San Francisco
The Embarcadero
At the Embarcadero, you're never far from San Francisco Bay. Walk along the Embarcadero, stop into the Exploratorium, one of our favorite museums, Ferry Building offers variety of eating options and farmers markets year round.
Exploratorium (Pier 15)
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The Exploratorium museum of science and creativity is our favorite museum for kids in San Francisco, and it's always changing, every time we visit.
Everything in the Exploratorium is hands-on – see yourself as colored shadows or in a mirror upside down, power appliances by pedaling, discover light, sound, electricity and magnetism, watch water freeze or zooplankton dancing, genetically created fish, step into a tornado, San Francisco landmarks made out of toothpicks, and much more! Outdoors, don't miss Fog Bridge (kids can play in the fog), and Buckyball out front, and much more.
The museum is fabulous for kids, from toddlers to teens, and allow plenty of time to explore the many exhibits. It's a big noisy place, strollers okay, cafes and lockers on-site.
Levi's Plaza Park - Close to the Exploratorium, 1105 Battery St. (between Union and Greenwich St). Picnic tables, fountains, hidden gem, bring your lunch!
Ride the cable car - Pick up the California Street cable car at the intersection of California and Market Streets, in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, and ride up to Nob Hill.
Tip: Lines are typically much shorter than cable car on Powell St.
Transamerica Redwood Park (Transamerica Pyramid) -
Underneath towering redwood trees at the Transamerica Pyramid, small park with comfy tables and couches, plus two outdoor games tables. Cafe next door, and cafes in neighborhood, bring your picnic lunch.
Weekly concerts, Sunday during the day, at Redwood Stage.
Wells Fargo History Museum (420 Montgomery St.)
- This museum is one of the "hidden treasures" in San Francisco. The Wells Fargo bank operated stagecoaches that transported gold from the gold fields.
In the museum, kids will see gold nuggets and gold dust, gold scales, strong boxes, and a hundred year old stagecoach. Kids can try their hand sending messages in Morse code on a telegraph key, write your own ticket, pack your suitcase for a trip, feel like a passenger on the overland route in a simulated bumpy stagecoach ride, or take the reins.
The museum is free and open Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm.
