The best parks in San Diego for outdoor fun

Home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is also home to 18 museums, including the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Air & Space Museum and the Museum of Us. Stroll its many scenic gardens, picnic in front of the botanical building or attend any number of family-friendly events that occur throughout the year.

This bayfront park opened in 2014, spans 12 acres and has been a local favorite since day one. Interactive fountains keep kids and families cool in the summer and a modern playground features soft foam landings for the little ones. It’s home to various events including the CRSSD Festival, food festivals, farmers’ markets and more.

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Located underneath in the heart of Barrio Logan, Chicano Park is a National Historic Landmark, with the largest concentration of Chicano murals in the world. Picnic tables, playgrounds and sculpture gardens can be found and it sees regular festivals including Chicano Park Day, which is held every April, in celebration of its inception.

You can enjoy many different Mexican restaurants here, but you can also soak up the historic knowledge by visiting one of the five original adobe buildings of the park, the Wells Fargo Museum, the haunted Whaley House and much more. A grassy field with plenty of trees offers great picnic space while many festivals and live music can be found here throughout the year.

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This former naval training facility is home to Liberty Station, which has transformed into a center for restaurants, shopping, festivities and more. For outdoor fun, enjoy two playgrounds, basketball courts, four fields and picnic areas and stellar views of the boat channel and downtown. Be sure to check the events calendar as the NTC is home to several major happenings, including marathons, food festivals, book festivals and more.

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The perfect place to enjoy a gorgeous view of Mission Bay, this wide-open park is located on Mount Soledad in Pacific Beach. Named after the famed horticulturist, she fought for this land to be set aside as a park. It features trails for hiking, plenty of space for picnicking, and a small playground with a tot lot for children ages 2-5.

The largest aquatic park in the country, it features 4,235 acres of land and water. A popular place for family BBQs, picnics, and more, visitors can also take part in water sports like windsurfing, waterskiing or just a casual swim. There are boat docks and sailboat rentals, as well as several playgrounds for children. Get your exercise on the walk paths, basketball courts, or with a bike rental.

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Nestled in the historic neighborhood of Mission Hills, is Mission Hills Park, also known as Pioneer Park. Originally one of the first cemeteries in San Diego, the tombstones can still be found pushed to the back corner of its grassy field. This lovely and tranquil park is home to a children’s playground, tennis courts and a large grassy area perfect for picnics and other gatherings.

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This small park is located on Adams Avenue in University Heights. Named because it was originally the site of a large brick trolley barn, these trolleys served a network of San Diego streetcar lines. In 1991 it transformed into a quaint neighborhood park that features a large grass area and ample-sized children’s playground. Visit their summer concerts which are free and run every Friday in July and the first Friday of August.