2018-12-17 20:16:24
Whether you’re toting a diaper bag or bonding with your teenagers, San Francisco has you covered when it comes to exploring as a family. Keep everyone in your brood entertained with these kid-friendly ideas, organized by age group and interest. FAMILIES WHO WANT TO GET OUTDOORS On a sunny day, board a Blue & Gold Fleet ferry from Pier 41 for Angel Island, where your crew can enjoy sweeping views of the city skyline, stroll nature trails and take an open-air tram tour to learn about the island’s history. If your gang is hankering for a faster ride, slide down the Seward Street Slides, a pair of winding, concrete chutes tucked away in a neighborhood park. PRO TIP: Bring a piece of cardboard to use as a sled at the Seward Street Slides. Seeing San Francisco on two wheels is truly an exhilarating experience. Rent bikes to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge for unbeatable views and fresh air, or cruise the 15 miles of bikeways in The Presidio, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a popular cycling route that leads to show-stopping sights of San Francisco Bay. If you prefer to stay on two feet, have a family picnic at Crissy Field. The views of the Golden Gate Bridge are fantastic, and it’s a favorite spot for kite flying. FAMILIES WITH TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS Gather ’round for books, rhymes and music during Toddler Tales, geared toward the under-three set, at various branches of the San Francisco Public Library throughout the week. Then, go nose-to-nose with sharks, stingrays and other swimmers at the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, also home to a planetarium, a rainforest and more than 40,000 live animals. With more than 20,000 local marine animals, including a Giant Pacific Octopus, Aquarium of the Bay is also a worthy stop for animal sightings. Or, head to the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens to ride the Little Puffer Miniature Steam Train in between visits to the Penguin Island and African Savanna habitats. FAMILIES WITH YOUNG EXPLORERS Kiddos can make their own music videos (complete with costumes and a green screen), create animated films and learn about computer coding at the Children’s Creativity Museum. Aspiring engineers can build playful contraptions in the Exploratorium’s South Gallery, with exhibits dedicated to the art of tinkering. Located across the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, Fort Baker’s collection of former military fortifications has been converted into a park. Battery Construction Number 129’s tunnels and walls, designed to house cannons, are just the right size for kids to crawl through and explore. Also on that side of the bay is the Bay Area Discovery Museum, which is specifically geared to children ages eight and younger. Make a future fireman’s dream come true on a tour of the city in a vintage fire engine with San Francisco Fire Engine Tours. See other historic fire trucks and fascinating firefighting equipment at the San Francisco Fire Department Museum. Bonus: Admission is free. Other fun and stimulating attractions include the Maritime National Historic Park and Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill. FAMILIES WITH TEENS Whether you catch a Giants game or take a behind-the-scenes tour, an outing to AT&T Park is sure to be a home run. Get the thrills of a rollercoaster combined with a state-of-the-art laser-blasting game at the 7D Experience on PIER 39. This interactive theater attraction has several “rides” to choose from. You’ll feel like part of the action with every bump of your seat. Find out how fortunes make it into fortune cookies with a trip to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown. Customize your own fortune and taste freshly made cookies in flavors like chocolate and strawberry. Other sweet concoctions await at Ghirardelli Square’s Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. Savor a free sample, view chocolate manufacturing equipment and indulge in a classic hot-fudge sundae. FAMILIES WHO LOVE ART Animation aficionados of all ages will love learning about the man behind the mouse at The Walt Disney Family Museum, which chronicles the life, legacy and art of Walt Disney. Or, stop by the tremendous archive of comic strips, graphic novels and animated films at the Cartoon Art Museum near Fisherman’s Wharf. An arts center, science museum and natural history museum in one, the newly reopened Randall Museum is all about hands-on experiences. Another great stop is the Legion of Honor, where you can have a deep thought next to a cast of Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture, The Thinker, and admire other impressive works, including pieces by Claude Monet and Ansel Adams. An impressive portion of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s (SFMOMA) collection is free and open to the public. Some of the city’s most colorful murals beautify Balmy Alley in the Mission District, perfect for an afternoon stroll.
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