The Best Park / Open Space in Peninsula

Audrey C. Rust Commemorative Site - Russian Ridge Preserve

This 3,137-acre preserve known for its showy display of wildflowers in spring. In summer, the hills turn to gold with the late evening sunlight. Autumn, when the fog recedes, is the ideal time to enjoy the ridge views of San Francisco Bay and the San... more

Bair Island Ecological Park

Bair Island is composed of three islands: Inner, Middle and Outer, totaling approximately 3,000 acres of former salt ponds once owned by Cargill. Approximately 2,000 acres are within the Bair Island Ecological Reserve on the Middle and Outer islands... more

2 Upcoming events

Bay Meadows

Bay Meadows Park is made for action. Along with being our largest park — a sprawling 12-acres flanking 28th E. Avenue — it’s also our sportiest. Satisfy your ball-fix on our meticulously groomed baseball and soccer fields or at the... more

Baylands Nature Preserve

Bounded by Mountain View and East Palo Alto, the 1,940-acre Baylands Preserve is one of the largest tracts of undisturbed marshland remaining on the Bay. Fifteen miles of multi-use trails provide access to a unique mixture of tidal and fresh water ha... more

Bayside Park

Bayside Fields have been the site of considerable development. It provides the largest collection of formal athletic facilities in Burlingame. Lighted fields are available for soccer, youth baseball, and softball. Several miles of trails are availabl... more

Bedwell Bayfront Park

Bedwell Bayfront Park is located at the east end of Menlo Park on San Francisco Bay at Highway 101 and Marsh Road. Parking is available along the entrance road and in two paved lots near the back of the park. Restrooms are near the first large paved... more

Brisbane Community Park

Community Park in Brisbane is a nice little stretch of green space, has a playground and gazebo that can be rented for parties and events.    more

Burgess Park

Originally a part of the Dibble Hospital Facilities and purchased in 1948, Burgess Park is one of the first city-owned recreation areas in Menlo Park. Located adjacent to the Civic Center complex, the park provides diverse facilities easily accessibl... more

Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park

Purchased by the State of California in 1983 this historic ranch property is hidden in a pristine valley south of Half Moon Bay. The area offers solitude, groves of mature eucalyptus, and a rich assortment of wildlife. With the addition of Rancho Ray... more

Commodore Park & Dog Exercise Area

As one of the City's larger parks, Commodore features play areas, a baseball diamond, picnic tables, BBQ pits, restroom facilities and a fully enclosed dog exercise area located at the eastern end of the park. Commodore park is located at the cross s... more

Cooley Landing at Ravenswood Preserve

Cooley Landing Park is located on a peninsula at the eastern end of Bay Road in the City of East Palo Alto. Operated by the City, the park was created in partnership with Midpen which owns portions of the peninsula as part of Ravenswood Open Space Pr... more

Cowell Purisima Trail - Cowell Ranch Beach

Cowell-Purisima Trail, just south of Half Moon Bay, is a 3.6-mile gently graded path that winds along bluffs where farmland meets the Pacific Ocean. It's a part of the California Coastal Trail, which will one day span the entire length of the state.... more

Coyote Point Park

Coyote Point is a regional recreation area that provides a wide variety of opportunities: picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, bicycling, jogging, fishing, boating, and sailing. Kids will love the giant, castle-and-dragon-themed Magic Mountain Playgrou... more

Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve

The serpentine grasslands of Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve are famous for their magnificent displays of wildflowers each spring. The park's location, within easy access to Interstate 280 and Edgewood Road, makes this beautiful display readily ac... more

Fairway Park

Fairway Park has three baseball diamonds... used for softball and baseball games. more

Fremont Park

Conveniently located in downtown Menlo Park, this is a great spot for a quick picnic lunch or a quiet afternoon read. Fremont Park is also the home of the Summer Concert series! more

Frontierland Park

Frontierland Park is nestled up against the hills of Pacifica with lots of open space and picnic, BBQ, horseshoes and playground amenities. We have one large-group picnic area that can be reserved.  Call 650-738-7381 for availability or to... more

Half Moon Bay State Beach

Four miles of broad, sandy beaches stretch out to welcome visitors to Half Moon Bay. This picturesque setting is ideal for sunbathing, fishing and picnicking. A campground provides accommodations for those who wish to visit longer. The Half Moon Bay... more

Holbrook Palmer Park

Huddart Park

The forested slopes and steep, cool canyons of Huddart Park are located within easy reach of the population centers of the San Francisco Peninsula. The park is only 3.5 miles west of Highway 84. With barbecue pits, a playground, grassy meadows, and h... more

John L Carter Park

John L Carter Memorial Park is a small, grassy area nestled in a redwood grove that is traversed by Pilarcitos Creek. There is a small stage area where Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company and musicians put on live events. more

Junipero Serra Park

Nestled behind the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno, Junipero Serra affords a spectacular panorama of the Bay Area; unequaled views to San Bruno Mountain, San Francisco Airport, San Francisco Bay and Mount Diablo. Visitors are drawn to the Oak Foothi... more

Kelly Park

Kelly Park is located in the Belle Haven Community next to the Onetta Harris Community Center and Menlo Park Senior Center. Recently renovated in 2011, Kelly Park has provided Menlo Park residents with a safe place to play. The site features a brand... more

La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve

One of Midpen's largest and most diverse preserves, La Honda Creek offers immersion into a historic ranchland with grazing cattle, views of the San Mateo County Coast and Santa Cruz Mountains and pockets of redwood forest. Since first opening to the... more

Landing Green Park at Bay Meadows

If you crave a place to relax and re-energize — say, a three-block long stretch of elegant pathways, discrete alcoves, lush ornamental plantings and dramatic experiential sculptures — then grab a book, food, friend or colleague (or all of... more

Leo J. Ryan Park

Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park offers 20 acres of lawn areas, lagoon access, a gazebo on the lagoon, and restroom facilities. The rental space includes uncovered picnic table son the hilltop. Capacity: 50. For reservation inquiries, please call (650)... more

Leo Ryan Park

Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park offers 20 acres of lawn areas, lagoon access, a gazebo on the lagoon, and restroom facilities. The rental space includes uncovered picnic tables on the hilltop. For reservation inquiries, please call (650) 286-3385 or email... more

Martin Luther King Community Park & Pool

The Martin Luther King Park offers a playground, basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields, a full service community center, and a swimming pool. It also has one small picnic area.  more

Martin Luther King Jr. Park - East Palo Alto

This park has a soccer field, baseball field, playground area for kids with a modern play structure, surrounded by picnic tables and bbq pits. more

McNee Ranch State Park

McNee Ranch State Park is one of California's newest parks. Located only 25 miles from San Francisco, it can provide some of the Bay Area's best lookouts from the top of Montara Mountain. McNee Ranch State Park is located on the San Mateo County coas... more

Memorial Park in Loma Mar

There's a humbling feeling when you're in the presence of redwoods. A gentle peace envelops you like a fog that drifts in. This peace is found every day at Memorial Park. Its 673 acres provides an opportunity to view outstanding old-growth redwoods a... more

Mezes Park

A cute little local park featuring 2 Tennis Courts (one of the courts has a hitting wall), a Basketball Court - Half, Grass Area and Playground. more

Mitchell Park in Palo Alto

J. Pearce "Mitchell" Park is a 21.4 acre neighborhood park with many one of kind features. The park includes shuffleboard courts, checkerboard/chess tables, seven tennis courts, two paddle tennis courts, four handball courts, jogging trails, picnic a... more

Mori Point

Mori Point has a series of popular walking trails that vary from easy to moderate difficulty. The highest point in the park is Mori Point Peak that climbs to approximately 300 feet. Mori Point was a site of gravel and sand extraction during Wor... more

Orange Memorial Park

Facilities: Children's Play Area, Community Building, Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Group Picnic Areas, Picnic Shelter, Tennis Courts, Ballfields, Basketball Courts, Walking Trail, Soccer Field, Skate Park, Bocce Courts, Sculpture Garden more

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is a beautiful mixture of rolling grassland and evergreen forest. It varies in elevation from 275 feet in the northeast to 775 feet in the southwest. Wildlife that is not uncommon to see are deer, bobcats, coyotes, and ma... more

1 Upcoming events

Pearson-Arastraderp Preserve

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is a beautiful mixture of rolling grassland and evergreen forest. It varies in elevation from 275 feet in the northeast to 775 feet in the southwest. Wildlife that is not uncommon to see are deer, bobcats, coyotes, and ma... more

Phil Shao Memorial Skate Park

Skaters from Redwood City and beyond can strap on their helmets and gear, and enjoy the 13,000 square foot Phil Shao Memorial Skate Park at Red Morton Park.  Thrasher Magazine rated the Skate Park an 8.5 – a great tribute to the park desig... more

Pillar Point Bluff

Pillar Point Bluff offers hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and dog-walkers a chance to take in the breathtaking sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean. The 220-acre bluff top includes a section of the California Coastal Trail and offers views of Half Moo... more

UPCOMING EVENTS