Top Things to do with Kids in San Francisco

January 22, 2017
Carrie Budzinski
Articles, Travel Guides, Things To Do, Travel, CALIFORNIA
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Mimi lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter Liv (age 3). We asked her to share her favorite places to visit in the City by the Bay.

Mimi moved to San Francisco from New York City in 2014 and loves the big city experience on both coasts. So if you’re looking to getaway and live like a local, here are some insider favorites. You also don’t want to miss the Golden Gate Bridge, a ride on a cable car or a family photo in front of the iconic ‘Painted Ladies’.

Goia Pizzeria
My little Italy! It’s spacious, delicious (brunch is awesome!), and clean. Things I appreciate as a parent, especially when I’m out of ideas and need a “GO TO” neighborhood spot. When in doubt, pasta or pizza FTW applies to kids too.

As Quoted
The closest thing I have to the “ultra cool and casual” New York eatery. The place is Pinterest worthy and so is the food. Note, you may have stroller envy when you dine here.

B Patisserie
It’s like a touch of Paris in SF except filled with families in morning rush hour. I don’t mind, I always find a table to enjoy our Kouign Amann or two (must try pastry!).

Helen Wills Playground
Liv sees all her buds here and it’s super chill. I also don’t feel the pressure to be social here. It’s a tucked away playground that I prefer over the lush and well known neighborhood beauty, Lafayette Park. They also have a great room you can rent for birthday parties!

Golden Gate Library
I love this neighborhood library. The librarians are helpful and sweet to the children and have many kid-friendly activities from free weekly story-time events to stickers to drawing stations to toys and of course books. They also don’t judge me for my large amount of overdue library books.

Play Haven
I’ve been to a couple of these urban play spaces and this one is so far my favorite (and Liv’s) in SF. I like the people there, the lighting, and the different sections from indoor to outdoor!

Bay Area Discovery Museum
Hello [most] weekends. I’m just a fan as Liv is. In the 2 years we’ve been members, I don’t think we’ve completed all the exhibits or stations because it’s so big. It’s an indoor and outdoor interactive children’s museum that’s entertaining for the whole family. We make it a habit to visit the local one in each place we travel and this is by far one of the best children’s museums we’ve been to with Liv.

More Attractions:

Have fun learning at the California Academy of Sciences’ aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and rain forest
Ghirardelli Square is the perfect stop for chocolate lovers
Take the ferry to Alcatraz Island, a National State Par
Get curious at the Exploratorium and Children’s Creativity museums
Head to the historic San Francisco waterfront at PIER 39 and check out sea life at the Aquarium of the Bay
Go behind the scenes at the Walt Disney Family Museum
Go wild at the San Francisco Zoo