Are you getting out enough? Studies show that modern Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, missing out on the many benefits of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.

It's difficult to maximize time outside when you're rushing around between work and family duties, especially if you live in an urban environment. If you're planning a change of scenery soon, remember, that it's easier to enjoy time outdoors when you move to a neighborhood where irresistible green spaces abound.

Keep reading to find out where to look for a home close to lovely San Diego parks that bring the great outdoors within easy reach. 

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Point Loma

When you choose a home near Sunset Cliffs, you can enjoy some of the best aspects of San Diego living right on your doorstep.

People who live near parks experience fewer mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, according to this article by the NRPA. When you live near this 68-acre seaside park, you'll agree that it's the perfect place to wind down and forget about your worries.

A linear section of the park incorporates 18 acres bordering Point Loma's western edge, while the 50-acre hillside section adjoins the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve.

Here, you can stroll among sea caves, coast bluffs, and arches while enjoying wide ocean views. If you're lucky, you might even spot California gray whales from the clifftop as they travel between Baja and the Bering Sea.

The best time to visit Sunset Cliffs is at sunrise and sunset, or during low tide if you want to access the beach. Excellent waves draw crowds of surfers and onlookers when conditions are right.  

San Diego Parks in Encinitas

This is one of the best park neighborhoods in town, with several exceptional places to enjoy outdoor family fun. There are two excellent parks in this area focussed on bringing joy to children of all ages. 

Olympus Park

This Leucadia park is a treat for thrill seekers with an artificial turf hill for sliding own, a zip line, a tube slide, a concrete slide, and a skate park. There are swings, a climbing cube, a merry-go-round for young children, and wonderful walking paths for dogs and their owners to stretch their legs.

The zip line has a kick-back at the end, so it's best to supervise small kids who use this facility. Don't forget to bring a cardboard box along for sliding down the hill. 

The small botanical garden is a delight for those who want to embrace tranquility in a beautiful setting.

If you live outside the neighborhood, you will need to park about a block away and walk, onsite parking is for residents only. 

Cottonwood Creek Park

A nature lover's delight, Cottonwood Creek Park holds pride of place near Moonlight Beach within walking distance of Moonlight Beach as well as a host of ice cream, coffee, and pizza shops nearby. 

Children love to float leaf boats down the man-made creek, or climb the boulders and play structures located alongside it. There are many paths and bridges to wander along. 

Other attractions include tennis and basketball courts, a gazebo, and picnic areas.

Balboa Park 

Balboa Park is one of the best parks in California and a National Historic Landmark District.

It was originally called City Park, until the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. At this time, the city changed the name of the park to honor the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa.

According to Child Mind Institute, outdoor play is essential for children's development and wellbeing. Yet, most children spend the majority of their day engrossed in technology. 

Balboa Park offers plenty of attractions to lure inquiring minds outdoors. These include 1,200 acres of lush vegetation, the San Diego Zoo, 65 miles of trails, and 17 museums. These include:

• Air & Space Museum
• Comic-Con Museum
• Fleet Science Center
• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Marston House
• Mingei International Museum
• San Diego Mineral and Gem Society
• San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT) 
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum
• Women's Museum of California

The best part is that San Diego locals can enjoy free access to these historical showcases once a month on Residents Free Days. 

Several of San Diego's older neighborhoods border this lush playground, including Bankers Hill, North Park, Golden Hill, and Downtown. So, if you want your children to enjoy unfettered access to this special place, you should look for a home in these areas.  

Civita Park, Mission Valley

With 14 acres to explore, Civita Park offers fun for all ages in its multi-level design. The playground features different areas that appeal to various age groups.

There's a small section for under-5s, featuring many unique structures and a lovely sandpit with climbing logs to help develop balance through climbing. 

A larger space, catering for ages 5 to 12, has a climbing structure with a spiderweb design and a bridge on top. Uniquely, this feature complies with ADA standards, so all children can enjoy it.

Those who want to burn off some energy will find plenty of space to run and roll among the green areas and paved paths. There's a fun splash pad to enjoy on warm days, and the onsite tunnel boasts wonderful painted murals by local artists.  

Poinsettia Community Park, Carlsbad

Carlsbad Unified School District is one of the best in the area, with 11,700 students enrolled, making this part of the world an excellent place for raising a family.

The recently refurbished Poinsettia Community Park adds an extra element of family fun, with its unique features designed for 'inclusive play'. 

Children can rock climb to the top of the slide, balance on obstacle wall slides, teeter-totter under the shade canopy, swing across the circle bars, and land on the platform.

Within its 42 acres lies the largest public tennis complex in San Diego, with 10 lighted courts and 6 pickleball courts. 

Maruta Gardner Playground, Mission Bay

Maruta Gardner Playground is a fantastic playground located in Mission Bay’s Bonita Cove. It boasts an incredible rope and climbing course built to mimic the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park, which is across the road.

This huge pink structure is unmissable and a favorite among young visitors to this venue. There's also a huge array of swings with tandem swings, a disc swing, and bucket swings on a spinner. 

Parents should remember to bring sand toys along for the kids to maximize the sandy areas, and bear in mind there's an excellent restaurant across the street for after-play enjoyment. 

For your peace of mind, there are lifeguards on duty at this park, too. 

Veteran’s Park, Chula Vista

Veteran's Park occupies 12 acres on East Palomar Street. It's another inclusive offering with a play structure designed to accommodate wheelchair access. There is an appropriate surface on either side as well as a transfer platform for children to climb onto the net and slide.

Other attractions at this community center include sports, a skate park, picnic tables, a soccer field, a gymnasium, and a dog run. 

The Walk of Honor paved walkway has bricks bearing the name of veterans from the Chula Vista areas. 

Mission Bay Park, Bay Park

Mild weather is one of the biggest perks of living in San Diego, and Mission Bay Park offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy it. 

If you love watery fun, you'll find plenty to delight you at this aquatic playground, which is the largest of its kind in the country.

It incorporates 4,235 acres of land and sea with 27 miles of shoreline to enjoy, including 19 miles of glorious sandy beaches. There are eight locations defined as swimming areas in Mission Bay Park.

On the western side, you'll find a wealth of islands and channels, perfect for waterskiers and windsurfers. 

It's easy to figure out what draws the crowds to Mission Bay Park. The venue offers thousands of acres of waterways, boat docks, boat launching facilities, and rentals of motorized boats and sailboats.

Those who prefer to enjoy themselves on land can take advantage of basketb

Are you getting out enough? Studies show that modern Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, missing out on the many benefits of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.

It's difficult to maximize time outside when you're rushing around between work and family duties, especially if you live in an urban environment. If you're planning a change of scenery soon, remember, that it's easier to enjoy time outdoors when you move to a neighborhood where irresistible green spaces abound.

Keep reading to find out where to look for a home close to lovely San Diego parks that bring the great outdoors within easy reach. 

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Point Loma

When you choose a home near Sunset Cliffs, you can enjoy some of the best aspects of San Diego living right on your doorstep.

People who live near parks experience fewer mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, according to this article by the NRPA. When you live near this 68-acre seaside park, you'll agree that it's the perfect place to wind down and forget about your worries.

A linear section of the park incorporates 18 acres bordering Point Loma's western edge, while the 50-acre hillside section adjoins the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve.

Here, you can stroll among sea caves, coast bluffs, and arches while enjoying wide ocean views. If you're lucky, you might even spot California gray whales from the clifftop as they travel between Baja and the Bering Sea.

The best time to visit Sunset Cliffs is at sunrise and sunset, or during low tide if you want to access the beach. Excellent waves draw crowds of surfers and onlookers when conditions are right.  

San Diego Parks in Encinitas

This is one of the best park neighborhoods in town, with several exceptional places to enjoy outdoor family fun. There are two excellent parks in this area focussed on bringing joy to children of all ages. 

Olympus Park

This Leucadia park is a treat for thrill seekers with an artificial turf hill for sliding own, a zip line, a tube slide, a concrete slide, and a skate park. There are swings, a climbing cube, a merry-go-round for young children, and wonderful walking paths for dogs and their owners to stretch their legs.

The zip line has a kick-back at the end, so it's best to supervise small kids who use this facility and you should bring a cardboard box for sliding down the hill. 

The small botanical garden is a delight for those who want to embrace tranquility in a beautiful setting.

If you live outside the neighborhood, you will need to park about a block away and walk, onsite parking is for residents only. 

Cottonwood Creek Park

A nature lover's delight, Cottonwood Creek Park holds pride of place near Moonlight Beach within walking distance of Moonlight Beach as well as a host of ice cream, coffee, and pizza shops nearby. 

Children love to float leaf boats down the man-made creek, or climb the boulders and play structures located alongside it. There are many paths and bridges to wander along. 

Other attractions include tennis and basketball courts, a gazebo, and picnic areas.

Balboa Park 

Balboa Park is one of the best parks in California and a National Historic Landmark District.

It was originally called City Park, until the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. At this time, the city changed the name of the park to honor the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa.

According to Child Mind Insitute, outdoor play is essential for children's development and wellbeing. Yet, most children spend the majority of their day engrossed in technology. 

Balboa Park offers plenty of attractions to lure enquiring minds outdoors. These include 1,200 acres of lush vegetation, the San Diego Zoo, 65 miles of trails, and 17 museums. These include:

• Air & Space Museum
• Comic-Con Museum
• Fleet Science Center
• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Marston House
• Mingei International Museum
• San Diego Mineral and Gem Society
• San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT) 
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum
• Women's Museum of California

The best part is that San Diego locals can enjoy free access to these historical showcases once a month on Residents Free Days. 

Several of San Diego's older neighborhoods border this lush playground, including Bankers Hill, North Park, Golden Hill, and Downtown. So, if you want your children to enjoy unfettered access to this special place, you should look for a home in these areas.  

Civita Park, Mission Valley

With 14 acres to explore, Civita Park offers fun for all ages in its multi-level design. The playground features different areas that appeal to various age groups.

There's a small section for under-5s, featuring many unique structures and a lovely sand pit with climbing logs to help develop balance through climbing. 

A larger space, catering for ages 5 to 12, has a climbing structure with a spiderweb design and a bridge on top. Uniquely, this feature complies with ADA standards, so all children can enjoy it.

Those who want to burn off some energy will find plenty of space to run and roll among the green areas and paved paths. There's a fun splash pad to enjoy on warm days and the onsite tunnel boasts wonderful painted murals by local artists.  

Poinsettia Community Park, Carlsbad

Carlsbad Unified School District is one of the best in the area, with 11,700 students enrolled, making this part of the world an excellent place for raising a family.

The recently refurbished Poinsettia Community Park adds an extra element of family fun, with its unique features designed for 'inclusive play'. 

Children can rock climb to the top of the slide, balance on obstacle wall slides, teeter-totter under the shade canopy, swing across the circle bars, and swing the platform.

Within its 42 acres lies the largest public tennis complex in San Diego, with 10 lighted courts and 6 pickleball courts. 

Maruta Gardner Playground, Mission Bay

Maruta Gardner Playground is a fantastic playground located in Mission Bay’s Bonita Cove. It boasts an incredible rope and climbing course built to mimic the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park which is across the road.

This huge pink structure is unmissable and a favorite among young visitors to this venue. There's also a huge array of swings with tandem swings, a disc swing, and bucket swings on a spinner. 

Parents should remember to bring sand toys along for the kids to maximize the sandy areas and bear in mind there's an excellent restaurant across the street for after-play enjoyment. 

For your peace of mind, there are lifeguards on duty at this park, too. 

Veteran’s Park, Chula Vista

Veteran's Park occupies 12 acres on East Palomar Street. It's another inclusive offering with a play structure designed to accommodate wheelchair access. There is an appropriate surface on either side as well as a transfer platform for children to climb onto the net and slide.

Other attractions at this community center include sports, a skate park, picnic tables, a soccer field, a gymnasium, and a dog run. 

The Walk of Honor paved walkway has bricks bearing the name of veterans from the Chula Vista areas. 

Mission Bay Park, Bay Park

Mild weather is one of the biggest perks of living in San Diego, and Mission Bay Park offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy it. 

If you love watery fun, you'll find plenty to delight you at this aquatic playground, which is the largest of its kind in the country.

It incorporates 4,235 acres of land and sea with 27 miles of shoreline to enjoy, including 19 miles of glorious sandy beaches. There are eight locations defined as swimming areas at Mission Bay Park.

On the western side, you'll find a wealth of islands and channels, perfect for water skiers and windsurfers. 

It's easy to figure out what draws the crowds to Mission Bay Park. The venue offers thousands of acres of waterways, boat docks, boat launching facilities, and rentals of motorized boats and sailboats.

Those who prefer to enjoy themselves on land can take advantage of basketball courts, walking paths, and bike trails. The children's playground features age-specific climbing frames, swings, and sandpits. 

Find Your Dream Home in San Diego 

Homes near these San Diego parks sell fast, so if you're looking to buy a house in one of these areas, it's best to collaborate with an experienced real estate agent.

When you work with one of our seasoned professionals, you'll enjoy privileged access to off-market listings and the best advice on choosing the right neighborhoods for your needs. 

We can help you find your dream property in San Diego's most sought-after neighborhoods, get in touch to discuss your property needs today.  

all courts, walking paths, and bike trails. The children's playground features age-specific climbing frames, swings, and sand pits. 

Find Your Dream Home in San Diego 

Homes near these San Diego parks sell fast, so if you're looking to buy a house in one of these areas, it's best to collaborate with an experienced real estate agent.

When you work with one of our seasoned professionals, you'll enjoy privileged access to off-market listings and the best advice on choosing the right neighborhoods for your needs. 

We can help you find your dream property in San Diego's most sought-after neighborhoods, get in touch to discuss your property needs today.