San Francisco: Things to do With Kids
I’ve lived in San Francisco for about 8 years, and my husband was born and raised here. When we first started dating he loved showing me around the Bay Area, and now we love exploring this beautiful place with our kids! Here’s a list of our favorite things to do with babies and little kids in the city and beyond.
Our Favorite Things to Do
California Academy of Sciences- San Francisco
Located in the gorgeous Golden Gate Park, this museum has been a favorite since my oldest was just a baby. I spent many a day of maternity leave walking around the aquarium with him. With lots to see from Claude the Alligator to the Rainforest and Planetarium, you could easily spend a whole day exploring with kids of all ages. There’s also a cafe and restaurant and a new outdoor play area.
Crane Cove Park- San Francisco*
My son calls this place Crane Cove Beach. While not the most picturesque beach in San Francisco (that’d be Ocean Beach!) this area is one of my kids’ absolute favorite spots to go on the weekend. A perfect mix of small beach plus grassy area, Crane Cove is super easy and manageable with kids. Grab some pastries from Neighbor to have a picnic, and bring some trucks or sand toys to play with on the beach. We like to bring scooters and helmets, too!
Children’s Playground (Koret Playground)- San Francisco*
Also located in Golden Gate Park, this is probably the biggest playground in the city, and one of the best! You’ll also find lots of grassy spots nearby for a picnic, and you can check the hours of the Carousel to go for a ride.
The Wave Organ*- San Francisco
The Exploratorium created a large concrete instrument that makes sound with the help of the fluctuating waves of the bay. You might also spot some sea lions here!
No offense to SF, but the Zoo in Oakland can’t be beat. It’s an incredible zoo with so much to see and beautiful grounds. The weather in Oakland is almost always more pleasant than in SF, and most of the exhibits are outdoors. There’s also a little area for carnival rides!
The Bay Area Discovery Museum- Mill Valley
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge is this gem of a Museum. The activities here are amazing for any child, but I’d recommend waiting until your child is walking or otherwise mobile. There are tons of things for them to explore both inside at the exhibits and outdoors- including playgrounds, art activities, huge train tables, a giant sand box, toddler play rooms, and more. The BADM is also very parent- friendly, with a cafe that makes organic coffees, large bathrooms, and multiple nursing rooms around for breastfeeding or pumping.
Also located in Mill Valley is Old Mill Park, a playground nestled among gigantic redwood trees. With a play structure plus bridges, creeks, and trails to discover, this is a favorite spot to spend an afternoon for adventurous and curious little ones.
The Exploratorium is geared towards kids that are a bit older- there’s not as much here for babies and young toddlers. It’s a science museum with lots of hands-on exhibits that are so much fun and really engage your child’s curiosity.
Tilden Park Little Farm- Berkeley
The Little Farm features a variety of farm animals including cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and pigs. Several heritage breeds are preserved here, including Milking Shorthorn Cattle. Visitors are welcome to bring lettuce or celery (but nothing else) to feed the animals! My kids are OBSESSED with feeding the cows- it’s so fun!
While it might be best to avoid this spot on the weekend especially when the weather is nice (lots of adult action!) the views from Delores Park are some of the most incredible in the entire Bay Area. They also have a pretty awesome playground with a huge slide. There are plenty of great spots for food nearby in the Mission District, or grab some ice cream at Bi-Rite.
The Presidio is an iconic and beautiful part of the city with gorgeous views of the Bay. There’s lots to do here- you can explore the trails and walk through the eucalyptus trees or hit up the Food Trucks on the lawn on Sundays and have a picnic. There’s also The Walt Disney Family Museum where kids under 5 get in for free.
Tilden Park Steam Train- Berkeley
The steam train is a really affordable and fun activity for kids- just $3.50 per ticket! Located at the south end of Tilden Park in Berkeley the Redwood Valley Railway features incredibly detailed miniature live steam engines. A 12-minute train rides take you through the railroad's namesake redwood forest.
Ferry Building Farmer’s Market- San Francisco*
We go to this farmer’s market almost every weekend- there’s so much to see and so much yummy food! Bring a stroller or carrier to help your little ones last a little longer while you walk around to check out the views of the Bay and the shops inside. For the BEST Mexican food head to the tent in the back left corner of the market, behind the Ferry Building.
This is a really nice spot to walk and can also be a really fun place to play on the beach in warm weather. You get a great view of some old boats and it’s close by some other popular attractions like Fort Mason and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Chrissy Field Beach- San Francisco*
Another favorite spot to walk or play on the beach, this one having the added bonus of an incredible view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Promenade here is flat enough to bring a stroller and you can walk all the way to the base of the bridge.
The Randall Museum- San Francisco
Randall Museum offers hands-on science, live animal, and art experiences for school-aged kiddos (my 4-year old loves it), and there’s also a cute “Toddler Treehouse” area.
Sea Lions at Pier 39- San Francisco*
The sea lions at Pier 39 are such a fun spectacle. During most months you can find them sunning, jumping in and out of the water, and making LOTS of noise! The pier is also a fun (though touristy) spot to hang out for an hour or two- to just people-watch or grab a souvenir. While you’re here you may also want to check out the Aquarium of the Bay.
Heron’s Head Park- San Francisco*
Heron’s Head Park is a 22-acre open space and thriving wildlife habitat located in the Bayview neighborhood. There’s also a really cool natural playscape with things to climb and explore.
This is a favorite and frequent spot of ours- great for doing a hike and exploring the trails, with lots of fun things to find like tree structures, banana slugs, bugs galore, and fairy homes. There are also two great playgrounds here!
* indicates free!
Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Eats & Drinks
Happy hour or dinner with kids and friends- Spark Social Food Trucks
For Sunday Funday or a larger gathering- Barebottle Brewery
Favorite brunch (get the pancakes!)- Zazie
Fun old-school ice cream place- The Ice Cream Bar
Great bakery by the beach (with the best breakfast sandwich ever!)- Devil’s Teeth Baking Company
Barbecue & burgers with outdoor seating- 4505
Delicious Mexican cuisine- Padrecito or Nopalito
The most insane croissants you’ll ever taste outside of France- Arsicault
Amazing Dim Sum- Hong Kong Lounge
Best pizza place with outdoor seating- Flour + Water
Another fun, causal spot for Pizza & Drinks- Pizzahacker
There are so many other amazing things to do, see, and eat in San Francisco and the Bay Area. I hope you have an amazing time here and love this special place as much as we do!
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