San Francisco Family Vacation Ideas - Attractions, Activities & Things to Do for Summer Vacation

By Katie Sagal
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Summertime is one of the best times to visit San Francisco. The weather is at its best, nature is thriving, and the best attractions are open and ready for business. If you’re planning a family trip to San Francisco but aren’t sure which attractions are right for you, check out this list of our favorite family-friendly attractions.

Curated by industry experts, they’re the best activities, tours, and museums for family vacations in San Francisco. The top San Francisco summer family vacation ideas include:

  • Big Bus San Francisco Sightseeing Tour
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • SFMOMA
  • Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Madame Tussauds San Francisco
  • Bike Rentals
  • Exploratorium
  • Aquarium of the Bay
  • Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
  • Golden Gate Park
  • Muir Woods

Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Tour

 

One of the best ways to introduce the family to San Francisco is with a guided bus tour of the city. A hop-on hop-off option is both fun and flexible, allowing you to get off when something intrigues you, and get back on when the kids get tired.

See the sights from the top deck and then simply hop off to explore the streets. This tour from Big Bus includes more than 20 different stops in all the city’s hot spots, plus a selection of free, guided walking tours that begin at selected stops.

California Academy of Sciences

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Among the most popular family attractions in San Francisco is the California Academy of Sciences. Both immensely educational and immensely entertaining, this institution really does have it all. It’s part aquarium, part natural history museum, and part planetarium, with a four-story rain forest thrown in.

They have many special events and kid-centric programming that runs during the summer, so be sure to check their operating calendar before you go to see what’s on. Don’t forget to say hi to their colony of playful penguins!

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

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The SFMOMA is the one for arts and culture fans.

Introduce the kids to some of the best modern and contemporary art in the world with a visit to the recently expanded San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The SFMOMA has expansive collections of art by both iconic figures and up-and-coming artists, so it’s a great place to really get a feel for the artistic movements of the last several decades.

Special summer exhibits are extra fun, too. Be sure to check their events calendar to see if there's anything of interest to you going on during your trip.

Fisherman’s Wharf

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The northern waterfront neighborhood of San Francisco, this popular destination is a haven for visitors who want to explore many of the city’s top attractions. There are a ton of things to do in Fisherman's Wharf.

Buy some delicious chocolate in Ghirardelli Square, wander through the free (and a little bizarre) Musée Mechanique, and visit the USS Pampanito. Then go shopping, have a sumptuous seafood lunch, explore Madame Tussauds, and more. The possibilities are practically endless!

Madame Tussauds San Francisco

 

Speaking of Fisherman’s Wharf... Located in an area of the city we’re sure you’re already exploring, Madame Tussauds is a fun attraction for families. It’s the only place outside of Hollywood where you’ll see so many celebrities.

Take a selfie with your favorite A-list celebs – nobody will know the difference! A visit here is a good opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of San Francisco, too. Their Spirit of San Francisco exhibit highlights famous figures from art, music, and literature.

The San Francisco Dungeon

Learn all about San Francisco's shadier side of history, brought to life in a fun and campy way at this attraction that's part thrill ride, part theatrical experience. You'll see a number of live theatrical performances that re-enact true, local history and take you back in time to the dark days of San Francisco.

This is one of the more creepy things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf. But if your kids are interested in history, it's a fun and entertaining way to learn about it!

Bike Rentals

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While San Francisco may be notorious for its hilly terrain, don’t let that stop you from renting a bike and pedaling your heart out around this incredibly bike-able city. Bike riding is an ideal way to keep the kids entertained and to get out and be active while on vacation!

You can ride around Golden Gate Park, Presidio, the waterfront, or even up those hilly streets -- if you dare. Rent a bike if you weren’t able to bring one, and keep it all day for the ultimate in convenience.

You can use your pass you rent bikes down by the waterfront, or at Golden Gate park.

Exploratorium

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This is one the kids will adore. The Exploratorium is designed to be the most engaging and interactive museum out there, bar none. Play around with and explore more than 600 (yes, that’s right) exhibits.

Your kids will get to learn a little bit about practically everything at this amazing attraction, from science to art and beyond. Be sure to check out their special programming calendar before your visit to see if there is something that especially interests your kids. They offer extended summer hours, too.

Aquarium of the Bay

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Animal lovers of all ages won’t want to miss out on the Aquarium of the Bay. A marine institution dedicated specifically to the flora and fauna of the San Francisco Bay, it’s a distinctive attraction with a lot to teach visitors.

Walk through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels that wind through a massive tank filled with thousands of critters in all shapes and sizes. The kids will especially love the Touch the Bay exhibit, where they have the chance to interact with sharks, rays, and sea stars.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

A theme park is a great summer idea for families, so why not take a quick drive a bit north of the city to reach the delightful Six Flags Discovery Kingdom? This popular park combines all your favorite amusement park rides – like roller coasters, bumper cars, water rides, and much more – with the educational fun of animal exhibits.

Visit the animal inhabitants of Discovery Kingdom all throughout the park, like the playful creatures of Dolphin Harbor, Seal Cove, and the Butterfly Habitat. You also have the opportunity to upgrade to a number of animal encounters to make the day a truly special one.

Golden Gate Park

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Easily among the most famous parks in the country, Golden Gate Park is a must-visit for your family vacation to San Francisco. This massive oasis in the middle of the city is filled with opportunities for picnicking, biking, playing Frisbee, a round of golf, and so much more.

There are also a number of attractions within the park itself, from the serene Japanese Tea Garden to the artistic de Young Museum to the gorgeous Conservatory of Flowers. There’s even a children’s playground that’s definitely worth taking your littler ones to.

Muir Woods

For those families looking to explore the expansive natural world around San Francisco, a trip up to Muir Woods is non-negotiable. Home to the majestic redwood trees, Muir Woods National Park is a wondrous place to explore. You’ll immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of this ancient forest, and get to see an incredible diversity of plant and wildlife all throughout the park. Remember to bring a camera to Muir Woods for pictures – you’ll get no cell reception and this may drain your phone’s battery.

Remember to Save on Family Friendly Admission

There you go. A few suggestions for attractions and activities for your upcoming San Francisco family vacation. Regular admission to a number of these family friendly attractions are available with a pass by Go City. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your family vacation itinerary. Learn more about our San Francisco passes, attractions and prices.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Should you be willing to brave the regular windchill and rainfall of San Francisco in February, you’re bound to find yourself handsomely rewarded. In its winter low-season, the Golden City tends to be quieter than ever, leaving its top attractions and photo ops ripe for the picking. Visiting San Francisco in February Average Temperature: 48 - 61°F • Average Rainfall: 10 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day Continuing to plod through the winter months, San Francisco very much maintains its low-season character. Though you’ll still find plenty of tourists passing through the Golden City, this is one of the best times to explore some of its iconic sights and attractions without the need to battle with huge crowds. What’s more, many hotels tend to operate at somewhat of a discount on high-season rates, meaning you can often grab yourself quite the steal if you book sufficiently in advance! 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