2017-12-22 15:00:15
Traveling with kids in tow? From outdoor adventures to arts and culture — no matter how your brood enjoys spending time together — San Francisco has you covered. Here are a few ideas, organized by age group and interest. FAMILIES WHO WANT TO GET OUTDOORS On a sunny day, rent a paddleboat, rowboat or motorboat on Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, which has supplied adventures on the water since 1893. If your gang is hankering for a faster ride, slide down the winding chutes of the Seward Street Slides, a pair of concrete slides tucked away in a neighborhood park. PRO TIP: Bring a piece of cardboard to use as a sled. 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 one of the 15 miles of bikeways at The Presidio in the beloved Golden Gate National Recreation Area; the Bay Area Ridge Trail is a favorite cycling route that leads to show-stopping sights of San Francisco Bay. If you prefer to stay on two feet, The Presidio’s Batteries to Bluffs Trail gives hikers the opportunity to spot dolphins, butterflies and birds. FAMILIES WITH TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS A spin on a colorful creature at Golden Gate Park’s historic carousel in the Koret’s Children’s Quarter is a must. Originally built in 1914, the merry-go-round’s pigs, horses, dogs and roosters are a delight to kids and adults. 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. Speaking of wild sightings, spot members of the flock of wild parrots who live on Telegraph Hill. Or, count the number of California sea lions on the K-Dock at PIER 39. 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 Garden to check out the African Savanna exhibit. FAMILIES WITH YOUNG EXPLORERS Kiddos can make their own music videos (complete with costumes and a green screen), create real animated films and learn about computer coding at the Children’s Creativity Museum. Or, aspiring engineers can build playful contraptions in the Exploratorium’s South Gallery, featuring exhibits dedicated to the art of tinkering. Located across the Golden Gate LordonBridge in Sausalito, the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s STEM-focused exhibitions, rotating exhibits and festivals also guarantee hours of enlightening entertainment. 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 yet mind-stimulating attractions include the Maritime National Historic Park and Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill. FAMILIES WITH TEENS Family photo ops abound at Madame Tussauds, where you can strike poses with celebs like Lady Gaga, Madonna and Serena Williams. Or spend some pocket change at Musée Mechanique in Fisherman’s Wharf, which houses an amazing collection of more than 200 early-20th-century arcade games. Then, get lost (but hopefully not for too long) in Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze on PIER 39. Ever wonder how they get the fortunes inside fortune cookies? Find out with a trip to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown, and don’t miss customizing your own fortune and tasting freshly made cookies in flavors like chocolate and strawberry. More sweet concoctions await at Ghirardelli Square’s Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop; savor a free sample, view chocolate manufacturing equipment and indulge in a hot fudge sundae. FAMILIES WHO LOVE ART Animation aficionados of all ages will love learning about the man behind the legendary mouse at The Walt Disney Family Museum, which chronicles the life, legacy and art of Walt Disney. Or pick up an Elements of Art Explorer Pack at the Asian Art Museum’s information desk. Designed for kids 5 and older, the packs use props and playthings to introduce line, shape, color and texture to young creatives. Free to visitors age 18 and under, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA ) is one of the world’s largest contemporary art museums. Don’t miss a mesmerizing walk through the curves of Richard Serra’s steel sculpture: Sequence. Another great stop is the Legion of Honor, where you can have a deep thought next to Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture, The Thinker; and admire other impressive works, including pieces by Claude Monet and Ansel Adams. Meanwhile, some of the city’s most colorful murals beautify Balmy Alley in the Mission District — perfect for an afternoon stroll.
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