Mountain Lake Playground

Mountain Lake Playground is quietly one of San Francisco's best-kept family secrets — a free public playground right on the edge of a genuine urban lake, tucked into the Presidio boundary in the Richmond District. Parents who discover it through word-of-mouth from other neighborhood families treat it like a local treasure.

The playground itself has solid SF Rec & Park equipment: climbing structures for multiple age groups, swings, and plenty of open space for toddlers to roam. But what makes this location special is the setting. Mountain Lake sits directly adjacent to the play equipment, and kids can watch actual wildlife — ducks, herons, turtles — from their swings.

Bring a few bread crusts and you'll have your toddler convinced they're at the best zoo in the city.

The surrounding park and Presidio forest create a completely different visual experience than SF's urban playgrounds. Towering eucalyptus and pine trees surround the area, and on a clear day the views are genuinely beautiful. Strollers navigate the paved paths easily, making this one of the Richmond's more accessible outdoor options.

Being a free, public facility, there's no food on-site — bring a picnic. The Richmond District is loaded with excellent casual dining options on California Street and Clement Street, so planning a pre-playground or post-playground meal is easy. Parking is on-street around Lake Street and nearby residential blocks, with free 2-hour limits.

This is the kind of playground that makes San Francisco living feel charmed. Visit on a sunny Tuesday morning when the neighborhood families have it almost to themselves.