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San Fran is the perfect city for a family vacation. It has tons of parks and green spaces for the little ones to run around in, many family-oriented museums, and tons of kid-friendly attractions and activities.
We have visited San Francisco many times in the past, so when we took our two daughters, we were pleasantly surprised by how many family activities there are in San Francisco that are not only fun for kids but also for us big kids, too!
It turns out, there are so many things to do in San Francisco with kids. Our girls, Kalyra (then aged 11) and Savannah (aged 7), loved exploring San Francisco and experiencing a city with natural beauty, fun attractions, incredible food, and great views. In this guide, we are sharing our best tips on what to do in San Francisco with kids, including some info on how to save on attractions and how to get around, and a few delicious places to eat with kids!
San Francisco at a glance 🔍
- Accommodation options: San Francisco has many budget-friendly guest houses, hostels, and boutique hotels for under $75 USD per night, as well as luxurious hotels for $250-$350 USD per night.
- Getting around: San Fran is easy to get around on the BART Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), an all-electric tram service. It’s fast and affordable.
- Unmissable sights: See the Golden Gate Bridge, the seals on Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf, snap photos on Lombard Street, see the views from Alamo Square Park of the Painted Ladies, and Alcatraz Island.
- Money saving tip: You can save money on attractions in San Francisco by getting yourself a Go City Pass. This can give you discounts on 30+ of the city’s top attractions, restaurants, and entertainment options.
Looking to reserve an apartment in San Francisco? Click here to browse.
1. Stay on the Right Side of the Cells at Alcatraz

Fun or scary? Let your kids decide! Alcatraz Island is not the place for every family, but our two daughters loved it! No matter which they choose, I’m sure fascination will be a part of their Alcatraz experience, as well as a commitment to stay on the right side of the law.
We believe Alcatraz Island is one of the best attractions in San Francisco. I was surprised by how much Kalyra enjoyed it – both our kids had curious questions after visiting.
They were both interested to learn more about what really happened to the two escapees when our friend told us the next day. They discovered they did, in fact, escape successfully and made it to somewhere in South America.
They also couldn’t get over the fact that the warden and guard’s children lived on the island (and loved it), and there was NO WAY they’d ever live with prisoners right next to you.
Walking into those prison cells and feeling what the prisoners would have experienced was quite unnerving, and Savannah was understandably a little freaked out.
Alcatraz Audio Tour

The Alcatraz audio tour is exceptional. They have managed to create an authentic experience with real sounds in the background, like clanging cell doors and footsteps as former inmates and guards recount stories and explain what life was like on Alcatraz. Conditions would have been brutal with the wind cooing off the chilly water. But I guess, on a fog-free day, they would have had good views at least.
I love experiences that have my children talking about them for days after it. You know they gained something important from it then. They found it one of the most fascinating San Francisco family activities.
Why not do an Alcatraz Night Tour and combine it with a Muir Woods tour and a Sausalito Day Tour? We’ve heard the night tours are AWESOME, and we loved visiting Muir Woods, plus you need transport to get there so this tour makes a lot of sense.
Alcatraz is one of the most popular things to do in the Bay Area, so book your tickets online in advance here. You can also check out various package tours that include Alcatraz by clicking here.
2. Ride the Cable Cars

Finally, after a week of exploring the city, we found time to take our kids on the famous cable cars. They’d been hearing the bell clang, watching it go up and down those hilly streets, and even learning about how they worked on our private walking tour (more on that down below).
We took the cable car to extreme thrill levels by letting the girls stand on the side – is there any other way to ride a cable car in San Francisco? I was freaking out a little, but trusted they were responsible enough to hold on tight and not fall off. You’d have to be monkeying around a lot to come off.
I enjoyed riding inside the cable car, watching the driver work the brakes, the lever, and the bell, and then spent the last five minutes off the side once a space opened up. Our kids think the cable car is one of the most fun things to do in San Francisco with kids.
Hot Tip: Lines for the cable car can be long. Time it for the first thing in the morning. The Powell-Hyde line tends to be less busy than the other lines. We jumped on just near Ghirardelli Square in Fisherman’s Wharf and lined up for about 30 minutes.
The cable car is expensive at $9 a ride, so be sure that you go from one end to the other and make the ride about the journey rather than getting around San Francisco.
We had a MUNI pass on our Go City Pass that covered it. And if you’re really into this, check out the Cable Car Museum in Nob Hill.
3. See the Sea Lions and attractions at Pier 39

We’ve seen so many sea lions before that the girls weren’t super excited about the sea lions of San Francisco. I find these animals so cute, playful, and funny, and I enjoyed watching them bark, wrestle, sleep, and swim in the waters just off Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf.
They have taken over several of the docks here, and if you are not experienced with seeing sea lions in the wild, add this to your list! Some other Pier 30 attractions your kids might enjoy are the Flyer Thrill Zone & 7D Experience, a seven-dimensional ride experience that takes you through San Francisco, and Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze.
Pier 39 is full of those touristy, kitschy things. We didn’t hang around for too long, but we did those activities as it was included in our Sightseeing Pass and didn’t cost us any extra, and the girls really loved it.
4. Zip around in a GoCar

Driving around in a GoCar is an activity to do with your kids that you may not have thought of. Actually, when you see these small yellow cars zipping around the streets, you may think it’s not kid-friendly at all! But our girls had a blast, and it’s an activity that they were most looking forward to. Since it was part of our Go City Pass, we gave it a go.
We only had an hour included with that, and I didn’t feel that was enough time. We left in peak hour traffic, so we got held up with that and didn’t get to jump out of the car. I’d recommend hiring a car for more time and doing the longer routes around the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. It really was a fun way to get around and is pretty easy to drive.
Top Tip: This is probably NOT something to do in San Francisco with toddlers! Whilst there is no age limit, there is a weight limit of 30 lbs minimum. Also, check whether your car insurance or travel insurance policy covers excess vehicle insurance for a motorbike, which is what the GoCars are classified as. Check all GoCar deals on Get Your Guide here.
5. Get inspired at the Walt Disney Family Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum is dedicated to the life, perseverance, and imagination of Walt Disney, creator of some of America’s and the world’s most beloved animations, most notably Mickey Mouse – the mouse that started it all. The museum features galleries and exhibits that showcase his early cartoon drawings, movies, and models of Disneyland.
I especially enjoyed hearing about his ‘failures’ and determinations to succeed, and sitting on the park bench that helped plant the Disneyland seed. While watching his daughters ride the carousel in Griffith Park in LA, Walt began to dream of a place where parents and kids could enjoy rides together. See a problem, create a solution. I love Walt Disney!
When we visited, the Mickey Mouse exhibit had just opened. It’s worth a visit to learn more about Mickey Mouse and even try your hand at drawing him. I was impressed with the girl’s efforts.
Top Tip: If your children enjoy creating and using their imagination, you may want to visit The Children’s Creativity Museum. It’s a hands-on space that allows children to imagine and create in a multimedia environment. Kids of all ages can design their own clay motion animations, pretend to be a rock star in the music studio, or invent a new machine.
6. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge

We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge on the open-air Big Bus, in a luxury Audi, and by driving our very own truck (Ford F250). No matter how you decide to cross it, crossing one of the world’s most iconic bridges is quite the thrill for everyone. Our kids found it most fun on the open-air bus – although extremely windy and cold.
This made the Big Bus worth it for me, and the ticket was included in our Go City Pass, so it was a no-brainer to use it as a way to get around the city and see the sites (see more on this bus down below). I also loved seeing it through the front and roof windows of the Audi on our private driving tour of the city.
Cycling across the bridge is another wonderful way to experience the Golden Gate Bridge, and you can’t miss the views from these places:
- North Vista
- South East Vista
- Baker Beach
- Overlook near the batteries
If you are long on time and energy, I suggest cycling all the way to Sausalito for lunch and maybe check out the Bay Area Discovery Museum, then catch the ferry back. The really adventurous families could cycle all the way to Tiburon, even!
7. Ride the Hop On Hop Off Bus

Don’t just use it to cross the bridge, young kids love sitting at the top of a big double-decker bus! Use it to your advantage and travel around the city. We like starting a visit to a new city by doing these hop-on-hop-off buses as it gives you a nice overview of the city and allows you to see some cool places you may wish to return to, whilst also sitting comfortably.
It can also help you save on transportation fees, as they typically take you to the most iconic San Francisco points of interest. And they are usually included in the Go City Pass, which is also why we jump on these buses and suggest you add this activity to your list of things to do with kids in the San Francisco Bay Area.
8. Take in the spectacular views from Coit Tower

I visited Coit Tower on my solo trip to San Francisco and instantly regretted not doing it on our family vacation. The views from Coit Tower are absolutely stunning, especially if the typical San Francisco fog has risen and the blue sky is radiating. Coit Tower is a 210-foot white, fluted tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. It’s surrounded by Pioneer Park, which was established in 1876 on the former site of the telegraph station.
It costs $10 for tourists to go to the top of the tower for the views, but it is worth it. You’ll get 360-degree unobstructed views of San Francisco city and the Bay Area – all the way out to the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Angel Island. You may enjoy the murals downstairs on the walls telling the story of life in California during the Depression.
Pioneer Park, at the bottom of the tower, has nice gardens, seating areas, and trails. I absolutely LOVED the gigantic gum trees around here. As if San Francisco didn’t remind me of Sydney enough. I’ve been told there are parrots along the paths in Pioneer Park, which younger kids especially will love. I did not see any, but I was not paying attention.
9. Shop in Haight-Ashbury

If your kids have grown up and you’re visiting San Francisco with teens, chances are they like shopping! So put the Haight-Ashbury district on your list. This neighborhood is the birthplace of the 1960’s counterculture movement and draws a diverse crowd looking to soak up the vibe. Upper Haight Street is a hodgepodge of vintage clothing boutiques, record shops, bookstores, and casual, eclectic restaurants.
Our eldest had been wanting to buy a pair of Doc Martens boots with her pocket money for a while, and we convinced her to wait as buying a pair in Haight-Ashbury would be pretty cool. Bordering Golden Gate Park, this neighborhood also features many colorful, well-preserved Victorian homes and is just a fun place to walk around. The Japanese Tea Garden and Stow Lake are in Golden Gate Park near here, as is Ocean Beach, a long, wild, rugged beach.
10. See the Painted Ladies, Alamo Square

Thanks to the TV show Fuller House and Netflix reruns, the Painted Ladies may be something everyone in your family will love. Our girls became fans of this hit TV show set in San Francisco thanks to Fuller House. They loved visiting the Painted Ladies on Alamo Square and watching these famous, colorful Victorian homes, figuring out which one is “the house.”
Here’s the truth: None of them!! These were just used as opening San Francisco homes. The Fuller House “house” is actually in Pacific Heights. It’s mind-boggling to see the number of people enjoying a picnic and drinks and just sitting watching the houses… but hey, it’s free to do!
11. Take a selfie at the Museum of 3D Illusions

Instagram cameras at the ready! The Museum of 3D Illusions will give you multiple backdrops and set changes to make your Instagram photos pop. At the Museum of 3D Illusions, they’ll even tell you where to stand with a circle camera on the floor, indicating how you can create the perfect 3D illusion. You’ll have artists from all over the world contributing to your set. Just be aware there are plenty of people behind you waiting for their turn – so sweet and snappy, please!
What I love about visiting the Museum of 3D Illusions with kids is that it’s less about creating the perfect shot for likes but fostering their imagination and creativity. The girls had a blast at each piece of artwork, coming up with ideas on how to act to fit in with the artistic piece. It is a bit pricey as far as San Francisco kids’ activities go, but the kids are sure to remember it! And much cheaper than buying all those props for your Instagram shots.
12. Walk down the Famous Lombard Street

A must-do in San Francisco is to walk or drive down the famous Lombard Street in the Nob Hill District. Known as the most “crookedest street in the world”, Lombard’s 27 degrees was too dangerous for cars to drive down it so they added a series of 8 hairpin turns.
It’s now filled with tourists walking, driving, and biking down to get their Instagram shots of the quarter-mile downhill stretch lined with gorgeous gardens. You also get great city views of Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz from the top of the street. It’s much harder to take photos and videos when you drive down it, although it is a cool experience in San Francisco with kids, not to miss.
Hot Tip: Expect long lines waiting to go down. Photos will probably be better if you can walk it, but watch out for cars.
13. Play at the Exploratorium Science Museum

We’ve done plenty of these hands-on science museums and almost didn’t go here; however, The Exploratorium down at Pier 15 was absolutely worth it! I was worried it would be too similar to what we have done before, but this was a very unique place with cool experiments that foster exploration and curiosity. The Exploratorium is included as an option in the Go City Pass.
Sadly, we went an hour before closing time, so we had to race through it. You definitely need a few hours at the Exploratorium. There were amazing experiments to give you greater insight into yourself and how to fit into a world that may feel so different and often uncomfortable.
Hot Tip: As you can find these museums everywhere (probably in your hometown), I would not include them in your San Francisco vacation if you are short on time and money, as it’s not overly unique to San Francisco culture and history. However, our girls LOVED it! Another museum that focuses on science and interaction is the Randall Museum, or the Children’s Creativity Museum.
14. Pose with the Murals in the Mission District

The interesting Mission District (an evolving neighborhood with Latino roots and hipster vibe) could be called a virtual outdoor art gallery full of vibrant murals and street art. There are hundreds of walls and fences throughout the neighborhood showcasing colorful works of art featuring various themes.
Best viewed on foot, we took a stroll along Clarion Alley, between 17th and 18th streets, and Mission and Valencia streets. Clarion Alley is known for community and arts activities and often depicts themes of social inclusiveness. More than 700 murals have been created since 1992, speaking to community concerns of social, economic, and environmental justice. Our girls enjoyed posing in front of the colorful murals and also learned some important life messages. Balmy Alley in the Mission District is also where you’ll find more vibrant street murals.
15. Relax in Mission Dolores Park

Whilst in the Mission District, head to Mission Dolores Park, located on a hillside between Dolores and Church streets and 18th and 20th streets. This park is one of San Francisco’s most beloved gathering spots: a hotbed for public rallies, marches, and clean park initiatives. It offers fantastic city views, open space for the kids to play (including a kid-friendly playground), and prime people watching. It’s a wonderful place to visit in San Francisco with kids.
16. Meet Your Fave Celebrity at Madame Tussauds

Can you get more touristy than Madame Tussauds? Typically, not what is at the top of our list of family vacation activities when visiting cities, but I actually really liked this one as it told the San Francisco story well and had pretty cool interactive museums.
We got to jam with Janis Joplin, Bob Marley, and Jimi Hendrix! Plus, fight Muhammad Ali and sit next to Al Capone in Alcatraz. You can’t get better than that. Madame Tussauds is included in the San Francisco Go City Pass, so it’s a no-brainer to go if you run out of things to do or have an unexpected rainy day.
17. Explore Chinatown with kids – food and murals

As the biggest Chinatown in the world and the oldest in the USA, this is a place in San Francisco where your kids can learn about cultural diversity, as they will feel like they have been transported to China. Chinatown is bustling with markets, restaurants, and small alleyways. Wander the streets and admire the pagodas and murals depicting Chinese customs, culture, and beliefs.
The kids will definitely want to visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Ross Alley. They have been making fortune cookies by hand since 1962. You can watch the ladies making the cookies and inserting the fortunes, sample some, or buy your own box of cookies.
Be sure to check out more of Ross Alley while there. Once a notorious and dangerous street as the location of the Tong Wars. It’s also the location for scenes from Karate Kid II and Big Trouble in Little China. And get a little insight into Taoism at the Tin Hau Temple hidden on the 4th floor of an apartment building on Waverly Street.
It is the oldest Taoist temple in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and one of the oldest still-operating Chinese temples in the US.
18. Take a private San Francisco walking tour

If your kids are like our girls, they love walking tours. They love the stories, characters, and history they learn about. City walking tours are a fantastic way to engage kids and help them connect to a destination and a real-life learning experience. WAY better than learning about it from a textbook, or even a museum.
Like why they rushed to save the whisky distillery in the great fire, where the old heart of San Francisco used to be, the oldest Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, how some of the buildings were built on old whaling boats, and where delicious food can be found! It’s also great to have a tour guide on hand to help snap family photos. We got so many good ones on this tour!

I’m sure, like us, you rarely get a photo with every member of your family in it. This is such a special way to create lifelong memories of your trip. All you have to do is relax and enjoy it, and perhaps strike a Kung Fu move or two.
UPDATE: our friend is no longer running these tours, but I found another private walking tour option here that gets good reviews. We still highly recommend this San Francisco activity!
19. Browse in the City of Lights Bookstore

City Lights Bookstore was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin and became an instant gathering place for readers, writers, artists, and activists. This bookstore is synonymous with Beatnik culture, showcasing the Beat Generation’s writing works, and is best known for publishing Allen Ginsberg’s Howland Other Poems. City of Lights is one of the most famous independent bookstores in the USA and has the most comprehensive collection of any bookstore in San Francisco.

Across three floors, you’ll find new-release books from major publishing houses as well as harder-to-find, specialty publishers. They also have a children’s book section, with selections for the children who are activists. While here, pop outside and enjoy…
20. Jack Kerouac Alley

Named after the famous writer, Jack Kerouac, this small alley is filled with murals and poetic wisdom from the greats, starting from Confucius at the East side of the Alley (which is in Chinatown), moving down to Mayou Angelo down the west side of the alley. While it’s fantastic for your literature-loving teen, younger kids will love the vibrancy of the street art!
21. Play and picnic at The Presidio Park

Oh yes. The Presidio Park quickly became one of my favorite places to go in San Francisco, particularly after seeing all that you can do there. Common utterings from me on our San Francisco trip were, “Wait, this is also part of The Presidio?” Odds are you may not have heard of it, Presidio Park. It’s a national park in an urban landscape and forms part of the greater Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You can read our full post on the Presidio Park San Francisco. These are the top things to do in Presidio (they will love the quiet escape from the madness of the streets of San Francisco)
- Ecology Trail
- Woodline in lovers lane
- Presidio Picnic
- Walt Disney Museum
- Julius Kahn Playground
- Crissy Field
- Yoda Statue at the Letterman Digital Arts Center.
- Go into the lobby of Lucasfilm to also see Darth Vader. Can you find the small statue of Yoda?
22. Learn at the California Academy of Sciences Museum

Many people recommended the California Academy of Science as a family attraction not to miss, and I’ll admit it does sound awesome. However, we did not visit the California Academy of Science as we found it expensive. In 2026, it would cost our family of four over $200 to visit for the day. Considering we travel full-time and are immersed in the world of nature, science, and natural history every day, we didn’t feel this was worth our money.
But, for you, this children’s museum may be completely different. I’d highly consider it on a return trip to San Francisco with kids if we had more budget.
Why is the California Academy of Sciences so popular?
It’s an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and known to be a “powerful voice for biodiversity research and exploration, environmental education, and sustainability across the globe.” The California Academy of Science includes:
- Morrison Planetarium (within a 75-foot dome)
- Steinhart Aquarium: one of the most biodiverse and interactive aquariums in the world. home to nearly 40,000 live animals, representing more than 900 unique species
- Osher Rainforest: neotropical rainforest stretches 90 feet high with 1,600+ live plants and animals
- Kimball Natural History Museum: interactive displays highlighting the uniqueness of our planet in surprising ways.
It’s most noted for its living roof, which is a 2.5-acre rooftop of rolling hills and fields and plants, offering a home to local wildlife and helping to keep the building sustainable.
Top Tip: Head over to the 9th Floor of the De Young Museum and see the roof from their free observatory deck. You won’t be able to walk around it, however, as mentioned, the girls experience plenty of living environments. I do wish all homes were built with this on top. The California Academy of Science Museum is included in the Go City Pass. We only had two of these, and still found the price of two tickets too expensive to justify. You can find out more about the Go City Pass here.
23. Hike the Lands End Trail

Looking to escape the congestion of the city? The Lands End Trail is part of the Golden Gate Recreational Area and is one of my favorite hikes in San Francisco with kids. This area reminded us so much of Australia with its rugged coastline trail, views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge, and trees and wildflowers. It is a tranquil and pretty spot to get out in nature and stretch your legs, and you’ll feel like you’re in a small coastal town. It’s a 3.4-mile return trail, but we only walked a short way as we were short on time. I recommend going further down to the Lands End Labyrinth, which looks super cool!
24. Bike the Golden Gate Park

In the 1870s, more than 150,000 trees were planted on 1,000 acres to create a city park. Golden Gate Park is now one of the largest urban parks in the United States, stretching more than 3 miles from the sea to the Panhandle. It’s easy to get lost in this verdant park with its wooded network of trails, gardens, lakes, and museums. The neighborhoods surrounding Golden Gate Park are worth exploring more for their diverse and award-winning restaurants, including Richmond, Sunset, and Haight Ashbury.
Hiring bikes is a great way to explore the park for a couple of hours, up to a whole day if you like. On the weekends, they close part of the main thoroughfare, which makes it a safe and more enjoyable ride. Although there are many trails off-road, which are just as good. Just watch for pedestrians. There are plenty of places to visit in the Golden Gate Park on your ride.
- Koret Children’s Quarter has colorful slides, swings, rope climbing structures, and an authentic carousel from 1914
- The Botanical Garden has more than 8,000 species of plants
- Japanese Tea Garden is a serene place to sip on a cup of green tea. Craig and I loved visiting here on our San Francisco trip pre-kids.
- The aforementioned California Academy of Science and De Young Museum is also in the park.
There are even buffalo in the western end of the Golden Gate Park!
25. Visit Baker Beach

If your kids need a bit of beach playtime, Baker Beach could be a worthwhile stop. But, it wouldn’t be a place I’d recommend to hang out for a whole beach day. It’s too cold, too windy, dangerous water conditions. I also found the sand pretty dark and yucky, and there was a bit of trash around.
Thankfully, our girls picked up a lot of it – the good Junior Rangers they are. There are picnic tables and grills here, which adds to the attraction of some family beach time out. The best reason for visiting is the stunning view from Baker Beach of the Golden Gate Bridge against the Marin Headlands.
You can also admire the houses perched on the cliffs at Sea Cliff. The big brownish-red one at the end is Jack Dorsey’s house, the former owner of Twitter. You can also see it from the Lands End Trail from the China Beach side. Be sure to drive through the gorgeous Sea Cliff neighborhood and look at the million-dollar homes lining the cliff face.
26. Slide down the Seward Street Slides
We didn’t make the Seward Street Slides, but we had several people recommend it to us. The Seward Street Slides are two long, steep concrete slides, designed by 14-year-old Kim Clark, and are the main event in the community park, Seward Mini Park. It says to bring a piece of cardboard, wear sturdy pants, and enjoy the thrill. All adults must be accompanied by children!
27. Visit the Redwoods at Muir Woods

If you’re looking for San Francisco kids’ activities that involve nature, don’t miss immersing yourself in the green world of the redwood forest in Muir Woods National Monument. Muir Woods is one of the unique San Francisco attractions – well, it’s just outside of the city, so it’s one of the top attractions near San Francisco. You can easily visit Muir Woods in just a couple of hours.
Our girls learned so much about the redwoods through the Junior Ranger Program at Muir Woods. These are magnificent trees, and you may want to hug a few. Redwoods are the tallest living things and have very shallow roots that would be the equivalent of your big toe. Such a fun fact.
Do the easy 2-mile loop walk. Start on the right-hand side of the trail beside the serene and pretty creek, and then at the end, go left and up the hill to take the slightly elevated trail back. This will give you a great overlook from the canopy and will end up joining the creek trail. Then take advantage of the many seats along the way to pause and soak up their beauty. Thankfully, because of the parking permit situation, the crowds here are managed, and it’s not too busy.
Top Tip: You MUST ensure you book your allotted parking time online before venturing to Muir Woods. You will not be allowed to enter unless you have done this. You can reserve your parking spot here. Entrance to the park is $15, or is covered on an America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass. Highly worth it if you intend to visit several federal lands on your USA trip.
Video of Muir Woods, San Francisco
Click play below to watch us walk amongst these giants.
28. Eat Delicious Ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery

There are several places to get ice cream in San Francisco with kids of all ages that adults will love, too, but many Bay Area locals will agree that you can’t beat a cup of Bi-Rite Creamery. You’ll find them down in the Mission District, or if you see the ice cream truck go by, be sure to wave it down. I recommend the salted caramel and honey lavender. I thought my coffee toffee was the ultimate.
Hot Tip: If you’re checking out the Painted Ladies in Alamo Square, go to the Bi-Rite location on Divisadero and Hayes Street, where there’s typically less of a wait.
29. Taste Chocolates and Cheese (AND wine) at Ghirardelli Square

There is something for all members of the family at Ghirardelli Square. It was my favorite area of Fisherman’s Wharf and didn’t feel as touristy as Pier 39, and the main hub of Fisherman’s Wharf. Ghirardelli Square is the site of the old Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. It’s now a combination of retail and dining, but there is a Ghirardelli store and ice cream bar to satisfy your chocolate cravings. You can order them a sundae from the ice cream bar (expect a wait on the line here) or pick your favorite chocolate flavors and fill up a to-go sample box (line much shorter).
With a chocolate box in hand, walk through the middle of the square and past the fountain to The Cheese School. Order a platter of local cheese and a glass of wine and find a seat in the glassed conservatory and admire the views over the bay and a slight glimpse of the bridge. This was perhaps my favorite twenty minutes of our entire San Francisco trip, and nothing you will find on any other things to do with kids in San Francisco list.
Hot Tip: Just up from the store is another Ghirardelli ice cream bar that sells the same thing but has much smaller lines!
30. Eat the best Chocolate Croissants in the USA

Who cares about giving the kids a chocolate croissant treat? Well, this is one delicacy you’ll push your kids out of line for! The chocolate croissants at Arsicault Bakery were named best in the country. Yes, you heard that correctly. I’m gluten-free and couldn’t resist a bite. OMG. I could have easily demolished the whole thing, but I exercised restraint. Move over, Paris, you have some competition! Get there as close to opening as possible, as the pastries sell out early!
31. Enjoy Smitten Ice Cream

Oh, go on then! Since you’re in San Francisco for longer than a day, you can have more ice cream. Another local’s fave in San Francisco, and what kids don’t love ice cream? Robyn Sue Fisher is a lifelong ice cream freak from Stanford University who started selling her Smitten Ice Cream out of a Radio Flyer wagon in 2009. Her homemade ice cream was made to order, flash-frozen at the time of sale with liquid nitrogen in her own ice cream machine that was powered by a battery pack she built out of an old motorcycle battery.
Due to the smaller-sized crystals achieved with liquid nitrogen, the ice cream was ultra-creamy. She uses only unprocessed, real, locally sourced, and sustainable ingredients. Using social media, she alerted her fans to the flavor of the day and the wagon’s whereabouts. Today, she has three shops in SF and one in Oakland.
Getting around San Francisco

- MUNI buses are good for cheap city-wide travel. There are over 50 routes. Google Maps is best for helping you figure out what lines to take to your destinations. You can buy and use tickets through the Muni app. Fare is $2.85 for adults, $1.35 for kids, and
$5.70 for a day pass. You can now finally use contactless payment instead of cash. - Cable Cars are best for tourist thrills and capturing views. The Cable Cars will help you navigate the steep hills of San Francisco. Lines: Powell-Hyde, Powell Mason, and California St. $9 one way.
- The BART is best for East Bay exploration. The Bay Area Rapid Transport connects San Francisco to the Easter and southern sides of the bay and beyond.
- San Francisco Bay Ferries are best for North Bay exploration.
- Ride and bike share are best for setting your own schedule. Lyft and Uber can help you get to where you want to go quickly and easily. May be cheaper for group travel.
- Bay Wheels Bikes are docked on the city streets and require an app to use.
- Clipper Card is the all-in-one transit card for the Bay Area. You can load it with cash to ride on Muni, BART, Caltrain, and ferries.
Be warned, this city has a lot of hills, and it can get windy!
Video: Visiting San Francisco with Kids
Click play to watch the fun we had visiting San Francisco with our kids, especially the fun we had at the Museum of 3D Illusions!
More Northern California Tips
Need more inspiration for Northern California? Here are some other helpful guides…
What are you most looking forward to doing in San Francisco with your kids? Let us know in the comments!
