10 Best Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids

You might not consider San Francisco to be a family holiday spot. However, did you know that the Golden City offers a ton of fantastic family-friendly activities? For example, the Exploratorium, the San Francisco Zoo, and the Aquarium of the Bay are all close to downtown. Not to mention that a trip to San Francisco would not be complete without seeing Alcatraz or riding across the famous Golden Gate Bridge! Two things that children seem to enjoy doing! We will discuss some of the things to do in San Francisco with kids in this blog post. If you are traveling to San Francisco with your family at any time of year, this guide is everything you need!

Looking for a family-friendly spot? Families will surely love Muir Woods National Monument, which is only 45 minutes from San Francisco's downtown. Among the few places in the Bay Area where one may observe gigantic redwood trees is Muir Woods. Muir Woods offers a variety of hiking trails that differ in length and difficulty. It is important to note that all vehicles and visitors to Muir Woods must make reservations. If you do not want to drive, you can take the Route 66 Shuttle from Sausalito, Marin City, or Mill Valley. Muir Woods admission can be somewhat expensive; the current prices are as follows:

Cycling across the famous Golden Gate Bridge is a fantastic option for the whole family to get some exercise! It is undoubtedly among the most well-known kids SF attractions, if not all of California! Traffic might be a headache at certain times of the day, so instead of driving the bridge, enjoy cycling or walking. Additionally, there is extremely little parking available on both the San Francisco and Sausalito sides of the bridge. Bicycling across the Golden Gate Bridge, which is 2.1 miles long, will take about 25 minutes. Depending on your level of fitness and how frequently you stop, some serious bikers can finish the one-way trip in ten minutes.

Visiting one of the most well-known jails in recent memory is a must-do activity for families visiting San Francisco. Kids will adore exploring the former jail and taking the boat voyage there, even if it may not seem like a very family-friendly tour. Did you know that notorious mobster Al Capone used to reside in Alcatraz? After closing in the 1970s, Alcatraz reopened to tourists in 1973. So, it should come as no surprise that a guided cruise tour of Alcatraz is one of the most well-liked San Francisco kids activities!

Located at Pier 39, this enormous aquarium is perfect for the whole family. More than 20,000 marine species can be found here, including sharks, enormous jellyfish, octopuses, and much more! The most well-liked exhibit here is "Under the Bay," which has two 300-meter-long tunnels and more than 200 different species. It is also a great place to take family pictures! It is interesting to note that many of the marine life seen here, like swell sharks, wolf eels, and the unusual orange garibaldi fish, may also be found in the area of San Francisco Bay! The "Touch the Bay" exhibit, where kids and adults may touch sharks, skates, and bat rays, is another location that the kids absolutely love.

The "Mrs. Doubtfire House" is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco. You will adore Robin Williams and the 1993 film. The residence is close to Pacific Heights at 2640 Steiner Street. It looks somewhat different from the film, which is to be expected after nearly three decades, but cinema buffs should still see it. The mansion really brought $4.5 million when it was recently sold. If your kids have not seen this classic film yet, you should host a Mrs. Doubtfire movie night right away. Older kids will really like this stop!

After National Memorial Park in Washington, D.C., and Central Park in New York, this park is listed among the third most popular in the United States. The 1,017-acre Golden Gate Park houses the Bison Paddock, where you may see a group of bison grazing—not so common for this region of the nation. Children adore the bison in particular! The park's oldest structure, the Conservatory of Flowers, is a must-see. More than 1,700 plant species, many of which are uncommon, can be found here. Built in 1894, the Japanese Tea Garden is one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. The 3.5-acre garden is full of cherry trees, Japanese maples, and other species. Here, the season of cherry blossoms, which runs from March till April, is particularly well-liked.

Have you ever seen a spot as "a scientific funhouse, an experimental laboratory, and a mad scientist's penny arcade all rolled into one"? Head to the Exploratorium - which is more than just a museum; it serves as a starting point for investigating human perception, art, and science. Explore the hundreds of exhibits in six galleries and let your curiosity run wild. Adult admission to the Exploratorium, which is situated at Pier 15, is $39.95. On Mondays, it is closed.

You might be surprised to learn that San Francisco's antique cable cars date back to 1873. Therefore, everyone's schedule for San Francisco should include a visit to the Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill, in addition to riding these unusual vehicles! You can view the many old cable cars kept here and learn everything there is to know about the history of cable cars. Youngsters who are fascinated by machines will love getting a close-up look at the cable car's mechanics!

At the southernmost point of Ocean Beach sits the San Francisco Zoo. Children of all ages can enjoy going there. A wide range of creatures, including gorillas and polar bears, can be seen here. In actuality, this facility houses more than 2,000 rescued and endangered animals. This zoo is fantastic since it is large enough for the animals, spanning more than 100 acres. In addition to enjoying up-close views of the animals, children may ride the zoo's historic steam train, ride the carousel, and even let off steam in the themed play area.

The Walt Disney Museum, located in the Presidio district at 104 Montgomery Street, provides an intriguing look into the life of the renowned Walt Disney, the man behind Mickey Mouse! In addition to showing you some of his early sketches of Mickey Mouse and other characters, it explains how Disney came to be.

Enjoy a convenient and comfortable stay at Pacific Heights Inn with easy access to Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square, and more—book now and explore with ease.