18 Things To Do in the Bay Area With Kids

Gina I. said:  Raging Waters San Jose offers 23 acres of water park fun including slides, rides, and a 350,000 gallon wave pool!

Gina I. said:  If your kids love berries, they'll loving Webb Ranch! In business since 1922, this certified organic farm has a huge variety of u-pick fields, including: olallieberries, raspberries, golden raspberries, blackberries, loganberries, boysenberries, and marionberries. They also have a jumpy house where kids can bounce and burn off some energy.

Olallieberry, raspberry, blackberry, loganberry, boysenberry & marionberry picking

Children's Fairyland is an outdoor wonderland for kids with a storybook theme featuring interactive and hands-on play and exploration. They boast many popular and well-loved storybook themed play areas including Jack and Jill, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Rabbit, Jolly Roger Pirate Ship and many more. Kids can also enjoy delightful rides, farm animals such as donkeys, bunnies, goats, ponies, sheep, ducks and more, plus a garden and greenhouse. For the entertainment of all, they offer events and performances, puppet shows, children's theater and more.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Children's Fairyland is an outdoor wonderland for kids with a storybook theme featuring interactive and hands-on play and exploration. They boast many popular and well-loved storybook themed play areas including Jack and Jill, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Rabbit, Jolly Roger Pirate Ship and many more. Kids can also enjoy delightful rides, farm animals such as donkeys, bunnies, goats, ponies, sheep, ducks and more, plus a garden and greenhouse. For the entertainment of all, they offer events and performances, puppet shows, children's theater and more.

Erynn said:  With rotating exhibits that change with the seasons, there's always something new to experience at this kids' museum. Ongoing exhibits include water play, a toddler garden, pretend play areas, a wind tunnel, and face painting. A continuously available Art Studio spot lets kids get messy with a variety of projects that rotate every day.

Members can also take advantage of the Toy Lending Library for continued fun at home!

Cost: Admission is $12; under 12 months are free

Large playgrounds in front of this popular San Francisco museum for kids have plenty of soft floor space to run and feature two major tube slides. Kids will love taking a ride on the nearby LeRoy King Carousel, too.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Explore and discover over 20,000 marine animals and their ecosystem from life in the San Francisco Bay. The Aquarium of the Bay also offers hands-on Touchpools for families to touch tidepool animals, leopard sharks, skates, sea stars, bat rays and along with a Bay Lab Station for interactive learning and play. Families will also enjoy seeing river otters, sea lions and more sea life. The Aquarium features daily programming, events, animal feedings, educational talks, movies and more family fun!

Cost: $26.95/adults, $16.95/ages 4-12 and free/ages 3 and under.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The San Francisco Cable Car Museum takes you back in time to see three antique cable cars from the 1870s along with detailed models, devices such as cable, tracks, brake mechanisms and historic photos. Guests can also see the big engines and winding wheels that pull the cables. It's the perfect place for curious kids who like transportation, engineering and machinery! Learn additional history here and after a trip to the Museum, take a ride on the cable cars!

Cost: Museum is Free. Cable car rides are $7/per person. Day passes are available.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Fishermans's Wharf is a destination for unlimited family fun without leaving the City! Experience a number of attractions including the Aquarium of the Bay, Sea Lion Center, Piers 39 and 45, Ripley's Believe It or Not and more. You can also enjoy a meal, bite or sweet treat at any one of their many restaurants or attend one of their themed events. Your family can also rent bikes, go fishing or check out a museum such as the Maritime Museum or Cartoon Art Museum. Not sure what to do? Follow the Curious Kiddo's itinerary for a guaranteed awesome experience!

Cost: Admission varies per attraction

Tim Ponisciak said:  No trip to San Fran is complete without a ride on one of the Cable Cars! Hop on and feel the wind in your face as you go down the hills of SF. The most popular route is the Powell/Hyde line. Make sure to follow the directions of the crew and have your kids hold on tight!

Katie G. said:  At the original shop you can see fresh chocolates being made, enjoy a delicious treat from the sweet menu and marvel at the breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Lombard Street is the iconic crooked street in the hills of San Francisco that you need to see to believe. Your family can drive down the one way street if you dare or walk the steps along each side as you admire the famous homes that line the street. Lombard has eight hairpin turns along this steep street making it a one-of-a-kind view. You can access the street by cable car, city or tour bus or car. Your kids may love it enough to go back a second time!

Cost: Free

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The beautiful Golden Gate Bridge is an awe-inspiring experience for families. Pedestrians can walk across the the bridge on the East Sidewalk and bicyclists can ride on either the East or West Sidewalks. You will get jaw dropping views of the City and San Francisco Bay. There is also a lot to do other than cross the bridge - visit the Welcome Center, explore the Golden Gate Recreation Center, check out the interactive exhibits, take a walking tour and grab a bite at one of the cafes.

California Academy of Sciences is a one-stop all-natural science and history museum that will keep your family entertained all day! They boast educational exhibits including an Aquarium, Planetarium and Rainforest. There is also a natural history section with fossils from sea and land life, gems, and minerals plus more. Families will enjoy hands-on interactive science exploring for kids, closeups, specimen highlights, special exhibits, events, family programs, sleepovers and so much more at this magnificent venue.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  California Academy of Sciences is a one-stop all-natural science and history museum that will keep your family entertained all day! They boast educational exhibits including an Aquarium, Planetarium and Rainforest. There is also a natural history section with fossils from sea and land life, gems, and minerals plus more. Families will enjoy hands-on interactive science exploring for kids, closeups, specimen highlights, special exhibits, events, family programs, sleepovers and so much more at this magnificent venue.

Cost: $35.95/adults, $30.95/ages 12-17, $25.95/ages 4-11

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Peek-a-Boo Factory is a hot spot for indoor playground family fun, fitness and socialization. They feature separate play areas for babies and toddlers as well as for kids ages 3-10. The boast programs and classes, walk-in hours, camps, date night drop off and can host your child's birthday party. For the parents, they feature free WiFi with an area to do some work or socialize with other parents. They offer memberships and discounts too!

Ages: Newborn - 10

Cost: $12 per child

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a children's museum offering many STEAM exhibits for families to explore. Kids will love learning about space, digital technology and art while using their imagination. Enjoy one of the several playgrounds or participate in a pop-up program. Bay Hall features boats, trains and tunnels in a simulated San Francisco setting. Lookout Cove lets kids explore nature in an interactive playground and the Tot Spot is a perfect place for toddlers to run around and burn off energy.