10 Very Best Things To Do in San Francisco with Kids (Must-Sees!)
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Are you looking for the best things to do in San Francisco with kids? You’ve come to the right place!
San Francisco is undoubtedly one of California’s best family destinations. At first glance, the city of Golden Gate bridges and concrete office buildings might not seem like the perfect place for kids.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth. From the popular San Francisco Zoo to sprawling parks, to a huge variety of kid-friendly attractions, there’s so much here to keep children entertained for weeks.
In this article, I’ll share the family activities and attractions we enjoyed the most during our time in San Francisco with kids. I’ll also let you know where we stayed for our family vacation.
Read on to discover the most fun things to do in San Francisco with kids!
1. Go to the Exploratorium at Pier 15
What better way to feed their curious minds would be than to take them to a place where they can explore and search for answers themselves? So, if you are visiting San Francisco then you need to take them to the Exploratorium.
One thing is lined after the other and your kids would not be bored for a second! At one end, they can have fun by getting to know about static electricity through interactive exhibits. A few minutes later they can enter the monochromatic room to see everything in one color. Or simply walk across the wall where your shadow would be of 7 colors.
If they sit below the color-changing balloon, they will know why joy was painted yellow and sadness was painted blue in the movie “Inside Out”. The giant moon in the hall would fascinate not only the kid but you as well.
Every room has a new activity planned for your kids, and it might take around 3-4 hours to explore all of it. Make sure that you plan your day accordingly.
2. Cable Car Ride and Museum
Riding the cable cars quickly became my kids’ absolute favorite activity during our trip. There are three cable car lines that wind through the city’s famous hills, offering stunning views of places like Nob Hill, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Bay.
We also made sure to visit the Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill. It was fascinating to learn about the history of cable cars. My kids loved discovering how the cars work, who invented them, and how they’ve evolved over time. The museum walks you through everything from the very first models to the cable cars you see running in the city today.
Inside, we found plenty of photographs and displays, and the kids enjoyed picking out little toys and mechanical souvenirs from the gift shop.
3. Nurture your child’s creativity at the Children’s Creativity Museum
As the name suggests, the Children’s Creativity Museum is one of the best places for kids in San Francisco. Sometimes, when my kids get stuck in the routine of traditional learning, I look for places that can spark their imagination and let them explore new ways of understanding the world. The Children’s Creativity Museum does exactly that.
With a wide variety of interactive tools and activities, the museum encourages kids to experiment, try things out, and discover countless ways to approach a single idea. My kids loved being able to touch, build, create, and see their ideas come to life, so different from what they experience in a regular classroom.
I also found it wonderful how the museum brings kids together from all backgrounds and age groups. As my kids interacted with others, they became more perceptive and confident, really making the most of the creative and social environment.
If you want your children to dive into a truly engaging and creative experience, I highly recommend taking them to the Children’s Creativity Museum. There’s something for every age, and it’s a fantastic way to turn learning into an adventure.
4. Have some delicious cookies from Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
You might think that fortune cookies aren’t a huge hit with kids, but in our experience, the adults loved them just as much! Visiting San Francisco with my family gave us the perfect chance to see how fortune cookies are made and experience the entire process firsthand.
When we stepped into the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, the sweet smell of freshly baked cookies immediately drew us in. Before we knew it, the workers handed us a plateful of warm cookies right out of the oven to taste. It was such a treat to try them fresh and discover the surprise messages inside.
The factory is tucked away in Chinatown. While it might not be as magical as Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, the friendly atmosphere and delicious cookies made it a memorable stop for our whole family. My kids especially enjoyed watching how the cookies were made and picking up a few as souvenirs.
5. Explore wildlife at San Francisco Zoo
If your kids are anything like mine, they dream about the kingdom of Mufasa or wish they could meet Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria from Madagascar. That’s why we made sure to visit the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. It was the perfect way to introduce them to all kinds of amazing animals and let them decide who they’d like to be best friends with!
The zoo is home to about 2,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals. With so many educational programs and special events, we found ourselves captivated throughout our visit. My kids learned a lot about animal conservation and even got to participate in activities that helped them understand their own role in caring for our planet.
One of the highlights was the charming miniature train that takes you through the zoo; my kids absolutely loved it. I recommend getting tickets in advance to skip the lines and make the most of your day.
If you’re looking for a unique place to celebrate your child’s birthday, the zoo is a fantastic option. We saw several birthday parties happening during our visit, and a zoo-themed celebration where the kids get to dress up as their favorite animals would be unforgettable!
6. Watch Disney Movies At The Walt Disney Museum
While we were in San Francisco, I made sure to take the kids to the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio. This place answered so many of our questions about the magical world of Disney and gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how it all began.
The museum is filled with everything from the earliest prototypes of beloved cartoon characters to more recent favorites. One moment, we were marveling at the original Seven Dwarfs from Snow White, and the next, we were watching Buzz Lightyear aim for infinity and beyond! My kids loved seeing the early animation reels that showed how Walt Disney created his first motion pictures and built an entire empire from his imagination.
We also made time to catch a screening in the museum’s Fantasia Theatre. Every week, they showcase a different Disney classic, so it was the perfect way for me to relive my childhood memories alongside my kids.
If you want to spark your family’s imagination and dive into the story behind Disney, the Walt Disney Family Museum is a must-visit in San Francisco.
7. Wander through the Aquarium of the Bay
Located on Pier 39, the Aquarium of the Bay quickly became a favorite stop for both my kids and me. What I loved most was how the aquarium focuses on aquatic animals that live in the waters right around San Francisco, making our visit feel connected to the local environment.
We got to meet stingrays, sea lions, sharks, moon jellies, butterflyfish, lobsters, crabs, starfish, and so many more fascinating creatures.
My kids were especially excited about the go-through water tunnel, where we could walk right beneath swimming sharks and rays. It was an unforgettable experience to see these amazing animals up close and learn about their habitats.
8. Spend a day in California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences was hands-down one of the most enjoyable attractions for my kids during our time in San Francisco. It’s truly the perfect place to feed their curiosity, and I was amazed by how much there was for us to explore together.
Inside, we discovered so many fascinating sections: the Steinhart Aquarium, the Morrison Planetarium, the Osher Rainforest, the African Penguin Colony, the Swamp, and plenty more. Each area offered something unique, and my kids were excited to move from one adventure to the next.
No matter how old your kids are, there’s something here to capture their imagination. I definitely recommend getting tickets in advance for the California Academy of Sciences to make your visit as smooth as possible.
9. Have fun at the House of Air Trampoline
House of Air Trampoline is the perfect amusement center to let your kids free and contain their energies. There are various trampoline zones and playgrounds suitable for all ages. The place does not only have a trampoline but also has many other recreational areas and activities to keep the kids busy and suit their interests.
You do not need to worry about the kids as everything is conducted under the supervision of experts available there. All you need to do is to see your kids having fun to their heart’s desire.
10. Create Memories at the Crissy Field
Crissy Field is the perfect spot in San Francisco to create and capture some beautiful memories with your family. This place has a stunning waterfront with the backdrop of the prominent Golden Gate Bridge.
The onset of Crissy Field is from the East Beach which extends to the Fort Point near the Golden Gate Bridge. You can soak in some sunshine at the beach, plan a picnic at the park, visit a rock climbing gym or explore the biking trails.
Where to stay in San Francisco with Kids
When visiting San Francisco with family, we highly recommend you to stay near Pier 39 as it is lined up with many kid friendly attractions.
During our visit to San Francisco, we stayed at the Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel, just a ten-minute walk from Pier 39. It was ideally located near all the main attractions, including the Aquarium of the Bay, North Beach Playground, Crissy Field, and Union Square, perfect for an evening stroll.
Being so close to a variety of restaurants, cafes, and stores made our stay even more convenient. The hotel offered affordable family rooms with wonderful city views and an outdoor swimming pool, which my kids loved. Our experience was so comfortable and easy that, next time we return to San Francisco, we wouldn’t even consider staying anywhere else.
I hope you find this guide to the most fun things to do in San Francisco with kids helpful and that you enjoy the city as much as we did. Feel free to share your own experiences or suggestions in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!