There aren’t many better cities to visit with kids than San Francisco, because there are so many interesting and exciting things to see and do. One of the great things about the city is that there are a good number of free or very reasonably priced attractions, so days out can be planned without spending a small fortune. Naturally, there are many paid-for attractions too that are worth spending a little more money on.
Here is a mix and match of some of the best places to bring the kids when visiting the City by the Bay.
Cable Car Museum
San Francisco is famed worldwide for its cable cars, and the Cable Car Museum is well worth a visit to get a feel for the history of this iconic way of transport around the city. It’s free as well! As well as finding out more about the nuts and bolts of the cable car system, there are photos and exhibits of some historic cars. For kids, one of the best bits is the Sheave Room, where they can see the live cables that pull today’s cars in action.
Ride the cable cars
After the museum experience, the kids will likely be pestering for a real ride in a cable car, which is a great way to see many different aspects of the city. There are three lines, and the best for getting amazing views over the bay is the Powell/Hyde Line it also has a spectacular ride down one of the city’s steepest streets. The cars are very popular, so there may be some queuing involved. Ticket prices vary, but it’s $6 dollars for a one-way ride on one line. Holders of a 7-Day Muni Pass can ride the cable cars, buses, streetcars and light rail train as often as they want.
Golden Gate Park
For those who love the outdoors (and what kid doesn’t?), Golden Gate Park is a huge area that includes lakes, meadows and gardens. It has a children’s playground as well as the West’s tallest artificial waterfall, all of which can be accessed for free. There is a nominal admission charge for the Japanese Tea Garden, and general admission to the de Young Museum is $10, while children under the age of 12 can visit for free.
San Francisco Zoo
For kids who love zoos and the opportunity to see wild animals up close, San Francisco Zoo is the ideal attraction for them. Giraffes, zebras, bears, lions and tigers are among the many animals to be seen here, as well as endangered species, including a snow leopard and black rhino. Prices range from $17 for adults to free for children under the age of 3.
Children’s Creativity Museum
Kids of all ages can enjoy this hands-on museum that has plenty of adventurous and creative activities for them to do. The Music Studio is perfect for children over 3, and the 3-6 year olds can have fun in the Imagination Lab. An Animation Studio lets kids bring clay characters they have created to life on screen. General admission is $12 and free for children under the age of 2.
Tip of the iceberg
These are just a few of the dozens of things kids and families can enjoy in San Francisco. A boat trip around the bay, a walk across the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, visits to interactive museums and the aquarium, cycling along specially designed tracks and whale watching these actives are just a taste of what else lies in store.
Food and accommodations
For a fabulous choice of food for kids (and adults), Fisherman’s Wharf is the place to go, with a huge range of foods from around the world to choose from. Seafood, naturally, is big here, but familiar burgers and pizzas are also easy to find.
As a major tourist destination, San Francisco has a huge range of different types of accommodations, from luxury to budget hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and apartments such as WorldEscape San Francisco apartments. The choice is endless, and in the end, it’s a question of how big the budget is and what location will be most convenient for the planned itinerary. It’s worth doing some homework before going on vacation to get the best idea on where to stay in the city.
Traveling to San Francisco
The city is easy to access via its international airport, and there are good connections from the airport into the city center, including rail and bus services. Car rental is easily available, and many hotels also provide shuttle buses.
A visit to San Francisco will be the trip of a lifetime for kids, and chances are they’ll want to visit again and again!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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