Top Kid-Friendly Places to Visit in San Francisco

Planning a trip to San Francisco with the whole family in tow? Wondering about the top San Francisco places to visit with the kids? You'll be delighted by the sheer number of family-friendly activities and locales within the Golden Gate City. From outdoor fun to rainy-day activities like museums and indoor parks, you'll find it all here. The hardest part is deciding which of the many opportunities you can fit into your trip.

Courtesy of San Francisco Tourism Association

Stop by Aquarium of the Bay for a fantastic way to spend a few hours, especially if you're looking for a way to escape rain or fog. This 66,000-square-foot facility features impressive architecture and an even more stunning array of wildlife. It's easy to lose track of time here. Displays are very kid-friendly and accessible. Interactive exhibits in the Touch the Bay sections allow kids to stick their hands into the water and touch rays, starfish, small sharks and more. There's something for everyone here and it's surrounded by a slew of other family fun activities on Pier 39.

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The California Academy of Sciences is one of the country's largest national history museums--but there's much more to this place than just natural history galleries. Of all the places to bring kids San Francisco offers, this one is top-tier. Here, you'll find interactive exhibits galore--from dinosaur skeletons to outdoor nature play/exploration spaces. Adults and kids will find countless things to see and admire here. Whether you're a history buff, a naturalist, or a casual explorer, you'll find something captivating. Exhibits include a rainforest showcase, a planetarium with nightly shows, an aquarium, a natural history museum and regular lectures and workshops. You could spend a few hours or an entire day exploring this spectacular museum's environs.

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The Exploratorium was founded by physicist Frank Oppenheimer in 1969 as an invitation to explore science, technology and the arts. You'll find a huge array of exhibits here, including plenty that will keep the younger set fascinated. Some visitors have described it as a public learning laboratory. Expect to encounter hands-on, experiential exhibits around every corner; you'll find something for every age and interest. Exhibits include displays of magnetic sand, dancing water droplets, interesting light refraction/reflection experiments, an infinity mirror and much more; scientific principles are displayed in a way that lets you play with physics like never before. Plan to spend at least 3 hours here, but you'll need an entire day or more to make your way through the entire museum.

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No list of kid-friendly activities in San Francisco would be complete without a mention of Lombard Street. The street is known as the most crooked street in the world, with eight zig-zagging switchbacks you won't find in many urban neighborhoods--and it's certainly steep. Take a cable car to the top for some of the best views of the San Francisco skyline, or if you're up for a workout (and want to exhaust your kids), put on some cushy trainers and take the stairs (yes, stairs) along the side of the road all the way up to the top. Walking Lombard Street is not for the faint of heart or weak of lungs. The neighborhood along the street is rather historic and picturesque, a great way to take in classic San Francisco architecture and to get a feel for the city's historic vibe.

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San Francisco's cable cars are one of the iconic features that set the city apart. Not just a tourist trap, the cars have been around since the late 1800's; the first cable car was put on a line in 1873. They turned out to be an effective transportation route up and down some of the city's steepest streets. Today, three cable car lines are still in operation. Hop on (sometimes you have to wait for a seat) and an attendant will find you to take payment. You can opt to sit inside or hold on along the outside edge; it makes sense to keep to the inside if you have young kids along for the ride. Kids almost unanimously love the simple joy of riding the cable car and it's an unforgettable, only-in-San-Francisco experience to add to your trip.

Want to learn more about the history of cable cars? The Cable Car Museum offers free admission and an in-depth look at the way the cable cars changed San Francisco's urban landscape.

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Sometimes you just need a big, open space to let off steam. Or a playground for the kids with a nearby shaded bench to drink your coffee in peace. Golden Gate Park has a bit of everything, depending on where you stop. This expansive park occupies over 1,000 acres and it's studded with fountains, playgrounds, fields, amphitheaters, museums and other features that appeal to all ages. Whether you need a walking trail, a playground, or the perfect picnic spot, you're likely to find it here--along with gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

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It's impossible to list all the opportunities for family fun on Pier 39. The Aquarium on the Bay is one of them, but there are many more that deserve mention here. At Pier 39, you'll find countless fun things to do with kids in San Francisco, from a mirror maze to a classic carousel. Countless food vendors offer their sweet and savory temptations. When the weather is pleasant, you'll see a variety of street performers entertaining and accepting tips from appreciative visitors. There are truly endless things to do along this stretch--all of them geared toward tourists, but all worth a peep, especially when you have kids along for the trip. Pier 39 is also a great spot to enjoy views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay; it's picturesque, fun and family-friendly.

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It doesn't cost anything to step into the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, located in San Francisco's Chinatown neighborhood. Watch how the famed cookies are made and shaped and even enjoy a free sample warm off the cooking iron. Chances are good you'll end up walking away with a bag of these fun treats. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory has been around since 1962 and they serve up a huge variety of flavored twists on the traditional fortune cookie. Try chocolate dipped fortune cookies or strawberry or green tea varieties. This is a quick stop and a crowd-pleaser for kids of all ages.

Wikimedia Commons / Gregory Varnum / CC BY-SA 4.0

Not all zoos are equally worth visiting, especially for those with kids in tow. But the San Francisco Zoo is a gem of a refuge from the city's hustle and bustle. Small enough not to feel overwhelming, the San Francisco Zoo still offers a wide variety of exhibits, plenty of space to explore and roam, a train ride feature and a large playground where the kids can let off steam. Spend a few hours or an entire day exploring; you'll find that staff are friendly and helpful, animals are happy and well cared for and the exhibits showcase their inhabitants brilliantly.

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Disney fans, step on up. The Disney Museum is a fun way to take in Walt Disney's history in the San Francisco Bay area. But the biggest attraction here--for the kids, at least--is the Fantasia Theater, which shows classic Disney movies every day of the week. Check the schedule for showtimes and stop in to catch a film with your family. The Disney Family Museum is located in the Presidio of San Francisco, which is part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area. It's a no-brainer if you're already sightseeing in the area.

These are just a few of the top San Francisco places to visit with kids. There are also a huge number of lovely, well-maintained public parks, colorful hidden staircases and other gems scattered throughout the city; free things to do with kids in San Francisco aren't hard to come by if you don't mind spending some time on your feet.

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