Within 20 miles of Millbrae, CA · Updated 2026-07-11Millbrae's own parks don't have a splash pad yet, but the Peninsula around it is full of them. A 10 to 15 minute drive south on El Camino or 101 puts you at some of San Mateo County's best free spray parks, plus a couple of standouts across the bridge in San Francisco.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Millbrae
1. Burton Park (San Carlos)
Out of Millbrae, plan for about 15 min in the car, which makes San Carlos an easy weekday-afternoon trip from Millbrae.
Location: 900 Chestnut St, San Carlos, CA 94070
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 make it an all-day spot. San Carlos's nautical-themed destination playground.
Good to know: nautical playground, pirate ship structure, toddler zone, splash pad, restrooms.
Parent tip: The splash pad runs May 1 through September 30, so it's one of the longer seasons on this list if you're planning a September visit.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Burton Park portal.
2. Garfield Square Splash Pad (San Francisco)
Driving from Millbrae, about 16 min without traffic gets you there, easy to pair with a lunch stop in San Francisco.
Location: 26th St & Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Community center water play combined with rec programs: Beyond splash access, families sign up for swim lessons at the same location.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, pool, restrooms, tennis.
Parent tip: Free splash pad access year-round via the indoor pools once the outdoor pad closes for the season, so it's a solid backup when the weather turns.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Garfield Square city page.
3. Stulsaft Park Splash Pad (Redwood City)
Coming from Millbrae, expect about 17 min without traffic, and Redwood City has plenty nearby to make a half-day of it.
Location: 3737 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94061
Redwood City's splash pad hidden in the hills: Stulsaft's water feature is a crayon-themed sprayground (three giant crayon nozzles that shoot water streams across a soft-surface pad) tucked above a wooded park with hiking trails and BBQ areas. It runs May 30 through September 30 in two sessions (10:30am–noon, 2–6pm). Kids love the novelty; parents love that the playground and picnic area are right there so the morning doesn't end when the session does.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, trails, picnic areas, BBQ grills, restrooms.
Parent tip: Sessions run 10:30am to noon and 2 to 6pm, May 30 through September 30. Park in the Farm Hill Blvd lot and bring a change of clothes.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Stulsaft Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Magical Bridge Playground Water Feature — Red Morton Park (Redwood City)
For a family coming from Millbrae, the drive clocks in at about 18 min without traffic, an easy add-on if you're already headed toward Redwood City.
Location: 1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061
Redwood City's closest water play to downtown. Red Morton's Magical Bridge water feature runs all day from 10am–6pm in summer, no sessions to plan around, just show up and play.
Good to know: splash pad, inclusive playground, skate park, restrooms, ball fields.
Parent tip: It runs all day with no session windows to plan around, so it pairs well with a spontaneous stop. The skate park and ball fields next door keep older siblings busy.
5. Belle Haven Pool Splash Pad (Menlo Park)
A longer haul from Millbrae at 15.5 miles, so save this one for when you want a real change of scenery.
Location: 1041 Ringwood Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Menlo Park's rebuilt pool puts splash front-and-center: Belle Haven Pool's 2024 reopening integrated a new splash pad into the original facility design. Families doing swim lessons can coordinate time in both the instructional pool and splash area.
Good to know: splash pad, instructional pool, locker rooms, family restrooms, outdoor shower.
Parent tip: Parking on Ringwood Ave fills fast on busy days, so arrive about 15 minutes before opening to claim a shade spot.
Before heading out, review the Belle Haven Pool status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
6. San Leandro Family Aquatic Center (San Leandro)
A committed about 23 min drive from Millbrae, so treat it as a half-day destination, not a quick stop.
Location: 500 Lewelling Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94579
Slide plus spray plus activity pools: San Leandro's three-part water system keeps different ages entertained without extra trips.
Good to know: splash pad, water slide, splash pool, playground, restrooms.
Parent tip: Seasonal admission applies; check sanleandro.org for current hours and rates before you go. Open May through September.
Keep tabs on routine cleanings and seasonal changes by visiting the San Leandro Family Aquatic Center page directly.
How we picked these
We looked for free or low-cost public spray parks with shade, restrooms, and a playground nearby so a trip doesn't end the moment the water session does. Every pick is a public park run by a city or county, not a members-only club or paid attraction beyond a standard pool admission.Planning your visit
Peninsula fog usually burns off by late morning, so aim for a midday visit once the sun's actually out. Most spray parks here run Memorial Day through Labor Day with limited weekday hours once school starts. Bring a towel and a change of clothes since several of these pair a splash pad with a full pool, and kids rarely want to stop at just one.For more kids' events near Millbrae this week, see the Millbrae events page.
Millbrae 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 Millbrae 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 Garfield Square Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Millbrae Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Millbrae, CA?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout splash pads within about 20 miles of Millbrae. The top picks include Burton Park, Garfield Square Splash Pad and Stulsaft Park Splash Pad, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which splash pads near Millbrae are free?
5 of the 6 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Burton Park, Garfield Square Splash Pad and Stulsaft Park Splash Pad. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Millbrae?
Burton Park in San Carlos is the closest pick at about 10.3 miles from Millbrae. 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 Millbrae splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Millbrae-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 Millbrae open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Millbrae-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.