides and wooded trails — the park San Bruno kids ask to go back to. Junipero Serra's Meadow View Playground is the memorable part: a 54-foot double slide, large cable net climbing structure, climbing boulders, and sweeping Bay views. The 108-acre wooded park also has the Live Oak Nature Trail and spring wildflower displays. Two parking areas serve two different playgrounds. Worth knowing that the upper Meadow View area has the slides; the lower entrance is the picnic area.

Good to know: playground, climbing structures, double slides, trails, picnic areas, restrooms.

Parent tip: Park at the lower entrance near the De Anza picnic area for the closer playground; the Meadow View Playground higher up has the famous double slides and is worth the short drive up. Check the county page for current hours — Meadow View Playground was recently reopened.

Hours and amenities shift with the season — confirm today's on the Junipero Serra County Park city page.

4. San Bruno City Park (San Bruno)

Leaving Daly City, you're looking at under 10 min without traffic — close enough that the kids won't complain about the car ride.

Location: 251 City Park Way, San Bruno, CA 94066

More park than most San Mateo County cities offer. San Bruno City Park's 300 acres punch well above the city's size — two playgrounds with different age focuses, baseball diamonds, newly refinished pickleball courts, 11 picnic sites, and an indoor/outdoor aquatic center. The trail network through the park's hills keeps the walking interesting. Free for all outdoor facilities; check the city site for pool hours and admission.

Good to know: pavilion, playground, restrooms, ball fields, tennis courts, picnic areas.

Parent tip: The Recreation and Aquatic Center (RAC) has a separate fee and schedule — check the city website for current pool hours before making the aquatic center your primary destination. Free parking on site. The park fills on summer weekends but stays manageable.

5. Coyote Point Recreation Area (San Mateo)

Heading out of Daly City, budget about 17 min on the road — short enough for a spontaneous weekday trip.

Location: 1701 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo, CA 94401

The Bay park with the castle playground and no equal on the Peninsula: Coyote Point packs 670 acres of San Francisco Bay waterfront, the Magic Mountain Playground (ages 2–5 and 5–12 zones, eleven slides, a 42-foot castle), CuriOdyssey wildlife and science museum, a sandy beach, marina breakwater fishing (no license), and a pump track into one vehicle entry fee ($6–7). The scale of the playground alone makes it a destination rather than a park visit — kids consistently want to come back.

Good to know: playground, beach, fishing, pump track, train rides, picnic areas.

Parent tip: CuriOdyssey is separate admission — combine with the playground for a full half-day. The train rides run weekends from May, which younger kids love. Vehicle entry fee covers access to everything in the park except CuriOdyssey and boat rentals.

Planning a specific day? Check the Coyote Point Recreation Area status page for closures first.

How we picked these

Picks are based on playground quality, natural features, what makes a visit genuinely engaging for kids across age groups, and whether the park holds up as a multi-hour family destination. Research draws on Daly City Recreation Services, San Mateo County parks data, and local family guides. No paid placements.

Planning your visit

Daly City parks are best visited mid-week in summer when they're less crowded than weekend peaks. Gellert Park fills on Saturday mornings — arrive before 10am or after 4pm. Westlake Park's Tiny Tot Playtime runs Wednesdays and Fridays 10am–noon, great for ages 2–5. Junipero Serra County Park's Meadow View Playground is best mid-week when trails and slides are uncrowded. Coastal fog near Daly City typically clears by late morning. For more kids' events near Daly City this week, see the Daly City events page.

For more kids' events near Daly City this week, see the Daly City events page.

Daly City Park Checklist

• SPF 50+ sunscreen and bug spray — parks like Gellert Park see active mosquitoes and wood ticks May through October. Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes.
• One water bottle per person — drinking fountains exist at most Daly City parks but occasionally go offline for maintenance. Pack heat-stable snacks: grapes, apples, trail mix hold up better than chocolate in summer heat.

Parks With Splash Pads, Playgrounds, Trails & Fishing Near Daly City

• Big playgrounds — Gellert Park, Westlake Park, Junipero Serra County Park and San Bruno City Park have standout playgrounds, the main draw for younger kids.
• Walking & nature trails — Junipero Serra County Park and San Bruno City Park have trails for a stroller walk, a bike ride, or burning off energy before the car.
• Fishing ponds & lakes — Gellert Park, Westlake Park and Coyote Point Recreation Area have a pond or lake where kids can fish or watch the ducks.

Best Times to Visit

Playground surfaces can reach 150°F by late morning in summer. Visit before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. from May through September — metal slides and rubber matting cool quickly once the sun drops. Spring and fall (March–April, October–November) allow all-day visits. Westlake Park and other Daly City parks are busiest Saturday mornings due to youth sports and lightest on weekday afternoons.

Daly City Parks — Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best parks for kids near Daly City, CA?

Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout parks within about 15 miles of Daly City. The top picks include Gellert Park, Westlake Park and Junipero Serra County Park — each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.

Which parks near Daly City are free?

4 of the 5 parks in this guide are free to visit, including Gellert Park, Westlake Park and Junipero Serra County Park. The rest charge admission — check the individual cards above for prices.

What is the closest park to Daly City?

Westlake Park is the closest pick at under a mile from Daly City. 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 is the best time to visit parks in Daly City?

In North Texas, before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. from May through September — playground surfaces and slides can reach 150°F by midday in summer. Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) work all day. Saturday mornings are busiest thanks to youth sports; weekday afternoons are quietest.

Which parks near Daly City have a splash pad or playground?

Gellert Park, Westlake Park, Junipero Serra County Park have a standout playground. Splash pads typically run Memorial Day through September; playgrounds are open year-round. Check each card above for what's at each park.