Rinconada park playground

One of the better playgrounds in Palo Alto, honestly — the layout just works, with enough going on that kids aged 2 to 10 can all find something to do without parents having to referee who’s too big for what. The climbing structure holds up well for older kids while the swings and merry-go-round keep the littles busy. Shade trees make summer visits actually bearable, which isn’t something you can say about every park around here. The real bonus is that it sits right next to the Palo Alto Junior Zoo & Museum, so you can easily turn this into a half-day thing without driving anywhere else.