Where to safely take your kids in San Francisco -Spreckels Lake at Golden Gate Park

It's funny.  Every time we run into someone we know at a playground, the parent will say how surprised they are to see us since we live so far away (note: we only live less than 10 minutes away from this park).

My husband and I take our kids everywhere in San Francisco; the City itself is our playground, otherwise what's the point of living here (and paying for the high cost of living, etc).  

One of my favorite places to take the kids is Speckles Lake in Golden Gate Park.  There's usually a vendor selling ice cream, a family of turtles who ironically like to chill on top of a large bronze statue of a turtle, lots of birds (be weary of the poo littered everywhere), ducks, and sometimes you will see toy boats floating on the lake.  

What I love is how serene and peaceful the place can be.  Also, there are plenty of benches and seating areas, which is great if you're taking a grandparent with you on a stroll who occasionally needs a break.  My kids particularly love the monkey bars.  Yes, strangely to the right side of the lake you will see a couple of monkey bars.  My kids are obsessed with it and are happy to to just hang out and say hi to any passerby young and old.