San Francisco is an excellent metropolis energetic, coloration, and historical past. There isn’t any scarcity of enjoyable issues to do in San Francisco. From driving the trolley to heading again to your childhood of watching “Full Home,” there are many basic issues to do in San Francisco. Fortunately, this city is filled with allure and enjoyable, so you’ll by no means be bored as you meander the streets of this stunning metropolis.
Whether or not you’re in search of a San Francisco weekend getaway or a slower-paced week-long journey, there’s something for everybody. Maybe you’ll be able to mix it with seeing a number of the Nationwide Parks.
Irrespective of your schedule, you may make it memorable by including in a number of the high issues to do in San Francisco.
Closest Airport to San Francisco
Conveniently, the San Francisco Worldwide Airport is just about half-hour from the primary San Francisco space. All main airways fly into this widespread airport, making getting there fairly simple.
As soon as you might be there, seize a journey share (Uber, Lyft) into city, or be sure to have a reservation to hire your personal automobile.
Is San Francisco a Good Place for Children?
Typically a metropolis can have a lot “grownup” stuff. Buying, outdated buildings, schedules… San Francisco has all of this. However it additionally has so many enjoyable issues to do this youngsters will get pleasure from. So Sure, San Francisco is a good place for youths to go to, and they’ll have a good time.
That stated, locals have talked about that the quantity of homeless has soared just lately. I’m not saying homeless=unhealthy, however I do know individuals have totally different consolation ranges with actions their kids may even see on the streets. So simply one thing to remember.
What Ought to I Convey to San Francisco?
Right here are some things we have been glad we introduced, in addition to issues we ended up shopping for there!
- Raincoat- I wouldn’t say it’s excessively wet in San Francisco, however we have been glad we introduced raincoats because it did rain a bit. We visited in February when a couple of quarter of the month is moist. In summer time, it’s fairly dry.
- Hat- I purchased a hat whereas I used to be there. It was useful each when it was raining and on these stunning sunny days.
- Sweatshirt- Temperatures are fairly gentle year-round in San Francisco. That stated, it might get chilly, particularly at evening. That is one other merchandise I purchased whereas I used to be there, however avoid wasting cash by packing it forward.
- Strolling Footwear- You may Uber in every single place, however some locations we truly discovered have been means sooner to stroll. Between getting across the metropolis and coping with visitors, taking the automobile can take some time. It’s typically solely well worth the drive in case you’re going far.
- Digicam- In fact, you’ll in all probability have your telephone, however you probably have an inside photographer in you, ensure that to convey that digital camera. There are a variety of nice issues to {photograph} in San Francisco, from the long-lasting bridge to the twists and turns of Lombard Road.
Editor’s tip: Save time getting your USA eSIM earlier than touchdown in case you are touring from overseas.
The place to Keep in San Francisco
There isn’t any scarcity of accommodations in San Francisco. Relying on in case you prioritize location or luxurious, listed here are a couple of that work nice for the household.
The Wharf Inn
Affordability and placement.
This isn’t about luxurious. This place is older and it’s simply 2.5 stars. In case you are not planning on spending a lot time on the resort, this makes it some of the inexpensive choices. The workers was nice and the situation at Fisherman’s Wharf is what gained us over in the long run.
The Fairmont Heritage Place
Luxurious and Location.
This place is situated at Ghiradelli Sq., proper close to Fisherman’s Wharf. The resort is gorgeous inside and it might accommodate an enormous household with multi-room choices in a single unit.
The Alton
Affordability and placement.
Situated at Fisherman’s Wharf, this resort is sort of good contemplating it’s one of many extra inexpensive accommodations in San Francisco. You may get fortunate with a room that has a view of Alcatraz Island. Even in case you don’t, it’s solely a 10-minute stroll to the pier to hop on the ferry and see The Rock up shut.
Handlery
Affordability and Location.
For those who’re wanting to remain close to the favored Union Sq., the Handlery makes an important possibility. It’s good, however nonetheless moderately priced. Plus it has an outside pool the youngsters will love.
The 4 Seasons
Luxurious and Location.
Situated at Union Sq.. Its repute precedes it. 4 Seasons takes no shortcuts. A household of as much as 4 individuals can get by in a single room right here and benefit from the many facilities that include it.
And now to plan your lengthy weekend getaway in San Francisco with youngsters:
You may after all go to the classics just like the zoo and aquarium, however this can be a record of issues distinctive to San Francisco to see whilst you go to.
High Issues to Do in San Francisco With Children
1- Experience the Trolley
Do you know that the trolley in San Francisco is the final manually-operated cable automobile system on the planet? Yep, there are nonetheless drivers that you would be able to watch push and pull the lever to get the automobile going. Plus, the trolley is a basic piece of San Francisco that you need to soar on.
This enjoyable San Francisco expertise will set you again simply a few {dollars} per particular person. You may pay in money whenever you board, or purchase your ticket forward of time.
Discover trolley schedules and tickets right here.
2- Experience Bikes Over the Golden Gate Bridge
Bike Rental at 610 Previous Mason St
I’ll word immediately that in case your youngsters are too little to journey a motorbike, you can too convey your stroller to the pedestrian facet of the bridge and stroll over the bridge!
Cease at a motorbike rental place and seize a couple of bikes for the morning (or night). Strive Sports activities Basement, the place they’ve youngsters’ bikes, street bikes, and even e-bikes accessible. You may even hire a motorbike trailer.
After you might be equipped along with your bike and helmet, head towards the bridge for a magical journey. Being up near the construction and pedaling with the water under is sort of an expertise.
For those who’ve received an e-bike (otherwise you’re all fairly match on a daily bike), proceed up the lengthy hill whenever you get to the opposite facet of the bridge. It’s going to take you to an unbelievable lookout level of the Golden Gate Bridge.
3- Style the Recent Air at Golden Gate Seashore
Now it’s not a Miami-type of seaside that’s large, however Golden Gate Seashore is a cool little seaside space throughout from Crissy Subject. A motorbike path runs proper alongside, making it an important cease in case you’ve accomplished the bridge journey (#2).
Golden Gate Seashore is a good looking, enjoyable space the place the youngsters can run round and play with a stunning water and seaside background. The seaside space delivers an important view of the bridge any time of day. Plus it’s free to go to, making it the right approach to maintain your journey price range down.
4- Stroll Via the Japanese Tea Backyard
75 Hagiwara Tea Backyard Dr
One other nice outside, fresh-air possibility is to move to Golden Gate Park the place you’ll discover the Japanese Tea Backyard.
I hadn’t been to a Japanese Tea Backyard earlier than, so I used to be blown away by what I noticed! Extremely manicured vegetation, ponds, statues, bridges, buildings… it was no bizarre backyard!
The Japanese Tea Backyard is a enjoyable family-friendly factor to do in San Francisco. The children will love discovering the totally different options of the backyard, flowers, and vegetation. There are enjoyable photograph ops (these wooden individuals footage that you just put your face in) and you may even get pleasure from tea on the tea home.
You should buy tickets upfront right here.
Bonus: For those who’d like extra nature and gardens, head to the Botanic Gardens, additionally situated in Golden Gate Park.
5- Dig into Historical past at Alcatraz
Ferry entry at Pier 33
Bought a historical past fan within the household? You may take a ferry out to Alcatraz, the previous residence of a high-security jail for individuals corresponding to Al Capone.
The tour contains an audio tour, which you’ll choose up there or you’ll be able to obtain the app as soon as you might be on the island and use your earbuds. It’s narrated by one of many jail’s former officers. The tour is filled with tales of life on the island as an inmate, but in addition because the individuals and households who labored and lived on the island.
Whereas the audio tour is extra geared towards adults, youngsters will nonetheless benefit from the ferry journey over, the attractive grounds, and even attending to stroll via an outdated jail. Sure, Alcatraz is beneficial for youths, even by the Nationwide Parks Service.
The tour lasts roughly an hour and is self-paced.
Seize your ferry and tour tickets right here.
6- Sweeten Up at Ghiradelli Sq.
900 N Level St
Sweet Sweet Sweet! However that is sweet the adults will like, too.
What higher factor to do in San Francisco with youngsters than head to Ghiradelli Sq. and eat a bunch of chocolate?
Ghiradelli Sq. shouldn’t be removed from Fisherman’s Wharf. Head right here on the finish of an extended, fun-filled day when the lights have lit up the plaza and a big “Ghiradelli” signal welcomes you with its lights.
Then head inside one of many entrances to find that there are far more flavors and forms of Ghiradelli than you ever knew.
Make sure that to purchase a lot of chocolate and take it residence and maintain your personal chocolate tasting that will help you keep in mind your go to to the magical Ghiradelli Sq..
7- Go to the Walt Disney Household Museum
104 Montgomery St
Do your youngsters like Disney? I assumed so.
Take a stroll via Disney historical past on the Walt Disney Household Museum. Right here you’ll discover galleries that take you from the start of Walt Disney’s journey to the large success he’s recognized for at this time.
From sketches on paper to the creation of giant theme parks, youngsters and adults will benefit from the familiarity of this Disney cease.
8- Gaze on the Palace of Nice Arts
3601 Lyon St
This cease is fast, nevertheless it’s fairly spectacular! This was slightly gem we didn’t find out about, however our Uber driver thought we’d get pleasure from it. And we did! That is the right factor to do in San Francisco with youngsters for slightly contemporary air in a grand place.
The Palace of Nice Arts was initially in-built 1915 to show artwork. The unique palace was destroyed within the ’60s and solely the exhibit corridor construction stays.
It’s a grand website to stroll into and you may nonetheless benefit from the tall dome and large columns that also stand at this time. And it’s all outdoor to stroll via, so youngsters can benefit from the contemporary air and run round (so long as there aren’t too many individuals, after all).
9- Get a Little Dizzy on Lombard Road
Views from Lombard Road
Speak about a decent flip! Lombard Road is legendary for the 8 tight turns it takes happening over the course of 1 block.
You may drive to Lombard Road in your automobile or take a taxi in case you’d prefer to expertise the turns. In any other case, there’s a good staircase that goes up alongside the loopy part the place you’ll be able to watch the vehicles drive down like marbles in a monitor: again, and forth.
10- Have a Enjoyable Meals Expertise in San Francisco
San Francisco shouldn’t be quick on nice meals and typically it’s enjoyable to stroll round and pattern meals elsewhere. Listed below are a couple of areas to move to for excellent eats:
- Fisherman’s Wharf– stuffed with nice seafood and nice surroundings. Fisherman’s Wharf is correct on the water and stuffed with each meals stalls to order from and eating places to sit down down at.
San Francisco’s Chinatown
- Chinatown– discover one thing distinctive in Chinatown, like Magical Ice Cream or Dragon’s Breath. If nothing else, it’s actually enjoyable to observe these distinctive objects be made.
- Little Italy– for scrumptious, genuine Italian meals, you’ll want to move to Little Italy. Filled with pasta, pizza, and extra. Plus, don’t miss the good desserts and pastries.
Learn additionally: Greatest foodie locations within the USA
11- View Sea Lions Basking within the Solar on Pier 39
Pier 39
Pier 39
Head to Pier 39 the place you’ll almost certainly see loads of sea lions taking their afternoon sunbath. The water has loads of little floating docks the place these giants take up residence. San Francisco involves life for the youngsters as they watch sea lions sunbathe, swim, and work together with one another.
12- Go to the Painted Women
Adults will keep in mind rising up watching Full Home, so this cease will appear acquainted. There’s a row of homes on the east facet of Alamo Sq. Park that sit on a hill reverse a big grassy park. This row is known as The Painted Women. It’s not essentially due to the colours, however as a result of the kinds of the homes are Queen Ann Victorian model.
They’re painted pastel and have stunning balconies and porches, stunning sufficient for a postcard. Which is definitely how they acquired one other nickname: Postcard Row.
You may admire the properties, however you’ll be able to’t tour them. They’re inhabited by locals fortunate sufficient to have snagged them.
Wrapping up: High Issues to Do in San Francisco with Children
The 12 issues above would make lots to do for an extended weekend in San Francisco with youngsters, pals, or household. I extremely counsel driving a motorbike throughout the Golden Gate Bridge, as this is among the most memorable experiences.
Then, simply fill your itinerary with the historical past of Alcatraz, the sweetness of chocolate, and discovering flavors of China and Italy on the town.
No matter what you select, this metropolis on the bay can be a enjoyable expertise for everybody.
Preserve studying:
Megan is a mother of 4 youngsters they usually all love touring! They’ve been touring since they received married and discovered learn how to maintain going as soon as youngsters got here into the image. They attempt to journey as a lot as they will, which suggests holding to a decrease price range. Megan loves writing about family-friendly locations and experiences to maintain these bonds sturdy, uncover the world, and find out about locations far and close to.