20 Best Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids

Planning a family trip to San Francisco? This city is bursting at the seams with super fun spots that will keep little ones occupied and parents pretty happy, too. From riding the famous cable cars to exploring hands-on museums and getting up close and personal with those adorable sea lions, there really is something for every age group to get a kick out of. The best bit is that loads of the attractions are both fun and educational, so your little gems won't even notice they're learning anything. Whether your child is an absolute animal nut, science geek, or just a normal kid who loves to run around at the park, this guide's got it all covered. Here are 20 of the top San Francisco things to do for kids that won't drive you too crazy.

Fisherman's Wharf is a super busy and lively waterfront area in San Francisco. Pier 39 is actually located right in the thick of Fisherman's Wharf, and it’s a real treat for kids. They can watch California sea lions just chilling on some floating docks at Pier 39. The Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 is pretty cool too; it's got all sorts of marine life from the local area on show. And of course, you also get loads of street performers entertaining the crowds on a daily basis, which is always a fun thing to see. For food, families can grab some seafood at one of the many casual restaurants nearby.

Alcatraz Island is basically situated in the middle of San Francisco Bay, a pretty cool spot. Alcatraz Island has a pretty dark history, though, as it used to be a federal prison from 1934 right through to 1963. Visitors get to the island by taking a ferry from Pier 33, which is a pretty unique way to get to an attraction, right? The official audio tour is pretty good too; it uses real recordings of people who used to live on the island to bring the place to life. Kids love the prison cells and corridors, and park rangers are always on hand to give short guided talks and share some of the island's history. And don't forget to check out the gardens!

The San Francisco Zoo is a fantastic place to visit, and it's right near the Pacific Ocean. The zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from all sorts of different parts of the world. The kids love being able to see all the giraffes, lions, and penguins in their separate enclosures. We also love spending time in the Fisher Family Children’s Zoo, which includes a petting area where the kids can get up close and personal with the animals. There's also a little train that takes you on a tour of the zoo grounds, which is always a hit with the kids. If you time it right, you might even catch one of the scheduled feeding sessions for some of the animals, which is always an experience.

The California Academy of Sciences is based in Golden Gate Park, and it’s a real treasure trove of science and history. The museum itself is a big deal; it includes an aquarium, a planetarium, and some amazing natural history exhibits, so you can bet the kids will be entertained. Kids love the rainforest dome, which is just like walking into a tropical paradise; there are even live plants and animals to check out. And the kids also love watching all the fish and sharks swimming around in the aquarium tunnels. The Morrison Planetarium is another highlight; it shows space programs every day, which is just out of this world.

Twin Peaks is two hills just inside the city center, and they offer truly spectacular views of San Francisco. The elevation is a pretty impressive 922 feet above sea level, which is nice to think about as you drive or walk to the top. And when you get to the top, the viewing area offers just about the best view in the whole city. You can see the roads, the buildings, and the bay stretching out as far as the eye can see.

The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County, and it’s a real must-see. The bridge itself has been around since 1937, an impressive feat given all the engineering and construction that went into its construction. Families can even rent bicycles from shops near Fisherman's Wharf and take a ride across the bridge; it's a pretty impressive 1.7 miles one way, but totally worth it. When you're on the bridge, you'll see some stunning views of the bay and the skyline; it's just breathtaking. It is one of the best kids' attractions SF!

Lombard Street is famous for that crazy steep and curvy bit. It's got eight hairpin turns that will have you twisting and turning, literally! Cars crawl their way down the brick road, feeling their way along. As for visitors, they can either walk right down the middle of the road on the side stairs or take in the views from the bottom. The street's lined with flowers and all sorts of pretty plants. The kids will love counting the turns as you walk down, and you'll get a real sense of just how steep it is. And for the best view, you really do need to get to the bottom. Lombard Street is tucked away in the Russian Hill neighborhood.

Stow Lake is a real gem tucked away in Golden Gate Park. Visitors can hire paddleboats and rowboats right from the boathouse, and the lake itself surrounds the very pretty Strawberry Hill Island. Families can paddle around safely, and with luck, you might even spot a few ducks and turtles swimming about. There's even a waterfall on the island. Walking trails circle the lake, giving you loads of opportunity to take it all in. And you'll find life jackets are included with the boat rental.

Angel Island State Park is a must-visit when you're in the San Francisco Bay. It's located in the bay itself, and you have to take a ferry from San Francisco to get there. The island has a fascinating history; it was used as an immigration station right back in the early 1900s! If the idea of exploring the island on two wheels appeals, then families can rent bicycles to zip around and find all the island's hidden gems. Or you could just head for one of the picnic areas and enjoy the views, just near the waterfront. As for the history, you can head to the Immigration Station museum, which has loads of exhibits to check out.

Fort Point is a very special place, and it's located right under the Golden Gate Bridge. The fort itself was built back in the 19th century to keep the bay safe. The good news is that visitors are free to just pop in and explore the fort. As you wander around, you can see the high brick walls and the arched corridors, and the kids will have a blast exploring all the different levels inside. The park rangers are always on hand to tell you all about the history of the fort, and if you make it up to the rooftop, then you're in for a real treat. The view of the bridge above is truly breathtaking.

Fort Funston is a coastal park tucked away in the southwest of San Francisco. It's a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and gives a pretty impressive view of the Pacific Ocean from the top of its high sand cliffs. You might even see hang gliders launching from the designated areas on the cliffs, which is actually a pretty cool sight. Families can just take a stroll on some of the marked sandy trails, while your four-legged friend can get to run around off-leash in certain designated areas. The kids can get a good view of the waves from the safe viewpoints, and there's parking right by the main entrance.

The Palace of Fine Arts was originally built at the Panama-Pacific Exposition all the way back in 1915. It's a real showstopper with that big dome and Roman-style columns. And to top it all off, there's a lagoon that surrounds the whole main building, complete with some swans and ducks swimming around. You can just take a walk on the paved paths around the lagoon, or sit back and let the kids watch the birds. It’s open every day for visitors, and there's no charge to get in and check out the outdoor area.

The Painted Ladies are a row of really beautiful Victorian houses, which you can see, just plain and simple, across from Alamo Square Park. They're a real treat, each one decked out in all its own unique multiple colors. They were built back in the 19th century. If you’re there with the family, you can just park up on the grass in the park and let the kids loose in the open field area.

Yoda's Fountain—you’ll find it at the Lucasfilm headquarters in the Presidio. It's a real treat for Star Wars fans. The statue of Yoda sits in a small but lovely courtyard. They do allow daytime visitors to come in and take a snap with the statue, so make sure you bring your camera along. Bear in mind, though, entry to the outdoor area is only during the day, and the lobby is only open to the public some of the time. And if the kids are fans of the movies, they'll love spotting Yoda in all his glory, a great little photo opportunity for the family album.

Japantown is one of the last few Japanese districts still going in the United States. It's a great place to spend a day or afternoon, with all sorts of shops, restaurants, and cultural centres to explore. You won't be able to miss the Peace Pagoda standing right in the middle of the central plaza. Families can just wander around the indoor malls, and the kids can even try some real Japanese snacks and sweets. There are all sorts of other fun things on sale too, like toys, stationery, and anime items. And when it's festival time, the location will be buzzing with music, dancing, and all sorts of other fun activities. Plus, there are plenty of public seating areas in the plaza, so you can just sit back and take it all in.

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are located in the Golden Gate Heights area, and just walking up those 163 steps is a treat in itself. Each one has been decorated with a mosaic tile. The pattern of the tiles is all about sea, sky, and sun. You can even climb the stairs from the bottom to the top, a great little exercise for the kids. There is a great viewing area at the top too, so make sure the kids bring their cameras to capture the colour and the view.

The de Young Museum is situated in the middle of Golden Gate Park. American art and international collections are the main focus of the museum. Although you don't need to pay to get up to the observation tower, you can enjoy the panoramic views that unfold. The galleries have a really good mix of paintings, textiles, and sculptures. For kids, there are loads of educational programs to drop them into. You'll also find all sorts of sculptures scattered around the outside of the museum.

The Asian Art Museum is located right in the middle of Civic Center. This place is home to one of the world's largest collections of Asian art. You'll see loads of really interesting and valuable art pieces—sculptures, paintings, and ceramics—each one representing a different bit of Asia: China, Japan, India, and Korea. They've also got many amazing family programs and interactive exhibits for the kids. The building used to be a public library, and you can still see bits of that in the interior design.

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is tucked away in Sausalito near the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s all about children; everything they see and do is geared towards kids from 6 months up to 10 years of age. Exhibits cover a wide range of things like creativity, science, and art. There are loads of indoor and outdoor spaces, all there for the kids to get out and have fun. They've also got a special beach area.

The Exploratorium is over at Pier 15 by the Embarcadero. It's all about experimenting with and learning about the world—pretty much anything to do with science, technology, and even how we perceive things. There are hundreds of hands-on exhibits to explore. They've even got a really cool fog bridge installation just outside, which creates a nice bit of fog to have a wander through. Exhibits cover all sorts of interesting stuff like light, sound, and motion. The staff put on demonstrations every day, and you'll need to buy a timed ticket to get in.

In a nutshell, this list of SF kids' activities makes it simple to explore the city with children. Planning ahead helps families cover more places comfortably.

Explore San Francisco with ease at Pacific Heights Inn—minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf, shopping streets, and iconic attractions—reserve your stay today.