Visiting San Francisco with kids? This world renowned tourist destination has so many attractions and activities it’s hard to decide what to do first. The great thing is that even if you choose from this list at random, the entire family will enjoy themselves here.
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San Francisco is easy to get around in, and most of the kid-friendly attractions and innovative playgrounds can be easily accessed on foot, bicycle, Muni streetcar, and Uber.
The weather in San Francisco is pretty mild all year, but I’ve always found it to be a little chilly and sometimes the marine layer can make it feel really damp. Don’t leave your hotel without a sweater or a light jacket, or you’ll end up buying and Alcatraz hoodie.
Aquarium of the Bay – located on the waterfront at PIER 39, the Aquarium is home to more than 20000 marine animals.
Bay Area Discovery Museum – Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge on 7.5 acres of National Park.
California Academy of Sciences – a research institute and natural history museum in San Francisco, California, that is among the largest museums of natural history in the world.
Exploratorium – a museum in San Francisco that allows visitors to explore the world through science, art, and human perception.
View this post on InstagramThrowback to a little sibling playtime last week ❄️❄️ #TBT #SnowLeopard #Cubs #SavingSpecies #SFZoo
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park – ncludes a fleet of historic vessels, a visitor center, a maritime museum, and a library/research facility.
Cable Car Museum – located in the original winding house for Wellington’s iconic cable car system which operated from 1902 until 1978.
USS Pampanito – one of the most popular historic vessels in the country.
Ghirardelli Square – a landmark public square with shops and restaurants and a 5-star hotel in the Fisherman’s Wharf area.
Cruise Around the SF Bay – under the Golden Gate Bridge, past Alcatraz Island and get some great views of the SF skyline
Angel Island State Park – Ride the ferry over from San Francisco or Tiburon.
Coit Tower – a slender white concrete column rising from the top of Telegraph Hill, has been an iconic symbol of San Francisco since its completion in 1933.
Letterman Digital and New Media Arts Center – Movie magic!
Musee Mechanique – check out this interactive museum consisting of 20th-century penny arcade games and artifacts located at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.
Randall Museum – is focussed on science, nature and the arts. On exhibit are live native and domestic animals and interactive displays about nature
Presidio – a 1,500-acre park and former U.S. Army military fort where visitors can explore a 24-mile network of trails; enjoy indoor and outdoor art exhibitions. Most events and activities are free, and a free shuttle runs to the park from downtown San Francisco.
Baker Beach –
Golden Gate Bridge –
Rocketboat Ride –
Pirate Supply Store –
7D Experience –
Julius Kahn Playground & Clubhouse –
Coastal Trail –
Muir Woods –
Cable Cars –
Lombard Street –
Children’s Creativity Museum –
Fisherman’s Wharf –
Alcatraz –
Family Friendly Activities at Pier 39 –
Disney Movie at the Disney Museum –
SubPar Minigolf in Ghirardelli Square –
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory –
Paddle Boat on Stow Lake –
Whale Watching Tour –
Urban Scavenger Hunt with City Clues Adventures –
Red Fire Engine Tour –
South Park –
ferry for a ride to Sausalito –
Root for the SF Giants during a day game at AT&T Ballpark –
Ocean Beach –
Land’s End Trail Hike –
de Young Museum –
Spreckels Lake –
Stow Lake –
Koret Children’s Quarter Playground –
In Chan Kaajal Park –
Helen Diller Playground at Dolores Park –
The Butterfly Joint –
Rent bicycles –
If you’re going to be in San Francisco in May, consider adding Napa to your itinerary. BottleRock Napa Valley is an amazing family friendly culinary, wine, & music festival. We’ve been twice and loved it!
Check out these other fantastic family friendly US cities.
I would love to visit San Francisco! This looks like such a fun place to visit with kiddos!
Love this list. Whenever we make it to San Francisco I will definitely use this list. I know we probably spend more time outside while we are there.