Mountain Lake Park551

One of our favorite parks because it offers so much for kids of all ages: two cool slides, a well-maintained sandy area, small beach complete with ducks and geese, grassy fields, hiking trails, and picnic tables. The whole of Mountain Lake Park extends from Park Presidio to 8th Avenue at Lake Street. The lake is actually a 4-acre reservoir and served as the city's water supply during Gold Rush days. This is also said to be the place Spaniards camped out for a few days in 1776 after a wearying 900-mile trek from Mexico. Today, it's a peaceful enclave where parents and children often gather. The playground is unfenced, sandy, and two-tiered, with the street-level half for toddlers and preschoolers, the bottom half for older children. Both halves have swings and climbing structures, and the grade change incorporates two fun but slightly dangerous slides (one includes a roller slide and the other is concrete). Basketball and tennis courts and a soccer/baseball field accommodate older kids. Parties: Picnic tables and proximity to playground, fields, and beach make this a nice spot for birthday parties. The phone number for reservations is 415.831.5500.