Go! San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is also a top worldwide travel destination. There are so many fun things to do in San Francisco with kids of all ages! You can spend hours walking and seeing the sites of the bay and its surroundings. It’s a city full of hills and views, character and culture, fun things to do, and some of the best food in the world. My perfect day with the family in San Francisco includes lots of walking AND eating! I lived there for four years, working in the travel industry (and at a 5-star hotel!) It still feels like home, and a wonderful quick getaway at the same time. My kids have enjoyed these San Francisco activities at all ages- even as tweens, teens, and now college-age! There are lots of fun and even unusual things to do in San Francisco.
What to do in San Francisco with kids? This fun 2.5-mile walk along the Bay can start at either end, depending on what time you want to be at the Ferry Building to eat… There are 3 big San Francisco attractions on this walk that will take 2-3 hours each, so plan your time accordingly, or come back to them at another time. You will enjoy some of these unique things to do in San Francisco.
*For things to do in San Francisco on a rainy day (not uncommon!) you can take this tour, just wear your raincoats and bring your umbrellas!
Your self-guided San Francisco tour…
Fun things to do in San Francisco:
Aquatic Park- Start at this nice park which is next to Fort Mason. There is a small beach area and some dare to swim in the ocean here. I don’t. I would rather appreciate the resident sea lions from afar.
Ghirardelli Square- Stop into the Historic chocolate shop for a sample and see the historic machines work. Have an overpriced cup of hot cocoa (or maybe just one cup for the kids to share!)
Fishermans Wharf: Fisherman’s Wharf is full of tourists, crab, chowder, souvenir shops and some of the best views in the city. Look out to the bay and see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Museum Mechanique- Interested in unusual things to do in San Francisco? Check out this Historical and fun museum, which is full of antique mechanical games and toys. It is free to get in and games cost from 1 cent to 1 dollar. Open 365 days a year 10 am to 8 pm.
Next, watch the bakers work through the windows at Boudin Bakery.
Look at or tour the USS Pampanito. This United States Navy ship is a WWII submarine that went out on six war patrols in 1944-1945.
The Alcatraz Ferry is here. It is beautiful on Alcatraz and the history of the old federal prison is intriguing. If you go, make sure to buy your tickets from the official Alcatraz Cruises website or at the actual ticket booth. The round trip ferry ride and a great audio tour is included. The 8:45 Early Bird boat is the best - it gets you there before everyone else.
Pier 39: Another big tourist attraction and a fun place to visit in San Francisco. There are lots of shops and restaurants, and often times there are street performers and living statues in the area. Don’t be surprised if one comes to life and jumps out at you!
Check out the sea lions on K Dock. They came in droves in 1990. They won and took over the docks, which many still call home.
Play a game at 7D Experience (for kids to tweens). Whether you are a gamer or not, this is entertaining and brings along a lot of laughs.
The Aquarium By the Bay is here. It is home to over 20,000 marine animals found in the Bay Area. Open 10-6 daily.
The Exploratorium is next on the walk. This beautiful science museum can be fascinating for all ages. Visit depending on your time and interest. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10-5.
Ferry Building Marketplace:
This is a food lover’s dream located inside a beautiful historic landmark. Some of the best of the artisan food, from communities in and around San Francisco, have storefronts here. You can see some of San Francisco’s best-known chefs, and most famous farmers, at the outstanding weekly farmers’ market on Saturdays 8am -2pm. There is so much incredible food that you won’t know where to start! After lunch (or breakfast, if you start here), then get a coffee at Blue Bottle and sit outside on a bench and enjoy the view.
For a fun thing to do in San Francisco in December, go to the ice skating rink across the street in Justin Herman Plaza.
Catch the Railway (in the middle of the Embarcadero) back to Aquatic Park
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More fun things to do in San Francisco:
If you are interested in taking a bike ride, you can rent bikes back near Aquatic Park at San Francisco Bicycle Rentals. Take off in the opposite direction through Fort Mason. Then ride on through the Marina Green and stay along the Bay. When you see the yacht club, take a right to ride out on the peninsula to see the Wave Organ (another one of the unusual things to do in San Francisco.) Get back on the path and you can ride along the water, all the way to the base of the Magnificent Golden Gate Bridge. Most of this is on a designated biking and walking path. At the end of the road, check out Fort Point, built in 1853 as part of San Francisco’s defense system. Now head back the way you came with a stop at the Warming Hut for a hot drink.
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Fun things to do in San Francisco in the Presidio: This former military post is a 1500 acre park and an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. There are miles of trails and stunning lookout points. In addition to great hiking and biking, there are fun things to do in this area of San Francisco.
Disney Museum- This wonderful museum displays Walt Disney’s story, work, and innovations. Open 10-6 daily. (Indoor things to do in San Francisco rainy day)
Lucas Film- Near Disney in the Presidio, the beautiful Lucas Film headquarters is a quick stop that is fun for any age. Out front, you will see the Yoda Fountain, and inside of the lobby, you can see lifesize Star Wars Characters as well as props used in the movies such as Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber. The lobby is open weekdays only.
Presidio Picnic- With 25 food trucks to choose from, have a picnic on the beautiful lawn with Bay views. Presidio’s Main Parade Ground.
Every Sunday, March through October on Sundays 11-4.
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Fun things to do in San Francisco in Golden Gate Park: This is San Francisco’s largest urban park and has some fun things to do:
Academy of Sciences- An awesome science museum with a mission of exploring, explaining, and sustaining life on Earth. They have a world-class aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum. Don’t miss seeing the living roof up close. Open Monday-Saturday 9:30-5:00, Sundays 11-5. (indoor things to do in San Francisco rainy day.)
DeYoung Museum- If your kids love art, you may want to visit this museum. Check before you go to see if there is a special exhibit- my kids enjoyed the King Tut exhibition as well as the French impressionism. The 360-degree view from the 9th floor is breathtaking.
See the Buffalo roaming and the Dutch Windmill near the beach.
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Other Fun Things To Do In San Francisco:
Bike or walk Across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
Pack a picnic and go play or relax at Chrissy Field Beach, looking out to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Walk up the stairs to Coit Tower for a 360-degree view of San Francisco. Look for the parrots of Telegraph Hill on your way up. It’s a workout to get up there, so if you are not up for it drive and park at the top. You can also see Coit Tower on the walking tour above by taking a detour between Pier 39 and the Ferry Building (skipping some of the sights in between.)
Drive or walk down the famous Lombard Street, a winding long block with 8 hairpin turns.
Ride on a Cable Car. Invented in San Francisco 150 years ago, this is an unforgettable experience. The Powell-Hyde car (green) has some of the best views in the city. Just make sure to start at Union Square turnaround (also has fewer people waiting to get on)!
Catch a San Francisco Giants baseball game at AT&T Park.
Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown. Watch the cookies being made, then eat some.
Check out the incredible view from the Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Opens at 4:30 daily
See Beach Blanket Babylon in North Beach. This show is edgy to say the least! It’s the world’s longest-running musical revue (since 1974) and extremely entertaining. Kids, 5 and older, are welcome for the Sunday matinees at 2:00 and 5:00 (rated PG-13)
Go jump at the House of Air Trampoline Park, Chrissy Field.
Do the Fort Miley Adventure Course (1st Sunday of the month) You will need to make reservations in advance. A ropes course, up in the trees, with a zipline. This is on my San Francisco to do list.
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Where to eat with your kids while enjoying the San Francisco Attractions:
Here are some of our favorite quick CASUAL Eats that are great for families. Most are located in or near the areas above.
Award Winning Bakeries: Arsicault in Presidio Heights (be prepared to wait in line!), B Patisserie in Pacific Heights, the famous Tartine in the Mission (a little out of the way but worth it!)
Italian with Homemade Pasta: Italian Homemade Company in North Beach or the Marina
Grass Fed Burgers: Roam in Cow Hollow or Pacific Heights
Deli: Molinari in North Beach or Lucca in the Marina (takeout only- good for a picnic)
Salads: Blue Barn in the Marina (Steiner Street has more tables, Chestnut Street is smaller and better for takeout)
Mexican: Tacolicious in the Marina or North Beach
Coffee: Blue Bottle, various locations
Cakes, Cupcakes and Whoopie Pies: Suzie Cakes in the Marina
Enjoy these San Francisco attractions and the great food!
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