Civic Center Playground

The climbing structure here is genuinely one of the better ones on the Monterey Peninsula — there’s a fire truck built into it, a rock wall, and enough rope climbing to keep older kids busy while the little ones hit the swings and slides. The merry-go-round is a nice touch you don’t see at every park anymore. Staff are actually around and paying attention, which parents in the area tend to appreciate. It covers a solid age range, so you’re not dragging a 10-year-old somewhere they’ll be bored in five minutes.