Tour San Francisco’s winding streets and cultural districts or visit Chinatown for traditional tea ceremonies. There are plenty of kid-friendly deals in the Bay Area. Here’s where to start:

• Rent a bicycle from Bay City Bike and explore the bay together
• Play target practice inside an interactive laser attraction at 7D Experience
• At The San Francisco Dungeon, experience nine live-actor shows that tell the stories of the Barbary Coast
• Head to Legoland California, where you’ll take a submarine ride that travels through shark and stingray infested waters
• Enjoy discount admission to the Cartoon Art Museum to see props of your favorite superheroes up close

San Francisco is the ideal family vacation because its attractions are varied and exciting for all ages. From grandparents to toddlers, there are plenty of things to do in San Francisco with family:

• Enjoy a family-friendly feast while overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge at Greens Restaurant
• Snap an Instagram-worthy photo at the top of the Telegraph Hill stairway climb
• Find a last-minute camping spot in Anderson Valley or book a reservation ahead of time
• Explore Central Park to watch koi being fed in the Spring and Summer
• Order the kids a bright pomegranate lemonade at The Left Bank

For people on the hunt for the best deal at an even better price, San Francisco offers number of hidden value gems. Hike, sightsee, or window shop. Try the following free things to do in San Francisco with kids:

• Just 20 miles outside the city, enjoy spectacular views and a historic wooden playground at Linda Mar Beach
• Ride the vintage merry-go-round before petting the zoo animals at Tilden Park
• Explore the Upper Haight neighborhood on foot to discover tie-dye tourist shops and local boutiques
• If in the Bay Area during the Spring, embark on a wildflower hike through the Botanical Gardens
• Spend a humbling afternoon amongst ancient trees at Humboldt Redwoods State Park

The Bay Area is full of exciting kids activities to explore. Whether you take a journey to a soda shop or get some sun at the water park, there are plenty of fun things to do in San Francisco with kids:

• Drink your weight in soda made from real cane sugar at Retro Soda Fountain Shop
• Enjoy the hands-on exhibits at the Randall Museum, where birds and bugs are plentiful
• Splash around more than 30,000 square feet of water park at Chan Kaajal
• Chow down on the bite-sized burgers at Phil’s Sliders
• Visit bobcat ridge at the Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

San Francisco is a city made for the crowd. Bring everyone to the lake or tour an interactive museum together. Try these popular group activities:

• Skip rocks over the clear water or hike the trails at Lake Lagunitas
• At Oakland Museum of California, explore art, history, and the natural sciences at interactive exhibits
• Spend entire days exploring Golden Gate Park, which has a playground, Japanese garden, and carousel
• Bring the group to the Children’s Creativity Museum to explore the enchanting Imagination Lab
• Chow down on a group picnic on the banks of Phoenix Lake, near San Anselmo

This California city has a varied history and a fascinating present, making it the ideal location to learn something new while having a blast. Try these family-friendly educational activities:

• At Hayes Valley Farm, learn about urban farm techniques within city limits
• Learn about the history of pinball and play a game or two at the Pacific Pinball Museum
• Teach kids the power of determination during a kids triathlon like Moraga Treeline Triathlon
• Become a local wildlife expert at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in East Bay
• Discover the history of the original Bay Area peoples at the Novato Museum of the American Indian

Families know that San Francisco is creative to its core. That’s why there are so many opportunities for young ones to get their art on in all its forms. Try these creative classes for kids:

• At Young Performers Theatre, instill a love for performance from an early age
• Learn the intricacies of line, form, and shape at San Francisco’s Children’s Art Center
• Craft your own sculpture at The Museum of Craft and Design during a Saturday session
• Explore traditional Latinx art and techniques every Saturday at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
• Point those toes and leap across the stage at San Francisco Youth Ballet

Frisco is known for its temperate, breezy weather. But even this city has its cloudy days. Don’t let that stop the fun. Explore these indoor activities for kids:

• Explore Play Land, an indoor inflatable arena for kids age 0-9
• Worried about kids fussing in the movie theater? Bring them to a Bringing Up Baby event at Rialto Cinema
• Splash around indoors at one of the Bay’s many swimming pools, like Charlie Sava Pool or Hamilton Pool
• Learn everything there is to know about trains, planes, and automobiles at the Transportation Museum
• Attend an immersive storytime session at the Bay Area Discovery Museum