1 to 2 hours TIME TO SPEND The Golden Gate Bridge's vaulting, orange arches amidst the rocky seascape of the San Francisco Bay have made it one of the West Coast's most enduring symbols and the. With its scenic parks and unique cultural experiences, San Francisco has much to offer for kids and adults alike. Things to do in San Francisco this weekend - SFGATE In the 1970s, the Castro was home to Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay public official and one of the first in the U.S. His steadfast efforts in the gay rights movement not only earned him the title the "Mayor of Castro Street," but his political efforts helped put San Francisco at the forefront of the gay rights movement. Travelers flock here to snap photos of the bridge, however, if you're looking to catch some rays or get your feet wet, you should go elsewhere: Swimming at Baker Beach is dangerous due to large waves, undertow and rip currents, and the city's fickle weather means it's not always warm enough for sunbathing. By susieQ304. And though the high price of admission might turn some off, many agree that the experience is worth the price. You enter through Dragon Gate and start experiencing 24 blocks of pure entertainment. Take plenty of pictures with your youngsters while enjoying endless 360-degree views of San Francisco. Its a lovely place for a walk too thanks to the beautiful California coastal weather. The baths were demolished in 1964, then further destroyed by a fire in 1966, leaving the structure that travelers can visit today. Apart from riding the elevator, you should also be on the lookout for murals at the base of the tower. The USS Pampanito holds numerous educational and engaging programs throughout the year for families with kids of various ages. Many guided tours also stop here. If they are inclined towards arts, maybe theyd want to play-act being a rockstar in the studio. 46 Best Things to Do in San Francisco in 2023 - Time Out If you want a little exercise, head to the adult fitness equipment area. While the road runs from east to west for the length of the city, the portion between Hyde andLeavenworth streets is the section worth exploring. More than 9 million visitors ride the cable cars each year, and according to recent travelers, it's easy to see why. Yosemite and Giant Sequoias offer breathtaking natural beauty that will leave you in awe, especially the old and giant sequoias. Will teenagers and tweens enjoy this attraction? 10 Best Things to Do in Jamestown, CA Top Activities & Places to Go! Each of these boats can fit about six people and you can spend the time spotting birds and perhaps a turtle, if youre lucky. Theres an amazing carousel which was originally built in 1914 and has over 50 animal figures on it. Things To Do In San Francisco This Weekend: June 9-11, 2023 They give you a peek into life in California during the Depression. Like any city, San Francisco offers so much more than its iconic landmarks. You should keep an eye out for porpoises. The childrens book section is pretty great. Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend | Eventbrite Page Content Events this weekend in San Francisco, CA 1 filter applied This weekend Clear All Foodwise Summer Bash Sunday 5:30 PM San Francisco Ferry Building Stern Grove Festival: Anglique Kidjo with Jupiter & Okwess Sunday 2:00 PM At this family-friendly attraction, you can look through various exhibits. The top of this iconic road boasts stellar views and travelers enjoyed walking the picturesque, but short street (some opting to drive on return visit). Caviar extravaganzas, a wine and food festival in Napa, the annual Foodwise Summer Bash, a Bastille Day Festival on. Theres exotic shops, food markets, small museums and even temples here. There are tables, grills and more available at the east end of the parking lot. Is it easily accessible by public transportation? Mission Dolores Park Dog Park San Francisco, CA Marina Green San Francisco, CA McLaren Park San Francisco, CA Lands End Beach Off-Leash Dog Area San Francisco, CA Lands End Trail San Francisco, CA Alta Plaza Dog Play Areas San Francisco, CA Great Meadow Park at Fort Mason San Francisco, CA Upper Douglass Dog Play Area The San Francisco Giants have been calling this stadium home since 2000, playing host to multiple World Series games. The remodeled Randall Museum has a new STEM lab (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) lab. Irivne UM Church. The unmissable Castro Theatre, situated along the neighborhood's main drag, is another neighborhood gem and a registered San Francisco Historic Landmark. Prepare to kick back and have a good time. The property also houses the historic 1906 LeRoy King Carousel, which has called several West Coast cities home before opening at this museum. If youre wondering where to take kids in San Francisco, this is a place you want to at least consider. Remnants of the long gone hippie culture endure, including the former Grateful Dead house at 710 Ashbury St., and the Jefferson Airplane house at 2400 Fulton St. Theres also a grassy area where you can bring a picnic and have a good time. Here is a suggested list of 26 weekend activities not to be missed in San Francisco: Picture Perfect: 8 Hotels With Views Of The Golden Gate Bridge 10 Best Food Tours In San Francisco, California 7 Best Two-Bedroom Hotels In San Francisco, California - Updated 2023 1. One of the parks largest areas, the Golden Gate Meadow, is a popular spot for families for picnics, kite-flying and other outdoor activities. With its engaging exhibits and educational programs, the California Academy of Sciences is a fantastic alternative to Golden Gate Park Segway Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise. And you can also enjoy the peaceful environment as you visit the giant sequoias. While New York City's Chinatown tends to take center stage in the U.S., San Francisco's Chinatown is just as much of a star. The Morrison Planetarium is known for its 75-foot-diameter screen, which plays "Tour of the Universe" shows daily. Along Upper Haight, youll find flamboyant clothing shops, piercing and tattoo parlors, and hip restaurants. 37 is the best bus route (picks up from Market Street). Next is the Koret Childrens Quarter which has concrete slides, a playground and climbing walls for the kids. The garden is also home to a 9,000-pound Lantern of Peace, a gift given to the United States by Japan after World War II and meant to symbolize friendship between the two countries. How to spend a perfect weekend in San Francisco - Lonely Planet Today, the attraction welcomes more than one million visitors per year. It has a lovely lawn area, an outdoor stage and also a performance space. 1) CT Colombian Fest 2023. Read more An email you'll actually love Get. The reception will be held June 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. Come dressed in costume and ready to run the parade one more time! Leilani Osmundson, Digital Producer. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Fairmont San Francisco, 1201 Mason StSan Francisco, CA 94108(415) 474-1887Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. 74. Golden Gate BridgeSan Francisco, CA 94016(415) 921-5858Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. It is located on the historic waterfront of Pier 39 and offers a ton of marine life for people of all ages to explore. Travelers can walk along each direction of Lombard Street, or opt to drive down it instead. San Francisco's Chinatown hosts one of the largest Asian communities outside of Asia, and is considered one the oldest in North America. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. Here are 41 fun activities in San Francisco with kids. This open-air museum is concentrated in the Mission District. Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Langham, Boston. Additionally, I have listed the top attractions according to age compatibility, educational value, fun factor, and more. Things to Do in San Francisco - Tripadvisor 10 Fun Things to Do in San Francisco from $5 | Expedia Also See:What to Do in Sacramento with KidsThings to Do in Berkeley, CA with Kids, West Pacific Avenue & Spruce StSan Francisco, CA 94118(415) 292-2004Visit WebsiteOpen in Google Maps. This is a great place to get an in-depth understanding of science for yourself and the tots. Saturday 8:00 PM. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the XV Beacon Hotel in Boston. Hundreds of gingerbread sticks come together with royal icing on top of the gingerbread house which is filled with hundreds of pounds of candy. My kids were awestruck their eyes wide, mouths open in surprise. Located in Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden offers visitors a slice of tranquility in a busy city. Gardens and accessible cliff walks border the meadow, which also offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the bay and the Marin Headlands. Accessibility: This measures how accessible the activity is for families. Do not call the city San Fran or Frisco. There is never a shortage of great things to do on The San Francisco Peninsula! This is a two-story gingerbread house in a hotel lobby. The Embarcadero is filled with hands-on exhibits that let children experience walking into a tornado and build electrical circuits on their own. 20 Free Things to Do in San Francisco | U.S. News Travel Stunning natural beauty and stunning landscapes, Expensive entrance fees and accommodations, Limited time to explore the bay or specific attractions, A memorable and thrilling way to explore the park. Adults report feeling just as excited and amazed at the galleries and exhibits as kids. This is on the northern side of the Golden Gate Park and it is home to the San Francisco Model Yacht Club which is filled with enthusiasts sailing their models for an endless amount of time. Getting to Union Square via public transportation is much easier than driving. This is no ordinary museum and thats what makes it click. Thats the gist of Gingerbread Victorian at the Fairmont San Francisco. There are photos, mechanical displays and also a shop where you can get souvenirs. You will find the likes of three-masted cargo ships and paddle steamboats docked here. This Mall offers a Few Chain restaurants, food court, Cinema and a wide variety of stores. Though cable cars are seldom used by locals (due in part to their small travel network and high fare), tourists flock to them in droves. Experience the thrill of sailing through the San Francisco Bay Cruise. Explore our outdoors and immerse yourself in one of our beautiful parks or take a stroll on the beach on our coast side. Apart from the views, your whole family will also have the opportunity to see marine wildlife up close. This waterfront neighborhood features a laundry list of things to do, as well as a few popular San Francisco sites. The kids squealed with delight as playful dolphins surfaced near our boat. The tower was completed in 1933, while artists painted the murals around its base (and repainted them due to some illustrations containing communist imagery) in 1934. Here are five scenic swings in the Bay Area to release your inner child. Theres interactive sculptures for the children to play with and mom and dad can relax while enjoying a lovely view of Mount Tamalpais or the Golden Gate Bridge. It is highly underrated but is one of the citys oldest parks. You will be amazed by the parks beauty as you maneuver your Segway through lush gardens, serene lakes, and towering redwood trees. We independently evaluate all recommended services and products. If you want the best views of San Francisco, take a hike to Twin Peaks. Also, keep in mind that fog shrouds the shore during the late spring and summer, while the sunniest months are September and October. Its the first all-paperback bookstore in the country and is also where the Beat movement originated. And when traveling with family, this is the kind of place you want to go to because there is a lot of stuff to do with children. Pier 39 is a magnificent family-oriented shopping center and tourist hotspot that opened its doors to the public in October 1978 atop a bayfront pier. San Francisco is renowned for its diverse culture and rich history. The Upper Terrace Garden and the Sister City Gardens, which include plants from San Francisco's 18 sister cities from around the world, are where visitors will find the area's cafes and most of its seating. Enjoy music from Don Neely's Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, a live radio play, tours of Radio Central, and . Does it teach them lessons in science and history? Theres nothing like this anywhere nearby. Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend | Eventbrite Just blocks away, travelers will find everything from Neiman Marcus to Sephora. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Stanyan Park Hotel, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrSan Francisco, CA 94118(415) 750-3600Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. The Museum of the American Railroad. Theres a four-story, domed rainforest which has animals from three different ecosystems. 5 Fun Things To Do In San Francisco This Weekend: July 14-16 Don't miss the best events, activities, and things to do this weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can also sign up for a camp all through the summer. It is the last manually operated cable car system in the world, welcoming roughly 5.7 million passengers annually, making it one of the most popular attractions in the city. This museum, or as it refers to itself, "a learning laboratory," features 600 hands-on exhibits that cover a plethora of subject matter, such as engineering, psychology, geography and biology. Its a popular choice among those who like picnics. If you take the elevator, you can head to the observation tower and get a stunning view of the city. This fine arts museum is a great place to spend the day at. Why settle for the standard dinner and a movie when you could try out one of these unique date ideas? Check out this one-day itinerary for all the must-see San Francisco sights. 6. Though the Exploratorium appears as if it's designed for kids, travelers say it's a great attraction for all ages. Its an experience your entire family will cherish for a long time to come. Top 5 Most Popular Events Sat, Jul 15: SF's 112th Annual Hayes Valley Carnival (2023) Sat, Jul 15: SF's 2023 Annual Bastille Day Festival (CANCELED) Sat, Jul 15: SF's "Summer of Music" 70+ Free Concerts in Nine Neighborhoods (Saturdays) Sat, Jul 15: "Joe Bataan + La Doa" Free Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Concert 34 Top-Rated Things to Do in San Francisco | U.S. News Travel The square also acts as a park, outfitted with small grassy spaces and palm trees. 39 Coit Tower bus. The Mission is also a great neighborhood for getting away from the heavily visited tourist attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf, plus it's a popular stop on many of the city's best walking tours. 3400-3416 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110. From the Pacific to the Bay, theres a sandy stretch for every beach-going style. The grounds nearby have a meadow, a lagoon and sitting areas too for when you need to catch your breath. The conservatory offers visitors a look at a plethora of vibrantly colored blooms and a chance to learn more about the nearly2,000 species of plants that call the conservatory home. The Ferry Building Marketplace is a public food market that features a variety of food stalls that act as small restaurants, snack stops and grocery stores. The Golden Gate Park Segway Tour will take you through one of San Franciscos most iconic attractions in an exciting way. The 10 best weekend getaways from San Francisco. Formore information on Union Square, visit the attraction's, Located in the northwestern corner of San Francisco, Ocean Beach separates attractions like the San Francisco Zoo and. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero, 3601 Lyon StSan Francisco, CA 94123(415) 886-1374Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. Yerba Buena Island - Find a nice place to sit and appreciate the serenity that comes with being close to the water. It served as a United States Naval Reserve training ship and is now a historical landmark, memorial ship, and museum. It's a fun experience for kids of all ages. Union Square is pretty well-known, however, for its shopping, with many calling the area a "shoppers paradise." and the neighboring Marin Headlands. So, sit back and relax as you discover the fun things to do in San Francisco with kids below. Don't let rain dampen your San Francisco visit. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Holiday Inn Express Mill Valley Sausalito Area, an IHG Hotel, The EmbarcaderoSan Francisco, CA 94133(415) 705-5500 Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. It is by far our favorite thing we did while we were there and we would highly recommend you make the time to visit. 30 or No. It opened in 2000 with a capacity of more than 40,000. Dog Friendly Activities in San Francisco, CA - BringFido Recommended Hotel Nearby: Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa, Related: Best Family Hotels in San Francisco, Pier 41San Francisco, CA 94133(415) 885-9866Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. Getting to Union Square via public transportation is much easier than driving. Similarly, the park's iconic Cliff House was destroyed twice by fire, but it was rebuilt each time. Related: Fun Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids, 45 PierSan Francisco, CA 94133(415) 775-1943 Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. To give you a better visual, imagine 45 six-foot-tall individuals stacked on top of each other. As you glide along the bay, pass by Alcatraz Island, getting a glimpse of the former federal prison and learning about its intriguing history. It is roughly 30 minutes away from San Francisco, offering the perfect break from city life without having to drive long hours. In 1905, the city purchased the land and created the park. And consider the limitations of each attraction so that you will be prepared. Theres a boathouse that is kid friendly but also serves alcohol. Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend | Eventbrite This is a tourist hotspot and for good reason. No, it's not a film festival celebrating all things Anna and Elsa, but it is one of the top 25 coolest film . What better exemplifies California's dramatic landscape than sky-high redwood trees? There are two giant windmills in the vicinity which will grab the little ones attention. Union Square is pretty well-known, however, for its shopping, with many calling the area a "shoppers paradise." For the little ones, theres a rope swing and a dog park for our canine buddies. The cliffs are steep and they meet the shoreline making for a perfect landscape to take in. Is it wheelchair accessible? This famous attraction was featured in many TV shows, like Mission: Impossible and the Game of Thrones. I rate these activities based on the following criteria: San Francisco can be considered family-friendly, offering a variety of activities and attractions suitable for all ages. Wear comfortable shoes as you get ready for a fun-filled day at Pier 39. The park encompasses multiple historic sites, monuments, multiple trails and a shoreline labyrinth with excellent views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend | Eventbrite 680 Point Lobos AveSan Francisco, CA 94121Visit WebsiteOpen in Google Maps. Recent travelers also say visitors should allot extra time to hike the roughly 6-mile perimeter loop, which offers excellent views of the water and is relatively easy. Regardless of the time you arrive, travelers say there is so much to see and do, you could easily spend a whole day there. Located a few hours east of San Francisco, it is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, iconic granite cliffs, pristine waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. It opened in October 2009 and is located within three historic buildings along Montgomery Street. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Infinity Hotel SF, Ascend Hotel Collection, 55 Music Concourse DrSan Francisco, CA 94118(415) 379-8000Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps.