Our favorite spots in Larkspur with kids

We go to Larkspur a lot, and we always end up at the same places. Here's what actually works for us!

Donuts and bagels first

We almost always start at Donut Alley (471 Magnolia Ave) — a family-run place that's been around since 1968. Simple, fresh donuts and really friendly owners. Get there early, they sell out! Cash or Venmo only, closed Mondays, open 6 am–1 pm the rest of the week.

Not into sweets? Boichik Bagels is just a short walk down Magnolia (238 Magnolia Ave). Really good chewy bagels, generous with the schmear. Open daily 8am–2pm.

Coffee for the grown-ups

There's a coffee cart right next to the St. Patrick's gift shop — easy and quick. Or Equator Coffees (240 Magnolia Ave), next door to the bagel place. Cozy vibe, great lattes. On weekends, order ahead on their app — the line moves slowly, and it's worth it. Open from 6:30 am weekdays, 7 am on weekends.

Playgrounds

Depending on the day, we pick one of two:

Dolliver Park (aka Dark Park, Madrone Ave) is a short walk from Magnolia. Big redwood trees, shaded and cool even on warm days. Split into areas for little ones and bigger kids. There's a creek nearby without a fence, so keep an eye on the little explorers! Open 7 am–8 pm.

Piper Park (250 Doherty Dr) is about 5 minutes by car. Bigger park, big playground, picnic tables, and a lovely view of Mt. Tam. Great for a longer visit.

Hikes

When we feel like more adventure, these two are our go-tos. Both are beautiful — lots of old redwoods and nature. Parking is very limited at both, so plan to arrive early!

Dawn Falls Trail — goes through Baltimore Canyon. After winter rains, there's a waterfall, which the kids love. Pretty easy and very scenic.

King Canyon Loop — part of Baltimore Canyon Preserve. More elevation, great views at the top. Kid and dog friendly.

The new Larkspur Library 🎉

This is our new favorite discovery! It's at 10 Rose Ln. Modern design and cozy, with a great kids' and teens section, outdoor seating, and comfy chairs everywhere. They also do Friday morning storytime at 10am for ages 0–5 — worth checking their schedule since it takes seasonal breaks. Closed Mondays and Sundays, open Tue–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–3pm.

Ice cream: The Shack

The Shack (236 Magnolia Ave) is a must. Fresh waffle cones, fun flavors, and — this is the best part — there's an arts and crafts corner and an arcade inside. Kids are happy for a while after their scoops! Opens at 12:30pm on weekends, 1pm on weekdays.

Downtown Larkspur

Lots of good restaurants and cafés along Magnolia Ave. Great for a relaxed lunch or just a wander after all the activity.

The perfect Larkspur morning (our usual route)

Arrive by 8–9-10am (just arrive), start with donuts or bagels and coffee. Walk over to Dolliver Park while the kids play. If you want more, drive to Piper Park. Lunch downtown, The Shack for dessert. On Fridays, we sometimes swapped one of the parks for the 10 am library storytime — it fits perfectly in the middle of the morning.

Seasonal tips

Dawn Falls is best in winter or early spring, right after rain — that's when the waterfall actually flows. In summer, it can be dry. King Canyon gets hot at the top on warm days. Bring water and go early. The Shack opens at 12:30 pm on weekends, so time your hike accordingly!

Parking tips

Downtown / Magnolia Ave: free street parking, easy to find in the morning, fills up on weekend afternoons.

The library has a parking lot on the side of the building. Street parking nearby also works.

Dawn Falls and King Canyon trailheads: very few spots, think 5-10 cars max. Arrive earlier on weekends. Carpooling with another family might be a smart move!