Ananda village playground

Tucked into the trees just outside Nevada City, this playground has a genuinely off-the-beaten-path feel that a lot of locals really appreciate. The forest setting does a lot of the heavy lifting — kids tend to gravitate toward the edges where the trails start, which is half the fun. It’s part of the Ananda Village community, so there’s a warmth to the place that you don’t always get at your standard city park. Accessibility seems to have been a real consideration here, which isn’t always the case with spots this close to the woods. If you’re already out exploring the Nevada City area, it’s worth the detour.