10 THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN SAN FRANCISCO

When you travel to San Francisco with kids, there are plenty of things to do. From sightseeing to tasting food, they will never be bored!

We went to San Francisco with Blondie Bear when he was 8 years old. Here is his top 10 favorite things he liked to do in San Francisco during out trip.

#1 Dim Sum

My Blondie Bear is all about food. He loves to eat. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that his favorite part of San Francisco was eating some Dim Sum in Chinatown. To this day, 4 years later, he still remembers it!

We went to City View Restaurant and he loved the duck in the bun. He loved it so much that he helped himself to a second serving!

#2 Playground Adventure

Located in Berkeley’s marina, just across a bridge, you’ll find Adventure Playground. It’s FREE to get in and it’s the most innovative playground we have ever come across. This should absolutely be on your list of things to in San Francisco with kids and here is why.

The kids actually get to build their own playground! To do so, they’ll have to use tools and paint. Obviously, it’s not for the fait of heart but it’s a great place for children and parents alike to build something together. It doesn’t get any better than this playground.

Word of advice. Leave the Sunday clothes at home! In fact, bring a change of clothes, just in case.

#3 Fort Point

Fort Point is located right under the Golden Gate Bridge and is FREE to access. I don’t know why Blondie Bear really enjoyed this but it made his list of things to do with kids in San Francisco.

Admittedly, you get a great view of the under belly of the very imposing Golden Gate Bridge.

#4 Buena Vista Park

Buena Vista Park is located in the Haight District. If you want to wear your kids down, it’s the place to go. The park is located on a hill covered with trees. Once on top, you’ll be rewarded for your troubles with a great view of San Francisco and there is a small playground there as well.

On a side note. If you don’t feel like hiking but are looking for a great playground, check out Dolores Park. Grab some food to go from Whole Foods, an organic supermarket nearby, and make your own picnic. It’s a less expensive and healthier option than eating in a restaurant.

#5 Ben & Jerry’s

After hiking through Buena Vista Park, treat everyone with some awesome Ben & Jerry’s ice cream on Haight Street.

Noone ever passes up some good old ice cream and that too should be on your list of things to do with kids in San Francisco.

#6 Cable Car Museum

Blondie Bear and Big Boss really enjoyed the Cable Car Museum. It’s FREE to visit and watching the large sheaves and cable line entering the building through the channel under the street alone will surely amaze your little one.

#7 Musée Mécanique

We enjoyed as a family this early 20th century arcade. The Musée Mécanique is located on Pier 45.

The games are really cheap costing anywhere from 25 cents to $1 a game. You can even get a foot massage which Blondie Bear thoroughly enjoyed.

#8 Cable Car Ride

Hop on a cable car after spending all your money at the Musée Mécanique. This will be for sure something different to try out with your kids in San Francisco. Cable cars are the emblem of San Francisco and should not be passed up. Also, it’s a nice way to visit the city with little effort.

#9 Muir Woods

Muir Woods is located about 1 hour away from San Francisco. You can hop on a ferry and then a shuttle bus to get to it and come back. Otherwise, you can grab a Uber on your way there.

Muir Woods is an absolutely gorgeous park with giant redwood trees. Also, you’ll get an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean while there. You can even make a day trip out of it.

Day Trip from San Francisco

Where can you go as part of a day trip from San Francisco?

Find out here

#10 Fish & Chips

Children’s menus in restaurants are generally plain and uneventful. That was not the case at Carlitos Crab House in Sausalito. We stopped there on our way back from Muir Woods before hopping on the ferry.

Blondie Bear had the fish and chips from the children’s menu and it was the best thing EVER. Clearly, it wasn’t some frozen crap put on a plate!

Other things to do with kids in San Francisco

Finally, there are obviously other things you can do with kids in San Francisco, but they just didn’t make Blondie Bear’s top 10 list.

If in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, pay a FREE visit to the sea lions sunbathing on the pier. However, from May to the end of July it is mating season. Therefore, there won’t be too many of them to see.

Still in the same area, work out an appetite at the Ferry building turned into a farmer’s market.

Finally, if you can’t make it to Alcatraz, hop on a ferry anyway to get to or come back from Sausalito.