Overview
Peri Park (Andy Peri Memorial Playground) sits in a shady redwood grove just off Bolinas Road, a short walk from downtown Fairfax, and combines a solid playground with a seasonal water play feature that makes it one of Marin's best free summer spots. The combination of serious shade from surrounding redwoods and Fairfax's reliably warm inland temperatures makes this the go-to move when the coast is socked in fog. It's genuinely local — mostly Marin families, no tourist traffic — and the proximity to downtown Fairfax means a great lunch is never more than five minutes away.
How to Do It
Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard into downtown Fairfax and head west on Bolinas Road. Turn right on Park Road and the park is immediately on your right. Street parking is available along Park Road and the adjacent side streets — it fills up on hot weekend days, so aim to arrive before 10am or accept that you'll walk two blocks. The playground has two distinct areas: one structured for younger kids (toddler-scale climbing, low slides) and a larger structure for bigger kids. The water play feature runs seasonally, typically May through September, during park hours. The park also has picnic tables, a BBQ area, restrooms, and a drinking fountain, so a full morning works well without leaving the park. After the water play, walk five minutes to downtown Fairfax on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard for lunch — Gestalt Haus (casual outdoor seating, kid-friendly) and the Marin Munchies-style spots along the main drag are solid.
Tips & Tricks
The shade is the real asset here. The redwood canopy keeps the temperature 5-10 degrees cooler than open playgrounds nearby, which matters when you're managing sun exposure for kids in the water. Unlike a lot of Bay Area splash features, you're not baking while your kid plays. Plan accordingly — you may actually want a light layer.
Fairfax's inland location means it genuinely warms up when coastal areas stay gray. If you're watching the forecast and see fog on the coast, this is one of the better Marin redirects — it's almost always warmer and sunnier here than in Mill Valley or Sausalito.
Arrive before 10am on summer weekends if you want easy parking and open picnic tables. The park draws local birthday parties in the afternoons, and while it doesn't get chaotic, the picnic area does fill up. Mornings are quieter and cooler for younger toddlers who nap mid-day.
The BBQ area requires a reservation through Fairfax Recreation (415-458-2342, Mondays through Thursdays), but individual picnic tables are first-come. If you're bringing a larger group, call ahead — the park gets booked for parties on summer weekends and some sections are reserved.
Planning
Admission is free. The park is open during daylight hours year-round, but the water play feature is seasonal, running roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day (confirm specific dates and hours through Fairfax Recreation at 415-458-2342 or townoffairfaxca.gov). No reservations needed to use the playground or water feature. Bring water shoes for kids playing in the water area, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. A picnic lunch works well here — there are ample tables. Best months are June through August when temperatures are reliably warm in Fairfax and the water feature is running. Ages 1-5 get the most out of this; older kids who want more variety may want to combine it with a hike in the surrounding area (White Hill trails are a short drive). Dogs are allowed in the park area on leash, though not in the playground structure zone.
