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    Harbor Island Park

    4.5 (79 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 10:30 pm

    Harbor Island Park Photos

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    Taking a break and enjoying the ocean breeze
    Alex S.

    Back when I was working in San Diego, Harbor Island Park was my go-to spot whenever I wanted to take a break, enjoy the ocean breeze, or just relax. Now that I'll be working in the area again, I know I'll be spending more time here. This park is one of the best places to escape the city noise while still getting an incredible view of the San Diego skyline. I have always found it to be peaceful, never too crowded, and a great spot to sit back and enjoy the view of sailboats floating by. The fresh ocean air, open green spaces, and scenic walking path make it a perfect place to clear my mind. Parking has never been an issue for me, and I like that there are plenty of benches, picnic spots, and shady trees to relax under. It's the kind of place where you can just sit, breathe, and enjoy the moment. If you're looking for a relaxing waterfront spot with a view, this is it. I've been coming here for years, and it never gets old. Rating: 5/5 - One of the best places in San Diego to relax and take in the views.

    Calm after and now before the storm, Misterrr! Glad to re-center.  Ocean's full of that positive energy or magnetism, whatever you believe.
    Matthew A.

    [So, allow me to explain, the place that is receiving 5-stars is the parking lot alongside the ocean side. I am pretty sure above mentioned business has all kinds of wonderful experiences in store for their customers.] Man I love that I work near here! That should be the end of the review! Hahaha. If there is a place that you can enjoy a walk even with the congested streets of downtown area, this place is one of them. Parking is scarce and in high-demand, lock you doors and put away your valuables, you're in the city, DUuuH. All the caution aside, I rolled my windows down and peacefully allowed the breeze to bring me to the beaches in Anini Beach Kauai, where I was finishing up snorkeling, having a six pack of Grenades Mickey's and snacking on lightly salted pork rinds. (Filipino's got that kick-back well established, man I miss those family and friend Gatherings, party with foods and drinks for days, like literally left overs were always great and tasted amazing when re-heated and consumed) The sunshine was sleeping, GOOD, so was I, just like I would tell tourist when I worked in Kauai, HI, you may have arrived in paradise, but you're here to make your OWN paradise, starting with you advocating what you discover and loving what makes you come back. Some might say the constant training of our military across the inlet may contrast with the nature. I beg to differ, having them there made me feel way more secured than the hovering SDPD. They protect all Americans AND others that seek to value American way of life and wish to blend their culture with the many we have accepted as a country. Plus if you haven't witness the focus and precision training when the wind is blowing out the SD I let's birthday cake candles, and the sky is seeing how much water they can drop on you; this is when you should brave that tempest weather and take pride and feel humbled about how hard our daily effort is poor comparison to our mighty military's normal training. Then I rolled up my windows and snuggled deeper into my coat. I only get another well-spent 15 minutes. Wake me up IPhone!!! Siri, you bettah make sure you don't become sentient and let me sleep pass my allotted time!

    Josephine C.

    Every year, I come to this little park near the SAn Diego airport for Big Bang boom with friends. Usually my fiend sleeps night before and save space across from the hotel. The park is always clean but the sprinklers kept going on every few hours since night before and early morning in July 4th. It was annoying because everything got wet. There was still parking available till lunch time then it got really full. The view of the ocean is really nice and see boats and jet skis go by. The 3 barges of fire works was the best this year. It's also convenient to walk across the street to Hilton to use their restroom.

    Terri C.

    When we visit San Diego, which is often, we usually stay right down the street from Harbor Island. I love being able to get up early and run from our hotel here, catching beautiful sunrises and fantastic views of the downtown skyline. You can run on the sidewalk or the street (look out for cars and bikes!). Definitely a great place for cardio and scenery.

    Holy cow look who's visiting SD!!!
    Nicole F.

    This is the perfect place to walk your dog after an airport run early in the morning. Just a few other dog walkers and joggers out with plenty of parking to be found. Even with the big hotels adjacent, it is never crowded. Also a good place to walk after happy hour down at one of the nearby Cohn Restaurants as Mel suggests in her review. When I come early in the morning there is plenty of free parking, free bathrooms and lots of bags for your pets. It's also fun to see the locals fish....this morning one guy had 5 poles going at one time. The fish must have been runnin' good!

    San Diego Skyline & Coronado Bridge
    Mel M.

    After happy hour or dinner it's a nice quiet place to walk, bike or run. You can sit and admire the city skyline, meditate or contemplate life. People walk their dogs here. Nice long straight away path. Boats, paddlers, planes and helicopters go on their way. Sometime fish jump out, seals and I've seen dolphins cruise by. Come at sunset and watch the city turn on its lights. Mel M Yelp 17:116

    Alex H.

    Great little Park near the airport. We stopped here to relax and take in the views as we waited for friends at the airport. It's a relatively narrow strip with a good path for walking or jogging and plenty of benches along the way. It offers good views of the naval base and city across the bay and we enjoyed watching jet skiers and boaters. My only complaints are the bathrooms which weren't the worst in San Diego but certainly could use a good clean. Lodi hate how parks have stalls without doors.

    The view
    Mina H.

    Is nice to have this park open to the public to enjoy a stroll overlooking the bay, enjoy the sun and if you are up to do some fishing. I come here when I have to pick up/drop off family at the airport, so close, park then walk around and enjoy the views. Bathrooms Water fountain Is free to park

    Derek S.

    Harbor Island Park is a great place for a nice ocean-front stroll with fantastic views of San Diego! Both street and private lot parking are plentiful! No entrance fee either!

    Sunset
    Lisa W.

    A quiet, less touristy area to run and have a fantastic view of SD skyline and the water. The whole loop (one end to the other and back around) is about 2.8 miles. Makes for a good loop. I come here after work and it's pretty empty. It's probably the weekend you want to worry about finding parking and such. Parking is no problem on weekdays. Just the right amount of people running, walking, dog walking and taking pictures of the skyline. Good for running and the view!

    Holly R.

    I do a lot of picking up my Husband at the airport. I have found this to be the best place to wait for his flight. And conveniently located across from the airport. The prettiest views, with Coronado Navy base across the bay... lots of action to watch, from helicopters to giant ships! I also love Bird Watching there! I also love watching people fish there.. I also often find a scooter there to pass my time. Over all this is the best place to pass some time while I wait on my husbands flight to arrive. * bathrooms a bit scary no bathroom doors * no playground * great for walking * airport cell phone lot alternative **

    View of San Diego
    Judy I.

    Nice park with plenty of free parking right on the San Diego Bay. You can walk at water side where lots of people fish, or bring a picnic. There are bike rentals nearby and places that rent kayaks and jet skis. You have a great view of the San Diego skyline for photo ops, and Little Italy is nearby for a quick delicious meal. Next time you need a break from the hustle and bustle, Harbour Island Park is a great place to stop.

    View of the San Diego Skyline, so beautiful even in the evening.
    Eiprheel E.

    previously living in San Diego, harbor island is one of our favorite places to go to to enjoy the water, see people sailing, riding their sea-do's, and seeing a lot of people fishing. You can just sit down in one of the benches and just inhale the ocean breeze and feel peace and quiet. We used to bring our own food here and pick a spot, sit under a tree and just enjoy a picnic. It's a great place to take your pets for them to run around and just enjoy the scenery with you. it's a place where you can close your eyes and enjoy a quick nap while enjoying the sound of the Sea breeze as it drifts. the park is clean and well kept and hardly any panhandlers around. On our most recent visit, we were welcomed by people who were enjoying the 4th of July weekend and the scene at the park was very lively and full of laughter. It was so nice to be in. This is a place that I recommend all visiting people and locals to come to.

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    Beautiful park, do not enter public restroom. Looks like a prison bathroom. Other than that family/ dog friendly with amazing ocean views

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Harbor Island Park

    How are the bathrooms at Harbor Island Park? Are they adjacent to the park? Are they clean?

    The bathrooms are pretty standard for a public access park: They're cleaned often, usually have toilet paper, but lack doors and are usually covered in piss.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Harbor Island Park

    Night time is gorgeous because the whole city lights up along the Coronado bridge and the star of India.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    Balboa Park - Outside the Botanical Garden

    Balboa Park

    4.8(2.9k reviews)
    3.5 miBalboa Park

    My wife wanted to stopped by here the moment we arrived to San Diego. We been here before like five…read moreyears ago when we first started dating. There different parking lot you can park at but I chose the parking lot near the Organ Pavilion area. Since we came before lunch time, I was able to find a good spot and you'll have to pay for parking here. My wife wanted to check out the Botanical Garden building first and then we went to the Art Center so my wife can shop over there. We also saw a long line of people looking to buy plants at Casa Del Prado. We didn't stay long because the sun was starting to come out and our daughter was getting fussy.

    Balboa Park is one of my favorite places to visit in San Diego. Every time I come down here to…read morevisit my daughter who is studying in San Diego, I try to stop by if I have some free time just to walk around and relax. This place is more than just a park. I really enjoy the beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and unique Spanish style architecture. The area around the California Tower is especially beautiful. Walking around here and taking in the peaceful atmosphere is always a nice experience. I usually park in one of the parking lots inside the park (around $10). If you are lucky, you may find free parking in the surrounding areas, but honestly, parking can be difficult, especially on busy days. What I like most about Balboa Park is that you don't need to visit all the museums to enjoy this place. You can simply walk around, enjoy the gardens, take pictures, and relax. One thing to keep in mind is that the park is very large. If you don't plan ahead, you may end up walking more than expected. But that is also what makes this place special , every visit gives you a chance to see something different.

    Photos
    Balboa Park - Wedding at Balboa Park

    Wedding at Balboa Park

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    Nativity Display

    Balboa Park - PostSecrets (artist invited people to write secrets on post cards, you could submit yours at the end too!)

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    Civita Park

    Civita Park

    4.6(178 reviews)
    5.1 miMission Valley

    After hearing about this spot from a friend, I have always wanted to come. I was able to on a hot…read moreday, despite it being hot, it was also very windy (cool). I would recommend a light jacket-- of course depending on the day. They have clean restrooms with sinks to wash your hands outside, but no paper towels or drying station. They had many choices of where to sit, where to play, even tables to eat, and more. People rollerblading, skateboarding, yoga, playing soccer, this spot is full of life! I really enjoyed my time here as even the birds and butterflies were all flying around. I will happily come back to explore more of what this park has to offer.

    Pros: Spacious, plenty of walking paths, with nice clean facilities, which include 2 family…read morebathrooms with baby diaper changing stations and several drinking fountains. There's also a row of small fountains for kids to play, run through and splash in. Cons: It's a really nice park ON A COOL DAY. Lately, with temperatures 10 to 19° above "normal average" - or maybe it's just the new normal - it's hard to recall the last time we got to experience a cool day. But here, the way the gazebos, tables, and benches are set up reflects a pretty severe case of denial that this is Southern California, and not quite within walking distance from the beach. It WILL get hot whenever it damn pleases, with or without notice. It did so in February already, in case you missed it. We came a few times for the farmers market. Both days were unfortunately " 80°F" her weather report, which in reality feels like 92°F, and we had to scramble to find a little bit of shade, so that we could eat our street food without passing out from heat stroke. We huddled awkwardly on the curb under a small tree. Other people passing by with food in their hands looked at us with envy. NOT A SINGLE PERSON sat on the readily available benches with tables, because they were in the blazing sun, yet lacked any shade. Never mind an umbrella, not even holes to put one in!! Denial much?? It's really sad, because it's a beautiful place. It just DESPERATELY needs more shade for the visitors to feel comfortable without clinging to trees or the bathroom walls.

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    Civita Park
    Civita Park
    Civita Park - Tunnel Mural

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    The Children's Park - The Children's Park in Downtown, San Diego, CA

    The Children's Park

    4.3(37 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    We enjoyed the park here! It had more people than usual when we play at parks but it was downtime…read moreand comic con weekend. Great play structures. Built with probably age 7+ in mind but my toddler was able to enjoy everything easily. The slides were metal but it didn't burn anyone going down. I was happy there was a good amount of shade! Bring your own food and snacks. Prices are ridiculous. The ice cream truck was $6 for an ice cream sandwich. Prices are not posted and I didn't have the heart to say nevermind and disappoint the kiddos. Great park!

    This is more based on the dog park that's on the same lot as the Children's Park. This one uses…read moreturf, which i find has it's benefits on the days after a rainstorm since it doesn't get muddy. There are four big pine trees with separate retaining walls around three of them for owners to sit down. With it being so close to the bay, there's often a nice breeze that goes through the park. There's no divide between small dogs and big dogs, so it's best to just keep an eye on your dog, and many owners around here are usually respectful. The street parking immediately adjacent to the park is free, however, it has a limit of 30 minutes, and the parking meter workers are strict on it if they're around. I bring my dog here around lunch time because those who live/ work in the area tend to bring their dogs during their break time and my dog gets his socialization time. They close 8am-11am MWF for maintenance/ cleaning. Currently, both gates are broken so it's not as secure as it should be, and who knows when the city will actually fix it. There're a few agility structures and a water dispenser. The children's park itself looks pretty cool for kids with a lot of structures with slides and swings. There's also another separate area with fixed exercise equipment that looks well- maintained. The water feature in the park is a water feature, not a pool.

    Photos
    The Children's Park - The Children's Park in Downtown, San Diego, CA

    The Children's Park in Downtown, San Diego, CA

    The Children's Park - Where can you find a large art sculpture and the many areas made of wood and the climbing is for exercise.

    Where can you find a large art sculpture and the many areas made of wood and the climbing is for exercise.

    The Children's Park - Childrens park one of the best educational parks and for the many structures you can have fun the whole day.

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    Childrens park one of the best educational parks and for the many structures you can have fun the whole day.

    Maruta Gardner Playground - Klover & Kai

    Maruta Gardner Playground

    4.8(29 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    The most amazing park my toddler and I have ever had the pleasure of visiting- thus far!!!…read more As we were driving to Old Town, we passed by a few playgrounds prompting my little monster's request for some play time. After we were doing doing some basic tourist-y things, I hopped on Yelp in search of a few parks located withing the vicinity. Maruta Gardner Playgound seemed to be the most entertaining and appropriate for my wild child. Parking was plentiful and the size of this particular playground was great. Not only was the look and design very unique, you really couldn't ask for a better view. Seating was plentiful and again, the design of things were so cool. Shade is easily found and the play structure is great for children + adults of all ages. Lastly, there are restrooms and water fountain located not too far. Shout out to Ms. Maruta Gardner!! My daughter and I thank you because this place wouldn't have been possible without you. Your dedications and love for your community was undeniable. Thank you for beautifying everything around you and rest in paradise. 5/5 Stars!! Definitely a must if you are in San Diego!!

    This is a fantastic park! Truly has activities for all ages and lots of seating for parents. The…read moreswings and climbing structure are so fun! I also love that it's right across the street from mission beach. We love to walk along the beach then come and play or vice versa. Generally safe area and haven't seen many homeless loitering about. Pretty clean and minimal litter.

    Photos
    Maruta Gardner Playground - MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

    MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

    Maruta Gardner Playground - MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

    MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

    Maruta Gardner Playground - MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

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    Liberty Station NTC Park - the sky looks like this ...possibly due to the wildfires in Pacific Palisades and LA areas

    Liberty Station NTC Park

    4.6(174 reviews)
    0.6 miLiberty Station, Point Loma

    Liberty Station NTC Park - Spacious, Scenic, and Full of Life…read more Liberty Station NTC Park is such a huge, beautiful space and truly one of the best multi‑use parks in San Diego. It's home to so many local events -- 5Ks, food festivals, art fairs, adoption events -- and there's always something happening. There's plenty of parking nearby, lots of trees for shade, and a great trail throughout the park for walking, running, or biking. You get gorgeous waterfront views, and the whole area is super dog‑friendly. It's the perfect spot for a family gathering, picnic, birthday celebration, dog day out, or a hot‑girl walk. And one of my favorite things: after hanging out at the park, I love heading to the Liberty Public Market food hall or True Food Kitchen for something to eat. A great, versatile outdoor space that really shows off the best of Liberty Station.

    An overdue review for a park my pup and I frequent. There free parking, a lake, fields of grass,…read morecafes, restaurants, a movie theater, art galleries, retail shops, grocery stores, events and walkable pathways. It all sounds perfect with the exception of the airplane noise up above. The San Diego international airport is nearby and the planes pass by so frequently and loudly, you cannot hear. Also, I hate the planes immision of air pollution. Even if you wear your earbuds to cancel the plane noise, the air pollution is more prevalent here :( I like this park, my friends live nearby in Point Loma so we've frequented this park. I suggest you visit but keep in mind the overhead plane noise and air pollution.

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    Liberty Station NTC Park
    Liberty Station NTC Park
    Liberty Station NTC Park

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    Harbor Island Park - parks - Updated September 2026

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