I’ve lived in this lovely city by the bay for a decade, both childless and with two little girls. Way too often I read lists that extoll the virtues of Fisherman’s Wharf, or really only have activities suited to older kids. So, here it is, my curated recommendations on what to do with younger kiddos that will be fun for kids and adults alike.
(Note: If you must go see Fisherman’s Wharf, I totally get it. It can be fun for kids, for sure. But make sure you explore the other things SF has to offer, too.)
The California Academy of Sciences
This is number one because if you leave without going, you will have missed out. This Science museum has 400,000 square feet of exhibits that spark delight – from its rainforest habitat with birds, spiders and butterflies flitting about to its huge aquarium with unique sea creatures. (And, it’s even got an Earthquake Simulator so you can tell your friends back home you experienced the Big One). There's a decent cafe, where you can grab lunch and a drink, while your kids take advantage of the outdoor play area. The Museum is crowded on weekends, so try to check it out on a weekday if you can.
Koret Playground + Carousel
Not far from the Cal Academy is the Koret Playground – this huge playground has structures for both toddlers and bigger kids, as well as swings and sand for babies. There’s a carousel, snack stand and public restrooms, so it can easily suit your needs for burning energy.
Presidio Tunnel Tops
After years of anticipation, this park opened in July 2022. The city nailed it with a truly unique space that’s focused on nature-based play. There are climbing structures made out of sticks and logs, chalk painting areas, and a large water/sand area (split into sections for younger and older kids). Bring a change of clothes as they will be wet when you leave. For food and drink head up to the upper section of the park. Across from the Walt Disney Museum, you’ll find the food trucks.
The Exploratorium
A true hands-on paradise, this interactive museum is also a must-see for your toddlers that love to touch. (It's also not far from Fisherman's Wharf.) It’s all science-based learning with plenty of interesting tools and apparatuses to try out. There’s an outdoor section with great views of the Bay and a fantastic cafeteria to fuel their play.
Salt and Straw for ice cream
Go to Ghirardelli if you must, but the next day, check out Salt and Straw (either on Fillmore or Hayes street) for delicious ice cream with unique flavors, like cornflake cookies or rum custard. On Hayes, you’ll also find a very cute shopping street (with a great kids store called Fiddlesticks). This is the perfect opportunity for one parent to sneak away for some adult shopping time, if that’s up your alley. Of course, there are plenty of other ice cream places to checkout, too – Eater SF has a list of 19 options!
Ferry Building + ferry to Angel Island
The Ferry Building is full of food and gift shops. The shopping is better for adults, but there is ice cream and sweets for kiddos. Something we like to is stop by the Ferry Building and fuel up for a picnic on Angel Island. You can take the ferry over for lunch, or a hike, and then head back to SF. (There’s also a small tram that runs around the island, but it's not that exciting for toddlers.) Angel Island was the Ellis Island of the west, where thousands of Asian immigrants were detained as they made their way into the United States. For history buffs there are some interesting sites, but they require a bit of a walk to get to.
*You'll notice I didn't include Alcatraz on this list. While it's very cool for adults, it's not a great activity for younger kids. There's a fair amount of walking and the tour is all about the audio, which little ears probably won't have patience to listen to.
Day in Marin: Bay Area Discovery Museum + The Junction
If you have a rental car, chances are you’re planning a drive across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Just over the bridge and down by the water, there’s the Bay Area Discovery Museum, which is literally toddler heaven. It’s a mix of indoor and outdoor sensory experiences (think bubbles, music, climbing structures, painting, you name it).
This place is also great for babies, my 18mo loves the water structure where you can float ducks and frogs down a stream, as well as the indoor play room.
After you finish at BADM, head over to the Junction in Mill Valley. We love this place because there’s beer and pizza for adults, and a playground right next to the outdoor tables. You can have your drinks while keeping an eye, and actually enjoy a little adult conversation (if you remember how).
Lands End and Sutro Baths
This one is an edge-case for toddlers, but I have to include it because it’s my absolute favorite thing in SF. It’s a hike on the very western edge of town, with great views of the Pacific and Golden Gate Bridge. At the sea-level, you can walk on the ruins of Sutro Baths, a swimming bathhouse from the late 1800s. There are lots of steps and some dangerous areas, so your toddler will need to listen closely or be carried if you’d like to check this part out. On the trail itself, which starts from the parking lot, you can follow a gorgeous hike along the cliff-side. There’s a section where you can take a staircase down to a beach with fun rocks and logs. Or you can visit a large labyrinth maintained by locals.
OoeyGooey Happy Hours
In SF's Mission Bay (think Eastern edge of the city), there are great food truck and event spaces called Parklab Gardens and Spark Social. Our friends run Ooey Gooey Events, a sensory events company that hold sensory happy hours at Playlab for kids. It's a fantastic way to let your kids have a fun, messy time and get a second for yourself to unwind and socialize. For now, their happy hours run every Friday but they have pop-ups throughout the city on other days. Check the website for their current schedule!
Paddleboats at Stow Lake
This one might not be as fun for the 1-2 yos but your 3-4yos will love it. Rent a boat at the boathouse (also serving food, ice cream, beer and wine) and go for a paddle around the circular Stow Lake. There are plenty of ducks, geese and even sun-bathing turtles. You might get lucky and see some gophers or racoons along the shores of the lake. Strawberry Hill sits in the middle of the lake, and features a cute Japanese pagoda and waterfall with stones that kids LOVE to jump across. The boathouse has restrooms and a parking lot, so it's an easy stop if you’re renting a car.
The San Francisco Zoo, Ocean Beach & Beach Chalet
The Zoo can be a little hard to get to, but it’s a really nice Zoo, with a stunning African savannah featuring giraffes, kids playgrounds, and a fun little steam train. After the Zoo you can walk along the Ocean Beach path. Chances are it won’t be warm (unless you get lucky!) but it’s a beautiful scenic overlook on the edge of the continent. There’s a good restaurant called Beach Chalet along the water (across the Great Highway), with craft brews and outdoor seating areas where kids can run around without admonishing looks from fellow patrons. A car would be recommended for this activity.
A note on family-friendly neighborhoods:
When I’m traveling, I’m always curious where the families are at. Sometimes it’s nice to do restaurants or book airbnbs in those parts of town. My top recommendations would be: the Marina / Cow Hollow, Cole Valley, or Noe Valley. Now, many people choose to stay in Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf. I won't deny those areas are convenient for public transit, but if you want a local vibe, check out one of the neighborhoods I mentioned above.
And, a note on the weather:
San Francisco is not warm in the summer. We have a fun little climate phenomenon where heat in California’s Central Valley creates a suction for the offshore fog. And that fog lands right in our laps here in SF. It’s gorgeous, but it’s not shorts weather. If you are hoping for some nice weather, visit in either spring (April/May) or fall (September/October).
Winter is temperate but you’d be risking a bit of rain that might dampen your plans.
Wonderful!