Within 25 miles of Daly City, CA · Updated 2026-06-27Daly City doesn't have a city-run splash pad, but you're just a few miles from some of San Francisco's best free spray parks — a mosaic serpent that sprays from its tail, a recently upgraded Mission District water park, and a free garden fountain that kids can't resist. Drive south and you'll hit Redwood City's inclusive Magical Bridge playground splash pad and the creek-walk at Stulsaft Park. Here are 6 picks worth the trip.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Daly City
1. 24th & York Mini Park Spray Feature (San Francisco)
Location: 24th St & York St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Free and accessible from BART: 24th Street Station is three blocks away. For families without cars, this splash pad is a straightforward walk from public transit during summer.
Good to know: splash feature, playground, picnic area, murals.
Parent tip: Seasonal water activation — call SF Rec & Park's Mission District office to confirm the spray feature is turned on before driving over. The minipark itself is always open; the water is summer-seasonal.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official 24th & York Mini Park Spray Feature portal.
2. Mission Playground Water Park Feature (San Francisco)
Location: 19th St & Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Mission Playground's recently upgraded water park area — free and a 4-mile drive from Daly City: Mission Playground received major renovations including an upgraded water park feature with interactive spray elements. The playground is large, the pool is adjacent, and the Mission District location means warmer temperatures than Daly City fog-zone. Free public access. Check SF Rec & Park for current hours.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, pool, restrooms.
Parent tip: The Mission District runs 5–10 degrees warmer than Daly City's coast on most summer days — this is a meaningful factor when choosing where to splash. Mission Playground also has restrooms and pool access in the same facility.
3. Garfield Square Splash Pad (San Francisco)
Location: 26th St & Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Full-service facility covering multiple water needs: Lap pool, kids' splash area, and shallow entry:no need for separate facilities.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, pool, restrooms, tennis.
Parent tip: Garfield Square Rec Center is on 26th between Harrison and Treat — easy parking on Harrison. The splash feature and playground are free and in the same zone; the pool requires registration. Warmer than Daly City's fog by several degrees.
4. Magical Bridge Playground Water Feature (Redwood City)
A committed about 29 min drive from Daly City, so treat it as a half-day destination, not a quick stop.
Location: 1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061
An inclusive playground with a splash pad — and 20 degrees warmer than Daly City in summer: Magical Bridge Playground in Redwood City offers the rare combination of genuinely accessible play design and a seasonal splash pad, both free. The redwood City microclimate makes the splash pad worthwhile for more days per summer than Daly City allows, and the inclusive surfaces make it the right call for groups with varied needs.
Good to know: splash pad, water play, inclusive playground, restrooms, accessible surfaces, sensory play.
Parent tip: The splash pad runs seasonally — typically May through September. Redwood City runs 15+ degrees warmer than Daly City's fog zone, which makes this a much more effective warm-weather outing than staying local. Parking on Roosevelt Ave.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Magical Bridge Playground Water Feature city page.
5. Stulsaft Park Splash Pad (Redwood City)
A genuine about 28 min drive each way from Daly City, worth it if the kids need serious space to roam.
Location: 3737 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94061
The hidden gem of Redwood City parks — creek, crayon jets, hillside slides, and trails all in one visit: Stulsaft Park packs a lot: free splash pad with enthusiastic crayon-shaped jets, a tot lot, hillside slides into a sandpit, picnic tables, trails, and a creek that kids wade into on their own. The water feature zone is in the upper park section — park in the Farm Hill Blvd lot and you're steps away. Seasonal operation, summer months.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, trails, picnic areas, restrooms, tot lot.
Parent tip: The water feature zone is in the upper park section — park in the Farm Hill Blvd lot and you're steps away. Bring a towel and a change of clothes; the crayon jets are enthusiastic.
6. Belle Haven Pool Splash Area (Menlo Park)
A longer haul from Daly City at 21.5 miles, so save this one for when you want a real change of scenery.
Location: 1041 Ringwood Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
The Peninsula's best free pool-plus-splash-area combo — in Menlo Park: Belle Haven Pool combines a free family splash area with an instructional pool and locker rooms in one facility. The no-charge splash area is the draw for young kids; the instructional pool adds structured swim options for older ones. Seasonal summer hours; Menlo Park runs significantly warmer than Daly City's coast.
Good to know: splash pad, instructional pool, family splash area, locker rooms, family restrooms, outdoor shower.
Parent tip: Belle Haven is a Menlo Park community pool that prioritizes local families — parking is limited on Ringwood Ave. Arrive before 11am on summer weekends for best parking. The splash area is free; the instructional pool may have session fees depending on programming.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Belle Haven Pool Splash Area facilities status page before packing up the car.
How we picked these
We focused on free or low-cost public facilities with water features designed for kids. No HOA parks or members-only venues. Picks are ranked by feature quality, distance from Daly City, and reliability of seasonal operation.Planning your visit
Daly City has one of the foggiest microclimates in the Bay Area — summer days can stay in the mid-50s even in July. San Francisco's Mission and Bernal Heights neighborhoods are warmer, and Redwood City goes 10–15 degrees warmer than the Daly City coast. Check Weather Underground's SF microclimate forecast before heading to an outdoor spray park — the difference between Daly City and the Mission can be dramatic on the same day.For more kids' events near Daly City this week, see the Daly City events page.
Daly City 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: 24th & York Mini Park Spray Feature and most Daly City 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 Mission Playground Water Park Feature, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Daly City Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Daly City, CA?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout splash pads within about 25 miles of Daly City. The top picks include 24th & York Mini Park Spray Feature, Mission Playground Water Park Feature and Garfield Square Splash Pad, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are splash pads near Daly City free?
Yes, every splash pad in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for 24th & York Mini Park Spray Feature, Mission Playground Water Park Feature, Garfield Square Splash Pad or any of the other picks.
What is the closest splash pad to Daly City?
24th & York Mini Park Spray Feature in San Francisco is the closest pick at about 3.5 miles 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 do Daly City splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Daly City-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 Daly City open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Daly City-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.