A few of our favorites include...
- SFMOMA
- Exploratorium
- The California Academy of Sciences
- Aquarium of the Bay
- and many more
Looking for some fun things to do indoors?
Admission to many of these recommended attractions are available on Go City® San Francisco passes. Choose as you go from dozens of fun attractions and save up to 50% off combined admission vs paying at the gate.
Ripley's Believe it or Not! San Francisco
A great family attraction in Fisherman's Wharf, Ripley's Believe It or Not! is perfect for those kids and adults who get a kick out of the weirder side of life. This collection of 400+ oddities features everything from natural and man-made artifacts to exciting local exhibits to see and marvel at, a Candy and Toy Factory, and 18 themed galleries that'll have you awe-inspired (or scared!)
Getting In: Ripley's Believe it or Not! San Francisco tickets are included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.
Madame Tussauds San Francisco
Pop culture lovers will enjoy visiting one of the country's most popular attraction chains: Madame Tussauds. This delightful institution holds realistic wax replicas of dozens of famous people from around the world and throughout history. Several areas are designed around themes, including "Music Zone" and "Leaders and Entrepreneurs." You'll "meet" everyone from Mark Zuckerberg to Lady Gaga. Plus, a visit to Madame Tussauds is the easiest way to snag a selfie with your favorite celeb.
Getting In: Madame Tussauds San Francisco tickets are included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
While the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has always been a must-see spot. Originally constructed as the first-ever museum of modern and contemporary art on the West Coast, SFMOMA is now the largest modern art museum in the world and houses a wide array of all art styles, types, and mediums.
The halls and exhibits of SFMOMA are full of works by well-known artists like Paul Klee and Alexander Calder. You'll find everything from sculptures to paintings and multimedia displays projected across the walls. With its ever-changing, cutting-edge exhibits, SFMOMA makes for the perfect rainy-day place.
Getting in: SFMOMA tickets are included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.
The California Academy of Sciences
Located right in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is the only attraction that combines a planetarium, aquarium, and natural history museum to make one mega-museum. From the lively penguins in African Hall to the wildlife on the Living Roof, the building is full of life. There's even a four-story living rainforest and awe-inspiring coral reef ecosystem to entertain visitors of all ages.
Enjoy daily talks and educational experiences, watch a 4D movie at the Morrison Planetarium, and explore the evolution of the plants and animals that call Earth home to this day. A visit here is a unique opportunity to explore all that the natural world has to offer, presented by some of the best scientific minds in the world.
Getting In: California Academy of Sciences tickets are included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.
Exploratorium
An art, science, and anthropological museum all in one, the Exploratorium is full of amazing hands-on experiences. It's the only place where you can play and tinker with all the exhibits. With more than 600 interactive exhibits to choose from, your kids will find plenty of opportunities to explore and learn.
Each exhibit inspires creative and scientific thinking and indulges your child's curiosity about the world around them. From large-scale outdoor art installations to learning labs for visitors of all ages, it's a great way to combine learning with fun on a rainy vacation day.
Getting In: Exploratorium tickets are included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.
de Young Museum
Another great museum to visit on a rainy day is the de Young Museum located right in Golden Gate Park. It's one of the most visited art museums in the country. The museum is full of over 1,000 paintings, sculptures, and fine art pieces. The collections span from the 17th to the 21st centuries, with art hailing from Africa, Oceania, the Americas, and beyond. You'll see textiles, costumes, contemporary paintings, and everything in between.
Getting In: de Young Museum tickets are included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.
Aquarium of the Bay
While you may not be able to enjoy searching for marine life out of doors during a rainy San Francisco afternoon, you can still discover the fascinating sea life native to the San Francisco Bay at this fun and educational institution. There are tons of interactive exhibits, exciting demonstrations like animal feedings and naturalist presentations, and even touch pools filled with sharks, rays, and sea stars.
The Aquarium of the Bay has a clear crystal tunnel system that allows you to actually walk through aquatic exhibits. You'll get to see various sea life, such as sevengill sharks, jellyfish, giant octopi, and more from all angles.
Getting In: Aquarium of the Bay tickets are included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.
The Walt Disney Family Museum
Naturally, the Walt Disney Family Museum is the perfect place to take the kids for a day full of fun and characters. Each exhibit works to tell the story of Walt Disney and how Disney's magic came to be. With over 200 screens, 40,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, and an intricate model of Disneyland, you'll learn all there is to know about the world of Disney.
You'll see original Disney character drawings, sit at listening stations to hear your favorite Disney songs, and watch short films that explain the process of making the movies and characters come to life.
Getting in: The Walt Disney Family Museum tickets are included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.
Shop at the Ferry Building Marketplace
Located right on the Embarcadero, the Ferry Building Marketplace serves as both a transit hub and a bustling marketplace. You'll find everything from classic, San Francisco fare (like the sourdough from Acme Bread Company!) and pantry provisions to coffee shops, homewares, and even bookshops.
If you haven't already, this is a great place to pick up souvenirs to take home. Want some more fun shopping destination ideas? Check out of post on where to find some of the best 'discounted' shopping in San Francisco.
Musée Mécanique at Fisherman's Wharf
Visit one of the world's largest privately owned collections of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and unique arcade machines. Entry to Musée Mécanique is free but the games and instruments cost money to play. Don't worry, though, these games are cheap and change machines are plentiful. They have something that everyone can enjoy at Musée Mécanique!
Rainy day recap
See? You can stay dry all while having plenty of great options for things to do in San Francisco when it's raining out. We hope these ideas helped inspire you to create a fun-filled indoorsy itinerary.
Save up to 50% on San Francisco attractions
Planning your San Francisco trip? With Go City®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. Pick a San Francisco attraction pass that suits you, and save while you sightsee!
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