The playground at Memorial Park is the one San Anselmo kids beg to go back to, but it's not the only good climb in Ross Valley. A few of the region's best structures, one built by 1,500 volunteers, one shaded by redwoods, one built for wheelchairs and sensory play alike, sit within a short drive. Here's where to take your kid when the equipment itself needs to be the main event.
Top-Rated Playgrounds Near San Anselmo
1. Millennium Playground at Memorial Park (San Anselmo)
Location: 1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960
San Anselmo👶 Best for ages 2-12💲 Free🚗 0.6 miA playground designed by San Anselmo's own kids and built by 1,500 volunteers. Millennium Playground recreates local landmarks, a train depot, the seminary tower, and Town Hall, as climbable structures, with a separate tot lot for ages 2 to 5 and a bigger structure for 6 to 12. It's the kind of playground that gives visiting kids a sense of the town itself.
Good to know: themed playground, town-landmark structures, separate tot lot, shade, restrooms.
Parent tip: It's the most popular playground in town, so weekday mornings beat Saturday if you want the good slides to yourself.
For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official Millennium Playground at Memorial Park page.
2. Peri Park (Fairfax)
Location: 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax, CA 94930
Imaginative play structures in Fairfax: Beyond the standard slides and swings for both age groups, this park includes small houses kids can pretend with. The redwoods overhead make a real difference on warm afternoons, keeping the equipment usable without shade cloth.
Good to know: climbing structures, playhouses, two age zones, redwood shade, BBQ area.
Parent tip: The shade here holds up even on the hottest days of summer, so it's a solid backup when Memorial Park feels too exposed.
Hours and amenities shift with the season — confirm today's on the Peri Park city page.
3. Pioneer Park (Novato)
Coming from San Anselmo, expect about 15 min without traffic, and Novato has plenty nearby to make a half-day of it.
Location: 1007 Simmons Ln, Novato, CA 94945
Novato's nine-acre park with the most inclusive play structures in the North Bay: Pioneer Park's accessibility-first playground design, ramps throughout, sensory features, expression swings, rubberized surfacing, makes it genuinely different from every other park in Marin. Families with children who have physical or sensory needs specifically seek this park out.
Good to know: all-abilities playground, sensory play, rubber surfacing, expression swings, ramps, shade.
Parent tip: It's about 20 minutes north on 101. Pair it with the tennis courts and shaded picnic tables for a longer visit.
Planning a specific day? Check the Pioneer Park status page for closures first.
4. Maria B. Freitas Park Water Feature (San Rafael)
Location: 81 Trellis Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903
Playground plus sensor-triggered water play in San Rafael: Freitas Park's interactive water installation, sensor rings, geyser response, interactive trigger zones, gives kids ages 2 to 10 a water play experience with genuine engagement rather than passive spray. Amphitheater and picnic tables round out the visit.
Good to know: playground, splash pad, amphitheater, picnic areas, restrooms.
Parent tip: Call San Rafael Parks before the drive; the water feature has had drought-related closures in past summers, though the playground itself stays open regardless.
Before heading out, review the Maria B. Freitas Park Water Feature status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
5. Corte Madera Town Park (Corte Madera)
Location: 498 Tamalpais Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925
The fenced playground option in Corte Madera: Unlike most open playgrounds in the area, Town Park's tot lot is fully enclosed, which matters a lot with a toddler who bolts. The bigger park around it has room for older siblings to burn off energy separately.
Good to know: fenced tot lot, playground, picnic areas, restrooms, ample parking.
Parent tip: There's ample parking right at the park, which isn't a given in this part of Marin.
Save yourself a wasted trip — the Corte Madera Town Park page lists current hours and closures.
6. Blackie's Pasture Playground (Tiburon)
For San Anselmo families, plan about 13 min each way, and Tiburon is easy to get around once you're there.
Location: Tiburon Blvd at Reed Ranch Rd, Tiburon, CA 94920
Water views from two Tiburon play areas: Each age group gets its own structure on Richardson Bay, so no one's dodging mismatched sizes. The meadow opens up for running or flying kites.
Good to know: playground, two age zones, bayfront setting, open meadow, picnic tables.
Parent tip: The meadow next to the playground is big enough for a picnic blanket if you want to make an afternoon of it.
Seasonal hours apply; the official Blackie's Pasture Playground page has the latest.
How we picked these
We ranked these on the play structure first: variety of climbers and slides, separate zones so toddlers and grade-schoolers aren't fighting for the same equipment, real shade over the play surface, and a safe landing (rubber or deep mulch). All-abilities and sensory-friendly builds ranked at the top. Picks come from parent reviews and our own visits, not paid placements.Planning your visit
Ross Valley stays cooler than the rest of Marin thanks to the redwoods and afternoon fog, so mornings work fine most of the year, but June through September afternoons can still get warm on open equipment. Bring water and sun hats for the unshaded spots like Corte Madera Town Park. Weekday mornings are quieter everywhere on this list; weekends bring bigger crowds to Memorial Park and Pioneer Park.For more kids' events near San Anselmo this week, see the San Anselmo events page.
San Anselmo Playgrounds, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best playgrounds for kids near San Anselmo, CA?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout playgrounds within about 10 miles of San Anselmo. The top picks include Millennium Playground at Memorial Park, Peri Park and Pioneer Park, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are playgrounds near San Anselmo free?
Yes, every playground in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for Millennium Playground at Memorial Park, Peri Park, Pioneer Park or any of the other picks.
What is the closest playground to San Anselmo?
Millennium Playground at Memorial Park is the closest pick at under a mile from San Anselmo. 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 playgrounds in San Anselmo?
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.