Rancho Mission Canyon Park in San Diego got a major facelift and reopened in 2020! The nature-themed playground has a tot lot and area for big kids. It has wheel-chair accessible features (the whole playground has rubber ground and two slides are accessible by wheelchair). You’ll find play structures, swings (baby and saddle), a climbing rock and rope course, a roller slide and more! There is also adult exercise equipment nearby, a large grassy field, a nice walking/bike path and a hiking trail. It does not have restrooms.
ADA friendly, Can reserve, gazebos, parking lot, picnic tables, street parking (free), NO restrooms
Playground, NEW Playground, Tot Lot, baby swings, regular swings, medium slides, small slide, roller slide, large slide, rubber ground, spinners, climbing structure, climbing rock, shaded, zip line
Large grassy area, ride a bike, ball fields, fitness equipment, hiking trail, walking path
Alcohol allowed, dogs allowed, parking lot
New Playground (2020)
The playground Rancho Mission Canyon Park is new and VERY COOL. It has a nature theme with rubber ground throughout (no sand or bark here). Many of the play structures are shaded. There are two areas: one tot lot for 2-5 year olds and a playground for bigger kids (5-12).
Tot Lot (2-5 years old)
The tot lot is bright and colorful! It has a structure with things to climb and a slide and a separate slide under a shade canopy.
It also has baby (bucket) swings, a group spinner, and “talking tube” flowers (but we couldn’t get them to work – maybe they aren’t connected to each other?).
Big Kids Playground (5-12 years old)
The area for bigger kids is right next to the tot lot, but separate. It has monkey bars, a zip line, a climbing rock, a climbing structure, slides, climbing walls… so much fun stuff!
My daughter (almost 5) loved this roller slide. You can also see the swings (saddle swings, four of them) and the separate slide that is accessible by wheelchair) in the background.
In this picture, you can see the zip line, the climbing rock with rope course, and the monkey bars.
Baseball Field
Next to the new playground is a baseball field / soccer field is large grassy area.
Fitness Options
Hiking
If you want to hike, there are some nice hikes that start at this park.
Fitness Equipment
Next to the big kid swings, there is some fitness equipment for adults.
Walking / Bicycle Path
There is a nice loop around the ball field that is just about exactly .25 miles.
Gazebo
There is also a gazebo with four picnic tables. This area is available to reserve (the number to call is 619-235-1129), but, if you’re considering reserving this park, you should know it does not have restrooms. The capacity for events at this park is 500, so I imagine portable toilets can be brought in for large events.
Parking
The small parking lot is located down the hill from the park and has about 20 parking spots plus two handicapped spots.
Wheelchair Accessibility
To access the park with a wheelchair, you’ll need to park on the street at the ramp entrance, or park in the parking lot and ride up the street to this location. I’ve included a map at the end of this post so that you know where this is.
There are some accessible features at the playground, but not enough to describe it has an ADA playground. The ground covering is all rubber, and there are two slides that can be accessed with a wheelchair. Strangely, the Sway Fun (in the tot lot) can accommodate a wheelchair but it cannot be accessed by a ramp 🙁
In order for any park in San Diego to be upgraded, it must be ADA compliant. Access to the park and the picnic tables are wheelchair accessible.
