Millbrae Pancake House

Soundproof rooms right on the airport grounds with floor-to-ceiling runway views for little plane-spotters. AirTrain access means no shuttle wrangling with car seats.

A Millbrae playground with separate zones for little kids and big kids, plus an open field for picnics or running around.

Millbrae's central community park with the Peter Loftus playground, rec center, ball fields and a popular Saturday farmers-market scene. Walkable to Broadway/El Camino cafes.

San Bruno's flagship park with two playground areas in sight of the picnic shelters, ball fields, tennis, a walking track, and the Rec & Aquatic Center next door. One of the few Bay Area parks that explicitly permits inflatable jumpers (via approved contractors) for birthday parties.

Cheap, fast and consistent, with outdoor seating. There's no formal kids' menu, and a cheeseburger and hand-cut fries does the job.

A hillside park above San Bruno with shaded picnic areas, easy trails and a playground. Fog burns off here earlier than at the coast.