Dennis the Menace Playground

My biggest recommendation when traveling with kids is to research local public parks in the cities that you are visiting. Museums, shopping districts, historic sites and cafes are fun ... but kids need space and time to play and run.

And if you plan to visit Monterey, Calif. along with a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, you should schedule a visit to the Dennis the Menace Playground. Opened in 1956 it was a collaboration between the City of Monterey and Frank Ketcham the creator of the comic strip. We haven't been to enough parks in California to claim it as the best park, but it certainly is up there.

A couple of weeks ago my neighbor and I took our kids to the park an hour from our house to beat the heat. My boys squealed with delight when we pulled into the parking lot. The first thing you see is a retired black Southern Pacific steam engine.  The boys happily boarded the train, and pretended to drive it. It isn't play equipment, so you will need to closely supervise your kids.

The park also includes a long suspension bridge, a Sun stairway, a long red roller slide, three wavy green slides, an old fashion metal slide, tunnels,  mazes,  climbing structures ... you name it, it has it. The red roller slide was also a favorite of the kids.

There a many great photo opportunities as well. The water fountain is a large lion, so your kids have to put their heads in the lion's mouth to get a drink of water. And bronze Dennis the Menace sculptures decorate the grounds. Totally fun!

The only draw back to the park is a so-so snack bar, and the closest food is in touristy Cannery Row.

Every time I announce a trip to the park they now ask if we are going to the "park at the beach" (their name for the Dennis the Menace Playground). We will definitely be heading back there soon.