Things to see and do with kids in San Francisco
California is a great place for families and children, and San
Francisco is one its most child-friendly cities. Not only is there
great weather, but there's also a plethora of fantastic attractions
and activities to keep the little ones busy.
When the sun is out, visit world-renowned landmark Golden Gate
Bridge and enjoy the sights, or even take an electric bike tour
over the bridge. Not your typical theme park, the Gilroy Gardens
are great for a picnic or a stroll and there is loads of space for
kids to run around and let off some steam. There are also
breathtaking views from the Panoramic Wheel and there are even a
few rides for the younger ones to enjoy, but don't forget the hats
and sunscreen. Fisherman's Wharf is also a great day out and be
sure to head to Pier 39 where there is plenty for kids to see and
do.
When the weather is bad and children's outdoor activities in San
Francisco are not an option, head out to some of the exciting
museums such as the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, or for
something more educational, the Randall Museum is a great place to
learn about animals and science.
Golden Gate Bridge
The rust-coloured towers, graceful suspension and supportive
cables of the Golden Gate Bridge make this famous symbol of San
Francisco the most photographed bridge in the world, and visible
from almost any high point in the city, although it is often
shrouded in rolling...
see full detailsFisherman's Wharf
Some people love the bustle of Fisherman’s Wharf, while
others make a conscious effort to steer well clear of it. But for
better or worse it is massively popular, attracting more visitors
than any other city sight, with Pier 39 the commercial tourist
epicentre....
see full detailsGolden Gate Park
Of the many open green spaces in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park
is the biggest and the loveliest stretching from The Haight to the
Pacific Ocean, featuring gardens, lakes, numerous sporting
facilities, and museums. On Sundays the main drive is closed to
traffic and...
see full detailsCable Cars
One of San Francisco’s most endearing attractions is its
network of 130-year-old cable cars, the only mobile National
Historic Landmark in the country, and the world’s only
surviving system of cable cars. Many cities adopted the system, but
all have since been replaced by...
see full detailsExploratorium
Located inside the Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is
known as the museum of science, art and human perception, and is a
leader in the movement to promote museums as educational centres.
Named San Francisco's best museum, the Exploratorium is a fun,
quirky...
see full detailsAquarium of the Bay
The Aquarium of the Bay features 300 feet (91m) of crystal clear
acrylic tunnels through which over 20,000 aquatic animals can be
viewed. The aquarium offers visitors the opportunity to come
face-to-face with the Bay's largest predator, the sevengill shark,
as well as touch...
see full detailsAlamo Square
Anyone who has ever seen an episode of the 90s sitcom 'Full
House' will know what Alamo Square looks like. It is a residential
neighbourhood and park in San Francisco, frequented by tourists,
neighbours and dog-owners. The park features a playground as well
as...
see full detailsRipley’s Believe it or Not! Museum
Visitors at the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum can be
mystified and thrilled at the rare, the bizarre and the totally
unexplained in the many interactive and state-of-the-art
exhibitions throughout the museum. Children will be gob-smacked and
this is a must for families...
see full detailsBoardwalk Casino Arcade
Located in the Santa Cruz district, the Boardwalk Casino Arcade
is a fantastic amusement park full of state-of-the-art video games
and other great arcade games to entertain just about every child of
every age.
...
see full detailsOakland Zoo
Boasting a plethora of over 300 wonderful animals, the Oakland
Zoo is a must for animal lovers and children. Highlights include a
children's park, picnic area, wildlife theatre, carousel and a
miniature railway. The children's zoo allows kids the opportunity
to get close to...
see full detailsRandall Museum
The Randall Museum, also known as the Science and Nature Museum,
provides plenty of enjoyable and exciting learning opportunities
and experiences for children of all ages. The museum also features
animals, such as birds, mice and snakes and children can even get
to handle...
see full detailsChildren's Fairyland
This ten-acre entertainment park on the shores of Lake Merritt
features carousel rides, puppet shows and displays of other
fairy-tale characters from well-loved stories where stories come to
life. Children of all ages will love a trip to Children's Fairyland
where they can let...
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