San Francisco stole my heart in the year 2000. It was a brief visit, but it had a lasting impact. Several months later, with a work visa in hand, I packed up my life into two suitcases, said goodbye to family and friends in London, and crossed the Atlantic. The rest, as they say, is history.
I sometimes get asked why I chose San Francisco as my home. It is a surprisingly difficult question to answer. You see my decision was based more on a gut feeling than any one thing in particular. It is like when you meet your mate. You just know deep down that you are meant to be together. Of course, these days, my life is very different from when I arrived in the Golden City. I have two energetic boys that need space to roam. Hence, I now live in the suburbs of the East Bay. However, my heart still flutters every time I cross the Bay Bridge and see the San Francisco skyline. And, over the years, I’ve loved showing San Francisco to my kids.
One thing that I’ve learned though, is you need to counterbalance your own interests with those of your children. That applies to any destination that you visit as a family. Simply showing them something that is meaningful or fascinating to you often won’t cut it. And, as my boys have gotten older, I’ve personally had to get more creative with activities. This is why I’ve come up with a 10 adventurous ways to visit San Francisco with kids list. I hope that you find it helpful as you plan your own family vacation to San Francisco.
1. Segway Golden Gate Park
First, this activity is NOT one of those Segway group tours that you sometimes see in tourist hot spots. No, I’m talking about renting a Segway to see San Francisco on your own steam. That is what Golden Gate Park Segway offers.
It is the only company licensed to rent Segways in San Francisco without requiring a guided tour. All you have to do is figure out where you want to go and start cruising. And, if you want to stop at a point of interest, just use the lock provided and take as much time as you need. The only rule is that you must follow existing bike paths and lanes. Also, your child must be age 8 or older.
Now, for someone who has fallen off her son’s hoverboard several times, I have to confess I was a little nervous about my ability to ride a Segway. Yet it proved to be reassuringly easy to use. And a quick tutorial in the shop had me feeling comfortable within minutes. Equally important, there was no obligation or commitment to rent. If you don’t feel confident in your capabilities, you can walk away – no charge.
On our visit we chose to Segway the Golden Gate Park. Mainly because it seemed like an efficient way to see everything inside this massive National Historic Landmark. Plus, the park is only a couple of blocks away from Golden Gate Park Segway. My kids truly loved the experience of sightseeing their way through the park; down to the Pacific Ocean and back. I can honestly say a Segway rental is a great kid-approved activity for San Francisco.
2. Climb Coit Tower
Another iconic San Francisco landmark worthy of a visit is Coit Tower. Not only is it cool to look at from the ground, but the observation deck up above offers 360-degree views of the city and surrounding bay. And you don’t have to climb very many stairs to get to the top either. Access to the observation deck is mostly by elevator. (In my book, tiny old elevators count as an adventurous way to visit San Francisco).
Afterward, make your way down Telegraph Hill, toward Washington Square and the North Beach neighborhood. Here, in Little Italy, you’ll find some of the best pizza the city has to offer.
3. Bike the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge
When people think of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge often comes to mind. And there is good reason. Aside from being a symbol of what can be accomplished during an economic depression, the bridge, with its “international orange” paint job, looks unlike any other. It also remains one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
One of the best ways to see San Francisco’s famous 1.7-mile-long bridge with kids is by bike. Cyclists have unlimited and free access to both the east and west walkways. Which side you use just depends on the time of day. For instance, on weekends, bicyclists must travel along the western walkway.
For kids, the route is safe and flat – other than one small hill right before you get onto the bridge. There is also a handrail barrier that separates bikes and pedestrians from cars, as well as restrooms at both ends. The closest bike shop to the bridge is Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rentals. Renting from here, instead of Fisherman’s Wharf, will eliminate your pint sized mini-me having to ride up hills, and will also shorten the overall distance. And for little ones, baby seats and trailers are also available to rent.
4. Speed Over San Francisco Bay
Most people visiting San Francisco have heard of the Blue & Gold Fleet. These ferries transport tourists and locals to and from various destinations, including Sausalito, Tiburon, and Angel Island. However, you may not be aware of another boat that they own; the aptly named RocketBoat.
The RocketBoat is an adrenaline pumping ride comparable to the airboats that we’ve ridden in Florida. Only instead of flying across the Everglades, you are zipping across San Francisco Bay. And getting soaked in the process. The “tour”, which takes you under the Oakland Bay Bridge toward Oracle Park (formerly AT&T Park), lasts about 45 minutes and departs from Pier 39. For thrill seekers it is worth every penny.
5. Ride a San Francisco Cable Car
This one may seem obvious, but you can’t go to San Francisco without having your kids ride one of the city’s famous cable cars. Not only is it quintessential San Francisco, but kids love the feeling of going up and down San Francisco’s many hills. To them, cable cars are like a roller coaster ride. Just make sure you hold on tight and keep hands and arms inside the cable car if you are sitting along the outside. For older kids you can have them ride standing on the footboard.
In terms of routes, I highly recommend taking the Powell/Hyde Street line, from either Fisherman’s Wharf or Market Street, so that you can stop off at the Cable Car Museum. Here your kids can learn about the history of San Francisco’s cable car system and how it works, as well as see antique cable cars from the 1870’s. You can also watch San Francisco’s cables in action, as they run over pulleys inside the museum before going underground into the street.
6. Catch a Home Run
My family are diehard San Francisco Giants fans. This is mostly because my husband and I met during Giants Spring Training in Scottsdale, Arizona, 17 years ago. Since then, we’ve gone on to celebrate three World Series Titles (2010, 2012 and 2014). It should therefore come as no surprise that I am including a plug here to see a Giants game live and in person.
Some of the cheapest tickets at Oracle Park are for the bleachers (sections 136-142). The downside is that these benches aren’t particularly comfortable, and they are also exposed to the elements. If you do choose to sit here, make sure you bring sunscreen, raincoats, or jackets, depending on the weather forecast. However, you are relatively close to the Fan Lot, where your kids can burn off steam on some cool slides. And the view of the game isn’t that bad either.
One other consideration to take into account, before you purchase tickets, is to try and time your visit with a Sunday game. This is because kids can run the bases after day games on Sundays. They can also collect autographs after batting practice.
Lastly, if you don’t think your child can make it through an entire game, try a different take on appreciating the sport. Back in 2004, for Barry Bond’s 700th homerun, my husband was photographed in a kayak, behind the park, by USA Today. He was there to try and catch the record-breaking ball if it flew over the stadium into McCovey Covey. Sadly, for him, that didn’t happen. However, we’ve since rented kayaks from nearby City Kayak. Who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky and catch a ball that has been hit out of the ballpark.
7. Go on a Crazy Slide
Speaking of slides, there are a few thrilling slides dotted around San Francisco. One of my kids’ favorites is the Seward concrete slides in the Castro neighborhood. There is no way that a slide like this would ever be built in San Francisco today, but it is absolutely perfect for adventurous kids. All you need is some cardboard to sit on, a pair of long pants, and away you go.
Other cool slides in San Francisco include another concrete slide in Golden Gate Park at the Koret Children’s Playground (see the map link in #1 above), and the 35-foot aluminum slides at Esmeralda Mini Park in the Bernal Heights neighborhood.
8. Practice Weird Science
So, there are a lot of really good museums in San Francisco. And all of them deserve to be written about (note to self: write another blog post). However, my family’s absolute favorite is the Exploratorium, which is located along the Embarcadero at Pier 15.
The Exploratorium offers seemingly endless learning experiments that will truly blow your kids minds. In fact, there is so much to see and do that it can easily take you a whole day to explore and hit up all the interactive exhibits. Fortunately, there is a good restaurant on site for when you need to fuel up.
Some of my kids’ favorite exhibits include drinking water from a toilet (I’m not kidding), playing with a bicycle gyro, experimenting with magnetic black sand, making fog rings, walking in a gravel tunnel, getting creative with a shadow box, and seeing themselves using an infrared camera.
9. Taste Test Something Sweet
If your kids like the color pink and/or sweet treats, the Museum of Ice Cream is the place for you. I can promise you won’t have seen or experienced anything like it. Equal parts art exhibit, interactive museum, candy shop, and ice cream parlor, the Museum of Ice Cream will definitely satisfy your inner child – if not your sweet tooth.
As you move through each exhibit, you are presented with creative and fantastical Instagram-worthy backdrops. Not to mention plenty of sugary samples to eat. And, at the end of your tour, you get to jump into a pool filled with sprinkles. Who hasn’t ever fantasized about doing that?
10. Check Out Fisherman’s Wharf
I’m using the term Fisherman’s Wharf a little loosely to encompass a number of attractions in and around the area of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. All of these are within walking distance for kids. Although you can certainly catch the F-line streetcar when pint-sized legs get tired.
Starting at Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco (like San Diego), has a great maritime park. Here you will find a number of historic ships, including an old paddle steamboat. It is possible to join ranger-led tours of the ships, and kids can take part in a Junior Ranger Program that will earn them a badge. There is also a Maritime Museum just down the beach, at the historic bathhouse.
Six piers down from Hyde Street Pier is Pier 39. This is a bustling tourist mecca where you can gaze out at Alcatraz, watch the local sealions and visit the Aquarium of the Bay. There is also an awesome two-decker carousel, toward the top end of the pier, that kids can ride.
Further down the Embarcadero, at Pier 33, you can catch a boat out to Alcatraz for a self-guided tour of the island, including the cells that housed some of America’s most infamous criminals.
Happy Travels!
