Casanova Park

A Park a Day 'Top Pick': big 5-12 playground (tube slides, climbing, spinners, rock wall) with a separate tot playground for ages 2-5. Dog park and grassy fields, footbridge to Casanova Park.

11-acre neighborhood park with a sandy playground, BBQs, tennis, basketball and volleyball - a solid all-ages hangout.

Persian cooking from owners who've been at it since the nineties: saffron rice, kebabs and slow stews. Plain rice and grilled meat give a picky eater a way in.

Local burger joint where staff seat families with young kids in a back room with room to breathe, and hand out crayons and coloring placemats while you wait.

Separate gated areas for babies and for 6 to 12, with drums, rain-sound pieces and puzzles between the climbing ropes and swings.

Bay Area breakfast-and-comfort-food chain that has hosted families for decades; the Belmont location runs a Wednesday kids-eat-free night. Famous blueberry coffeecake buys goodwill with all ages.