Let’s face it: Kids these days are very connected to technology for entertainment, but it’s also important that they experience some good old-fashioned outdoor fun. Los Angeles has amazing parks at almost every turn, but these 10 playgrounds—from Santa Monica to Griffith Park—are truly standouts offering awesome slides, climbing structures and sand areas. Plus, a number of the playgrounds on our list offer play options for kids of all abilities. Ready to explore? Check out our picks for the coolest playgrounds in Los Angeles!
1. Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park, Van Nuys
Where: 6300 Balboa Boulevard, , CA
This popular Van Nuys park has two great play structures, one for kids ages two to five, and the other for kids ages five to 12. There are slides galore, plus an interactive drum play area, sensory wall, spring toys, and crawl tunnels. Lake Balboa is just beyond the playgrounds, and families can rent paddle boats or feed the ducks. The park is full of birthday parties and other celebrations on the weekends, so plan accordingly!
Insider tip: The playgrounds are shaded, keeping the equipment cool on otherwise hot days.
2. Shane’s Inspiration, Griffith Park
Where: 5400 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA
Shane’s Inspiration, located in Griffith Park, is an enormous playground that caters to children of all ages and abilities. This playground gives children with and without disabilities the opportunity to play with and learn from each other, thus increasing awareness and acceptance. There are swings for parents and babies, as well as specially designed equipment for children in wheelchairs. Those large enough for bikes and scooters will find a designated area designed for them to safely wheel around. There are also sand pits, bridges, sensory equipment, slides and climbing walls.
Insider tip: Be sure to stop at Griffith Park’s iconic merry-go-round at the top of the hill overlooking Shane’s Inspiration for a fun ride.
3. Malibu Bluffs Park, Malibu
Where: 24250 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
Just across the street from Pepperdine University is Malibu Bluffs Park, a six-acre community park with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This fantastic park boasts baseball and softball fields, a soccer field, and even a whale watching station. Kids will love the sand play area, climbing wall, zip line, and the expansive playground that has slides, swings, bridges, and more. The Michael Landon Community Center on-site offers sports, classes, and special events. There are 75 parking spaces, plus beach access. And it bears repeating: the view is gorgeous!
Insider tip: Free wireless internet access has been available at the park since 2011!
4. Reese’s Retreat, Pasadena
Where: 360 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Reese’s Retreat is a fully-accessible playground located in Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl. This awesome pirate-themed play area has a soft foam-core bottom, ramps for children in wheelchairs, bucket swings, musical activities, shaded areas, and lots of room to run around.
Insider tip: The park isn’t marked, and is tucked away behind the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. Follow the signs to the RBAC and you’ll find Reese’s Retreat.
5. Douglas Park, Santa Monica
Where: 2439 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA
You could spend all day at Santa Monica’s Douglas Park. With a separate playground for babies and toddlers, swing sets, teeter-totters, multiple climbing structures and a great fort with a picnic table inside, there’s something here for kids of all ages! Bring the bikes and cruise around on the paved area with a water spout to soak riders in warm weather. Don’t forget the duck food to feed feathered friends at the duck pond!
Insider tip: Street parking here can sometimes be difficult (there is no parking lot)—bring patience and money for the meters.
6. Polliwog Park, Manhattan Beach
Where: 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA
Polliwog Park is one of the largest and arguably most beautiful parks in the South Bay. Encompassing more than 18 acres in Manhattan Beach, this park has it all: play structures (including a large lighthouse with several slides), ponds and a picnic area. It’s even bordered on one side by a wildlife refuge. You could easily spend an entire day here with your kids. Just pack a picnic lunch, and don’t forget bird seed and lettuce to feed the ducks in the pond.
Insider tip: There are three separate play areas for smaller children. Plus, misters keep the entire playground cool during LA’s hot summer days!
7. Patton Street Park, Los Angeles
Where: 329 Patton St, Los Angeles, CA
This hidden gem located in the heart of LA is every city lover’s dream park. It’s got an amazing play structure for kids that’s shaped like a pirate ship and includes an old-fashioned metal slide built into the hillside. There’s plenty of shade, trees, and benches as well as outdoor exercise equipment for parents to make use of while their little ones tire themselves out!
Insider tip: Parking can be an issue, but if you get there early, street parking is readily available.
8. Tongva Park + Ken Geyser Square, Santa Monica
Where: 1615 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA
For the perfect balance of outdoor fun and stunning urban landscapes, look no further than Tongva Park in Santa Monica. The park is divided up into four parts: Observation Hill, Discovery Hill, Gathering Hill, and Garden Hill, with gardens, walking paths, and, of course, that cool Santa Monica breeze. The children’s discover play area is like no other playground you’ve ever seen with modern structures for climbing and imaginative play. There’s also an amphitheater where your little ones can put on a show during lunch time!
Insider tip: Pack the swim suits and towels! Tongva Park has a great splash pad located near the kids’ area.
9. Costanso Fire Station 84 Park, Woodland Hills
Where: 21396 Costanso St, Los Angeles, CA
What could be better than an entire playground built to look like a firetruck? This is definitely one of the most memorable playgrounds in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Kids will have a ball climbing, sliding down and exploring the bright red equipment. As much as children will love this playground, parents will love it even more. Why? There’s no sand at all. The ground is rubberized, meaning soft padding for unexpected tumbles from the fire pole, plus no gritty shoe dumps at the end of the afternoon.
Insider tip: There’s only one entrance and exit to the playground, so you can feel secure knowing that your little ones can’t escape during a raucous game of tag with their friends.
10. Aidan’s Place, Los Angeles
Where: 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
After Shane’s Inspiration playground opened in Griffith Park in 2000, the foundation received a call from Nicole and Charlie Gaffney. Their son Aidan had a rare muscular disorder that left him wheelchair-bound and dependent on a ventilator. All he wanted was to be able to experience the joys of playing outside like his two brothers, and with the help of the foundation, the Gaffneys were able to raise more than $900,000 for the construction of the playground that bears his name. When it opened in 2002, it was only the second fully wheelchair-accessible playground in the entire country, and Aidan’s memory lives on today in every child who laughs and plays with abandon there.
Insider tip: All the structures are designed so kids with mobility issues can play on them! The Sand Castle is elevated for kids who can’t sit down in the sand, there are ramps on the structures to allow access for wheelchairs, and the ground is rubberized for better traction. The truck structures even have misters to cool down kiddos on hot days!
