San Francisco with Kids : 15 Things to Do

February 17, 2014 by

San Francisco with Kids

In Summer of 2013 we visited San Francisco as part of a larger National Parks road trip, which took us to 5 states.  We arrived in San Francisco via the Amtrak California Zephyr Train from Denver.  For more about that part of the trip, see here.  We spent a total of 4 nights in San Francisco (3 on the front end before the rest of the road trip & 1 night before we flew home).

We did so many fun things while we were in San Francisco.  It is a perfect city for a family trip, as there is lots to do for kids and families.  We were able to walk, use Uber, the Big Bus tour, or the cable cars to get around, and it was very easy.

15 Things to Do in San Francisco with the Kids:

1.  Big Bus Tour San Francisco

As I have said before, we really like to get an overall feel for a city by taking one of the ubiquitous city tours that can be found everywhere in the United States.   In San Francisco, we decided to go with the Big Bus tour so that we could ride on the top (the kids loved this!).   We rode it all over the city and got out at various stops to see what we wanted to see.  The recorded info that you hear on the headphones was interesting, but the background music was so annoying.  There were some great views from the upper level of the bus.

We also took the night tour (which costs extra). According to their website “The tour makes its way across the grand Bay Bridge for picturesque views of the city skyline from Treasure Island, site of the 1939’s World Fair.”

Our bus happened to break down while we were on Treasure Island, and they had to send another bus to get us.  It was really, really cold on the top of that bus while we were waiting. That was somewhat unexpected for us, but at least we had purchased sweatshirts and worn the warmest clothing that we had packed (which wasn’t much, considering other places we were going included Death Valley and Las Vegas in the summer).  Note to self (and anyone else who might need this tip):  bring warmer clothes to San Francisco in the Summer, it will be colder than you think.

2. Fisherman’s Wharf

Yes, it is cheesy and touristy.  It can also be very fun, in a cheesy & touristy kind of way.  My kids love this kind of cheese.  Cheap Made-in-China souvenir shops on every corner (handy for those sweatshirts you’ll need for the Big Bus tour), ice cream shops, restaurants, and lots of people knitting Angry Birds and Pokemon hats on the streets (what’s up with that?).   And Pier 39, of course:

3. Pier 39 Sea Lions

One of the biggest attractions of this area are the Sea Lions that hang out on the docks.  There is plenty of room to stand or sit and watch their antics.  We watched for quite a while as they playfully fought with each other, made lots of noise, rolled around, and also just laid there.  There is something cool about watching bizarre looking animals doing things.  And it entertained the kids for free.

4. Lombard Street

Supposedly the crookedest street in the world, Lombard Street is a must-see attraction in San Francisco (IMHO).  I remember going there as a kid with my family, and it was something that stuck in my mind forever.  When I returned to San Francisco as an adult, it was no less impressive than my memories of it.  We walked the STEEP road up to the top and walked down the curvy and beautiful road to the bottom.  The flowers and architecture are just gorgeous.  I can’t even imagine what you would have to do to afford one of those colorful houses!

5. Ghirardelli Square ice cream

I admit it, we visited for the ice cream.  We are an ice cream loving family & this did not disappoint.  It wasn’t my favorite ice cream in San Francisco (see below), but it was really good.  It’s also in an easy, walkable location while visiting the other sites nearby.

6. Ferry Building and Farmer’s Market

This beautiful marketplace was practically across from our hotel (Hyatt Regency San Francisco).  We walked over and were able to take advantage of the farmer’s market that was set up outside – we tasted and bought some delicious plums and peaches.  We also walked around inside and bought some food at different vendors.  They have everything from artisan cheeses to breads and ice cream.  This is a foodie paradise.

7. The Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is a hands-on learning experience for kids, and we can’t get enough of these kinds of places.  This was one of the better ones we have been to among the several we have visited across the country.  It was both fun and educational (as I like to say, you know it’s good when the kids don’t even realize that they are learning).  And you can get this photo op in case you need an idea for your next holiday card:

8.

We got out of the Big Bus and walked around on Union Street, which is a quaint Victorian style neighborhood with shops and restaurants.  We ate at Roam Burger, which, in all of their organic and grass-fed goodness, was the perfect choice for us.   When travelling with the kids, quick, casual, and delicious food is about as good as it gets.   As much as San Francisco has some of the best nicer restaurants on the planet, we will be saving those for an adults-only trip.

Chinatown San Francisco

Probably our favorite Chinatown we have been to, San Francisco’s claims to be the largest outside of Asia.  It really is huge, with lots of great places to explore.  The shops are colorful, eccentric and cheap.  There are Pokemon cards and collectibles, and little dolls with large heads that your daughter will beg you to buy.  There are too many restaurants to choose from.  We had dim sum (at Great Eastern Restaurant) for the first time, and it will not be the last.

We also visited the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. You only live once, so try the Black Sesame or Durian (Stinky Fruit) flavors.

10. Golden Gate Bridge

This one is kind of a no brainer.  We walked across & that helped to burn off all of the ice cream calories.   I would definitely recommend walking the length of the bridge if you are able.  You get a different perspective of the size and scale of the bridge, and seeing it up close is really breathtaking.  It was foggy (of course), but we were still able to see some views of Alcatraz and the city.

11. Alcatraz Island

Please learn from our mistake and purchase your Alcatraz tickets ahead of time.  We tried to get them about 1.5 months before our trip, and every single time was sold out for all of July and August.  We later found out that these tickets book up very fast (and are also purchased by resellers), so if you are going at a popular time of year then buy in advance.  We will do this next time.

12. San Francisco Cable Car

This was another iconic San Francisco attraction that we did not want to miss. We boarded the cable car at Powell and Market streets, where there is a cable car turntable.   We had to decide which line to take, but we really didn’t have much of a preference because our goal was to ride the Cable Car and get close to Fisherman’s Wharf.  Both the Powell-Mason and the Powell-Hyde lines will get you over in that direction, but the routes are different, so make sure you check into the route maps if you have a preference.

A few things for next time:

13. Musee Mechanique

“one of the world’s largest (over 200) privately owned collection of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines in their original working condition. (You can play them!)”

14. California Academy of Sciences

Fun science learning.  Right up our alley.

15. Golden Gate Park

The weather wasn’t cooperative enough for us to do this on this visit, although we did drive through on the Big Bus, and it looks like a great place to go when the weather is right.

Click here to read about how we stayed in San Francisco for free, and even got upgraded to a bigger room!  Keep reading by subscribing to emails on the right hand column over there at the top.