The most amazing park my toddler and I have ever had the pleasure of visiting- thus far!!! 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!! read more

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This is a fantastic park! Truly has activities for all ages and lots of seating for parents. The swings 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. read more

My kiddo loves obstacle course type playgrounds, par-core, all the things, so I googled what was near us and spotted this place. Soo cute in person, big playground, lots of space, grassy area to the little pond lake thing to walk around. Also the parking lot was really big lots of shade. We had a fun morning. read more

Maruta Gardner Playground - Playgrounds Near Me - San Diego, California

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The good: This is the best playground I've ever been to. It is so visually unique and so fun. There are playground items here that I've never seen at any other playground. It's located at the beach so the atmosphere is beachy and fun. There is sand for kids to play in. There are picturesque palm trees. The playground is huge and has lots of cool lounge chairs and hammocks. I saw kids skateboarding and rollerblading around here too (not sure if it was allowed or not). There is a giant climbing structure with a slide on it. The patrons here also seemed nice. Most of the ground was the squishy bouncy material. There were toddlers swings that swung around in a circle. There's also a rope course. The bad: I wish this was in my town! The interesting: The playground is meant for ages 5-12. My kids were 1 and 3 but still enjoyed it tons! read more

We had a nice day hanging out at this playground with our kiddos. It's definitely sun worn, and probably needs a little update, but the kids enjoyed the unique play features. Bathrooms were close by and had soap and toilet paper well stocked. Cleanliness was as expected for park bathrooms but were overly scary. Parking was good in the morning but it does get very crowded as the morning turned into the afternoon. Plenty of grass area if you want to setup a shade tent and chairs, but very little seating and shade if you aren't bringing your own chairs. This isn't close to any restaurants or fast food, so if you don't bring food or drinks you're stuck. Ice cream carts do come around but nothing else. Totally worth the trip if you're prepared! read more

Maruta Gardner Playground - Ready to go play - Playgrounds Near Me - San Diego, California

This is a fun new playground, but it does not have infant swings!!! Unbelievable. However, they have a cool slide that rolls. On the inside of one of the structures, they have several fun activities like a musical notes hitting something metal to make sound and then the other one is like a whole bunch of marbles on the wall that spin. They have like a little merry-go-round that your infant can go in but most of the older kids always take over and go really fast and I went on a weekday. read more

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This is the BEST playground we've ever been to! Giant slide, around about swings, rope course, and so much more unique equipment you don't see at other parks. Just a short walk from Belmont park and a skip from the water .. wonderful way to enjoy a sunny day! read more

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Some place for kids but only needs umbrella shades. My kid liked it just that the hot Sun was not good to cover the playground. read more

Maruta Gardner Playground - Playgrounds Near Me - San Diego, California

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Random visit and find during out trip to San Diego. Unique and fun park for babies to adults. Our careful toddler had so much fun here. She tried most of the structures and play areas. Rubber matted with a sand area. Right by the beach and there are restrooms. Big parking lot. read more

Park is super cute and right on the beach. Visited from out of town and been here a couple of times. Very fun for ages 4-12 read more

Maruta Gardner Playground - Hammock - Playgrounds Near Me - San Diego, California

This is an incredible playground! It's got equipment for all ages, it's clean, and there is great seating for adults. It's also on the beach, so you could make a beach day of it. There are bathrooms right nearby and tons of parking in a private, free lot. read more

Beautiful playground with unique structures for kids to run and explore behind your typical wooden slides. Lots of families and kids of different ages and just down the street from Mission Beach and Belmont Park. read more

One of those perfect little Southern California playgrounds, with ample parking, a convenient location near Mission Bay and the beach, and a ton of interesting equipment. Our older son especially loved the ten foot tall pink trampoline slide; you just have to suspend your nervousness about the piles of wriggling children going up and down it at the same time. Lots of ice cream/popsicle vendors too, and they know how to get the kids' attention. read more

Pretty cool playground near the beach. They have a merry go round style swing that my kid loved. The jungle gym was quite large. The big slide in the middle was pretty cool. read more

This was such fun playground for all ages! The view was great and there were plenty of sitting area. read more

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WOO HOO as good as it gets! Yes I'm definitely talking about Maruta Gardner Playground located on West Mission Bay right across from Belmont Park! Pack your bags, your snacks, and kids and head on over right now! This is literally the Disney land for kids at a no cost cover charge as well as ample free parking! We arrived on a weekend around noon and it was fairly crowded and noticed all the kids climbing on baby blue and pink things from our car and as we slowly walked up closer we knew we were in for a treat. The park is nestled on the bay with gorgeous spectacular views and palm trees with the sun shining bright even in January. The architecture of the park was very well thought out and you can tell there was plenty of time and money put into this amazing place. There is anything and everything here a kid could ask for from swings, slides, and spinners! The trapeze is official here with kids climbing to the top and going down to kids sliding down the big pink mat pretending lava is on the floor when only trying to walk on the blocks at the end. My personal favorite is the carousel swing they have where it fits 3 kids and you push them like they are at a amusement park and they swing in a circle. They also have a sit down see saw where its fits 4 but just make sure the weight distribution is accurate for it it work. There is also a small park for 2-5 yr old's where they can practice skills such as climbing and balancing and also has a small slide as well. They also have fresh white beach sand where you can bring your sand toys and build a castle and imagine you are at the beach with beach chairs and a shaded umbrella over you. They also go 2 hammocks where you can lay on it and swing till you fall asleep . The floor is padded with a rubbery type like substance which can prevent injury if your child trips and falls from running and hits the ground first. Around the park is absolutely beautiful with palm trees, grass, and a nice sidewalk to use for either running, skating, or taking a nice walk in Americas Finest City San Diego. Overall a stunning park located in mission bay where you can let the kids loose and have a great time. There was also a guy out there making huge bubbles where the kids thought that was so much fun while they were running and chasing them trying to pop them. What are you waiting for and hurry up and bring them here because I guarantee this place wont disappoint and your pockets will still be full! read more

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Best new playground in San Diego hands-down! Beautifully situated by Mission Bay this playground has all kinds of fun and new equipment. Stuff I've never seen before so that makes it interesting for us. You can smell the ocean which is about half a block away and see some gorgeous sunsets. They've got hammocks and chairs for the grownups to chill while the little ones burn off their energy. There is plenty of parking in two large parking lots nearby. You are also close to coffee shops and restaurants to grab a snack afterwards. The ice cream man always takes a trip through the park too. Super safe and lots of friendly people. read more

Beach playgrounds are such a SoCal thing- but winter weather calls me to them way more than hot, busy summer days I also knew going into this playground I needed backup- AKA daddy-because it offers some serious climbing . My 3 year old loves to challenge his body and this provided that opportunity while also offering lots of entertainment for the 14-month old. Tons of climbing, circular swings, hammocks, spinners, balance beams, climbing bridges... the list goes on. Not to mention, the sand is so fine and soft. The beach is just a skip away Ample, easy parking Bathroom and drinking fountains Plenty of parent seating and grassy hills for picnics read more

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Nice big park with amazing views, there were the usual playground equipment along with more unique stuff like a 2 person swing unlike any kind I've seen before. The main attraction in the center was a little difficult for my child, the top area is tricky and one could easily fall through the giant holes. The giant slide looked fun but wasn't slippery enough for us to go down. read more

Awesome place for kids so much fun !! So many options for the kids and for sure you can stay a couple hours , without the kids getting bored read more

Maruta Gardner Playground - Playgrounds Near Me - San Diego, California

I love this playground! Super cute and conveniently located around businesses and Belmont Park is within walking distance! You can't beat the beautiful setting, which makes for a peaceful place to hangout while the kiddos play! read more

We love this park! The structures are all so unique and it's honestly a fun park for kids of all ages and sizes. The climbing structure and the spinning stands were my daughters favorites! We also loved how many different types of swings they had. For locals, I highly suggest a week night picnic down there as it's much less crowded than on a weekend. read more

Maruta Gardner Playground - Park entrance - Playgrounds Near Me - San Diego, California

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Such a fun place with unique play equipment! I brought my 20 month old granddaughter and although she couldn't do everything, there was plenty to keep her happy. Beautiful setting at Mission Bay with lots of parking - at least during the week. Will definitely be back! read more

Fantastic park with lots of play equipment for the kids. Playground on one side and sand for the kids to play on the other side. Plenty of picnic tables and bon fires on the sand for those that want to stay late into the night. We had a great time. Fair warning though - restrooms were still closed and the portable restrooms were disgusting. I don't think the city tends to them very often. Other than that kids had a great time! read more

Maruta Gardner Playground - Sandy bay across from Playground with fire pits - Playgrounds Near Me - San Diego, California

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I can't say enough about how amazing the Maruta Gardner playground is! I went with my son, daughter-in-law, daughter, 7 year old grandson, 3 year old granddaughter and 1 year old granddaughter. The play equipment is so unique and fun! My 7 year year old grandson and my 3 and 1 year old granddaughters all had play equipment that was the right size and age for them to enjoy. The huge pink slide and all the swings are just so much fun. We had a wonderful picnic on one of the grassy slopes. I am so happy that my daughter found this playground for us to spend a special day at when we had family visiting from out of state. You will love it here! read more

Super unique play structures and a beautiful setting! We will definitely return here.

love this park. Had to pick up some trash and broken pieces on glass on sand, other than that, its great for kids. Nice view of bay.

Fun playground for a toddler and young kids. There is a fun swing set that goes in a circle. The climbing apparatus with slide was fun. We felt safe and it's close to the beach so we did both. read more

Great playground! Some really fun and unique equipment. My kids looooved all the kinds of swings and the huge climbing structure- and the big pink mat slide is a huge hit. Bathrooms (closed now for covid) and grass area. Lots of people had dogs with them. Big parking lot. We are glad we stopped by with our kids while on vacation! read more