Photo: SF Rec & Parks
Whether you’re a parent looking for fun new kid-friendly activities in the Bay Area, or a babysitter hoping to switch up your shift, these things to do with kids in San Francisco are absolute staples. We’ve done our best to include prices and locations, but be sure to read more about each activity on its respective website for more specific information about visiting with kids.
Photo by Amal Bisharat, courtesy of Circus Bella
Entertainment and activities
Interactive experiences and performances
1. Dear San Francisco
Club Fugazi is a beloved SF social club with a long history of excellent performances. Their current endeavor, Dear San Francisco, is absolutely not to be missed! Embark on an exhilarating acrobatic journey through the city’s history, told through acrobatics, hoop diving, choreography, hand-balancing, spoken word, and more.
💲Price: $35-69
🪪 Ages: 5+
🗓️ Dates: Year-round
📍Location: 678 Green St, San Francisco (North Beach)
2. Circus Bella
Circus Bella is a local circus troupe that puts on free, open-air performances. You can expect to see exciting acts including a clown, juggling and unicycle, contortion, aerial rope, balance board, hula hoops, bottle walking, Chinese pole, and more.
💲Price: Free
🗓️ Dates: Summer and fall
📍Location: Pop-ups in San Francisco/Bay Area
Courtesy of SF Parks Alliance
Outdoor cinemas
3. Thrive City
Thrive City hosts ongoing free family movie night where guests are advised to BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket). Enjoy cinema-themed food and drinks and an interactive kids’ zone with games, crafts, and body art.
💲Price: Free
🪪 Ages: Dependent on movie
🗓️ Dates: July-August
📍Location: 1725 3rd St, San Francisco (Mission Bay)
4. Sundown Cinema
Sundown Cinema presents awesome FREE movies on a giant screen in various parks around the city. It generally takes place starting in May, with screenings 1-2 times a month through October.
💲Price: Free
🪪 Ages: Dependent on movie
🗓️ Dates: May-October
📍Location: Pop-ups at parks in San Francisco
Concerts and music
5. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
This free festival presents exciting and diverse performances from a variety of artists multiple times a week. Highlights include the ever-popular weekend session flagship series, which presents unique multicultural concerts, and the Children’s Garden Series with live interactive performances for kids on Fridays.
💲Price: Free
🗓️ Dates: April-October
📍Location: Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard St, San Francisco
6. Golden Gate Park Bandshell concerts
Golden Gate Park’s Bandshell presents bringing dozens of free concerts almost year-round. All performances are free and family-friendly, with the impressive Golden Gate Bandshell as the backdrop.
💲Price: Free
🗓️ Dates: March-November
📍Location: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco (Golden Gate Park)
7. Candlelight concerts
Witness the magic of Candlelight at some of the city’s most beautiful venues. This worldwide phenomenon is suitable for everyone over the age of 8, paying tribute to a wide array of musical artists, from Pop to Rock and KPop to Reggeaton. Music comes to life performed by talented musicians by the light of thousands of flickering candles. Young and mature aficionados alike will appreciate the experience.
💲Various price options
📆 Year-round
📍Beautiful locations
8. Due South
This free public concert series hosted by SF Parks Alliance and Noise Pop features live music from beloved local bands and delicious food.
💲Price: Free
🗓️ Dates: August-October
📍Location: Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, McLaren Park, 40 John F Shelley Dr, San Francisco
9. Stern Grove Festival
Stern Grove Festival, a FREE outdoor summer concert series featuring a wide variety of genres, brings an epic lineup every summer from June through August. They also have a kids’ zone with games, face painting, temporary tattoos, and more.
💲Price: Free
🗓️ Dates: June-August
📍Location: Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove, San Francisco
The RailBlazer roller coaster. Courtesy of California’s Great America.
Activities
10. The Crossing
Meet The Crossing at East Cut, a giant new community space located in SF’s Transbay neighborhood. It has something for everyone including a beer garden, food truck park, soccer fields, and a giant ground mural.
💲Price: Free
📍Location: 250 Main St, San Francisco (Downtown)
11. Mini golf
Stagecoach Greens: ($10-16, San Francisco) A Boom-and-Bust mini golf course at Parklab Gardens, which also offers tipis and bungalows for rent and plenty of food trucks across the street at SPARK Social SF.
Holey Moley ($14-26, San Francisco): This kooky new mini golf course has replaced Urban Putt in SF’s Mission District. It’s full of ’80s and ’90s pop culture references and has a ton of good food and drinks.
12. Escape rooms
The Escape Game ($45, San Francisco): Offers locally-inspired escape rooms including a popular Alcatraz-themed prison break puzzle, at various difficulty levels.
Palace Games ($53-106, San Francisco): A local favorite for escape rooms with high production value, including the Great Houdini Escape Room.
EscapeSF ($33-45, San Francisco): One of the more affordable escape rooms in SF with high-tech automation and fun themes.
13. Arcades
Musée Mécanique (free, San Francisco): One of the world’s largest private collections of coin-operated mechanical instruments, located at Pier 45 at Fisherman’s Wharf. The museum is free but you’ll need to bring coins to operate the machines.
Round 1 ($5-17 per activity, Hayward/Concord/San Jose): Round One Entertainment is an enormous chain of arcades with 3 locations in the Bay Area. In Hayward’s Southland Mall you’ll find bowling, arcade games, karaoke, and billiards; and in Concord’s Sunvalley Mall and San Jose’s Eastridge Shopping Center you’ll find all of the above, plus ping pong and darts.
Dave & Buster’s (~$1 per game, Daly City/Concord/Milpitas): Here’s an essential go-to spot for those of us who want a straight-up arcade experience that brings all of the fun. Their 3 Bay Area locations are in Daly City, Concord, and Milpitas, and all of them have a classic game selection, plus food and drink.
Photo by @museemecaniquesf via Instagram
14. Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze
Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze is the ultimate fun house, outfitted with 77 mirrors and dozens of black lights so as to really step up the difficulty of escaping the labyrinth.
💲Price: $10, free for kids under 5
📍Location: Pier 39, 0-11 Beach St, San Francisco (Fisherman’s Wharf)
15. Skystar Wheel
SkyStar installed this 150-foot tall Ferris wheel in honor of Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary, and it was later moved to Pier 39.
💲Price:$12-18, free for kids under 3
📍Location: Pier 39, 2860 Taylor St, San Francisco (Fisherman’s Wharf)
16. House of Air
This indoor trampoline and “adrenaline park” is a must for those hyperactive kids that love to tumble and play. They have special kids’ zones for the littlest jumpers.
💲Price: $18-30 per hour
🪪 Ages: 3+
📍Location: 926 Mason St, San Francisco (Presidio)
17. Great America
Anyone who’s spent time in the Bay Area will be acquainted with California’s Great America, a massively popular theme park in Santa Clara with over 50 attractions and a history dating back to 1976.
💲Price: $30, free for kids under 4
📍Location: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara
Giant Dipper roller coaster at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Photo by Photosounds via Shutterstock
18. Fort Mason Center
San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center hosts numerous exhibitions and events throughout the year, including improv performances, art shows and installations, and festivals. Some are more geared towards adults and some are kid-friendly, so keep your eye on the calendar.
💲Price: Free and paid exhibitions
📍Location: 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco (Marina)
19. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
If you’re open to a little road trip, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been entertaining generations of Californians for decades since it was founded in 1907. Easily its most famous ride is the Giant Dipper, a legendary wooden roller coaster with amazing views of the beach and a fascinating history.
💲Price: $3-5 per ride, packages available
📍Location: 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz
20. Children’s Fairyland
Take a trip across the Bay to this exciting amusement park on Lake Merritt in Oakland. It was one of the first themed amusement parks in the country and boasts 10 acres of rides and play sets.
💲Price: $15, free for kids under 1
📍Location: 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland
Photo by Gayle Laird via CA Academy of Sciences
Art, museums, and learning
Museums and more
21. California Academy of Sciences
The Academy of Sciences as we know it has been around since its 2008 remodel, but its origins go back to 1853. Kids will love Claude the albino alligator, the four-story indoor rainforest aflutter with free-flying birds and butterflies, and the Penguins and Pajamas sleepover series.
💲Price: $30-38, free for kids under 3
📍Location: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco (Golden Gate Park)
22. Exploratorium
The Exploratorium isn’t your average museum experience – in fact, they’ve been making their own interactive exhibits since 1969. Explore and play with over 650 fun exhibits for all ages.
💲Price: $20-30, free for kids under 4
📍Location: Pier 15, San Francisco (Embarcadero)
23. Children’s Creativity Museum
Here’s an interactive museum geared towards kids twelve and under. Exhibits include an Innovation Lab for creating flying machines and critters, an Animation Studio teaching the basics of stop-motion animation, and a Storybook Park with a sensory alphabet and reading tree.
💲Price: $20
🪪 Ages: under 13
📍Location: 221 4th St, San Francisco (Yerba Buena Gardens)
© Exploratorium, www.exploratorium.edu
24. Bay Area Discovery Museum
This 7.5-acre museum in Sausalito has indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces for kids 8 and under, right at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. They offer spring and summer camps.
💲Price: $15-18
🪪 Ages: under 9
📍Location: 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito
25. The Tech Interactive
This science and technology museum is fun for adults and kids alike. Enjoy experimental labs and hands-on design experiences with everything from social robots to space exploration.
💲Price: $22-27 (not including IMAX)
📍Location: 201 S Market St, San Jose
26. Aquariums
Aquarium of the Bay ($20-30, free for kids under 3, family bundles available, San Francisco): This aquarium in San Francisco is home to over 20,000 marine animals including sharks, octopus, jellyfish, otters, and more. Enjoy walk-through tunnels and other exciting exhibits as you learn all about these fascinating creatures.
Monterey Bay Aquarium ($35-50, free for kids under 5, Monterey): If you’re willing to make the trip down the coast, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must. They currently have a new exhibition of rare deep-sea creatures.
@aquariumofthebay via Instagram
27. Zoos
San Francisco Zoo ($15-25, free for kids under 2, San Francisco): Quit monkeying around and make sure to check up on your favorite animals! Popular exhibits at the San Francisco Zoo are the Outback Trail, Grizzly Gulch, Penguin Island, the Lion House, and the Insect Zoo.
Oakland Zoo ($15-24, free for kids under 2, Oakland): This hundred-year-old zoo in Oakland has both theme park rides and live animal exhibits.
28. Observatories
Lick Observatory ($25, ages 8+, Mt. Hamilton): The University of California has operated this famous observatory atop Mount Hamilton since 1888. Their Friday Evening with the Stars events include astronomy talks by scientists, an observatory history talk, and of course public telescope viewings.
Chabot Space & Science Center (free, Oakland): This Oakland observatory hosts free telescope viewings every weekend! Visitors may explore the stars through Chabot’s historic telescopes, free of charge
Campbell Hall (free, UC Berkeley): UC Berkeley has brought back its popular Astro Night series on first Thursdays, which means visitors once again have free access to the astronomy department’s telescopes and rooftop observatory at Campbell Hall. The accompanying astronomy lecture is geared toward a high school level.
Foothill College Observatory (free, Los Altos Hills): This small observatory hosts public viewing sessions from 9-11pm on the first and third Friday of every month, plus scheduled viewings for astronomical events.
Photo by @wdfmuseum on Instagram
29. Walt Disney Family Museum
This fascinating museum in the Presidio is dedicated to the legacy of Walt Disney. Learn about his life and extensive career through exhibitions of his awards, a giant model of Disneyland, and more.
💲Price: $20-35, free for kids under 6
📍Location: 104 Montgomery St, San Francisco (Presidio)
30. Cable Car Museum
See 19th-century cable cars, mechanical displays, photographs and more at this nonprofit museum that works to preserve SF’s long and storied cable car history.
💲Price: Free
📍Location: 1201 Mason St, San Francisco (Chinatown)
31. Camera Obscura
Cameras Obscura have been documented in SF since the 1860s, and this one in Lands End has been in practice next to the Cliff House restaurant for 7 decades. You can step inside and observe this old technology working around you.
💲Price: $3
📍Location: 1096 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco (Lands End)
mgdfoto via Shutterstock
32. Maritime National Historic Park
Explore maritime history along the Pacific coast at Hyde Street Pier, where you can board and explore a fleet of historic ships. Don’t forget to check out the USS Pampanito, a U.S. Navy submarine.
💲Price: $15, free for kids under 16
📍Location: 2905 Hyde Street, San Francisco (Fisherman’s Wharf)
33. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
This lesser-known museum in San Jose houses over 1660 Park Ave, San Jose making it the largest such collection on public display in western North America.
💲Price: $8-10, free for kids under 7
📍Location: 1660 Park Ave, San Jose
@frodsgnal via Instagram
Public art
34. Harry Potter door
Any loyal Harry Potter fan will recognize this characteristic Chamber of Secrets door right near Lombard Street. You cannot enter through the door as this is a private residence, but you can pass by to check it out.
💲Price: Free
📍Location: 2645 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco (Fisherman’s Wharf)
35. Wave Organ
Free, San Francisco
In the Marina district of SF, you’ll find a unique outdoor installation that’s more than just a cool-looking piece of art. The Wave Organ is an acoustic sculpture activated by the waves of the San Francisco Bay.
💲Price: Free
📍Location: 83 Marina Green Dr, San Francisco (Marina)
36. Mural collections
Umbrella Alley ($5 recommended donation, San Francisco): A collection of colorful murals at Fisherman’s Wharf that was designed to be interacted with, meaning people can stand in front of the murals in strategic points to become a part of the art.
Balmy Alley (free, San Francisco): This is the most concentrated collection of murals in San Francisco, which addresses social justice issues both locally and internationally.
37. The Gate Guy
Todd Young is a local artist with a talent for seeing beauty in the mundane – to be more specific, in the wrought-iron gate on his house. Since 2014, he’s created colorful murals on his front gate every month by poking pieces of plastic tablecloths through the holes.
💲Price: Free
📍Location: 200 block of Page Street (Lower Haight)
Photo by Remy Gieling on Unsplash
38. Yoda Fountain
Jedi Master Yoda found home atop a fountain outside of the Letterman Digital Arts Center in 2005. Since then he has graced this galaxy with his presence to the delight of Star Wars fans everywhere.
💲Price: Free
📍Location: 1 Letterman Dr A, San Francisco (Presidio)
39. Light art
Self-guided light art tour (Free, San Francisco): SF Travel put together this great self-guided tour that takes you around SF.
Show Your Stripes (Free, San Jose): Show Your Stripes is a series of glowing vertical stripes that you can control from your phone.
40. Life-size Monopoly
Did you know there’s a world-record-holding Monopoly board in San Jose? Monopoly in the Park is the world’s largest permanent Monopoly board, and it’s completely interactive. Groups can actually rent it out to play a life-size game of Monopoly.
💲Price: Free to visit, $300 to rent and play an officiated game
📍Location: 330 W San Carlos St, San Jose
Photo by Grant MacHamer for Secret San Francisco
Books and learning
41. Little Free Libraries
Have you seen these adorable tiny libraries around the city? Global nonprofit Little Free Library (LFL) is a worldwide phenomenon, and we’re lucky enough to have 50 of the tiny libraries here in San Francisco.
42. SF Public Libraries
The SF Public Library system is a great resource for kids and adults of all ages. Most local branches have free kids’ programming, reading circles, and much more.
43. Bookstores
Our list of bookstores around the city are musts for any local bookworm. Some kid-friendly ones include Black Bird bookstore and Green Apple Books.
44. 826 Valencia
This local nonprofit supports under-resourced students and teachers with an emphasis on improving writing skills.
Alice Chalmers Park in San Francisco, @sfrecpark on Instagram
Wellness, nature, and animals
Parks, playgrounds, gardens, and beaches
45. Playgrounds
San Francisco has some of the best playgrounds in the nation, and the City’s children have a total of 179 play areas to enjoy. Some of the most exciting recently-renovated ones include the George Christopher Playground in Diamond Heights and the Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground in Chinatown.
46. Salesforce Park
Did you know that Salesforce Park hosts a ton of free activities every week, including exercise classes and family play time? Check out Toddler Tuesdays and the Recess Cart for families.
📍Location: 425 Mission St, San Francisco (Downtown)
47. Presidio Tunnel Tops
The brand-new Presidio Tunnel Tops finally opened after years of anticipation. Look for their schedule of family-friendly activities or just go to enjoy the sights!
📍Location: 210 Lincoln Blvd, San Francisco (Presidio)
Photo: Presidio Tunnel Tops
48. Local hikes
Kids who love nature will have a blast on some of the Bay’s easier hiking and walking routes.
49. Neighborhood slides
Seward Street Slides: For decades, thrill-seeking adults and children alike have enjoyed these legendary slides hidden near the Castro. The Seward Street Slides were designed by a 14-year old girl named Kim Clark, who grew up nearby.
Esmeralda Slide Park: In the late 1970s, Esmeralda Slide Park was officially unveiled in Bernal Heights with two 40-foot metal slides. It’s a hidden neighborhood gem, complete with a sweet garden and great views, created by neighborhood volunteers.
@chantal.j.lamers via Instagram
50. Day trips
Pinnacles National Park ($30 vehicle entrance fee, Paicines): Volcanic eruptions created this unique national park 2 hours south of San Francisco. With over 30 miles of trails, it’s a great spot to keep going back to. You can do a strenuous hike that takes you through rocky terrain, or an easy walk through the grasslands.
Filoli Estate & Gardens ($15-25, free for kids under 5, Woodside): This historical estate and gardens in Woodside cover 16 immaculate acres, having been beautifully maintained for over a century. They often have seasonal programming that’s especially great for kids.
Inverness Shipwreck (Free, Inverness): The S.S. Point Reyes is an old abandoned fishing boat that’s been stranded on a sand bar in Inverness for several decades. There’s an old dirt trail that takes you near it, and even a small picnic area. Bring your best waterproof shoes!
Wilder Ranch ($10 vehicle fee, north of Santa Cruz): Wilder Ranch State Park, just a few minutes south of Davenport, is a 7,000 acre ranch from the late 1800s converted into a museum and nature preserve. This historic site sits along the Santa Cruz County coastline and is home to spectacular views, hikes, sea caves, and wildlife.
Wilder Ranch State Park. Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash
51. San Francisco beaches
Warning: The beaches in San Francisco are unsafe for swimming (and even wading) due to powerful sneaker waves and rip currents – so be sure to keep your kids close. However, they are great for watching the sunset or enjoying a beach picnic!
Ocean Beach (Free, San Francisco): This stunning beach along the west coast of the city is perfect for bonfires (March through October), but remember that the water is extremely unsafe.
Baker Beach (Free, San Francisco): Watch the sunset or enjoy a picnic at this beach with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Be advised that the northernmost part of the beach is clothing-optional.
52. Gardens
SF Botanical Garden (Free for SF City & County residents, general admission is $3-13 & free for kids under 5): The SF Botanical Garden boasts nearly 8,000 types of plants across 55 acres.
Conservatory of Flowers (Free for SF City & County residents, general admission is $3-13 & free for kids under 5): A national, state, and local landmark that has curated their famous collection of plants since 1875 with giant water lilies and rare plants.
Japanese Tea Garden (Free for SF City & County residents, general admission is $3-13 & free for kids under 5): The oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, with a koi pond and tea house.
Oakland Bonsai Garden (Free, Oakland): A hidden gem on Lake Merritt in Oakland with over 100 bonsai trees on display.
@roaringcamp via Instagram
Nature activities and sports
53. Seasonal classes and activities with SF Rec & Parks
San Francisco is full of amazing activities and resources for just about any hobby you can think of – and SF Rec & Parks knows it. They offer excellent programming for children and adults every season including pickleball, tennis, ceramics, photography, sewing, and more.
💲Price: All-ages activities ranging from free up to $400
54. Tide pooling
Tidepooling is a fun activity for kids and adults alike, but remember: you’re a guest in these critters’ habitat, so try not to disturb whatever you find and always watch your step. Be sure to visit at low tide, and watch out for sneaker waves.
55. Roaring Camp redwood steam trains
Hop on this authentic train from 1890 for an open-air trip through the redwoods to the summit of Bear Mountain. Roaring Camp also offers a train route to Santa Cruz, where you’ll ride alongside the shore for some beautiful ocean views.
💲Price: $24-35, free for kids under 2
📍Location: 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton
Photo by Todd Cravens on Unsplash
Animals
56. Marine mammals
Whale watching (prices/tours vary, Bay Area locations): California’s coastline is the perfect spot to catch several whale migration seasons – gray whales from January through April, orcas between February and May, and humpbacks between April and December.
Elephant seals (Free, Point Reyes): Northern elephant seals generally breed from December to March at Point Reyes, Año Nuevo, the Channel Islands and Piedras Blancas.
Marine Mammal Center (Free, Sausalito): The world’s largest marine mammal hospital is in nearby Sausalito. The free, 2,700-square-foot visitor center has been completely remodeled and now features interactive touch screens, a new art exhibit, and more.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center ($9-11, free for kids under 3, Santa Cruz): This aquarium and learning center in Santa Cruz has native creatures on display as well as the world’s largest blue whale skeleton on display.
57. Golden Gate Park bison
Many a tourist in San Francisco is surprised to discover a herd of American Bison grazing in the middle of Golden Gate Park. The bison are a pretty relaxed bunch, as they spend most of their time grazing in their paddock.
💲Price: Free
📍Location: 1237 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco (Golden Gate Park)
Courtesy of Off The Grid
Food
58. Off the Grid food trucks at Fort Mason Center
San Francisco
Off The Grid: Fort Mason Center (OTG:FMC) is California’s largest weekly food truck event. The free events bring dozens of gourmet food trucks to the Fort Mason Center parking lot on Friday evenings from 5pm-10pm.
🗓️ Dates: March-November
📍Location: Fort Mason Center parking lot, San Francisco
59. Ice cream shops
Uji Time Dessert (San Francisco): This dessert shop in japantown specializes in taiyaki, a popular street food in Japan. The fish-shaped waffle is delicious with fun ice cream flavors.
The Baked Bear (San Francisco): Here’s your go-to spot for custom ice cream sandwiches made with fresh-baked cookies and brownies.
Bi-Rite Creamery (San Francisco): Their small-batch ice cream comes in delicious flavors that vary with seasonal availability.
60. Ghirardelli Chocolate Store
The enormous and newly renovated Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store is now open in San Francisco. The space unveils the chocolate-making process for the public to observe in real time, like roasting nuts and creating hot fudge from milk, vanilla, and pure Ghirardelli chocolate.
📍Location: 2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco
Photo by @lemosfarmhmb on Instagram
Seasonal events
These seasonal events are great for kids. Stay tuned as we update the articles with new information.
61. Fall activities
Flower Piano at SF Botanical Garden – September 16-20
Fleet Week air show
Pumpkin patches
Haunted houses
Apple orchards
62. Winter activities
See our full roundup of kid-friendly holiday activities.
Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
Garden of D’lights in Walnut Creek
Holiday trees around San Francisco
22-foot gingerbread house at the Fairmont
Entwined at Golden Gate Park
Christmas at Grace Cathedral
Union Square Menorah
63. Flower blooms
Magnolias in SF Botanical Garden (January-March)
Almond blossoms in Tracy (peak bloom January-February)
Wild mustard in Half Moon Bay (peak bloom in February)
Cherry blossoms at Japanese Tea Garden (peak bloom in March)
Tulips in Golden Gate Park (March-April)
San Jose Rose Garden: April-November (peak bloom in May)
Dahlia Garden in Golden Gate Park: June-October (peak bloom in August)
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