Anne L. Francis

Excellent Neighborhood Playground

Cow Hollow Playground is a little San Francisco gem tucked away in a quiet spot of Cow Hollow. Located at the end of Miley Street (more like a super tiny alley than street), this small yet spacious playground is designed for the younger set -- babies through kindergartners. It's stroller friendly, completely enclosed, and bordered on three sides by backyards and trees. A big plus for parents with older kids: the playground is small enough for you to relax in one spot and still see your child at play and reach them quickly if needed.

Well-protected from the elements, it's usually pleasant there, even on foggy days. On sunny days, you'll easily find a shady spot to camp out (yay, trees) in the gazebo, or on the benches or cement border. You can also take a break in the small clubhouse, open most mornings. Plenty of toys -- instruments, books, art supplies, etc. -- will amuse your child in the clubhouse. A Tiny Tots program occurs on some mornings, too.

For play surfaces, the majority of the play space is sand, with some concrete areas throughout, and a wood deck (with gazebo) in the middle. The permanent play structures -- swings, sand box, slides, tunnels, climbing tower, etc. -- are metal and wood. A ton of extra, mostly plastic, toys -- ride-ons, play houses, cars and trucks, slides, etc. -- are also readily available under the deck or in the clubhouse.

Cow Hollow Playground is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. The playground does have restrooms (and a changing table in the women's), but they're a bit dingy and sometimes closed. Street parking in the neighborhood is not super easy but not too bad -- you might have to walk at most a few blocks. It's a lovely neighborhood for walking, too, with both the Presidio and Union Street Shopping District nearby.

Enjoy.

Cow Hollow Playground
Baker at Miley (between Filbert and Greenwich)
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-666-7007

Stars: 4 out of 5