Arguello Park

Arguello Park is a 21-acre recreational facility located in the quiet suburbs of Cordes. Amenities include a fenced-in playground, baseball diamond, soccer field, tennis courts, picnic tables and BBQs, plus a snack shack, and restrooms.

On the side, the park also has interesting hiking trails along the hillside where small boulders and trees with low-hanging branches can be found – perfect for rock and tree-climbing for families. Sometimes wild deer can be seen loitering nearby.

Facilities are available for reservation.

Big Canyon Park

Big Canyon Park is a nature preserve located within the suburbs of Beverly Terrace. It has one rugged, narrow hiking trail that loops around the park and passes through both flat and inclined terrains, taking you through some wooden bridges, shady forest areas, and amazing views of the bay area up top. Different species of wildflowers can be found as you walk along.

The trail at Big Canyon Park is generally an easy hike of about 3 miles which could be perfect for a daily walking routine. Free parking space is available, as well as convenient street parking on all sides. Paths and bridges are well maintained, and there is a map displayed at the entrance, signs, and benches along the path. There are no bathrooms and water fountains so be prepared, although you’ll find those in Crestview Park just a short walk away from the entrance at Crestview Drive.

Hiking Trails
Clear and Narrow Paths
Wooden Bridges
Amazing Views
Wildflowers
Street Parking
Signs and Maps
Benches

Burton Park

Burton Park is the oldest park in San Carlos. Conveniently located near downtown, it’s where most community activities occur – from parades to festivals, movie nights, music concerts, camp-outs, and more.

Burton Park also has the most facilities of any area, which includes the usual soccer fields, tennis courts, softball and baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds with sand pits, picnic tables with BBQs, restrooms; and in addition, horseshoe pits, an amphitheater, bocce ball courts. All these facilities are surrounded by well-maintained grass lawns, scattered with shady mature trees.

The Youth Center is also found within Burton Park, and restaurants at Laurel Street are just a short walk away. Various facilities are available for reservation. 

Chilton Park

Amenities in Chilton Park include seated boulders, a trash receptacle with bag dispenser, a water fountain, and a couple of wooden play structures – up and over net, stilts, and a parkour – all for kids ages 5-12.

City Hall Dog Park

The City Hall Dog park is located just beside the San Carlos City Hall and the San Carlos Adult Community Center. Surrounded by commercial space and residential complexes, the City Hall Park its a breath of fresh air within downtown. The location provides easy access for dog owners to give their pets some play time.

The whole park is fully fenced and covered in granite and soil. Mature trees, from pines to oaks and other flowering trees, even a towering palm tree in the middle, provide shade a create beautiful scenery. Benches are scattered all over the park to provide resting space for exhausted owners. On its perimeter, outside the dog fence, the park is surrounded by bright green grass, clean and well-mowed. You’ll be sure that your dog will enjoy this park together with other dogs.

Crestview park

Crestview Park is a small green space located within the quiet vicinities of Beverley Terrace, just beside Big Canyon and Eaton Parks where the hiking trails are.

Facilities in the park include two semi-fenced playgrounds for toddlers and older children, picnic tables with BBQs, restrooms, a drinking fountain, a basketball court, and a soccer field encircled by a rubber track. The parking space, which accommodates up to 12 vehicles, is usually full during the weekends. The playgrounds are equipped with sand pits, a small trampoline, slides and swings for different ages.

Eaton Park

Eaton Park is a small nature preserve connected to Big Canyon Park on the eastside. Located within Alder Manor, this park provides short hiking trails that run through a mix of flat and mildly rugged terrain – great for daily exercise routines or fun nature treks with family. Note that some paths run along steep hillsides and may not be suitable for very young children.

The wooden bridges, steps, the trees along the paths with sometimes low-hanging branches, and the unusual flora you’ll find if you are observant enough, all make for an interesting adventure. Upon reaching the summit, you’ll find a labyrinth and gorgeous views of the San Carlos residences, bay and canyons.

The trails are equipped with trail heads, directional signs and entrance kiosks with trail maps. Parking space is available all around the park, in dedicated areas and on the side of the streets. There are no water fountains and restrooms, so be prepared ahead of your hike.

Frank D Harrington Park

Formerly known as Laurel Street Park, Frank D. Harrington Park was renamed 2015 as it is now after the passing of Frank Harrington, a 40-year resident and longtime volunteer in San Carlos. In his lifetime, he served in the military, worked as a postal carrier, Reserve Deputy for the Sheriff’s Office of San Mateo, and Reserve Officer for the San Carlos Police Department. He spent 19 years as a Community Service Officer in San Carlos. Known in San Carlos as “Frank”, he greeted everyone by name.

Probably the smallest park in San Carlos, Frank D. Harrington Park has but a few small benches, a small stage, and some trees to provide shade. Its purpose is to be a resting place for shoppers on Laurel Street. At night, the park is lit up by sparkling lights wrapped around the trees.

HEATHER DOG EXERCISE AREA

Heather Dog Exercise Park is located west of Heather School on Melendy Drive. Parking is available at Heather School. The area is only partially fenced, and owners are generally advised to put their dogs on leashes unless they can come on command.

The two-acre area has a couple of hiking trails lined with bushes and trees, running along a hillside. There is a flat area covered in dirt and sand which is perfect for dogs to play in.

Highlands Park

Highlands Park is found at the corner of Melendy and Aberdeen drives, in the neighborhood of Beverly Terrace. It houses several sports facilities – most of which are lighted, which makes it perfect for evening athletics. The park has two lighted softball diamonds, two full-size soccer field, five lighted tennis courts and a jogging path. Picnic tables, fully-fenced playgrounds and restrooms are also scattered around the park.

On a highlight, the soccer field is made of “almost real” artificial grass that is crisp and clean all year round. Facilities are available for reservation.

Hillcrest Circle Park

Hillcrest Circle park is a small green “island” encircled by Hillcrest Road and Highland Avenue, located within Cordes neighborhood. It is a fully-fenced area with a single playground, basketball court, cemented paths for skating, as well as a couple of picnic tables under the shade of a few trees. This park is perfect for residences looking for a near enough park for their kids to play in.

Laureola Park

Laureola Park is a 2.6-acre park which used to be the site of Laureola School.

Located in Clearfield Park, Laureola is just two blocks away from San Carlos Downtown and is the only park eastside of El Camino Real. Surrounded and hidden by lines of houses and commercial buildings on almost every side, the only street that borders this park is Bayport Ave, where there is parking space available (two other narrow entrances are from Old County Road and Holly Street).

Amenities in the park include a baseball diamond with bleachers on the side, two soccer fields, a basketball court, two fully-fenced playgrounds (one for toddlers and one for older kids), a splash pad, murale, and scattered tree-lined picnic areas with BBQs. Since Burton Park has more draw than Laureola, the park is generally more peaceful and quiet; although the field is frequented by annual school soccer tournaments and little league games.

Facilities are available for reservation.

North Crestview Park

Vista Park

Vista Park is a 3.8 acre nature preserve on the highest summit in San Carlos. As the name suggests, the park offers one of the most spectacular views of the SF Peninsula and the bay. Benches and picnic tables are available for those who want sit around, relax and enjoy the view. On the side of the park, you will find a trail that runs along the hillside where flowering trees and native flora abound. These bushes are labeled with names and descriptions, making your walk a fun learning experience.

Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve contain ten miles of trails that explore its varied habitats. Most are open for equestrian use. Sylvan Trail, a non-equestrian-use trail, is popular for joggers and hikers.

Spectacular Views
Hiking Trails
Equestrian Trails
Wild Flora
Picnic Tables
Restrooms