Home-hunting parents know that good parks and playgrounds are considered neighborhood necessities. And here in San Diego, we have some of the best parks and playgrounds around. Here are just some of the best to help you make your decision on where to buy a home in San Diego.

Cottonwood Creek Park. Located in Encinitas, this park not only features a great play area, but also has a creek to explore, complete with bridges and a rock scaling wall.

Spreckels Park. With 2 extra-large play structures, this park located in Coronado is great for small and big kids. Separate play areas makes this a great park to let your littlest kids explore in one area, while allowing the older kids to run freely in another.

Kit Carson Park. This park has over 100-acres of land to explore. There are hiking and walking trails, and arboretum, ponds, picnic areas and more. This is also a great place to bring your family dog, though pets are not allowed in the kids’ play areas. You will find this park in Escondido.

Webb Park. While many of the parks on our list are known for their play areas, this park’s main attraction is the duck pond. It houses ducks, birds and turtles and is a great place for your kids to explore and feed the ducks.

Kellogg Park. Located in La Jolla, this grassy San Diego hangout is perfect for families. It has an outstanding play area and a no-alcohol policy.

Balboa Park. How can we have a “best parks” list without mentioning Balboa Park? This park boasts many attractions including the world-famous San Diego Zoo. There’s also a carousel and a miniature railroad to see. If museums are more your thing, you will find a bunch of them here, including an Air & Space Museum, and Art Institute, a History Center, a Museum of Man and much more. There are also different gardens to explore, performances to see and multiple play areas for the kids.

For families that like to get outside, great parks and playgrounds in close proximity to home is a must. For those house-hunting in San Diego, there are many outstanding parks to choose from.