San Francisco with Kids: 26 Top Family-Friendly Activities

Are you looking for the best things to do in San Francisco with kids? Our city is full of kid-friendly activities, including hands-on museums, cruises around the SF Bay, and day trips they will not soon forget.

We have indoor and outdoor activities and engaging places for your kids to explore as they learn. We have it all! 

Here are my recommendations for the 26 best family-friendly activities for your San Francisco visit. 

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

1. Aquarium of the Bay

Sitting at the entrance of Pier 39, you will find the Aquarium of the Bay, a popular choice for those looking for what to do in San Francisco with kids.

A visit here offers a deep dive into the plants and animals that live in the waters of the SF Bay.

There are two things here that I've found visitors love at this top San Francisco attraction for kids.

The first is the large walk-through aquarium tunnels. It's fascinating to stand underneath the water as a variety of animals swim around you. 

The second is the hands-on experience area called "Touch the Bay."

Touch the Bay is where your kids can touch housing sharks, stingrays, skates, sea stars, and anemones. Have your cameras ready to capture this unique experience! 

I recommend setting aside at least 2 hours for the general admission ticket and the entire morning for the VIP tour.

More to Enjoy: The Aquarium of the Bay also offers daily programs that are included with your general admission or VIP tour tickets. These programs are usually in the afternoon and include experiences such as the Big Feed, where an expert talks about what it takes to feed all the animals in the aquarium, and the Otter Enrichment, where the biologists work with and talk about some of the aquarium's most dynamic animals.

SF Tourism Tip: Combine a visit to the Aquarium of the Bay with your visit to Pier 39. 

Learn more about visiting the Aquarium of the Bay in SF

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2. Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is a hands-on and educational San Francisco museum for kids of all ages. I love recommending this one because it allows your kids to play and learn simultaneously.

There more than 650 interactive exhibits here. Some of the best are where your kids can learn how electricity works, what causes earthquakes and how important everyday items are made.

The museum became famous for its Tactile Dome - an exhibit through total darkness. Once you step inside, you won't be able to see anything, but are encouraged to feel the textures, listen to the sounds, and smell everything around you. 

A team of people watching what's going on inside the dome to keep you and your kids safe. 

I also enjoy the weather exhibits. San Francisco is well known for its fog and here you can learn more about it.

There are a few fog exhibits here, but my favorite is the Fog Bridge. It's in an outdoor setting on a pedestrian bridge over the water, which creates the type of fog we see here in SF all the time. 

This is just a small sampling of what you will find inside this amazing kids' museum, which I find to be one of the great places to go with kids in San Francisco. 

• Find skip-the-line tickets for your visit
• More about what it's like to visit the Exploratorium
• Discover 10 of the best family-friendly museums in SF

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3. California Academy of Sciences

Head out to Golden Gate Park, and you will find one of our most visited San Francisco attractions for families, the California Academy of Sciences.

It's four museums in one building with an aquarium, planetarium, four-story rainforest, and a natural history museum. 

Popular Ways to Visit the California Academy of Sciences

• General Admission: This ticket offers you skip-the-line access to the museum and entry into all of its exhibits including the aquarium, planetarium, rainforest and natural history museum. 
• City Pass: This discount pass offers admission to the museum and a few other attractions at a discounted price. In addition to the museum, it includes access to the Aquarium of the Bay and Exploratorium, a visit to the zoo, and tickets to a bay cruise.
• Golden Gate Park Guided Tour with Academy Tickets: This one is a great way to get to know Golden Gate Park before your visit. You'll go on a 90-minute guided tour of the park and then head over to the Cal Academy for your visit. 

There are so many things I love about this museum, so I'll share a few of my favorites. 

One is walking through the four-story rainforest. I love watching the variety of butterflies and feeling the different climates as I walk from one level to the next.

Another of my favorite family activities in San Francisco is the Steinhart Aquarium, which is on the museum's bottom level. Here you will find a variety of fish and animals. I love their interesting and colorful jellyfish tanks.

One thing to note if you plan to visit is that you need a separate ticket to get into the Morrison Planetarium. It's free, but when you arrive, head straight to their ticket booth to reserve your seats for a show. 

It's the perfect kids' museum in San Francisco and it's fun for the entire family too! Plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours here to see everything.

More to Enjoy: Check out the daily calendar so you can catch other fun activities that day, such as the Penguin Feeding, Coral Reef Dive, and kids' programs in the East Garden.

SF Tourism Tip: I recommend visiting during the week. This place gets really crowded on any day of the week but is even more crowded on the weekends. 

• Buy your tickets in advance online for skip-the-line privileges
• Additional information about visiting the California Academy of Sciences

More Tips for Visiting San Francisco with Kids

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4. Cruise Around the SF Bay

Another one of the fun things to do in San Francisco with kids is a bay cruise.

The most popular option is the 60-minute cruise that takes you from Fisherman's Wharf, along the northern waterfront, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and around Alcatraz. It ends where it started in Fisherman's Wharf. 

Not only is this a great one for kids, but its one of the best things to do in San Francisco with families.

The picture above shows me on a cruise heading under the bridge. The other cruise on the bay is on the same route, as these cruises run several times a day.

What I love best about this cruise is going underneath the Golden Gate Bridge twice. Their narration is also fantastic, and a great way to learn more about our interesting history.

These cruises run daily through two companies: Blue and Gold Fleet and Red and White Fleet. Both operate out of Fisherman's Wharf. 

More to Enjoy: Even if it's warm along the coast, it's cool on the water. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and some layers including a jacket, long pants, etc. 

SF Tourism Tip: I recommend sitting on the left side of the boat (as you face forward). This side offers excellent views of the SF waterfront on the way out and of Sausalito on your return trip. The best views of Alcatraz are from the right side of the boat, so I recommend switching seats part of the way through the cruise.

>> My experience on the Bay Cruise

5. Cable Cars & Museum

Everyone in your family will love riding the San Francisco cable cars. These rolling historic gems run up and down some of our steepest streets. 

Three lines are still in operation. Two run between Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. The third line runs up and down California Street.

All three offer beautiful views and an exciting ride around the city.

You can also step inside the free cable car museum. This small museum tells you about the history of the cable cars in San Francisco and what happened to them after the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.

However, the best part for kids is to see the wheels in action as they pull the cars on the line up the steep hills.

In the basement, you will also find a full model scale that allows you to step inside, look around, and learn more about them.

It's one of the unforgettable things to do in San Francisco with kids.

SF Tourism Tip: During the busy summer months and holidays, you will see a long line to get on the cable cars at the start of the line. I recommend walking up the street to the first or second stop. This will allow you to get on faster as most cars allow a little space to pick up passengers along the route. 

• Learn more about what it's like to ride a cable car
• More about visiting the free museum

6. Golden Gate Bridge

Another one of the fun kid-friendly things to do in San Francisco is tour the Golden Gate Bridge. You can walk or bike across. It's open from around dawn to dusk daily.

I love walking through the outdoor museum during my visits. Here, you can learn more about how suspension bridges are built and how they work.

You can then walk across the bridge to get a better feel for its size. The entire walkway is 1.7 miles, but you can turn around and head back at any point.

If your kids and you like biking, you should rent a bike for the day in Fisherman's Wharf. 

More to Enjoy: You can also soak in the views of this famous bridge from several great spots nearby.

SF Tourism Tip: It's REALLY windy on the bridge most of the time, so make sure to bring along something warm to wear. I like to layer so I can add and remove items as needed based on the weather.

>> Learn more about visiting the Golden Gate Bridge

7. Ferris Wheel in Fisherman's Wharf

The Ferris wheel is a great temporary attraction for kids in Fisherman's Wharf. The current plan is to have the Ferris wheel continuously operating in its current location until October 2025. 

It is a HUGE hit with visitors. The ride lasts for between 9 and 12 minutes.

At the top, you can see all around San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and downtown SF. 

Make sure to add this to your list of fun things to do with children in San Francisco! 

Book advanced tickets for your ride! 

8. Golden Gate Park

Another one of the best children's activities in San Francisco is to head out to Golden Gate Park.

You can enjoy Golden Gate Park in many different ways.

Step inside one of its top museums, including the California Academy Of Sciences, de Young, or the Conservatory of Flowers. Explore one of its outdoor gardens, which includes the Japanese Tea Garden or the Botanical Garden.

You can also enjoy one of its free attractions such as Blue Blue Heron Lake (formerly known as Stow Lake) or the Bison Paddock where you can see a couple of bison in person.

You can then end your day near Ocean Beach with lunch or dinner at the Beach Chalet, which has views over the Pacific Ocean.

More to Enjoy: Head over to the 9th and Irving area in the Inner Sunset for some great food and drink options. 

SF Tourism Tip: Set aside plenty of time to explore Golden Gate Park. The park is massive and there are a ton of things to see and do here. You can also check out my one-day suggested itinerary to make the most of your visit. 

>> Learn more about everything there is to see and do at Golden Gate Park

9. Muir Woods

I recommend adding Muir Woods to your itinerary of kid-friendly things to do in San Francisco. This impressive National Park is home to hundreds of old growth Coastal Redwood trees.

It's just a half-day trip from SF and is great for those who love the outdoors. Their trails are VERY close to these redwoods, so you can see them up close.

The main trails are mostly flat, well-maintained, and easy to explore. You will find educational information about the trees next to the trails. 

If you prefer a long hike, you will also find trails that head up into the hills.

SF Tourism Tip: This national park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass so bring yours along to use it for your entry if the fee isn't already included with your tour.

>> Ways to get from San Francisco to Muir Woods

>> More Muir Woods visiting tips

10. Family Friendly Activities at Pier 39

In addition to the Aquarium of the Bay (#1 on my list), you will find several other family-friendly activities in San Francisco on Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf.

Some of my top picks for kid activities here include a ride on the carousel, a walk through the Mirror Maze, or check out our famous sea lions! 

You can even go on a 7D Experience, which includes a roller-coaster type ride that moves in sync with the activities on the large movie screen in front of you.

Pier 39 also has great restaurants for kids in San Francisco, including Players Sport Grill and Arcade and the Hard Rock Cafe. 

With tons of shops along the boardwalk, you could spend all day exploring. 

More to Explore: Pier 39 is in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf. You will find tons of great San Francisco kids' activities here, so allow plenty of time for your visit. 

SF Tourism Tip: Plan your visit when the sea lions are here in SF. Many don't realize that at times, three are only a few hanging out the docks at Pier 39. The best times to see them are usually March to May and August to October. Learn more about the San Francisco sea lions.

More Fun Family-Friendly Activities Around Fisherman's Wharf

• Tips to visit the Cartoon Museum
• Fun games and activities in the Musee Mecanique
• What you'll see when you visit the SS Jeremiah O'Brien

11. Children's Creativity Museum

The Children's Creativity Museum is one of the best San Francisco children's activities. Located in SF's South of Market District, they offer hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages.

Their Animation Studio is a great option for kids 5 and older who want to create clay characters and bring them to life on screen.

Kids ages 3-6 will enjoy the Imagination Lab, where they can imagine, create, and share. Musically inclined children ages 3+ will also enjoy the Music Studio.

The museum is at 221 Fourth Street. Visit their website at https://creativity.org/.

12. Stairways Around San Francisco

Another one of the fun things to do in with kids in San Francisco is to check out our colorful stairways. Some offer colorful mosaic designs, beautifully painted steps, serene gardens and historic homes on both sides. 

Some of the most colorful steps I love to recommend include the 16th Avenue and Moraga Steps, the Hidden Garden Stairs, and the gorgeous Lincoln Park Steps. 

I also love the steep steps leading from the Embarcadero to Coit Tower. The most famous are the Filbert Street Steps, but I love the Greenwich Street Steps, which are just one block north and usually not as busy. Both take you to the top of Telegraph Hill to visit Coit Tower. 

You will also find other exciting stairways in some of SF's other top districts and near some of our best attractions.

SF Tourism Tip: One of the best ways to learn even more about two of our most beautiful staircases is by taking the Hidden Stairways of San Francisco Tour. It is a guided walking tour covering both the 16th Avenue Steps and the Hidden Garden steps. Learn more about this interesting tour.

>> Find a list of my favorites around SF

13. Randall Museum

The Randall Museum is a kid-friendly San Francisco museum in the heart of the city. This free museum offers dozens of exhibits on science, nature, and the arts. 

Some of its top exhibits include Food For Thought, which is about the food cycle and our place in it; Riding the Rails, which is about how trains shaped the West; and the Toddler Tree House, where the little ones can explore and learn.

They have a Live Animal Exhibit, which features animals found in the wild around California including a new weasel named Scarlet and a raccoon named Lyra. 

More to Enjoy: Before or after your visit here, you can also check out the climb to the top of Corona Heights. Here, you will find fabulous, unobstructed views around part of the SF Bay, including downtown.

SF Tourism Tip: The Randall Museum offers several great events. One that I recommend is their Third Friday Bird Hike. It starts at 8 am and is limited to just 16 people. Visit their site to sign up. 

>> Find additional fun activities for toddlers in SF

>> Visit their website for additional details

14. Urban Hikes

An urban hike is one of my favorite kid's activities in San Francisco. The city features a variety of trail options, from cliffside jaw-droppers to tree-lined beauties.

My top pick is Lands End. This trail is along a cliff with spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and across the SF Bay to Marin. It's a great one for older kids and teens that you only need to keep an eye on occasionally.

Twin Peaks is a great one too and the payoff at the top is unobstructed views all around the SF Bay. The hike is short, but steep with well maintained trails.

Others on my list include family-friendly hikes to the top of Mount Davidson, Tank Hill, and around Glen Canyon Park.

• Find a list of my 15 favorite urban hikes
• Some of my top picks for those visiting with teens

15. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

Have you ever wondered how fortune cookies are made? The next stop on my list of the best things to do in SF with kids is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown.

Step inside this local gem and watch as fortune cookies are made right in front of you. It only takes a few minutes to see how skilled their staff is at churning out these cookies.

Most people spend only 15 to 20 minutes here, enough time for you to see their process. 

More to Enjoy: During your visit to Chinatown, stop at a local dim sum restaurant to sample some dishes. My favorites near the fortune cookie factory are Delicious Dim Sum (752 Jackson Street) and Good Mong Kok Bakery (1039 Stockton Street). 

SF Tourism Tip: Pick up a few of their tasty treats when you visit. They have shelves of a variety of their cookies, and they make great gifts! 

• Plan your visit to the fortune cookie factory
• More Chinatown walking tours
• Tips to shop in Chinatown

16. Escape Rooms

One of the great family things to do in San Francisco is an escape room. The escape rooms offer an interactive game (they have a variety of games you can choose from) where you will work as a family to solve clues and "escape" from the room.

This simulated game takes place in a room that will only include your family, so you can be comfortable letting them explore and make decisions on their own.

I recommend EscapeSF at 602 Kearny St in the Financial District and The Escape Game San Francisco in Fisherman's Wharf at 145 Jefferson Street.

17. San Francisco Zoo

This attraction is often overlooked but is one of the perfect things to do with children in San Francisco. This family activity in San Francisco is just steps from the Pacific Ocean on the city's western side. 

Here, you can see tigers, penguins, and gorillas. You can also see rare animals, such as a snow leopard, a black rhinoceros and a grizzly bear. 

Some of the other fun things to do here include the Little Puffer Miniature Steam Train, the Dentzel Carousel, and the Elinor Friend Playground. 

SF Tourism Tip: Before you arrive, check out the animal feeding and connections schedule. You can watch them feed the penguins, participate in the animal education reading time, or attend the animal meet and greet.

>> More about visiting the SF Zoo

18. Lombard Street

Lombard Street is another one of the fun things to do in San Francisco with kids. This crooked street is like no other with eight hairpin turns. 

You can walk down one of the staircases on each side or drive down. Several small group tours also drive down Lombard Street. 

You can walk up and down the stairs and watch the cars navigate the tight turns to the bottom.

Plus, it's free to visit and open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

More to Enjoy: Continue downhill after your visit to enjoy everything that the North Beach district has to offer. 

SF Tourism Tip: I recommend visiting first thing in the morning. I find the crowds are thinner before 9 am and you also get the morning light on Lombard Street, which makes for more stunning photos. 

19. Local Sports Teams

Kids of all ages will enjoy attending a sporting event in the SF Bay Area. We are home to more than half a dozen professional teams, including baseball, football, soccer, and hockey. 

There are games and events all year long in the SF Bay, and it's a great way to spend a few hours during your visit.

The SF Giants are in action during the summer and are a popular choice. The Golden State Warriors are one of the most popular picks in the cool winter months.

Other teams here include the San Francisco 49ers, San Jose Sharks, and the several top college teams.

• Find a list of all sporting events year-round in the SF Bay Area

20. Disney Movies at the Disney Museum

The Walt Disney Museum shows a classic Disney movie in their Fantasia Theater several days a week. These films range from Bambi to Mary Poppins. 

Although the schedule varies slightly, you will usually find at least one show in the morning and a couple of showings in the afternoon.

Tickets are an additional $5 for those with tickets to the museum. If you only want to see a movie, the cost is $10 for adults and $8 for youth. Five and under are free.

The museum itself is also interesting. It walks you through the life of Walt Disney. It shows you how he got started, some early versions of his cartoons, the process of creating those cartoons, and so much more.

More to Enjoy: The Walt Disney Museum is set inside the Presidio where you will find tons of hiking trails, outdoor art, and views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Set aside some extra time to explore this area, which is great for when you are deciding what to do with kids in San Francisco.

SF Tourism Tip: The Disney Museum offers great traveling and temporary exhibits throughout the year. Check out the schedule before you arrive, so you can see if you want to add this to your visit.

• Tips to visit the museum
• Find tickets to the Disney Museum

21. 7D Dark Ride Experience

The 7D Dark Ride Experience is one of the awesome kids' activities in San Francisco on Pier 39. It's part theater, part video game, and a lot of fun.

Strap into your seat and get ready for the ride of your life. Use your laser gun to fight the bad guys and score points. 

You can choose from one of several 7D Dark Ride themed games. They will help you decide which is the most appropriate for your kids. 

More to Enjoy: The same company also operates the LaZer Challenge (a laser room where you twist and turn to get from one side of the room to the other without touching any lasers), The Flyer (a huge flying theater), two escape rooms (one all about Alcatraz and another called Malone's Mobster Hideout), and a virtual reality ride.

SF Tourism Tip: Buy a combo pass if you plan to enjoy more than one of the 7D Experiences. It will allow you to save on the overall cost.

22. USS Pampanito

Have you ever been on a real submarine? The USS Pampanito is an old WWII sub that went on six missions during the war. The intact vessel was slightly modified and is now a floating San Francisco museum. 

I think this is one of the best activities for kids in San Francisco because they get to learn what it is like to live and work on a submarine.

It's a unique opportunity for your family to listen to the stories and learn their history through their audio app (all stories are kid-friendly). 

During your visit, you can peek in the quarters and see where the people on board ate and hung out while living on board. 

• Learn more about what you will see on the USS Pampanito
• Tickets are included in the GO City San Francisco Card, learn more here

23. Playground at Dolores Park

If your kids love playing at playgrounds, check out the large playground in Dolores Park. It's one of several entertaining playgrounds throughout San Francisco, located in the Mission Dolores district.

This playground offers your kids a space to run around and play for an hour or two. It has swings, slides, and climbing equipment.

It's also a wonderful place to have a picnic with the family. This spacious park, which sits at an angle with views of downtown San Francisco, is a popular spot among locals.

It's a fun way to spend time in San Francisco with kids.

• Find more great playgrounds around SF

24. Parrots of Telegraph Hill

Have you heard about our famous parrots? One of the best places to see them in the wild is around the Telegraph Hill District. 

These green and red parrots have been flying around this district for decades. They are not native to SF. Locals let pets go into the wild many years ago, and the flock grew from there.

Some of the best places to see them in this district are along Union Street near Calhoun Terrace and around Coit Tower. 

You can also stroll around the neighborhood listening for the flock. Believe me, you will hear these parrots before you see them! 

In addition, you will also find our wild parrots along the Embarcadero, along the Saturn Stairs (near the Castro), and in the Mission District. 

25. Seward Slides

Another one of the fun things to do in San Francisco with kids is to head over to the Seward Street Slides. These cement slides are a fun way to spend an hour with the family as you explore SF.

Since the slides are made out of cement, you need some cardboard to get down. Fortunately, you can almost always find some from previous visitors there.

The slides are free and open at 10 am in the morning until 5 pm.

They are open every day except Monday.

26. House of Air Trampoline

The House of Air Trampoline is a great San Francisco activity for kids two and older. You can grab tickets for their open gym time and let your kids jump around for an hour or two.

They have different areas available that ensure the younger kids don't get run over by the older kids.

The playground access is only for children 2 - 4 years old. It costs $15 per child per hour.

They also have a Trampoline Area for those 5 years of age and older. This is $28 per child per hour.

The final area is the Training Ground, which is for children 7 and older only. It costs $40 per child per hour.

They also require special HOA grip socks that are $3 a pair. 

The House of Air Trampoline is open Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesday). It is typically open for a few hours in the afternoon from around 1 or 2 p.m. until around 6 p.m. However, their hours change, so make sure to visit their site for the exact hours for the day you plan to visit.

It will make for a memorable time in San Francisco with kids.

>> Visit their site for details

Events by Month

Are you looking for additional fun activities for your stay? Click the links below to view all of the best events by month.

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