Things to Do in San Francisco With Kids: A Parent's Day Plan

The best things to do in San Francisco with kids are a mix of free outdoor play and a few big paid anchors: the Presidio Tunnel Tops playground and the Golden Gate Bridge for any age, the California Academy of Sciences and San Francisco Zoo & Gardens for school-age kids, and Alcatraz Island for older ones. Pick two or three, not eight. This guide sorts twelve places inside San Francisco, California by age, says where to park and when to leave, and ends with a full-day route.

Every place below was checked against its own official site in November 2026. Hours and prices change, so confirm on the official site before you go.

How we chose

We kept only places inside the city limits of San Francisco that are currently open, that kids genuinely enjoy, and where a parent can plan around parking, naps and meltdowns. We dropped anything we could not confirm on an official page. Hyde Street Pier is closed for reconstruction according to the National Park Service, with its historic ships moved off-site, so they are not in this guide.

Nothing here is outside the city. The Golden Gate Bridge's far end is in Marin County, but you only need the San Francisco side, and the walk below stays there.

Which places suit which ages?

Toddlers and preschoolers do best at the Presidio Tunnel Tops, Koret Children's Quarter, the Pier 39 sea lions and the zoo. Ages 6 to 12 suit the California Academy of Sciences, Aquarium of the Bay and the Randall Museum. Tweens and teens are the target for Alcatraz Island and a cable car ride.

The quickest way to save a day: match your youngest child, not your oldest. A stroller-age kid will not last through an Alcatraz tour, but a ten-year-old will happily repeat the Tunnel Tops playground.

The twelve picks

1. Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center (Presidio)

The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center at the south end of the bridge, in San Francisco's Presidio, is typically open daily 9am to 6pm and closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Walking the sidewalk takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes, so turn around early with little kids. The Park Store sells a kids' fun-facts book about the bridge.

Parking at the plaza is extremely limited. On weekends and holidays extra parking is in the employee lot on the southwest side. Check the Golden Gate Bridge District visitor page for closures before you drive, or take transit. Best for: all ages. Leave after 60 to 90 minutes.

2. Presidio Tunnel Tops (Presidio)

Presidio Tunnel Tops, at 210 Lincoln Blvd in the Presidio, is a free park with the Outpost Nature Playground, a sensory Field Station and a picnic meadow with Golden Gate views. It needs no tickets or reservations, and the Presidio Trust says it is open every day.

Paid parking is at the south end near the Visitor Center. A large lot at the north end near Sports Basement is within walking distance of the playground. Dogs are not allowed in the playgrounds. Best for: ages 2 to 10. Leave when the picnic is eaten.

3. Alcatraz Island (Pier 33)

Alcatraz Island tours leave from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, operated by Alcatraz City Cruises. Tours often sell out a week or more ahead, and same-day tickets are rarely available, so book first and plan the rest of the day around your slot.

Children 4 and under are free and need no ticket. Ages 5 and up need a ticket, and anyone under 18 must be with an adult on the island. Arrive 30 minutes early with photo ID and the card used to buy. Best for: ages 8 and up. Skip it with a napping toddler.

4. San Francisco cable cars (Powell-Hyde line)

The Powell-Hyde cable car line runs from Powell and Market streets in San Francisco toward Fisherman's Wharf, and the SFMTA says a single ride is $9 and a 1-day Visitor Passport is $15. Children 4 and under ride free. San Francisco's free youth Muni for ages 18 and under does not cover cable cars.

The tip: two rides already cost more than the day pass, so buy the pass. You must prepay at the Powell and Market, Bay and Taylor, or Hyde and Beach stops between 8am and 8pm daily. Details are on the SFMTA cable car page. Best for: all ages, though a long queue tests small patience, so go early.

5. Pier 39 sea lions (Fisherman's Wharf)

The sea lions on K-Dock at Pier 39, in Fisherman's Wharf, are a short stop that toddlers remember. The official page says it is unlawful for unauthorized people to feed, handle or harass the animals, and that sea lions may bite if provoked. Pier 39 lists its attractions as typically open 10am to 8pm, and a live sea lion webcam on the site lets you check before you walk over.

The official pages do not state an admission price for viewing, so confirm on pier39.com. Best for: ages 1 to 8. Leave after 20 to 30 minutes.

6. Aquarium of the Bay (Pier 39)

Aquarium of the Bay, at Pier 39 on the Embarcadero at Beach Street, is typically open daily 10am to 5pm, with shorter hours on some days. Ticket prices are on its tickets page. It pairs naturally with the sea lions next door. Best for: ages 3 to 9. Leave after about 90 minutes.

7. California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park)

The California Academy of Sciences, at 55 Music Concourse Drive in Golden Gate Park, is typically open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. Its official pricing lists children ages 3 to 12 at $39, or $45 at peak pricing, which covers the November and December holiday periods, and ages 2 and under free.

The planetarium does not admit children under 4, so plan a separate activity for a younger sibling. Best for: ages 5 to 12. Plan 3 to 4 hours, and arrive at opening.

8. Koret Children's Quarter and Carousel (Golden Gate Park)

Koret Children's Quarter, at MLK Drive and Bowling Green Drive in Golden Gate Park, is a playground with a carousel of 62 animals at 320 Bowling Green Drive. The park is open 5am to midnight, but the carousel's hours vary, so call (415) 231-0077 before you go.

Parking is east of Bowling Green Drive near the lawn bowling building, and there is none right at the carousel. See the San Francisco Recreation and Parks page. Best for: ages 2 to 9.

9. Japanese Tea Garden (Golden Gate Park)

The Japanese Tea Garden, at 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive in Golden Gate Park, is typically open 9am to 5pm with last entry at 4:30pm, and it requires a timed-entry reservation made in advance. Reserve before you arrive, not at the gate. Details are on the Gardens of Golden Gate Park page. Best for: calm kids aged 5 and up. Leave after 45 minutes, before the stepping stones turn into a race.

10. San Francisco Zoo & Gardens (Outer Sunset)

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, on Sloat Boulevard at the Great Highway in the Outer Sunset, is open 365 days a year, typically 9:30am to 4:30pm, with last general entry at 3:30pm. Children 2 to 11 are $22 on weekdays and $24 on weekends and holidays, and under 2 is free.

There is a carousel, the Little Puffer train and the Elinor Friend Playground. In the main lot you buy a parking voucher on the day, and there is free street parking along Sloat. Best for: ages 2 to 10. Plan 3 to 4 hours. Check the zoo's site.

11. Randall Museum (Corona Heights)

The Randall Museum, at 199 Museum Way near Corona Heights, is a free hands-on museum typically open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and closed Sunday and Monday. Saturday Science runs 10:30 to 11:30am and Afternoon Art runs 1 to 4pm, per its official site. It is our pick for a free indoor morning when the fog sits in. Best for: ages 3 to 10.

12. Children's Creativity Museum (Yerba Buena)

The Children's Creativity Museum, at 221 Fourth Street in San Francisco's South of Market area, is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. Tickets are $20 per person for ages 1 and up, with all-day entry and same-day re-entry, per its official site. Parking is not listed, so plan on transit or a garage nearby. Best for: ages 3 to 10.

Where do you eat with kids?

The simplest answer is to picnic. The Presidio Tunnel Tops has a picnic meadow, and Golden Gate Park has lawns near the playground. Pack lunch and snacks, and eat before the crowds at roughly 11:30am.

For a sit-down option, the Ferry Building Marketplace at One Ferry Building is open daily 6am to 10pm. Its Saturday farmers market runs 8am to 2pm year-round, and there are public restrooms in the ferry terminal pass-throughs. Parking is the ProPark lot at Embarcadero and Washington, listed at $20 for the first hour or $14 with validation. See the Ferry Building site.

Where do you park?

San Francisco's top family spots have limited parking, so choose one lot per area and walk. Bridge plaza parking is extremely limited. Tunnel Tops has paid lots at both ends. The zoo sells day-of vouchers with free street parking on Sloat. Cable cars and Pier 39 are easier by transit.

What is the full-day route?

This route covers a school-age family from 9am to about 4pm, using two neighborhoods and one car move.

1. 9:00am: Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. Walk out onto the sidewalk for 20 to 30 minutes, then turn back.
2. 10:15am: Presidio Tunnel Tops. Play at the Outpost Nature Playground.
3. 11:45am: Picnic on the meadow at Tunnel Tops. Leave when the snacks run out.
4. 12:45pm: Drive to Golden Gate Park and visit Koret Children's Quarter and the carousel, if it is running.
5. 1:30pm: California Academy of Sciences. Last entry is 4pm. Leave by 4:30pm, before rush-hour traffic builds.

For a second day, book Alcatraz first, then add the cable car and Pier 39. Check the weather page first, since Pier 39 and the Presidio can be colder and windier than the rest of the city.

What should you screenshot before you go?

Keep this short list on your phone for the day.

• Under 4: Tunnel Tops, Koret Children's Quarter, sea lions, zoo.
• Ages 5 to 12: California Academy of Sciences, Aquarium of the Bay, Randall Museum.
• Teens: Alcatraz Island (book a week ahead) and a cable car ride.
• Book ahead: Alcatraz and the Japanese Tea Garden.
• Free: Presidio Tunnel Tops, Randall Museum.
• Buy the 1-day Visitor Passport if you ride the cable car twice.
• Pack lunch and layers.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in San Francisco with kids?

For most families, the strongest picks are the Presidio Tunnel Tops playground, the Golden Gate Bridge, the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens and the Pier 39 sea lions. Add Alcatraz Island and a cable car ride for older kids.

Are there free things to do in San Francisco with kids?

Yes. Presidio Tunnel Tops is free with no tickets, and the Randall Museum is free to enter. The Golden Gate Bridge sidewalk walk and Golden Gate Park's lawns also cost nothing.

Can toddlers go to Alcatraz?

Children 4 and under are free and need no ticket, but Alcatraz is better for ages 8 and up. Tours often sell out a week or more ahead, so book before you visit.

Do kids ride free on San Francisco cable cars?

Children 4 and under ride free, according to the SFMTA. San Francisco's free youth Muni for ages 18 and under does not cover cable cars, so older kids need a fare or a Visitor Passport.

Where do you park for a family day in San Francisco?

Parking varies by place: the Golden Gate Bridge plaza has extremely limited parking, Presidio Tunnel Tops has paid lots at both ends, and San Francisco Zoo & Gardens sells day-of parking vouchers with free street parking on Sloat Boulevard. Cable cars and Pier 39 are easier by transit.