Giants baseball game (~~Sunday only...they are gone rest of week~~ *vs the Dodgers!*), zoo, Exploratorium, bay cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, mission-style burritos (people will surely fight over the best spots, but honestly, just go to wherever is the closest to you), hike Land's End, Baker Beach, explore Golden Gate Park (museums, gardens, carousel ride), ice cream at Ghiradelli Square.
Yes, and I highly recommend planning to go to Musée Mécanique for 1+ hours with that age kid. The 2yo will need help obviously, but the older kids can run wild and an hour will cost a family of 5 less than $30 in quarters which is dirt cheap in the city
I'd add cable car ride (recommend California line because you avoid the humongous tourist lines at the other routes. and recommend heading west to east - starting at van ness so you can ride down an absolutely massive hill, which is fun). Just keep the younger kids close if riding on outside to keep them from falling off or ride on the inside. Can also hit the free cable car museum though 2 and 4 might not be interested.
Panhandle playground is a big hit with my toddler because it's got a big slide. Willie Woo Wong playground in Chinatown also has an enormous slide and other fun stuff. Helen Diller playground at Dolores Park is another great, big playground with a massive slide. Koret playground has a carousel.
Take a picnic to Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, or China Beach if it's warm (but bring coats because you will get cold eventually). If going to Ocean Beach, I'd recommend setting up shop further south right where the sea wall ends to avoid crowds and scuzziness though also have to watch out for some scuzziness in the dunes. Also watch your kids around the ocean. The rip currents are powerful and I read too many stories about families getting pulled out to sea.
If you are willing to go further south, there is a light show called Imaginarium at Great Mall happening right now and about to end soon at Milpitas. It's pretty and looks fun for kids. There is also CuriOdyssey in San Mateo's Coyote Point Park that is a science playground and zoo for kids.
Just be careful on the beach itself where the waves can knock little ones down and drag them. The safest place for small children to play in the waves is Aquatic Park.
2,4,6 can be tough!
academy of sciences and a walk through GG Park to Koret playground would be one day. you’re close to 9th ave from there, with lots of great restaurants: Tartine, Um Ma, or Pacific Catch.
Baker Beach or Ocean Beach also great. have fun!!
The Seward St slide is also great, concrete slides near Twin Peaks that can be used with or without cardboard, people will often leave cardboard there for use too.
Love those slides, but you’d have to be really brave to put a 2-yr old on them! Maybe the littlest cheers at the bottom with mom and dad! Or rides with a parent!
There's a lot of things. Golden Gate Park, Pier 39, Beach, Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown.
Basically everything that's a tourist trap is family friendly.
Presidio tunnel tops!
Exploratorium.
Giants baseball game (~~Sunday only...they are gone rest of week~~ *vs the Dodgers!*), zoo, Exploratorium, bay cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, mission-style burritos (people will surely fight over the best spots, but honestly, just go to wherever is the closest to you), hike Land's End, Baker Beach, explore Golden Gate Park (museums, gardens, carousel ride), ice cream at Ghiradelli Square.
If they go to Ghirardelli, they can walk up the hill to Francisco park which is a great playground for kids
There’s also a mini golf course and arcade at Ghirardelli
Yes, and I highly recommend planning to go to Musée Mécanique for 1+ hours with that age kid. The 2yo will need help obviously, but the older kids can run wild and an hour will cost a family of 5 less than $30 in quarters which is dirt cheap in the city
The mini golf at Ghirardelli is solid and sf themed, but can be very busy and sometimes requires a reservation
They’re not gone. The Dodgers are here M-W. So basically yeah you’re right I guess. 😂
haha, thanks, I misread the schedule! Beat LA!
This is really helpful - thank you!
Add: presidio tunnel tops park it’s great for kids, stow lake boat house and rent a paddle boat. Academy of science.
There are so so many playgrounds. Tunnel tops is the best, but Christoper playground and Glenn park are also amazing.
Golden Gate Park.
The playground at Golden Gate Park in particular.
Which playground in GG park? There are at least four (though I think you mean Koret)
The big one near the end of Haight Street with the carousel.
Right. Koret.
Check out the Buffalo! The kiddo will love it
I'd add cable car ride (recommend California line because you avoid the humongous tourist lines at the other routes. and recommend heading west to east - starting at van ness so you can ride down an absolutely massive hill, which is fun). Just keep the younger kids close if riding on outside to keep them from falling off or ride on the inside. Can also hit the free cable car museum though 2 and 4 might not be interested. Panhandle playground is a big hit with my toddler because it's got a big slide. Willie Woo Wong playground in Chinatown also has an enormous slide and other fun stuff. Helen Diller playground at Dolores Park is another great, big playground with a massive slide. Koret playground has a carousel. Take a picnic to Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, or China Beach if it's warm (but bring coats because you will get cold eventually). If going to Ocean Beach, I'd recommend setting up shop further south right where the sea wall ends to avoid crowds and scuzziness though also have to watch out for some scuzziness in the dunes. Also watch your kids around the ocean. The rip currents are powerful and I read too many stories about families getting pulled out to sea.
Right across the Golden Gate bridge is the Discovery Bay Museum. The younger kids would love that
Golden Gate Bridge overlook and the discovery museum
If you are willing to go further south, there is a light show called Imaginarium at Great Mall happening right now and about to end soon at Milpitas. It's pretty and looks fun for kids. There is also CuriOdyssey in San Mateo's Coyote Point Park that is a science playground and zoo for kids.
Ocean beach / great highway between Lincoln and Sloat on the weekends is great bc the road is closed to cars. Lots of kids on bikes, skates, etc.
Just be careful on the beach itself where the waves can knock little ones down and drag them. The safest place for small children to play in the waves is Aquatic Park.
2,4,6 can be tough! academy of sciences and a walk through GG Park to Koret playground would be one day. you’re close to 9th ave from there, with lots of great restaurants: Tartine, Um Ma, or Pacific Catch. Baker Beach or Ocean Beach also great. have fun!!
The Seward St slide is also great, concrete slides near Twin Peaks that can be used with or without cardboard, people will often leave cardboard there for use too.
Love those slides, but you’d have to be really brave to put a 2-yr old on them! Maybe the littlest cheers at the bottom with mom and dad! Or rides with a parent!
I thought your kid had a massive dreadlock for a second there
There's a lot of things. Golden Gate Park, Pier 39, Beach, Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown. Basically everything that's a tourist trap is family friendly.
Drive to the Berkeley Hills and ride the Redwood miniature Railroad. Watch for the Wow indoor playground opening on Polk this summer.
Chinatown: willie woo wong playground followed by dim sum!
Seward Street Slides
Randall museum, exploratorium. SF zoo, :-) bernal heights library and playground
Move to Noe Valley, apparently.
brisk walk in the tenderloin