Top 10 Things To Do with Kids in SF
Finding activities that are fun for everyone—from energetic toddlers to hard-to-please teens—isn’t always easy in a bustling city. But San Francisco is packed with interactive museums, sprawling parks, and thrilling rides designed specifically with families in mind. Here is our curated list of the Top 10 things to do with kids in San Francisco to make your family vacation unforgettable.
California Academy of Sciences
Come nose-to-beak with penguins and parrots, and watch sharks and stingrays cruise beneath your feet. Feel the spray of the California coast or fly to Mars from the safety of your planetarium seat.
Take a virtual safari in the African Hall, or climb into the canopy of a 4-story living rainforest. It truly is four museums in one!
Exploratorium
The Exploratorium on The Embarcadero is the most experimental museum in the world. Touch, play, and tinker with more than 600 interactive exhibits.
Embrace the wild wonder at the intersection of science, art, and human perception. It is a learning laboratory that encourages kids to break the "do not touch" museum rule.
Open Top Double Decker Bus Tour
See the sights of San Francisco without the kids complaining about walking up the steep hills! Ride on the top of an open-top Double Decker Bus.
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more while listening to fun and informative commentary. Hop on and off at any stops around the city to explore further on foot.
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Aquarium of The Bay
Discover what lies beneath the waves of the San Francisco Bay. Walk through 300 feet of clear glass tunnels filled with thousands of aquatic species native to the local waters.
Explore the mesmerizing Moon Jellies and Sea Nettles, and touch bat rays, small sharks, and sea stars in the interactive touch pools that re-create Northern California’s shoreline.
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San Francisco Zoo
Located south of the Sunset District right next to the Pacific Ocean, the SF Zoo is home to over 2,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals.
Beyond the animals, kids will love riding the historic Little Puffer Miniature Steam Train, going round and round on the 1921 Dentzel Carousel, and exploring the massive playground.
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Muir Woods
Get into nature and hug a tree! Muir Woods is located just north of San Francisco, close enough for an easy family half-day trip. Walk through the giant coastal redwood trees on flat, stroller-friendly wooden boardwalks.
San Francisco Bay Cruise
Sail around the San Francisco Bay and directly under the Golden Gate Bridge on a thrilling 1-hour cruise.
Get up close with Alcatraz Island, experience views of the Pacific Ocean and Marin County, and listen to the audio commentary as you sail past the city skyline. It's a fantastic way to rest your feet while still sightseeing!
Musée Mécanique
A truly unique, massive warehouse arcade filled with antique musical instruments, dioramas, and vintage games. This privately-owned collection of over 300 coin-operated exhibits is completely playable.
7D Experience
Located right on Pier 39, the 7D Experience is a 3D interactive virtual roller coaster and laser-blasting thrill ride combined into one attraction.
Pick up your laser blaster and fight your way through the futuristic Wild West against marauding robots, or save a space crew from an alien onslaught. You compete against your family and other riders for the high score!
Walt Disney Family Museum
Experience the remarkable life and legacy of the legendary Walt Disney. Founded by Walt’s daughter, this 40,000 square foot museum features ten interactive galleries covering the origins of Mickey Mouse and the birth of modern animation.