Best Things To Do With The Kids On Vacation In San Francisco

Known for the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is one of the most-visited cities in the US by adults and children. The city offers a wide range of fun and educational activities for the kids while on a family vacation. Moreover, some of these activities are free or have a low cost for families on a budget. Read on to discover some of the best things to do with the kids in San Francisco on a family vacation.

1. Take a ride on the tourist bus

With San Francisco being such a hilly city, it isn’t always convenient to tour on foot with small children. However, taking the tourist bus is not only great for seeing the sights, but is also a lot of fun for the kids. As the bus heads through emblematic sites, an audio guide plays in the background, teaching visitors the history of the city. Even better, you can hop on and hop off as many times as you like along the way.

2. Enjoy a boat trip in San Francisco Bay

The Golden Gate Bridge is the first thing that comes to mind when planning a vacation in San Francisco. This legendary bridge is also one of the most recognizable sights in the hilly city. While families can view the gate from Golden Gate Park, a boat trip shows you the famous bridge from a different viewpoint. Meanwhile, boat trips also include locations like Sausalito and more.

3. Stroll in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Meanwhile, Golden Gate Park is a fun place to be while on a family vacation. Not only does the park feature several play areas for the kids, but it also offers more. While in the park, families can visit the California Academy of Sciences Museum with its beautiful Japanese gardens. Moreover, the museum is among the coolest to visit on a family vacation. For more fun, visitors can rent a bike to explore the park or enjoy a picnic on the grass.

4. Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, San Francisco

A visit to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 is always fun as it is among the most diverse areas of San Francisco. The children can visit the lovable sea lions that live there, making the visit a lot of fun.

Meanwhile, there’s plenty of shopping to be done as well as restaurants for dining and daily live shows by street performers and musicians on the pier.  Other attractions include merry-go-rounds and visits to the Wax Museum and the USS Pampanito Museum. Find out more about the fun to be had at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 on the official website.

5. Visit Alcatraz in San Francisco

Due to the nature of its history, a visit to Alcatraz is only recommended for families with older children. Here, the family can explore one of the most infamous prisons in the world, seeing inside the cells, the dining hall and more. Moreover, you can learn about the most famous prisoner escapes from Alcatraz, known as one of the most terrifying places in the world. As Alcatraz is on an island, the family will need to take a short boat trip across the bay, which is fun in itself.

Here, we have only scratched the surface of all the fun attractions and activities that San Francisco has in store for the family. Find out more information on the city’s official tourism website here.