Free things to do with kids in San Rafael

A shady neighborhood favorite in northern San Rafael with a fenced tot lot, big-kid play area, BBQs and lawns - and the Marinwood Pool with its water slide and baby pool right next door for summer double-duty.

A 450-acre county park that eats a whole afternoon: miniature golf and a family-friendly driving range, an award-winning skatepark, tennis and pickleball, pond fishing, and easy marsh trails for spotting birds on Gallinas Creek.

East San Rafael's community park with a just-renovated (September 2025) ADA-accessible playground split into tot and older-kid zones with spinners, hammocks and musical play pieces, plus tennis courts, a turf field and hillside hiking paths.

Terra Linda's neighborhood park with Marin's only municipal splash pad - a button-activated water play area that runs daily in summer - plus a playground, amphitheater seating and grassy hills for rolling down.

San Rafael's historic redwood-shaded neighborhood park: playground and swings, tennis and basketball courts, BBQ picnic spots and short walking paths through one of the city's prettiest old neighborhoods.