After brunch, my friends and I headed to a popular park nearby Millbrae. It's massive, and you pay $6 to get in, which includes parking. We were given a map at the kiosk and the ranger was super helpful, pointing out easy trails and longer options. My boyfriend and I chose the Quail Trail, which was just over a mile which was perfect for a leisurely stroll. We parked near a playground and a picnic area, and the restrooms were decent. There's plenty of parking, even another lot with great views that we decided to hike to instead. The Quail Trail itself was beautiful and straightforward, even though it was a really hot day and I was definitely sweating! But the views were stunning. Just a heads-up though, we saw some poison oak with reddish leaves, so be careful not to stray off the path. It's a fantastic park, highly recommended, especially if you're planning a picnic. read more

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This is a HUGE outdoor park area that has plenty of hiking trails, picnic spaces, and various playgrounds which is really nice around this area. The only thing is, in that playground area, they have TWO different slides: one for ages 5+ and another for ages 1-4. PLEASE be cautious of your small kids going down the big slide...my 5 year old son ended up tumbling down halfway through because of the downward force. I'm thankful he was able to land properly 1/4th of the way through, otherwise he could've injured himself really badly. He was left with a small cut on his lip and nose. Not sure why the slide posts that it is safe for kids as young as 5 to go down it when it clearly is not. Also, they closed the slide that goes down right next to it...I should've taken that as a "sign" for my son. NEVER AGAIN. read more

Junipero Serra Park - Supposed to be for ages 5+?! so dangerous. - Parks Near Me - San Bruno, California

Nice park for picnics if you have children. The park overlooks San Bruno and the SFO airport. Just be careful on the slides, as you can get hurt from sliding down fast! I recommend if you're looking for somewhere chill to spend your time in. read more

Junipero Serra Park - Parks Near Me - San Bruno, California

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Showed up last weekend and the big slide was closed. Check before making a special trip, if you can. read more

Junipero Serra Park - Big slide closed - Parks Near Me - San Bruno, California

The bathroom closes at 4pm, myself and my young sister tried to use it at 3:52pm and were turned away by the janitor in a rude tone... The park is very pretty though. read more

We were invited to a family reunion picnic here and the weather turned out to be lovely. We were able to find the park but once we got inside ($6 Parking fee), we had to find the Buckeye Picnic area and had to go back to the kiosk to ask for directions to the picnic site and was given a map but the map didn't help. So I tried to call my relatives and we drove past the Buckeye picnic area a couple of times before we realized that the picnic area is in the lower Meadow View parking lot. Still really didn't see a sign for Buckeye picnic area but it's across from a home in the park. It was a lovely time getting together with long lost relatives we hadn't seen in 9 years and there were enough picnic tables and slides for the children nearby, a recycling bin but no garbage can. I could see why as bees and wasps were swarming around our food tables and it was really hard to eat as they were all around the food. My husband got stung on the lip as he was eating his chicken so luckily someone had Tylenol and ice to relieve the pain and swelling. I wish there was some way to make it more pleasant to eat at picnics, but there isn't. read more

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This is a cool park in San Bruno, a great stop on a cool and sunny Sunday afternoon. It's a multilevel park with lots of open space, large parking lots ($6 entry fee, cash only), huge grassy areas, lots of trees, multiple bbq/picnic areas great for family gatherings, and several small playgrounds. I loved that the park was not crowded at all when we visited. We drove up to the Upper Meadow View/ Big Slide Playground area, specifically to to check out the big slides. The sign says the play structure (side-by-side slides) is designed for kids age 5-12, but plenty of adults take advantage of these. It's quite fun gliding down the smooth surface, but it goes kinda fast so a crash landing is a possibility if not prepared. Luckily it's soft rubbery turf at the bottom. With all the dirt pathways and tall trees at this park, I would love to hike here and explore more of the area in the future. But appreciating the views and the rush from riding down the slides multiple times was enough excitement for a quick stop here on this day. read more

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Loved this park! It is close to our friends' home so we have hiked here with our kids. Pros: Decent length hike for kids with gentle uphill switchbacks. Great views all the way out to the bay and sfo!! Rewards you at the end with a fenced playground area with an amazing view that has a super tall slide (the kids call it "slidezilla") and a smaller version for younger kids. There are also rock climbing structures, a huge rope climbing structure, some spinning monkey bars, and 1 baby swing. There's also a smaller play structure down the hill. A ton of green space! Dogs allowed on trail (but not playgrounds) Cons: Can be quite muddy in the lower parts of the trail that drain towards the creek. Probably only a winter issue. Playground area is at the top of the hill and pretty windy / cold. There's a parking lot close to the playgrounds and pavilions but it looks like you have to pay, there's a ticket machine. The street side parking at the trailhead is free though. read more

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You have to pay an entrance fee of $6 to get into the park, but this means that this place tends to be less crowded than some of the nearby parks where there is no entrance fee. There are two different play areas here for kids - the one at the top of the hill has a great view of the Bay. There are two giant slides that they have that the adventurous kid would love although both are currently closed right now for refurbishing. Bathrooms are conveniently located close by and are very clean and well-maintained. There are also plenty of picnic tables scattered throughout the park which makes for a convenient and nice place to have some lunch. read more

Checked out Junipero Serra Park in San Bruno Sun 10/11/20. Parking is $6, but there is residential parking on Helen Dr where you can walk-in. I went to San Bruno Mtn State & County Park first so used that parking pass for this one on the same day. Driving in noticed the first parking on the left was closed, had to turn Right. Went up and up and up to a higher parking lot. We did a loop hike Quail Loop Trail, DeAnza Trail, Live Oak Nature Trail, Pine Trail, back to Quail Loop Trail. All the playgrounds and picnic areas are Closed due to Covid19. I did see a huge gathering in the closed area near Rangers Station, wanted to tell Rangers but didn't. Covid19 will never go away! Most people wore mask. San Mateo County Parks Facebook mentioned park closed M-F for extensive road & culvert work until further notice, so I made sure to go Sun. Maybe worth a visit if you live nearby. read more

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It's been a challenge to look for new neighborhood trails during lockdown. This one has entry points in Millbrae on Helen Drive, nearest cross street is Brookside Ln and the other trailhead is at San Bruno Park, near Santa Lucia Avenue and Saint Andrews Church. There are lots of loops and short trails within the park, mostly amongst tall trees. If you double up on some trails, you can get a good 4-5 miles. From entry point to entry point, it'll be about 2 miles. There are trail notices indicating one way direction. Only one bathroom is open and that's located in the heart of park where all the picnic tables are. Parking is available in residential Millbrae off Helen Drive and there's a free lot in San Bruno near Saint Andrews Church. Weather is usually just nice enough to get a couple of hours on the trails. Terrain is pretty easy to navigate and most trails loop from one to another. read more

Junipero Serra Park - Parks Near Me - San Bruno, California

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I've been here few times. It's a county park so you gotta pay for parking. Support them! There are picnic areas, playground hiking trails. The trails are fairly easy, we took our kids hiking and they enjoyed it. There's a small playground by the entrance and a bigger playground when you drive up or hike up. The big slide is enjoyed by many including my husband and my son. Also there's a nice view of the Peninsula from the playground. Definitely worth checking out. read more

This is such a great park, we've lived in the Bay Area for over 30 years and have just now discovered it. It's nestled up on the hills close to 280 and you can easily get there from 101 as well. It is a big and spacious park, perfect for picnics, hiking and sightseeing. They have two playground structures for kids and lots of space for riding your bicycle or scooter. It's one of our favorite parks since it has something for everyone. read more

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WIth more time being spent outdoors, Junipero Serra Park I didn't even know this park was here and I've lived in this city for hella long. This past Sunday, I finally checked it off my list. People have referenced that the entrance is closed majority of the week. If you run into this issue, make your way to San Bruno Park. There's the pool parking lot, park, walk towards Beckner's Shelter and there's a back entrance to Junipero Serra Park. Walking trails are accessible, but the picnic areas and play areas are closed. It's not a tough hike by any stretch, but it's still a great place to work up an appetite for brunch. You'll be treated to pretty views of the airport and the Peninsula. Definitely will be adding this hike to my dog walk rotation. *Be careful of the poison oak. read more

A great location with a few ways to access the park. The main gate has a fee lot. There is a big lawn a area. There is other access with street parking. Well-used Park with many walkers , both human and 4- legged. That's the good news. However, This park is overgrown with weeds, brambles, Blackberries and poison oak (I was looking from a distance). The main paths are paved with others being compacted earth. The trees are not healthy, resulting from erosion and crowd conditions. The overcrowding leads to trees dying, growing with spindly trunks or not thriving. Many native trees are here, oaks, manzanita, pine, bay... but there are many broken limbs and snags /stumps. The picnic area is decommissioned with picnic tables and benches piled up. It looks like a fire hazard of dead wood and leaf litter. I really hope the park gets a budget for mor maintenance; I could be beautiful. read more

Beautiful Park empty when we were there. Picnic tables galore with lots of views. Hiking looked good but did not try.

Had no idea this park was around me ! Beautiful day for a walk and people were all wearing masks . Parking was easy. Limited restrooms open. Lots of picnic tables available . read more

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Nice little park. With small parking space.Scenic view of San Francisco airport. It has got small gentle trails with picnic area. Trails are surrounded by trees so it's nice shaded You can reserve and have small outdoor party with barbecue pits. Trail has got play area closed currently with volunteers helping maintain the park. Be careful with poison oak on the trails. read more

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Wonderful park! Came for my friends sons 8th birthday and it was beautiful! read more

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This is such a beautiful park within 5min drive from the 101. It's amazing how quickly the busy highway can change to so many trees and trails. The two giant slides are fantastic too. The entire playground there is great and has so many ways for kids to release all that energy. There is also a great overlook where you can see the entire airport. Another thing for kids (and grown ups) to be excited about. The one issue is that parking is paid for and there is a good amount of poison oak in the bushes. But if you keep to the cleared areas, you should be ok. read more

$6 car fee. 56 feet slide that is scary fast! Do the little one next to it before you attempt the monster! Nice views from Iris point - drive all GE way up and park next to the water tank! Biking paths. Climbing structures and little kids play ground read more

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This really is a lovely park. Tucked out of the way up Crystal Springs Road with a gorgeous view from the top. It has a large car park on the lower level along with a play park, benches and BBQ pits scattered about, large amounts of covered seating too along with restrooms. Parking here is $5 per car which is a small price to pay for the use and upkeep of such a lovely park. There are a hiking trails throughout along with a road which you can drive up to the top where again they have a play park with more seating and BBQ area. This is a great place to go if you just have one of those day's where you're stressed or just need some fresh air. I love taking the hiking trail up to the top and on the far side where the water tower is the view is lovely. I could sit on one of the log's that surround the parking spaces and just sit looking out to the view for ages without interruption - bliss. read more

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This is a nice small quiet park. Trails are peaceful. Some are in the forest, Meadow Vista Trail has open vista, and I enjoyed activity at SFO. I like to watch landing and taking off. Not for hardcores but nice to check out. I am a rather hardcore, but I enjoyed hiking after another hike :) There are a lot of BBQ places and playing area for kids. read more

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We visit family in the San Bruno area and found this park on yelp. I'm so glad we did! The big slide is the best rush you can get without having to go to an amusement park. My husband was wearing basketball shorts and flew down slide. I was wearing jeans and didn't catch any speed I actually got stuck going down. In other reviews I read people brought pillow cases for the slide, I will do that next time. read more

Junipero Serra Park - Parks Near Me - San Bruno, California

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Nice park, ample parking. Huge slides itself is worth the visit! I believe there are some trails but I did not try them

Just had my lil cousins 12th bday/pinata party here and it couldn't have gone better. Great facility, clean restroom and the best assistance and service from Ranger Carlos. He went above and beyond to make sure everything went smoothly. Much appreciated brother. Catch ya next year. read more

" Was" a great and historical place to run and watch cross country , county meets but now the neighborhood is tired of all the congestion, noise and lack of parking there after 50 years of meets! The view of the North bay is great from here and it's all you rotoscoped expect from a California open air no trills Park. Tons of running history here,'great Mountain View! read more

With houses on all sides, the 280 running within earshot, and picnickers outnumbering walkers 10 to 1, Junipero Serra is best approached as an impressively large city park rather than a piece of wilderness to hike in. Indeed, it has been called "the Golden Gate Park of the San Bruno area", although that strikes me as a bit apples & oranges. There are a ton of picnic tables here, plus a playground and several reservation-only group picnic sites, some of which have impressive views of the peninsula & bay stretching from San Bruno Mountain to the San Mateo Bridge. You also have a front-and-center view of SFO. The greenery here is impressively diverse, ranging from your bread-and-butter oak forest (complete with plenty of poison oak) to an interesting mix of pines and eucalyptus near the top of the hill. There are also a couple of grassy meadows that would be perfect for frisbee and the like. So all in all, Junipero Serra is a wonderful treasure of a park, but I wouldn't bother coming here just to hike (the $5 parking fee is a bit steep for less than an hour's worth of walking). Instead, keep it in mind the next time you or your friends are in the mood for a picnic BBQ. read more

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Just about every single family picnic is thrown in this park and always in the same area as well. It is very easy to pass up if you're not paying attention since it's not at a intersection, but just pay attention to the signs. When you first turn in you'll find the little booth where there is a ranger to collect your fee for parking. It is usually $5, but a small price to pay ... esp since I know the money is going towards the park anyways. Then the ranger will ask you where you're headed so that they can help direct you towards your path. My family has always taken the grounds near the mini-playground area. There are bathrooms nearby, a big grassy field (great for lawn games or a bouncy house), and a couple hiking trails. I've gone on the trails and all the way around the park ... which is very clean and beautiful. It isn't like your modern park like San Bruno Park that you could find a couple miles away. But it has more of a camping feel to it when you're walking around in the woods. The place is always sunny, but when it starts to reach 3pm or so it can get very windy in the picnic areas that we've always been in. But it still doesn't take away from the scenery. =) This is a great place to have a picnic in or even just to go for a hike at. And though the $5 may turn you away, just know that it's going to a good cause anyways. Hope you enjoy it! read more

I'd prefer not sharing an awesome hidden find but this one gets 5-stars and worth sharing. This park is never packed, nor easy to chance upon. See if you can find the one-winning point here to satisfy the inner kid in all of us. read more

5 stars folks if you driving by on crystal spring going maybe more the 35mph you are sure to pass this park, covered by the trees place is like a get away from the normal, it is like your all inclusive very own park, for a $5 dollar fee you get access to majority of the park the lower levels are first come first serve there are many pits and enclosures for the most part during summer spaces are limited, if you want you can reserve one of the higher sections of the park, the top section has an adult size slide literally adult size, dont wear a sikirt to thsi park or you will not be able to partake in the fun haha definitely hit this spot up again and again for bdays, graduations, anniversarys, etc. food - bring your own folks service ***** they are helpful price $ 5bucks ambiance ***** on a nice sunny day you cant go wrong here read more

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My daughter and I still walk to the Junipero Serra Park at least 3 times week and it's still wonderful. PLEASE DON'T LITTER WHILE ENJOYING THE PARK! It's so terrible when people trash our public places. read more

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My nieces loved the big slide. Also a great place for a walk lots of big trees to provide shade. $6 parking fee which isn't bad at all. read more

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Husband found this park and we ventured in to visit on Labor Day morning. There is plenty of parking and we visited the area on the hill where they have jumbo slides. Those slides are quite dangerous because you go down them super fast. I literally flew off of it at the end, even though I tried to brake with my feet, haha. Landed hard on the floor! read more

Well this park deserves ten stars...Those slides awakened my inner child, there is no way to walk past and leave that ride for the kids! I went down three times and established one side is faster than the other, the hike up is good for your ass, the landing is not, but worth the pain. The views cannot be beat, the trees just amazing, the blooming lavender relaxing....There are so many BBQs here, I imagine Summer must be packed with families grilling everything under the sun, such a neat place. read more

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This park needs more people to notice it! It's a large park with a great view at the top. I would recommend driving up to the parking space at the top especially if hiking on elevated ground isn't your thing. This is my 2nd time visiting this gem and will definitely come back with other friends and family! read more

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They had too many bees in the area. I was at my niece's birthday party at the de anza picnic area there and got stung. Terrible place for a birthday party. It was bees everywhere. My hand is still swollen and in pain. On top of that the park rec staff didnt even inform us of bees in the picnic area when the reservation for the area was put in. Bees were all in our food and constantly swarming around us. Terrible experience. They need to do something about this problem read more

You have to pay $6.00 just to park your car there! I will not be back! :( What happened to our tax dollars, parks need to be free. read more

Big slides rule! Just don't go when it's hot or you will be burning all the way down! read more

Junipero Serra Park - Parks Near Me - San Bruno, California

A great place for a picnic, a hike and trying out the slide of doom. The slide took out half my family and I'm not kidding. My 10 year old son spun out of control about half way down banging the sides with his head, knees and everything else, finally landing twisted and stunned on his back. Thinking he could do better, my husband (with my daughter) were going so fast that when they hit the transition, it threw them at least 10 feet into the air away from the slide and they too landed on their backs. It was kind of scary to watch and at this point my other daughter decided she would rather go on the smaller slide. The slide of doom is very fast and unfortunately fully exposed to the early afternoon sun which prompted the use of towels. I'm pretty sure the towels sped up the ride tremendously. The facilities were great with bathrooms nearby. We were able to watch the planes taking off while eating our lunch. The big playground has no shade in the early afternoon so all of the really awesome equipment was burning hot. It was really too bad. The large trees situated behind the playground do provide great shade during the later part of the day. Other than that it is a beautiful and quite place to get away. read more