6 of the Best Places to Visit in San Francisco, California with kids
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San Francisco Tour with Kids
During a couple different summer vacations, we made our way to San Francisco to enjoy the beautiful city backdrop. Discover this family-friendly getaway in San Francisco, California! Explore the iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, scenic views, and kid friendly attractions by the bay. Join us as we explore the top kid-friendly attractions and more. This city is so full of life and although it is a smaller city, there is a lot to do. A few of the best places to visit in San Francisco with kids.
Full House house
Pier 39
Iconic Golden Gate Bridge standing tall over the bay area
Umbrella Alley
Aquarium of the Bay - get up close and personal with marine life
Bike rentals to explore the city
1. Full House House
Our first stop was at the Full House house. I remember watching Full House as a child and enjoyed watching the three girls navigate normal childhood challenges and how their love helped bond them as sisters. This show was set in San Francisco and followed the life of a dad raising his three daughters with the help of his family. Their family had such a close bond and each girl’s different personality gave young girls watching the show the chance to relate to someone else. This show aired from 1987 to 1995.
As my children were growing up, Fuller House came out and gave us the opportunity to watch this sequel show together. Fuller House shows two of the three girls from Full House as adults still supporting each other through the trials of adulthood and motherhood. The show wouldn’t be complete without their good friend and childhood neighbor Kimmy Gibbler. She has such a quirky style and ditzy attitude which makes her so unique and a good contribution to the show. Together, the show provides another glimpse at the beloved characters from the original show and adding a few new ones. My kids really enjoyed that TV show and it offers a variety of fun for all viewers.
At the Full House house we were able to park on the side street and get out and take our picture in front of the house. REMEMBER: Do not disturb the house occupants as it is a private family residence.
Address: 1709 Broderick St, San Francisco
Located 15 minutes from Pier 39.
Full House house below (picture taken 2019)
2. Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf
Pier 39 provides the opportunity to explore a famous stop along San Francisco’s Bay. This waterfront destination offers a diverse array of attractions and activities. This iconic landmark features stunning views of the bay, lively sea lions basking on floating docks, and a vibrant atmosphere filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. There is so much to do in this area, you could spend a few hours, or spend the night and explore the area for a couple of days.
You can stroll along the pier and view the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco skyline.
Food lovers will enjoy the diverse dining options ranging from seafood dishes to international cuisine and local specialties. Then spend some time shopping at the unique shops and boutiques, perfect area to find your next souvenir or one-of-a-kind gifts.
Pier 39 Address: Beach Street & The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Pier 39 Hours: Full services restaurants open 11am to 9pm, retail stores 10am to 8pm, fast food 10am to 8pm, attractions 11am to 9pm
Parking at Pier 39
The Pier 39 parking garage is located across the street from the main entrance. The garage is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. No overnight parking is allowed. Online parking reservations are cheaper and can be made online. Online rates are discounted to $20 for a full day during the weekday or $25 for a full day during the weekend. Maximum vehicle height in the parking garage is 6’8”.
OR
$10 hour on weekday (up to $50) or $12 hour on weekends (up to $60) if paid at the garage. Participating restaurants will validate 1 hour of free parking. Let server know when you order. These restaurants will validate parking: (2023) Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Crab House, Eagle Cafe, Fog Harbor Fish House, Hard Rock Cafe, Lorenzo’s Pizzeria, Luau Lounge Tiki Bar, Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, Players Sports Grill & Arcade, Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood Restaurant, Taco Cantina and Wipeout Bar & Grill.
Amenities at Pier 39
Shopping throughout 2 stories (souvenirs, clothing, store brand items, cups/mugs, candy, San Francisco memorabilia, sunglasses, key chains, jewelry, food and so much more), restaurants (coffee corner, bakery, hot pretzels, tacos, full-service restaurants overlooking the bay, cafe, pizza, cookies, and so much more)
Attractions and excursions at Pier 39
Sailing, 7D experience, Bay Plunge, Aquarium, boat rides, bike rentals and tours, escape rooms, mirror maze, whale tours, sea lion viewing, arcade, carousal, whale tours, street performers & musician, wine tasting, and more
We ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co while visiting this area. The food here was great and the service was good as well. We did have about a 45-minute wait to get seated.
I loved that the restaurants had menus outside their door with their prices so you could decide if they fit into your budget before you sat down at the table. There is so much to do in this area as noted above in the attractions section.
Map of Pier 39
I just love the view of the buildings in the background in the above picture. It is cold walking on the pier due to the ocean breeze so don’t forget your jacket. My son who is hardly ever cold bought a sweatshirt to wear while there! We visited in the summer months both times, and it is cool by the bay.
ALCATRAZ AND GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE GUIDED TOUR + BIKE RENTAL
3. Golden Gate Bridge
Our next stop was to visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge that suspends across the Golden Gate Strait, connecting the city of Marin County. With its distinctive orange color, the bridge is a symbol of architectural beauty and sees 10 million visitors a year. The bridge stretches 1.7 miles across the water, providing breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island. Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world and it was fun to be on this iconic part of San Francisco’s Bay area. Don’t miss out on visiting this iconic bridge when visiting San Francisco. Outside the Welcome Center provides the opportunity for hands on learning about how the bridge was built and how long the process took to complete.
Walking across Golden Gate Bridge
On our second visit we took time to walk on this iconic bridge for an exhilarating view of the surrounding skyline. There is a large pedestrian walkway on the eastern side of the bridge allowing visitors to walk or ride their bikes above the waters below. It is FREE to walk the bridge.
Thursdays and Sundays you can take part in a free guided walking tour of the bridge at 11:00am. Meet at the Strauss statue in the visitor plaza.
Tolls
Tolls are collected on the southbound lane only as you cross the Golden Gate Bridge. No stopping to pay, as there are several ways to pay online. Prices vary from 2 axel at $8.80 to 6 axels at $52.80.
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
The Welcome Center is open 9am to 6pm daily. The Welcome Center provides information on the bridge history and merchandise you can purchase as a souvenir. Hiking, walking, biking, tours are all available at this location. There are parking meters in order to park in this area.
Equator Coffee
This coffee shop is located next to the Welcome Center. This cute coffee shop sells coffee, hot and cold lattes, baked goods and more for you to enjoy as you take in the surrounding views of San Francisco. Find their menu online.
Updated pictures of Golden Gate Bridge. We were able to visit this location again in 2022.
This double decker bus makes 16 different stops allowing you to get off and one while you tour each location. Book online to reserve a spot.
4. Umbrella Alley
Visiting Umbrella Alley was the newest place we visited during our last trip to San Francisco and provides a unique opportunity to see local artist displays in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood. In this narrow alleyway, there are several interactive murals you can stop at and enjoy while you take Instagram worthy pictures. The local artists showcase their creativity throughout this interactive display. This alley provides lots of color and a unique way to see San Francisco from its colorful umbrellas suspended overhead to other playful touches in this bustling vibrant atmosphere.
Address: 757 Beach Street, San Francisco along Fisherman’s Wharf. Located next to Ghirardelli Square which does have some parking.
Hours: Winter 10:30am to sunset most days, Spring/Summer 10am to 6pm daily
No parking at this location, only in the surrounding area.
This attraction is FREE to visit but there is a box to add your donations if you desire. The suggested donation is $5 per adult and $3 per children. Venmo donations accepted: alley-artists
Instagram: @umbrellaalleysf
There are multiple tours to help you explore this city. Don’t know where to go or what to see within the area? Throughout this blog post, I have added a few guided tours to make your San Francisco tour more enjoyable. All of these activities are kid friendly.
Sail across San Francisco Bay at twilight to admire the city skyline as it begins to light up for the night. With your captain, you’ll glide past Alcatraz Island and cruise underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Prices start at $80 per person.
5. Aquarium of the Bay
This Aquarium of the Bay is home to over 200 species and 24,000 local marine animals. There are several interactive areas for kids to explore and some hands-on animal encounters. Get excited as you stroll through the tunnel and experience sharks, rays, and more souring above you. Daily animal encounters occur between 1pm-3pm.
Address: Pier 39 Embarcadero & Beach St, San Francisco
Hours: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Sunday. Closed Christmas Day. Early closure on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
Cost: Adults $32.75, child (age 4-12) $22.75, Senior $27.75, under 3 is free (2024 prices)
Book your VIP tour that includes behind the scenes look at the aquarium, early entry and up-close encounters with the animals.
Aquarium of the Bay
(photo by Aquarium of the Bay)
6. San Franciso Bike Rentals
A great way to see the city is to rent bikes to explore the area on your own time with this full-day bike rental. Rental includes everything you need from the bike, helmet, lock, map, and basket. Kids will love the opportunity to explore this beautiful city along the bay, taking time to stop and rest at each scenic destination.
Or bring your own bike to explore the area at your own pace.
Meeting point: 765 Beach St, San Francisco
Cost: Prices start at $21.73
Rent a bike to see the city and/or ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. (photo by Unlimited Biking)
Discover the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada on this full-day trip to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. Enjoy the natural wonders like Yosemite Falls and the granite cliffs of Half Dome and El Capitan.
Check out VRBO to book the perfect place to stay while in the San Francisco area.
Exploring San Francisco with kids is an adventure filled with excitement. These six destinations offer unforgettable experiences for the whole family. From visiting the Golden Gate Bridge to Pier 39, this interactive fun will provide something to do for everyone. We truly enjoyed our time here and we enjoy trying something new each time we visit. Take time to be together as a family and create memories at this family friendly attraction. Our kids grow up so fast!
What is your favorite thing to do in San Francisco? Comment below.
Enjoy the Journey,
About the author: Jennifer
I’m just a girl who loves to travel. My favorite travels have been traveling across the US in a campervan, visiting all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, marking National Parks off my list, & many smaller trips. I love to share my adventures to inspire others to travel more. If you can dream it, you can do it! Want the whole story?
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