It's a pretty chill park with nice restrooms. Too much parking though. I would recommend meeting people on the west side of the park because the east side parking is generally closed to the library and less accessible to the park. read more

I was at the library and really thirsty so they told me there was a vending machine at the rec center and I got there at 3:50 and they were completely shut down even though it says they close at four. At least stay until your hours of operation are done. read more

Loved playing kickball here with my league! The surrounding area is kinda dark, but the field itself is kept well lit. Plenty of parking and easy to find. read more

Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center - Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

This a great park/athletic field and creation center. I personally like to come to this park to get some walking in and to spend some time at the gated dog park to watch the pooches. In addition to the softball and base ball field, the center sports a large play ground area with great equipment for the little ones. The area offers a number of well maintained concrete picnic tables and plenty of space for birthday parties for the little ones near the playground equipment. I like the way the playground is gated off to add an extra measure of security for the little ones. The restrooms are nearby and well maintained. I was most impressed with the quality and the maintenance of the greens, especially the grass, and I was very happy to learn that they are watering the grounds with recycled potable water. One thing to be aware of, there are a lot of squirrels that reside in the area, especially along the perimeter near the baseball field. Oh yes, you have to give a plus to an recreation area that offers a fenced off area for dog to roam freely and play with their owners and other dogs. read more

See all

This park used to be small, consisting of a few softball diamonds. When that field was decommissioned they created an expansive series of parks, think superwalmart of parks. Everyone's park needed are met now including a dog park / basketball court / kids park / soccer fields, softball diamonds, and even a Library for those not very athletic. - I like to walk through this park when it's not too hot during lunch. - The white sand playground is fenced off for safety and it's pretty clean. Nobody really playing there during week days. - Lawyers must have been the architects. Lots of warning, notification, and rules signs posted everywhere.. read more

See all

My husband and I like to come to this recreational center for walks and runs. We love being outside and enjoy watching people also get active. Sometimes people come to play soccer/ basketball and other activities. It probably one of my favorite places for a run. I do with there was more space so I can bike without feeling like I'm in the way. I hope that I can be comfortable enough to bike regardless but it's still a great place. I highly recommend it for people who are looking for somewhere outside of the gym to get active. Sometimes, we just need fresh air. read more

The fields are amazing. I would say very well kept compared to other parks. Lots of joggers at all hours of the day. There are also pet owners walking their dogs. Because the park has provided poop bags, you don't see as much poop lying around. Every now and then you'll see some but that's just how it is at any other park. They also have a public in door gym and different days of the week in the evenings, they offer volleyball, basketball, pickleball, and badminton. The facilities are well kept. They have restrooms. No formal changing rooms/locker rooms. If you like/play any of those sports, you can definitely come here to join in some pick up games. read more

Great park and a solid place to hold a soccer tournament. There's also a small dog park enclosed on the side of the parking lot. The restrooms close on sundays so be prepared to use port a potties. read more

I can't believe I didn't know this place was here! My husband works right across the street and he told me that this place is huge and suggested I stop by on my evening walk since I'm trying to get my steps in on my Fitbit tracker! I love how big this place is and that it has a playground for kids to pay at and a very large field. Also, there is a dog park nearby. There is also plenty of parking! I highly recommend if you're looking for a park where you can take a nice stroll. read more

We had a family lunch here after a wedding (Cafe Rio catered it). There was parking lot above the park and street parking near the covered pavilion with several picnic tables. Some of the kids rented scooters to ride around the park sidewalks. There was a nice grassy area with trees. They have playground equipment. read more

I used to come here a lot when I lived in the Archstone nearby back in 2008, but now with kids, I've been coming here for the playground. I will say that the field is huge and well kept. Every morning you'll see the sprinklers go off, landscaping guys cleaning the place up. It's very open and I love that the playground has a section for 5-12 and a toddlers section as well. The bathrooms are kept rather clean compared to some of the other park restrooms. Also, this is right next to my husband's work so sometimes he'll meet us up on his lunch break and play with his kids. It's a great place for us to hang out as a family. My daughter's been coming to this park since she was a few months old, 3 years later, she still loves this place. read more

If you live in the area this grassy park/athletic field/dog park/library/rec center are perfect to spend some time at. Run the cement path surrounding the field to get some cardio in... there are exercise stations every so often to get some strength training in as well, a nice touch which I have not noticed at many other parks. The library is small yet gorgeous, maybe because it's new, who knows?! I love the smell of books! The staff could use a smile on their face though. A playground for little munchkins is located in the center of the park. Small or big, it doesn't matter, there's a place for pups of all sizes to run around off-leash and encounter other friendly pups and owners at the dog park. The fenced in dog areas are separated based on size. You'll notice some regulars after coming here a few times. There are even drinking fountains for the puppies who need to quench their thirst from all that tiring play. Plus, there are poop bag stations at the dog park and the throughout the entire park as well in case you ran out of your own! Plenty of parking all around, never an issue. read more

There's like three parks in one... and they have a library and indoor rec center ! Didn't go inside but the outside was nice enough. Probably one of the nicer athletic fields/parks I have frequented in San Diego. Another great place to have a picnic or go on a run with my dog. It's hard for me to find a good place to work out with my dog since she practically hates anything on wheels but luckily there weren't any skateboarders while we were here. There's a couple huge grass areas with some baseball/softball spaces, a gated playground for kids and even a dog park too! Separate spaces for "small" and "big" dogs. The entire grass area is pretty flat , which I like and there's a huge parking lot spaces that sits above the parka and rec centers. Located in the middle of UTC and Miramar off Nobel and Judical Drive. read more

Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center - Beautiful day in SD! - Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

We live around the corner from this park, and our six year old daughter can't get enough. The whole place has so many uses! Playground- we would be content with a jungle gym and some swings. Apparently the designers thought that it would not be enough. The park itself has several different areas. There are several swings (big kids) and even a tire swing. I personally sawing with my daughter and loved it. They are tall and sturdy. Another plus is that everything is surrounded by sand. Amazing cousin for falls! Next to the swings, there is a pavilion with several picnic tables. Perfect to sit and watch the bigger ones, or pack a picnic. The. There is a large playground with four or five monkey bars if various levels. There are a couple of slides and even two makeshift rock climbing walls. There is also an entire section devoted to toddlers. I cannot speak for this, but it seems like a minion paradise. Fields- this park has multiple, multi purpose fields. I see organized sports almost daily, and they even rent them for parties. Our daughter had a friend host a birthday party with a bounce house a couple of months ago. There are jogging trails, and the park is well lit. They even host the "Movies in the Park" at Nobel! Library- although I do not think they are one, there is also a San Diego public library in property. It too is large, and has a great selection of books and a very nice staff. This is a great park to spend some time to escape the fast world surrounding it. Plenty of parking....very important! read more

Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center - Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

What a beautiful and serene park! There is a library here also, which locals take advantage of. (They close super early, so verify times!) This park is hidden, but once you find it, what a perfect place to picnic, take a long stroll, or take pics! And that's what we did. We came here to take pics. Not crowded and the park is a great backdrop for photos. Lots of greenery and the park is very well maintained. There is ample parking, a basketball court and even a dog park on the other side of the lot. read more

The cleanest, largest, quietest park I've been to in San Diego County. It's near my office and offers a quiet close-by getaway from work. I frequent this place several times a month (if not a week) to read and eat lunch. I walk the length of the park for some exercise and enjoy the calm sereneness. The grass is green, well maintained. The sidewalks are extensive and the kids playground is contained in one area so you don't have to be annoyed by screaming kids when you want some piece and quiet. Lots of parking in the lots or on the streets surrounding it. Great place in the UTC area - and in this neighborhood that says a lot! read more

Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center - I enjoy the peaceful view while eating my lunch at a picnic table. - Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

What a surprise of recreational area! Last Saturday I went there just because it was the meeting point with some girlfriends from my country. A couple of them live in the complex just facing this big park, so it was easier for me to park there. It was my first time, as I never noticed that was this park with all types of sports activities, well manicured, playground for kids, and the library as the cherry on the cake. And emptiness! Not many people around. You feel like the park is catering your 'I want to be myself' needs! I felt amazing there, as I arrived half an hour earlier than the agreed time I had a good time strolling around, visiting the library and chasing some butterflies. Great park for picnics, everything seems very new and in impeccable condition. read more

See all

Really well maintained park. Great open fields for baseball, football, and soccer. I like to come here to hurl some discs as practice for disc golf. Nice cement perimeter sidewalk that has to be at least a mile long. Haven't tried out the facilities - but this area is fairly new (built within the last 6 years) read more

Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center - Great fields for disc golf practice! - Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

I don't have a dog or anything, but the small dog park area isn't really that bad here. I like to come out here and just walk around, it's a peaceful and beautiful place. If you are some hippie auslander looking for a gigantic area to waste space with your dog, piss off. This is a community park for the community. There are many open fields, barbecue pits, and shaded picnic tables. Small playground for the kiddies too. I have come out here to exercise a few times, whether it be running or throwing a baseball in one of fields, it's never too crowded here. Great spot for a picnic or a leisurely stroll. I like to sprawl out in the grass and just enjoy the weather, read a book or call up some people I love (or hate) and talk to them. The library is a quiet place to read if you're looking for that. Whenever I leave this place I walk home with a clear head and open mind. read more

I visit this park almost daily and am amazed at the lack of people. It feels like my own private park even on weekends. It is right off the 805 and very easy to get to, take the 805 to Nobel and it's right there on the corner. This park is huge with soccer and baseball fields, a large playground for kids, a dog park, basketball courts, gym and library. Waiting for the park to open I had no idea of what an a large project it was--it covers over 30 acres. There are plenty of picnic areas and covered party areas. It is fantastic for getting a group of people together on weekends, walking your dog or try the one mile fitness course. There are multiple fields of various sizes situated around the children's fenced-in playground. The dog parks are a bit small but well kept and visitors are courteous about cleaning up after their pet. The park uses reclaimed water but has drinking fountains in various spots and fresh water in the dog park. There are also 24 facilities in the park, as well as bathrooms in the library. The library is small but well-stocked and has a children's area. I highly recommend visiting the park when you are in the UTC area. The only downfall is the well-manicured lawns do not have a good drainage system and tend to become swamps after a rain. read more

I go to this park most days for a short morning run. It's very close to UTC but very sparsely used in the early mornings probably due to the fact that it's on the edge of the apartment complexes nearby. A loop around the park is 1 mile, so it's very easy to count your distance. As I make my loop around the park I say hi to my neighbors who are on their daily dog walks. Many of them kindly stand off of the sidewalk as I race past saying my "good morning" to the wind. This park is very well-maintained, with several workers taking care of cleaning up the park daily. The users of this park take care of cleaning after their dogs, and it's generally nice to experience a community atmosphere in UTC outside of my apartment complex. If you live in the area, come by for a short walk in the park and a chance to meet your neighbors. read more

This review is for the dog park at Nobel Rec. After adopting a rescue, I've been taking her to this park nearly everyday at varying times depending on my work schedule. The park is separated into two separate areas: big dogs (30+ pounds) and small dogs. For the most part, people stick to separating the dogs. However, there have been a few times that I have come where people will have their bigger dogs in the small dog area if there are no other big dogs around. For the most part, people tend to watch their dogs. There are the few owners who are not mindful of their dogs, and I have had non-fixed dogs hump my fixed pup before here. So definitely be careful here! (Isn't there a rule about not being able to bring non-fixed dogs to public dog parks?!) There are plenty of plastic chairs and a bench in the shade that owners can relax on while their dogs play. As others have mentioned before, there isn't very much shade in either area as the trees have not yet matured. For the most part, the park is grassy and clean. However, wood chips from the area surrounding the park have entered the park. My pup is starting to teeth and she will pick up the wood chips and gnaw on them, and once almost swallowed it! I have to be very mindful and watch her every time I come here. There are plenty of plastic bags in the park to clean up after your dog. Garbage cans are provided, strategically located just within reach, but outside of, the dog park so you can conveniently drop the bag in without leaving the park. There are also stray tennis balls around in the park if you forgot to bring your own. A water fountain and a bowl are provided too in case your dog gets thirsty. For the most part, all of the owners that come here are very pleasant. There are the regulars who will chat it up. The one thing that I dislike is that some owners will not acknowledge when I ask them to ignore my puppy when she jumps up on them. Yes, she is a puppy, but she will grow to be around 25 pounds. Teaching your dog not to jump up on people is very important, and it irks me that people do not respect others enough to understand that training must start young. If a owner asks you not to do something, I feel that you should respect their wish. Overall, I really enjoy bringing my dog to this park. It isn't "dead" anymore, unless you come in the middle of the day when it's hot. I've come between noon and 5pm, and there has always been at least one other dog around for my pup to play and socialize with. The only thing that I truly dislike about this park is the presence of wood chips in the park which can splinter and become a choking hazard for dogs. read more

Review for the softball field... Field was in really good condition and had the greenest grass. However no homerun fence, just have to jack the ball over the deepest guys head for your HR. Lights are not the brightest so you might lose some high balls in the outfield. Make sure you park on the street past Judicial or else you have to walk half a mile to get to the field. Nice dugouts and plenty of seats for your fans. Plenty of parking all around these fields. read more

OMG I am obsessed with the dog park here! Everyone is extremely friendly, and the dogs are well behaved. The dog owners all love their dogs, and also want to meet and be friendly to your dog as well. There is a large dog park, and one for smaller dogs as well, which is nice for those of us with tiny sensitive dogs :) This is the only dog park in SD I go to anymore, and I highly recommend it. read more

I have noticed that the other reviews of the Nobel Athletic Area neglect to mention the gym. In terms of size, Nobel Gym disappoints. The layout is your standard full-size court that can be bisected into two smaller full courts. I guess the budget planners decided to push more money into the nearby library instead of expanding the gym because a full court game on the small courts is nearly impossible when you're running 5 on 5. Naturally, this isn't a problem with the full court. There's definitely enough room to space out and actually run. In terms of court consistency, don't expect your knees to survive for long at Nobel. Sure, the court is nicely waxed and isn't dusty as some other gyms in the area, but it seriously feels as if the construction crew for the gym just put an extremely thin layer of parquet over concrete. There's absolutely no bounce on the floor, and your knees will feel like you're playing outdoors. As far as hours go, those are so-so. The open gym hours leave something to be desired. As of the time of this review, the only hours available for the 9-5 shmucks like myself are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 4-6:30. I like to consider myself a pretty avid pickup basketball player. However, on a scale of one to ten, skill-wise, I'd consider myself a two. Three, if you factor in my propensity to play just like the pros and get sprained ankles and other wonderfully painful injuries on a regular basis. Thus, when it comes to pickup basketball, I like to pick places where people of lower skill level can get into a game and have a good time. So even though Nobel Gym isn't the comfiest gym I've been to, the run at this gym is great if you want to get out and get some exercise without feeling too intimidated by the competition. The usual crowd is the local high school kids, UCSD folk and the assorted business people that work around the area. The best thing about open gym at Nobel is the timed games. Games are ten minutes or first to 11. There's this one staff member that mans the scoreboards, so there's no bickering over what the score "really" is. You sign up for "next" on a sheet, so there's also no bickering over who had next. All in all, it really makes the pickup experience pleasant, and it really caters to the player who doesn't come in with a whole squad of friends and can't call "Next!". All in all, it's an okay gym. However, the staff member that runs the "organized" games is what really sets this gym apart for me. It's really great that the gym offers this type of pickup, and it's made me be a regular. read more

So we came back to check it out again and I'm happy to say now that people are aware of this dog park's existence and it has had a little time to mature, it's a pretty neat park. Although the quality is of course not brand new anymore, it seems that the powers that be take good care of this park so that it has retained some quality. I'd recommend a visit, but it's not large enough nor does it get enough traffic to make a special trip. The large space is pretty good for a small dog side and the grass on both sides is present for the most part. It has been dug at and is bald in certain sections on both sides, but I give it a pass overall. The complete lack of shade is somewhat remedied with the trees growing up just a little bit and now there are strategic places where you and your pups can get some shade. The layout of each dog park is like a shoebox, long and narrow. I don't know whether to cite it as a pro or a con, but I tend to like it. Plastic bags are provided with trash cans just outside the fences. It's close enough that you can still deposit your bag there, but it's a smart move to keep the trash cans off the grass where it won't be a target for dogs to pee on, allows the grass to stay greener since water can now get to it, and keeps the smell farther away from the park. There are plastic chairs provided. You are supposed to return them stacked on the cement when you're done using them, however it doesn't seem anyone cares to do that. Overall, great care and notice is given to try to keep the grass as prosperous as possible and I was happy to see that there wasn't any unclaimed poop the entire hour we were here, nor were there any strong smells coming from this park as typically occurs at dog parks with grass. Most of the negatives now seem to be present or not present depending on what time you come. You might have a hard time finding other dogs for your dog to play with. On this past Saturday around 2 PM, we waiting about 20 minutes before some other dogs showed up. We only waited that long bc we were meeting a friend here before we continued onto the dog beach, otherwise we would've left. Once people did show up, there were probably about 10 dogs, so it was a nice turn out and our dogs got a good chance to socialize. That bumped up the rating a bit. But if no one had come, it would've been a problem. Parking is now the biggest negative here as there is a nice parking lot, but it is dominated on the weekends by families, soccer games, etc. You can probably still find a space because of the turn over, but you might have to walk about 5+ minutes if you are unlucky. Shade could be better, but hopefully it'll improve. Overall I'm a fan and since it's close to where I live, it's a nice asset to have. read more

Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center - Small dog side as of 7/16/11 - Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Cute park with more than adequate facilities and recreational accommodations, but lacks a few of the major characteristics of a first-class park. For one, this park has no views. I don't care how nice your panoramic photos are - nobody enjoys sitting back, relaxing, and staring at corporate town homes. The reason there are no views is because there is no water. No lake, river, ocean, waterfront of any kind. It's a very suburban park with this presiding feeling of "no matter how much fun I am having right now, I will still be back in my office chair Monday morning" type feel. The one nice aspect of the park is in regard to any type of air show going on at Miramar. This is a decent spot to plop down a chair or blanket and watch the proceedings without having to endure 500,000 other people. read more

This. Small park has everything modern parks must to have: places to play, to walk, relax, bbq, dogs,and just enjoy seeing active people of California! read more

Largest grass area used as a soccer field. My kids love it here. I love it because it's fenced and huge and quite and perfect. Highly recommended. read more

Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center - Huge field. - Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

I used to love going to this when it first opened. Plenty of room, and thoughtfully segregated into two areas for big and little dogs, respectively. Plenty of bag stations, and a drinking fountain make this place seem like a no brainer. The problem? Jackass owners who don't pick up after their dogs. There are bombs all over the field. My golden wiped out in some (nightmare!), and my other dog stepped in some other dog's mess not once, but twice. You will too, if you don't watch where you're going. Unfortunately, there are dirtbag dog owners everywhere, who are comfortable letting the rest of the world deal with their mess. It just seems like they all congregate at Nobel. read more

This is a review for the dog park!: It's not much to look at, but the dedicated small dog area is really nice, and our girls love the dachshund meetups that happen here at least 1x a month (5 stars for the meetups ;) ha). We don't hit this park other times because we don't live very close by, and we'd rather go to dog beach. A-OK! read more

We like the park as it has newer playground equipment, lots of parking and mellow vibe unlike Doyle Park. Our little one enjoys the toddler swings and we like the have smooth hand hold as regular swings with a chain would not be safe for tiny fingers. We rented one of the shelters for a birthday party and it was reasonable and lotsa fun! read more

See all

If you ever need a lot of space, basketball courts, fields, a playground and gazebos? or whatever those standy-up things are where you can sit under them, then this is an awesome park. The grass is always green and well, it's always great to have something so clean. I think if you are really into athletics or you need to host a picnic or social gathering, this place is awesome for that. It's also pretty quiet which is nice. read more

This park has a cute little dog park that tends to have a good crop of adorable, sweet & well-behaved dogs. My puppy has a great time every time we come here. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that for whatever reason the other dog owners aren't very friendly (tend to be on the older side) and I always feel kind of awkward sitting there by myself. Now I bring a book. read more

It's where I played my first soccer game in SD. Love the wether and open space here. The ground is not that flat though. read more

Nobel Athletic Fields & Recreation Center - The field where we play soccer. - Parks Near Me - San Diego, California

The soccer/ softball field is beautiful, but the city closes it for long periods of time. Most often during school vacations. Our tax dollars at work. The field next to it was closed for 5 months. At that field the drainage is poor and the grounds are always wet, full of holes. Remains that way after 5 months. What's really a disgrace: The dog parks. Filthy, disgusting; prime spot for a dog to acquire parasites like Giardia. e.g. Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal illness known as giardiasis. Giardia (also known as Giardia intestinalis, Giardia lamblia, or Giardia duodenalis) is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) from infected humans or animals. Apparently the place is closed daily for cleaning but if so, you'd never know it. Flies, Feces, Smells. What makes it worse is that there's free reclaimed water running from the elevation above, making it a prime spot for the parasites to flourish. Even on a good day throwing something for a dog, the dog picks it up, it's going to be full of sand, as the dog park has no grass what so ever. Our tax dollars at work. There is a group of neighbors who have volunteered to clean the dog park once a month but the efforts are not sufficient to make Nobel Park a good place to do with a dog you love. read more

This dog park is by Nobel and 805. The dog area is gated and separated by small and big dogs. The area is somewhat lit from the parking lot so no worries if you make it a little late. The people are friendly and there seems to be someone there at any time. Occasionally there are some festivals here for the dogs on the weekends. The grass is nice and they have been doing ok upkeep so far since it opened last year. Doggie bags provided. read more

This is one of very few play areas around for children that is fenced entirely around the periphery. Most, for whatever reason, are near the street or parking lot without fences. It's fun for the kids and safe. Very attractive, also read more

I come from San Francisco and the best dark park in the WORLD is Fort Funston. This dog park is OK, I mean the reviews I've read above are bad. This park isn't horrible, It's a good place to meet alot of the neighbors that live near by. The animals all know each other and honestly Its a good park, You cant ask for much i mean as long as your dog is having fun and a good time thats what really matter right? I mean it isn't a human park read more

I have been visiting this park for 5+ years. It's kept up well, quiet, and has a lot of room for running and walking around. Outdoor pickup basketball plays consistently Saturday mornings around 9-9:30 AM. Outdoor fields are very nice for running around and yard games or similar activities, but can get really busy during kid soccer season, especially when the parking spills to the side streets. Please drive slowly in the area! Indoor gym is kept in good shape. The courts are a little slick but great for recreational volleyball and basketball (played here through Vavi leagues). The dog park is just OK. It's been trodden down into a dirt heap but gets the job done for extra space to let your dogs run! read more