Best Things to Do with Kids in San Francisco

Mission Dolores Park is the heart of the Mission district and offers wonderful views of downtown. This is a true city park: often crowded, usually loud, and a great spot for people-watching. Street performers and food trucks often visit the park for a real "local" feel. While it does tend to cater to the wilder side, especially during the evening and late night hours, the newly renovated children's play area has made this park one of the best options for those traveling with kids. And with the ever-popular Bi-Rite grocery (with its delicious ice cream) right around the corner, kids who are pooped from running and screaming can get their sugar charge right back up.

If you need a break from concrete during your walk downtown, head to the lush gardens of the Salesforce Park, a true urban oasis. Seventy feet above the Grand Hall, the Park runs the entire length of the Transit Center's nearly four-block stretch. Home to 600 trees and 16,000 plants arranged in 13 different botanical feature areas, the newest public park in the San Francisco Bay Area is for the benefit and enjoyment of all. Whether it's for a leisurely lap around the grounds to enjoy outstanding views of the City, or to grab a bench and enjoy lunch, Salesforce Park is a top San Francisco attraction.

If the kids have been on their very best behavior and deserve a real treat, take the time to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and visit the Bay Area Discovery Museum. This premium stretch of real estate just below Sausalito and right on the bay has been completely devoted to keeping the endless imagination of children engaged for a full day. The real highlight is "The Cove," a 2.5 acre interactive exploration area with five iconic structures of the Bay Area and art work for kids to clamber all over. If you want your kids to think you're the coolest parents on the planet, then take them to the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Come nose-to-beak with penguins and parrots, watch sharks and sting rays cruise beneath your feet, and feel the spray of the California coast. Fly to Mars (and beyond the Milky Way!) from the safety of your planetarium seat, take a virtual safari in African Hall, or climb into the canopy of a living rainforest. Face your fears and stare down an albino alligator inside the Swamp, and meet scientists as they return from research expeditions around the world. From the depths of a Philippine coral reef to the outer reaches of the Universe, it's all inside the California Academy of Sciences.

Installed as part of Golden Gate Park's 150th anniversary celebration in 2020, SkyStar Wheel spins and towers 150 feet tall over Golden Gate Park's Music Concourse, offering breathtaking views from downtown San Francisco all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The rides last between 9-12 minutes, and tickets range from General Admission ($18); Seniors & children ($12); and children age 2 and under ride free. Due to its central location in Golden Gate Park, the SkyStar Wheel offers a unique vantage of all of San Francisco. And with all of Golden Gate Park spread underneath your feet, it's easy to plan a complete San Francisco day starting with a whirl around the SkyStar Wheel.

How many times have you taken the kids on a trip and found yourself stuck downtown, surrounded by nothing but adult-centered activities? Yerba Buena Gardens is the San Francisco city cure for that dilemma. Not only does Yerba Buena offer large expanses of grass for kids to run to their heart's delight, it also has a carousel, a bowling alley and an indoor ice skating rink. And if those classic kid activities don't work, visit the Children's Creativity Museum, a fantastic space dedicated to inspiring children of all ages. Still not enough activities? Then bring the gang over to the nearby Metreon for a well-deserved movie and meal.

The Exploratorium believes the fundamental childhood traits of being playful and curious should be fostered for a lifetime. Founder Frank Oppenheimer believed in intertwining art and science to make learning attractive and memorable through exhibits such as the Tactile Dome and Traits of Life. Be sure to check the website for the latest exhibits and family activities. And the family fun doesn't stop at the Exploratorium itself. With its ideal location on the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf and other attractions are right at hand. If you believe that families that learn together stay together, head to the Exploratorium for a lifetime of togetherness in one day.

Ghiradelli Square might just be the best example of an adult-friendly and a child-friendly San Francisco activity. For the adults, Ghirardelli Square is the place to go when you're seeking top-tier San Francisco malls. The open-air complex affords great views of Angel and Alcatraz Islands and features art galleries, clothing shops and specialty stores. Shoppers can enjoy a meal at savvy spots like McCormick and Kuleto's and Ana Mandara. Afterwards, dessert at Kara's Cupcakes or the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop provides the perfect finish. There's even a Wattle Creek Winery tasting room on-site. For the kids? Three words: chocolate, chocolate and chocolate. (The adults area allowed to eat the chocolate, too.)

The Children's Creativity Museum is a hands-on arts and technology experience for families with children ages 2 -12. Visitors are invited to make a stop-motion animation video, take the Mystery Box Challenge, and create their own mini-golf course. You can also take a ride on the historic LeRoy King Carousel, one of the few Looff Carousels that are still in operation. Summer 2021 hours: Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am-5:00 pm with advance reservations. Admission: $15.00 for all visitors ages 1 and over; free for members and children under 1 year of age.

What says family better than Walt Disney? While this Walt Disney attraction can't offer roller coaster rides like Disney World and Disneyland, it can offer an engaging education for the entire family. Some of permanent exhibits include the earliest drawings of Mickey Mouse, the "Multiplane Camera" that Disney developed to bring depth to the early classics like Snow White, and Walt's 26 original Academy Awards. Be sure to check out the Walt Disney Family Museum, and, at least on this Walt Disney experience, you can be sure that Dad won't lose his glasses and his wallet while screaming through a triple loop-de-loop.