There are many things to do for children in San Francisco. The city has several parks and attractions and there’s even a zoo. Parking is available at the zoo. You can spend the whole day at a local park or zoo. Whether you want to go to a local zoo or go on an all-day adventure, there are many ways to fill a day in San Francisco.
Fishing
Kids can learn the art of fishing at the SFPAL Fishing Program, which partners kids with police officers to teach them about fishing, the environment, and the Bay. There are many parks and other locations where you can fish, and many offer classes and activities to help you and your child learn the art.
If you don’t have the time to take your kids fishing, you can also take them to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, which is located beneath the Marin County side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The museum’s hands-on exhibits include a life-size shipwreck, a fishing boat, and a simulated tide pool.
The Aquarium of the Bay is also nearby. The aquarium’s mission is to inspire curiosity and wonder. There are pools where you can touch fish and see sharks, as well as clear tunnels filled with fish and other marine creatures.
Art Galleries
San Francisco is a city known for its picturesque bay views, Victorian homes, cable cars and kid-friendly culture. There’s something for the whole family from the vibrant Chinatown to the world-renowned museums. Here are five kid-friendly museums to visit. The Exploratorium is perfect for your kiddos’ endless curiosity and the Cable Car Museum reveals the fascinating mechanism of the city’s famous transport.
Children may also enjoy the Fisher Family Art Lab, where kids can participate in drop-in art workshops with trained artist-instructors. The museum also offers special Gallery + Studio events, which combine an interactive gallery tour with an art project. Children aged four to 12 can also take free Saturday classes. Afterwards, they can take a tour of the museum’s current exhibitions.
The de Young Museum, located in Golden Gate Park, has over two thousand works on display. Its collections range from early American art to contemporary art and photography. It also houses international textiles and African and Latin American art. Its Observation Level in the Hamon Tower is an impressive attraction and features over three hundred coin-operated machines.
Parks
Many great San Francisco parks are perfect for kids, and many of them are free. You can also find a public golf course at Presidio Park, with many dining and entertainment options for all tastes. The city also has many great playgrounds with slides and climbing walls. These are great places for kids to burn off energy and have benches and picnic tables to relax in.
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco’s most popular landmarks, and many sports events are held throughout the year. You can see SF Giants games in the summer and the Golden State Warriors in the winter. You can also visit the Golden Gate Bridge and learn about how it works.
Golden Gate Park is an excellent place for families. The park is located in the middle of the city and offers huge grassy areas and a playground. It also offers great views of the city. Plus, it’s close to popular restaurants like Pizzeria Delfina and Bi-Right Ice Cream.
Cable Cars
There are plenty of cable cars in San Francisco for kids to ride. These hop-on-hop-off rides are fun for kids but can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are some great tips to make a cable car outing a success. First of all, be sure to plan. San Francisco has three cable car lines, and you can choose the one that best suits your family.
If you want to take your kids on a cable car tour, be aware that the cost is more expensive than a Muni fare. The cable car fares are about five times higher than Muni fares. This can deter many kids who are unsure whether they can afford to ride cable cars.
The Powell-Hyde cable car line is one of the most scenic routes in San Francisco. The Powell-Hyde line stops at Ghirardelli Square and runs to Fisherman’s Wharf. It can be a little delayed, especially in rain. In addition, cable cars can’t swerve to avoid pedestrians, so it may take a bit longer than you think.
Aquarium of the Bay
When visiting San Francisco, spend time at the Aquarium of the Bay. This public aquarium is at Pier 39 near the Embarcadero and focuses on the local aquatic life. It is surrounded by the watersheds of the bay and neighboring watersheds.
There are many ways to get to Aquarium of the Bay, including by car, ferry, and streetcar. You can even take the historic F line to Pier 35. You can also park on the street or in a public garage. You will want to be sure to check for valuables, though.
The Aquarium of the Bay is located adjacent to Fisherman’s Wharf, so it’s easy to get to. The F line trolley will take you there and connect you to the Castro District, Ferry Building, and Downtown SF. There’s also BART at the Embarcadero station, which is close to the Aquarium.
Pier 39
One of the things to do for kids in San Fransisco is to take them to Pier 39. It’s a fun place to go with the whole family, and the activities here are fun for both adults and children. The pier hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the famous Sea Lions Welcome. The pier also features free entertainment, such as performances from military bands and the Blue Angels.
The free activities at Pier 39 are especially fun for kids. For instance, the symphonic stairs are right out of Tom Hanks’ movie “Big,” and they let you play the music on the stairs. You may also want to watch the street performers performing on the pier.
While you’re there, you should also stop by the Sea Lion Center and see the adorable sea lions. The sea lions can stay under water for 10 minutes at a time and they can spend up to two weeks in the bay. You can even get up close to these amazing creatures.
House of Air Trampoline
A large trampoline park with a variety of kids’ programs, workout classes, and aerial classes is a great place to bring your children. There are even dodgeball leagues and kids’ programs to keep them busy. Even the adults will love this place. Located in the heart of the city, House of Air Trampoline offers the ultimate in family fun.
House of Air San Francisco is a huge indoor trampoline park with 8,000 square feet of trampolines. Its trampolines are designed for kids of all ages and include a separate court for younger kids. The training ground is designed to give young kids a high-flying workout using competition-grade trampolines and safety harnesses.
The main trampoline structure at House of Air consists of 42 conjoined trampolines. Each trampoline is larger than a regulation-sized basketball court. The walls of each trampoline are placed at different angles to create the maximum jumping space possible. The center also features a 2X (Double) Bowl for action sports enthusiasts. This unique feature of the facility is not widely available at other trampoline parks.
SkyStar Wheel
After a brief period of closure, the sky-high SkyStar Wheel for kids in San Francisco will open to the public at noon on Thursday. Officials with the Recreation and Park Department said the decision was made for the sake of fun. The extension will help the city’s economy and offset the loss that SkyStar will suffer if it doesn’t reopen.
The SkyStar Wheel is located in Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse near the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Japanese Tea Garden. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $12 for children under 13; they are discounted to $10 during the first five days. Tickets for the grand opening are only $10.
The Recreation and Park Department recently installed a new, brightly lit Ferris wheel at Golden Gate Park, as part of its 150th-anniversary celebration. It was originally scheduled to open on April 4, but it was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the City’s “shelter in place” policy. The wheel reopened on Oct. 21 and gave more than 65,000 rides in 39 days. However, the wheel is now closed for ninety-five days due to safety concerns.
Hi, my name is Charlotte and I am the author of the Sandbox Playground. I believe that play is an essential part of a child’s development and that playgrounds and sandboxes are a great way to inspire kids’ imaginations.
I have been working with children for many years, and through my work I have seen the amazing things that they can achieve when they’re given the opportunity to play. I hope to continue inspiring kids all around the world with my writing.