San Francisco offers so much for the young — and the young at heart. Having grown up in California, I’ve explored San Francisco many times. My family traveled here when my kids were growing up. I have my favorite activities. And now I’ve been able to enjoy the city with three of my grandkids, seeing the sights through their eyes, with brand new enthusiasm. After venturing here when Nico and Maddie were 10 and 11 and then with a newly-minted 10-year-old, Tyler, a few months ago, I have updated info on seeing the city with kids. Here’s what worked well (or didn’t) on our last two visits.
California Academy of Sciences
All three kids were entranced with this science museum. An extensive aquarium and the rain forest are highlights. Tyler also happily perused the collection of colorful geodes. You can spend a good part of a day here. The cafe serves a varied selection of foods for lunch so you can fuel up and explore some more.The Cable Cars
I’m a big fan of these San Francisco icons. And so are the kids! We rode all three lines of cars up and down the steep hills and around corners, hanging onto the outside whenever possible. That’s the most fun way to ride! On one trip, the gripman talked to Maddie and Nico, asking about their interests and then getting the entire carload of folks to chant their names. You can buy a multi-day pass, which saved us quite a bit over what we would have paid for individual tickets.
The cables for the cars run out of this barn/museum. You can literally watch the cables spin. They run constantly under the streets, allowing a car to grip them and be pulled along. To stop, the gripman lets go of the cable. There’s also a brake to help slow the car. This unusual form of transportation fascinated the kids.
Tyler seriously studied the workings of the cables.
The Golden Gate Bridge
Of course, any trip to San Francisco will include the Golden Gate Bridge. We decided on both trips to walk across (part way) because riding a bike can be a bit tricky as you dodge pedestrians while gaping at the view. This worked well. We could take our time and enjoy the scenery.
The Musée Mécanique
This museum of working mechanical games is on Fisherman’s Wharf at Pier 45. Admission is free, and you can change a few dollars for quarters to play the games. It’s a great place to pop into for a short time to let the kids play. Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Factory
Here you can see how chocolate is processed into the delicious candies and sauces made by Ghirardelli. This is the original site of the company’s first factory.
Of course, you must treat yourself to a hot fudge sundae!
Where to Eat
Our go-to breakfast cafe is a family-run restaurant named Sears in Union Square. With our without kids, Sears is the place for mouthwatering Swedish pancakes, bottomless cups of coffee, and a bustling warmth. This is where the locals go, trust me.
We stayed at the Hilton Union Square on both of these trips. It’s perfect for kids. The large deli offers snacks and juices, and a daily credit came with our room. We felt right at home with the mix of casual tourists and business people in the lively lobby. The Hilton is super fun during the holidays, all decked out with Christmas trees. I worked on collecting Hilton points and was able to swing both stays here entirely free. It’s just two blocks from Union Square, the cable car turnaround, and plenty of restaurants.
The one activity fail we had was going on the docked submarine USS Pampanito. Tyler asked to go on it, but it rocks in the water and makes loud, alarming cracking and moaning sounds. He wanted to get back on the pier immediately.We moved on to something else, and all was well, but be warned that your kids may not care for this one. A trip to San Francisco put big smiles on the kids’ faces. That’s what it’s all about.
How about you? Do you have a favorite San Francisco attraction to recommend?
Linking up with Image-in-ing, Monday Murals, Pictorial Tuesday, Wednesday Around the World, The Good, the Random, the Fun, Through My Lens, Seasons, Our World Tuesday, Photo Friday, Travel Photo Thursday, Weekend Wanderlust, Faraway Files, The Weekly Postcard, Wanderful Wednesday, Feet Do Travel, Weekend Wanderlust, Nanahood, My Corner of the World, and Weekend Travel Inspiration.
20 Comments
You certainly know all the fun places to go!
Terrific shots! The science museum would particularly draw me in.
I so want to see SF one day!
Ah had already been thinking next time my son comes from Holland we need to go back to San Fran, He might want to see the choc factory, and who knows the submarine (not the cable cars, since a cable car comes daily in front of the apartment where he lives in the Hague). Thank you for sharing this fun experience with your grands in San Fran!
That Musee Mecanique looks awesome – love that old ‘basketball’ game. #MondayEscapes
We’re looking forward to taking our kids to San Francisco next year, so I’ve pinned your post to look at closer to the time. Great to have a good breakfast / brunch recommendation, and the cable car museum looks like a good place to head to too. #mondayescapes
San Francisco is such a gorgeous place and your photographs are brilliant. I have visited a couple of times but never with my daughter. We also have family there who are due a long overdue visit so might be time to start planning #MondayEscapes
We had a stopover in San Francisco a few years back and loved visiting Alcatraz! The trams were good too, saved little legs. #mondayescapes
Hello, wonderful trip photos. I love San Francisco. It is a beautiful city. Enjoy your day, have a great new week!
What a great reminder that San Francisco is also a good choice for kids. I would add Muir Woods, even though it is technically not in San Fran, for kids who have not seen tall tall trees.
I’ve never been to San Francisco but it sure does look like a fun city! Pinned.
I bet there are too many good choices of places to stay and see and eat. I love the chocolate machine, I’ve seen one make chocolate covered pretzels and it was a fraction of that size but still enthralling. I can imagine the smell. I thought for a second you were visiting Scharfenberger, I think they have a factory there too.
Your photos brought backed happy memories of my holiday there a couple of years ago.
San Francisco is somewhere I would love to visit. Well, I’d love to do the whole of California actually, but San Fran is a big pull. It looks like there’s loads of stuff to do – the cable cars look fun and my middle daughter would really enjoy the California Academy of Sciences. I think it’s wonderful that you spend time with your grandchildren in this way too.
I’ve never been to America (sadly!) but SAN Francisco is definitely somewhere I’d like to visit when I do eventually make it over to the U.S. It looks great! #MondayEscapes
San Francisco is a fun city for all ages! Have a great week! Glad you have fun !
I have been planning to visit the USS Pampanito for a little while, but maybe I’ll reconsider after your little review. Or maybe I’ll brave it and see what I think. Great round up of kid-friendly things to do in SF! Sometimes I wish I had a kid out here to give me a better excuse to visit the attractions aimed at a younger audience. #farawayFiles
San Fran is one of those cities, a bit like Sydney that you never forget. I remember riding that cable car as a youngster with my parents and of course the bridge. It was a wonderful city as a child and indeed at every stage of life. Note to self must get back there soon! Thank you for sharing these great ideas.
Wren x
I celebrated my first and second birthday at Ghiradelli (and have the photos to prove it!) I love SF -and would love to explore the town with my not-so-littles. Great list of some seriously iconic spots. Lovely photos as always! Thanks for sharing – cheers from Copenhagen. #FarawayFiles
Aww, looked like you had an amazing time. I must say that I quite liked most of these things to do when I was in SF last and I was far from a child 😉 Can’t wait to go back there when my baby is old enough!!
#FeetDoTravel