Whether it’s learning about sea life or discovering history, San Francisco offers a variety of attractions for everyone to enjoy. If you’re traveling to the city with children, check out the following options to find a kid-friendly side of San Francisco that will make your vacation a memorable one.
Tour Alcatraz Island
Image via Flickr by angela n.
Located 1.25 miles offshore in the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island is one of San Francisco’s most iconic structures. At one time, this maximum-security prison housed inmates like Al Capone and Robert Stroud. Today, the prison is open for a variety of tours. Your excursion to Alcatraz starts with a ferry ride from Fisherman’s Wharf. No matter which tour you choose, you and your kids can learn more about the history of Alcatraz with the award-winning audio tour narrated by former inmates and correctional officers.
Explore Crissy Field
Crissy Field was once an airfield for the U.S. Army. Nowadays, it’s a restored recreation area that offers an incredible variety of activities and a great excuse to get outside. You can go for a walk or ride a bike on the flat, hard promenade that winds through beaches, grassy fields, a sculpture park, and picnic areas in the park. Kids also love the climbing gym and trampoline park at Crissy Field. Before you leave, make sure you walk out on Torpedo Wharf for a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Visit Aquarium of the Bay
Learn more about the diverse and beautiful aquatic life of Northern California with a visit to Aquarium of the Bay. The aquarium is home to over 20,000 marine animals, including stealthy sharks and playful river otters. In the Discover the Bay exhibit, you can view eels, urchins, and crabs. The highlight of the Under the Bay exhibit is the 300 feet of tunnels that give you an incredibly immersive experience. Finally, at Touch the Bay, you can feel sharks, rays, anemones, and more.
Go on a Cable Car Ride
The cable cars of San Francisco are one of just two moving National Historic Landmarks in the country. Hop aboard one of the cars to get a scenic view of some of the city’s most popular landmarks. To learn more about the system, spend some time at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. If you know you want to take a ride on a cable car to tour the city, use IHG to find a hotel in San Francisco that’s within walking distance of one of the turntables.
Make Discoveries at California Academy of Sciences
Located in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is a science and natural history museum that’s one of the largest in the world. Step inside the four-story rainforest dome to see free-flying tropical birds and butterflies. Next, check out almost 40,000 live animals at the Steinhart Aquarium. Make sure you save time to explore the planetarium and natural history museum as well.
With so many great attractions throughout the city, San Francisco offers something fun and exciting for both adults and children to enjoy.