Joaquin Miller Playground GOATS

If you’re an East Oakland local who hasn’t made it up to Joaquin Miller yet, you’re sleeping on one of the better park setups in the hills. The fenced play area keeps younger kids contained while older ones work through the climbing structure and slides — the age range actually makes sense here, which isn’t always a given. Big shade trees do real work on hot days, and the parking situation is shockingly easy for a spot this close to the Redwood Regional trails. Bring a blanket for the open grass field, or stretch it into a proper hike after the kids wear themselves out on the swings.