Shaded playgrounds and parks in San Mateo

A giant castle-and-dragon playground with separate zones for big kids and toddlers. A sandy beach, plane-spotting over SFO and CuriOdyssey are all next door.

Bayfront park with one of the Peninsula's few splash pads plus a big playground and picnic lawns right on the water. Flat Bay Trail access makes it stroller and balance-bike friendly.

A Park a Day Bay Area 'Top Pick': three climbing huts linked by a rope bridge, a big rope-climbing structure, 10 swings (4 of them baby swings) and a separate little-kids playground. Skate park next door for older siblings.

A Japanese tea garden, a miniature train on weekends, and a playground with restrooms.

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.