10 Unmissable Things To Do In San Francisco With kids
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Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco with kids? You have come to the right place!
San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the California’s best family destinations. The city of Golden Gate and concrete offices might not give you the idea that it could have something fun and interesting for kids at first glance. But that is not at all true. From the popular San Francisco Zoo to the parks to many kid friendly attractions, there is so much to keep kids entertained in the city for weeks.
In this article you will find the best family activities and attractions that we enjoyed the most in San Francisco with kids. You can also see where we stayed for our family vacation in San Francisco.
Read on to find the most fun things to do in San Francisco with kids.
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. Get your tickets for the Exploratorium here.
2. Cable Car Ride And Museum
San Francisco is one of the cities in California that have cable cars still running in them. Cable car rides are one of the most loved activities by kids in San Francisco. For our kids it was the absolute favorite activity. There are 3 cable car lines that run through hills and offer stunning views of Nob Hill, Fisherman’s Wharf and Bay.
You can also visit the Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill to know about the history of cable cars. Here, you will find a better dissection of all the cars and how they are operated. Your kids get to know more about who invented this rare transport and how it came to function. Get on a journey from the first model of the cars to the car that you see today working in the city.
You can see the photographs and buy various memorabilia at the local gift shop. Little toys and mechanical displays are also there for you to buy them.
The museum remains open from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:30 AM to 4 PM and from 9:30 AM to 5 PM on Friday through Sunday. The Cable Car Museum remains closed on Mondays. There are no entrance fees to the museum.
3. Nurture Your Child’s Creativity At The Children’s Creativity Museum
As the name suggests Children’s Creativity Museum is one of the best places for children in San Francisco. When your kids are bound to the traditional way of learning and education, it becomes ideal for them to go in an environment that can stimulate their creative juices and they can find their way of learning and understanding.
Children’s Creativity Museum does that task just right. With its various interactive tools, multiple ways to operate them and a thousand different ways to see one thing, the kids realize that there is much more to the concepts that are written in their textbooks.
Apart from that as kids interact with multiple kids in the room, they become more perceptive and utilize the social environment effectively. There is something in the museum for all age groups. So, if you want to indulge your kids in a wholesome creative experience, you must take them to the Children’s Creativity Museum.
4. Have Some Delicious Cookies From Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
You already know that fortune cookies are not famous among kids but they are loved by adults too. If you are visiting San Francisco with your family, this is the best time for you to learn more about how they are made and the different stages involved in the making of them.
As you enter the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, the sweet smell of the freshly baked cookies would start lingering around your inviting you to eat them. And before you could comprehend the thought, the workers at the factory would bring an entire plate, fresh from the oven, just for you to taste them. Moreover, enlighten yourself on what would be written in the one you pick.
Located in Chinatown, it might not be as fascinating as exploring Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory but the warm welcome and taste would definitely make your kids love a small visit to this welcoming cookie shop.
5. Explore Wildlife At San Francisco Zoo
Every kid loves the kingdom of Mufasa and wants to meet Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria from Madagascar. And what better way is to take them to the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens and acquaint them with all the animals so that they can decide who they want to be best friends with?
In the zoo you will find about 2,000 exotic endangered and rescued animals. As the zoo offers different programs and events to educate and enlighten adults and kids about various animals, you would find yourself captivated by each one of them. The children would become aware of their roles in the conservation of biodiversity and participate in building a healthy environment.
You will also find a lovely miniature train that will take you through the zoo. To skip the lines, you can get your advance tickets for the San Francisco Zoo here.
You can host multiple parties on the zoo premises as well. So, if you are looking for a place to celebrate your kid’s birthday, you can always give them a surprise by organizing it at the zoo. A zoo-themed birthday party where they can dress up as their favorite animals would be a memorable celebration for them.
6. Watch Disney Movies At The Walt Disney Museum
While in San Francisco, you can take the kids to the Walt Disney Museum located in Presidio. This place has answers to all the questions about their fascinating wonderland that the world of Disney has introduced them to.
The Walt Disney Museum is full of the oldest prototypes of your favorite cartoons to the recent ones. If on one side you can see the Dino 7 dwarves from Snow White, on the other side, you would witness Buzz Lightyear trying to fly to infinity and beyond. The museum also has initial reels that show how Walt Disney worked on the animation motion picture and built an empire.
You also need to save some time for the screening at the Disney screenings. Every week, a new movie is showcased in their Fantasia Theatre. If you are keen on reviving your childhood memories along with your children, this is one of the best places to be in San Francisco.
7. Wander Through The Aquarium Of The Bay
Located on Pier 39, the Aquarium of the Bay serves as an interesting place for kids and adults alike. The Aquarium brings in all the aquatic animals who thrive in the neighboring water in the San Francisco city.
Get ready to meet the Sting Ray, Sea Lions, Sharks, Moon Jellies, Butterflyfish, Lobsters, Crabs, Starfish and their different kinds. There are several aquariums along with a go-through water tunnel where you can see the aquatic life as closely as possible.
8. Spend A Day In California Academy Of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences is the perfect place to feed the curiosity in kids and probably the most enjoyable attraction for kids in San Francisco. There are different sections available here for explorations namely the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Osher Rainforest, African Penguin Colony, The Swamp and many others to visit.
No matter what your child’s age is, there is something for everyone in this place. You can easily get your advance tickets to the California Academy of Sciences here.
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.
Our experience : We stayed at Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel located at a 10 minute walking distance from Pier 39. It was practically close to all the main attractions of the city including the Aquarium, North Beach Playground, Crissy Field and the Union Square which is great for an evening stroll.
Plus, this got us access to many restaurants, cafes and stores in the vicinity. The hotel featured affordable family rooms with great views of the city and an outdoor swimming pool. You can check the rates and more details about the Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel here. Our stay at the hotel was very comfortable and convenient. Such that, when we go back to San Francisco, we would not consider staying anywhere else.
We hope you find our guide on some of the most fun things to do in San Francisco with kids useful and enjoy the city as much as we did. Share with us your experiences or suggestions in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.