Glen Park Playground
Rating
Price
Free
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Ages
Best for ages 1-10
About
Glen Park Playground is one of those San Francisco gems that residents in other neighborhoods don't know about until a friend tips them off. Set at the edge of Glen Canyon Park in the residential Glen Park neighborhood, this combination of playground and wild urban canyon creates a family experience that's genuinely unlike anything else in the city.
The playground itself is well-maintained SF Rec & Park equipment — swings, climbing structures, and enough variety for ages 1-10. Standard, solid, free. But what makes parents drive across the city is what's right behind the playground: Glen Canyon.
An actual urban canyon with a seasonal creek, tall native grasses, coyote brush, and meandering trails that feel nothing like San Francisco's polished parks. Kids who spot the creek immediately want to get into it, and parents who've been once always bring boots the second time.
Glen Park is also one of SF's genuinely sunny neighborhoods. When the Richmond, Sunset, and Outer Mission are covered in June gloom, Glen Park often has clear skies and warmer temperatures — a meaningfully different experience that regular visitors have learned to exploit.
The neighborhood itself is charming and walkable. Chenery Street's small commercial strip has independent cafes and restaurants that are family-friendly without being crowded or touristy. The BART Glen Park station is a 5-minute walk, making this accessible for car-free families. Street parking in Glen Park is also easier than most SF neighborhoods.
For SF families with kids in the hiking-curious age range (roughly 4-10), this is a top-tier combination playground and adventure spot.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Limited
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
N/A
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings; sunny afternoons in fall and winter (warmer than coastal neighborhoods)
Wait Times
No wait — free public playground
Nearby Food
Glen Park Village on Chenery Street is a charming 2-block neighborhood with several cafes and restaurants. Glen Park Station (bar and restaurant) is a local family favorite for relaxed post-playground dining.
Why Kids Love It
Glen Park Playground sits at the edge of Glen Canyon Park — one of the most surprisingly wild urban parks in San Francisco, with a creek, tall grasses, and open trails that feel nothing like the city. Kids who play at the playground can seamlessly wander into the canyon for creek exploration, making it one of the few SF playgrounds that transitions into genuine nature time. The playground itself is solid and well-maintained, but the canyon access is what makes it special.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Bring creek shoes or rain boots — Glen Canyon has a small creek that kids want to wade in
- The canyon trail is not stroller-friendly once you enter the canyon; bring a carrier for toddlers
- Glen Park is one of SF's sunniest neighborhoods — great option when the Richmond and Sunset are fogged in
- Free street parking is easier here than most SF neighborhoods
- The BART Glen Park station is a 5-minute walk away for car-free families
What to Bring
- Creek-safe shoes or boots
- Change of clothes for kids
- Snacks and water
- Baby carrier if you have toddlers (stroller can't easily do canyon trails)
- Bug spray for canyon hiking
Cost Info
Free Admission
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$0-20 (free playground; Glen Park Village on Chenery St adds $15-20 for coffee and food)
Tips to Save
- Free playground with free street parking in the Glen Park neighborhood.
- Combine with a walk into Glen Canyon park for a fully free outdoor family day.
