Uncovering Magical Places: Hidden East Bay Parks and Gardens

From Fairlyland's uncrowded little sister (where you can fish for crawdads with a paperclip and string) to a super slide that will make them scream with delight—these parks are hidden but beg to be found!

By Aly Brown November 6, 2014

The East Bay is absolutely bursting with parks where kids can build, play and ride. But if your mini is already considered the mayor of Adventure Playground or the Fairyland attendant knows your whole brood by name, it’s time to explore some of the areas hidden gems. From Fairlyland’s uncrowded little sister (where you can fish for crawdads with a paperclip and string) to a super-sized play structure that lets the littles pretend to be Spiderman and Jack Sparrow, all in one day. Click through to check out the parks that you’ve been missing!

City Park, Antioch

Why It’s Great: This park is a dying breed! With high wooden towers, rope bridges, a rock wall, and true-blue tire swings, kids can get lost for hours climbing through secret passageways and testing their agility.

Where: A St.
Antioch, Ca.
From highway 4, headed west, exit Lone Tree/A Street and turn right. Park is on the left-hand side.

Good to Know: There are bathrooms and parking available right beside the park. It’s not far from Highway 4.

What is your favorite off-the-radar East Bay park?

—Aly Brown