Guide to El Cerrito with Kids

El Cerrito — located just past Albany when traveling North on San Pablo Avenue spanning to the hills — is a cute town with some fun things to offer for kids and families. Many of the businesses are either on or just off San Pablo Avenue, but there are epic views in the hills and some lovely parks hidden up there as well. Let’s get going!

Thank you to Prospect Sierra for sponsoring our guide to El Cerrito family favorites. Prospect Sierra has two campuses in El Cerrito for a comprehensive TK-8th grade education.

We’ve noted their favorite places for kids with a tiny symbol of their logo .

Here are 20 Terrific Things to Do & Places to Go with Kids in El Cerrito

Where to Eat | Where to Play | Paths to Walk or Roll | Calendar of Events | Prospect Sierra Picks | + More El Cerrito Favorites

Where to Play with Kids in El Cerrito

Arlington Park

1120 Arlington Blvd.
Up in the hills above town, Arlington Park has a little something for every stage: a tot play structure, a bigger-kid playground, a small creek to splash around in, and a large grassy field perfect for stomp rockets, frisbee, or just rolling around. The setting is beautiful — it feels a world away from San Pablo even though it’s only a few minutes’ drive. Find out more about playing at Arlington Park >>

Castro Park and Korematsu Middle School

Norvell St. and Gladys Ave.
Castro Park shares a block with Korematsu Middle School, which means the playground connects to a basketball court and kickball diamond that kids can use when school is out. There’s also a shaded toddler play area if you have a mix of ages in tow, and Castro Park itself has some genuinely fun climbing structures. A solid choice when you want an active afternoon and room to spread out. More details about Castro Park >>

Cerrito Vista Park

Moeser Lane & Pomona
This park is a fun one for your little daredevils. Two huge slides you can only get to through a ladder, and plenty of climbing structures. It’s fully gated (yay!), and there’s a smaller tot-friendly structure for younger ones. Bring a ball and bat for a quick game of baseball on the huge green grassy field, or pack a picnic lunch to make an afternoon out of it. There is a bathroom next to the playground.

Huntington Park

Carlson Blvd & Huntington
This park has a brilliant design for families with mixed-age kids: the toddler play area is fully gated and separate from the bigger kids’ section, but you can see both areas from either side. So the toddler is safely enclosed while older siblings run free, and you can actually watch everyone at once. Rare and wonderful.

Mendocino Park

Mendocino & Burlingame
Small, sunny, and beloved by the under-3 crowd. There’s not much shade, so pack a hat and sunscreen, but the compact size actually makes it easy to keep tabs on a bolting toddler. The equipment has that perfectly worn-in quality that kids somehow love more than the shiny new stuff.

Tassajara Park

2575 Tassajara Ave.
Situated in a hilly neighborhood, this clean and large park is a great place for kids of all ages to play. It has two large play structures– one for tots and one for older kids– two spinning chairs, two tennis courts, a basketball court, and a spacious grass field to run and play. See our write-up of Tassajara Park in El Cerrito >>

More El Cerrito Favorites

Rialto Cinemas Cerrito

10070 San Pablo Ave · San Pablo & Central
A genuine neighborhood treasure. This beautifully restored Art Deco theater shows a mix of first-run films, independent films, and classics, and they’ll bring gourmet pizza, sandwiches, and salads right to your seat during the show. Check their calendar for occasional kids’ matinees and special screenings.

El Cerrito Library

6510 Stockton Ave
This little library punches above its weight. It’s small and cozy, with a dedicated children’s area stocked with puzzles, blocks, and a wide selection of picture books. Weekly storytime and biweekly Read to a Dog programs make it a low-key neighborhood ritual for dozens of kids, many of whom then head over to Centennial Park. (Note: the library is closed Mondays and Sundays.) Find more free library programs on our calendar >

Home Depot Workshops

11939 San Pablo Ave
Offering monthly kids’ workshops that teach construction skills with basic tools and parent involvement. They supply the kits, you bring the patience. Learn more >

Contra Costa Civic Theatre

951 Pomona Avenue
This neighborhood performing arts theater presents live stage productions for audiences of all ages and offers after-school youth education programs and summer camps. Website >

Splash Park and Swim Center

11939 San Pablo Ave
This is one of the East Bay’s best hot-weather destinations. The splash park gets packed on sunny days — arrive early for a shaded spot to watch from. The facility also has a lap pool and a shallow pool area with spray features for younger kids. Note: the waterslide from previous years is gone. Bring snacks, sunscreen, and patience for the admission line, as open swim hours are limited. More info on hours of the splash park >

Prospect Sierra’s El Cerrito Recommendations

In addition to the many favorites shared by the {510} Families team and the Prospect Sierra community, here are a few more El Cerrito gems that the teachers and staff love.

El Cerrito Community Center

7007 Moeser Lane
Great for the splash park and pool days, plus classes like Parents and Tots on Saturday mornings—a real go-to spot for families here.

Canyon Trail Park

6757 Gatto Ave
Quieter and more natural than the other parks, with a creek, walking trails, and a big open field. Good for a slower kind of afternoon. Prospect Sierra uses this park for elementary school activities.

Bring Back the Natives Garden Tour

Visit area gardens that host native plants and help our pollinators thrive. The tours are annual, but the resources are year-round. Learn more >

Where to Wander & Roll with Kids in El Cerrito

Blake Garden

70 Rincon Road
Technically in Kensington, but close enough and special enough to include. This 10.5-acre UC Berkeley landscape garden is free, open to the public Tuesday–Friday (9 am–4 pm), and genuinely magical for curious kids. Winding paths lead from redwood groves to a formal reflecting pool to a California native wetland. It’s the kind of place where kids discover that exploring doesn’t require a destination. Closed on weekends and university holidays. Find out more about Blake Garden >>

Memorial Grove Loop Trail

7501 Schmidt Ln
This hike takes less than an hour (maybe thirty minutes for adults) and reveals sweeping views of the Bay. It’s got a bit of a climb involved, so kids who hate hiking will let you know. For those who are motivated by a view or seeing nature, it’s a great 1.3-mile loop with easy parking right in front of the trailhead. Kids might also like a post-hike stop at The Exchange Zone at the El Cerrito Recycling Center, located at the bottom of the trailhead. Families can browse books, games, puzzles, and toys. All items are free and looking for a new home; browsing time is open until 12 pm.

Ohlone Greenway

Parallel to Liberty St
The Greenway is a flat, paved path for walking, stroller naps, wagons, or other ride-on toys. It offers a close-up view of BART trains passing above, which can be exciting for transportation lovers.

Best Places to Eat with Kids in El Cerrito

The Annex San Pablo & Panama — Adjacent to the El Cerrito Natural Grocery Store – find fresh prepared foods and coffee here. Stop by for a hot breakfast or make your own salad for lunch. Plenty of seating, and since it’s already prepared, it’s super fast!

Elevation 66 Brewing Company, 10082 San Pablo Ave · San Pablo & Central — This brewery is a genuinely welcoming spot for families. Kids are welcome, the food is a serious cut above pub grub, and there’s something nice about ending a park afternoon with a proper meal and a cold beer for the grown-ups.

Gangnam Tofu 11740 San Pablo Ave — Warm, comforting Korean tofu soups you can build your way.

Fatapple’s Fairmont & Colusa — Come here for weekend brunch or stop by the counter anytime for a cup of coffee and a sugar cookie from the bakery case.

Los Moles Beer Garden 6120 Potrero Ave — A big, plant-filled patio that welcomes well-behaved dogs and children. Indoor space, too.

New Dumpling 10064 San Pablo Avenue next to Rialto Theater — This dumpling spot is in the Michelin Guide! The food is so delicious, but the atmosphere is pretty bland, which makes it better for take-out or with kids than a date night. (Assuming your littles will eat dumplings!)

Well Grounded, Stockton & Norvell
Cute little coffee shop on Stockton Avenue with tasty bagel sandwiches. So good! They even have a few tables outside for sitting.

Insider tip for residents: El Cerrito is a mecca for enrichment classes for children. From Ifshin Violins, where you can rent a student violin for $22/month to El Cerrito Martial Arts, Katie’s Dance Studio, or Colorspace Arts, you’ll definitely find an activity that will spark your child’s passion. There’s even a fencing studio! The activities hosted by El Cerrito Parks and Rec are diverse and affordable, however, so don’t skip their catalog of offerings.

Upcoming Family Events around El Cerrito

Our calendar has lots of upcoming events in the Albany / El Cerrito area. Here are the next few.

Thank you to Prospect Sierra for sponsoring our guide to El Cerrito family favorites. Prospect Sierra has two campuses in El Cerrito for a comprehensive TK-8th grade education.

Prospect Sierra Campuses

TK-4th Grade 2060 Tapscott Avenue, El Cerrito, CA
5th-8th Grade 960 Avis Drive, El Cerrito, CA