We spent three nights in San Francisco with our one- and three-year-old, giving us two full days to explore. Here are the activities we loved, our real itinerary and ideas for planning your own family adventure.
Planning a trip to San Francisco with kids? Between steep hills, busy streets and famous landmarks, it can be hard to know what will actually work with toddlers. We found that cable cars, sea lions and fantastic adventure playgrounds made San Francisco a brilliant first stop on our California road trip.
We stayed for three nights at Hotel Zephyr, near Fisherman's Wharf, and had two full sightseeing days before travelling to Yosemite. Below are our favourite things to do in San Francisco with kids, practical tips from our experience, and the two-day route we actually followed. I've kept attractions we didn't visit clearly separate.
Best things to do in San Francisco with kids at a glance
For a short visit, I'd prioritise a mix of iconic sightseeing and places that younger children can properly enjoy.
| Attraction | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| The Outpost Playground | Outdoor adventure | Free |
| Cable cars | Classic city experience | Paid |
| Pier 39 sea lions | Wildlife spotting | Free |
| Open-top sightseeing bus | Seeing more without long walks | Paid |
| Golden Gate Bridge and Crissy Field | Views and outdoor play | Free |
| Golden Gate Park | Gardens and green space | Mostly free |
Our verdict: Don't try to see everything. Mixing sightseeing with playground stops made both days much more enjoyable for everyone.
1. Explore The Outpost Playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops
If you're looking for free things to do in San Francisco with kids, The Outpost would be one of my top recommendations. It's an enormous, nature-inspired playground with climbing areas, wooden structures and slides built into the landscape.
This was one of the boys' favourite places. After a busy morning seeing the sights, it was exactly what they needed: space to climb, run and enjoy themselves.
The surrounding Presidio Tunnel Tops has lawns, picnic areas and views towards the Golden Gate Bridge, so the adults get something out of the visit too.
Our tip: Don't rush it. We visited after Crissy Field on our first full day. Bring a change of clothes and a towel if your children are likely to try the water play or beach.
2. Ride San Francisco's famous cable cars
We started our second full day on the Hyde Street cable car. The boys absolutely loved watching the turntable before climbing aboard and rattling up San Francisco's famous hills.
We got off at Lombard Street and walked down and back up the famously winding road. We left the stroller behind for this part because there are steps down the side and pedestrians can't walk in the road itself.
There's also a free Cable Car Museum if your children enjoy seeing how things work.
Our tip: Go early. The lines can get long and the waiting is harder with restless little ones.
3. Watch the sea lions at Pier 39 and explore Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is touristy, but with kids it's a fun place to wander. Watching the sea lions at Pier 39 was brilliant: lots of noise, splashing and lounging around on the floating docks.
We visited Pier 39 at the end of our first full day, after the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus and our playground stops.
There are shops, restaurants and a carousel nearby. You could also consider Aquarium of the Bay or Musée Mécanique if you have extra time.
Our tip: Earlier dinners can make this busy area easier with young children. We ate at Fog Harbor Fish House on our first evening and Taco Cantina on our second.
4. Take an open-top sightseeing bus tour
Normally we prefer exploring independently, but the hop-on hop-off bus worked brilliantly with our one- and three-year-old. We used Big Bus Tours on our first full day, with a stop right outside Hotel Zephyr.
It meant we could see the Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Park, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and get off near Crissy Field without spending the day pushing a stroller up steep hills.
Our tip: Think of the bus as part of the sightseeing experience, not just transport. Sit upstairs for the views, but hold on to your hats when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge!
Explore San Francisco by sightseeing bus
We found this a really practical way to cover more ground with young children. Check routes and ticket options below.
View sightseeing bus tickets →Affiliate link: I may earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
5. See the Golden Gate Bridge and explore Crissy Field
Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on the top deck of our sightseeing bus was an unforgettable experience. We could both take in the views without one of us driving, and it was exciting for the boys too.
Later, we got off near Crissy Field to enjoy the sand and beautiful views of the bridge. The Outpost Playground nearby was the perfect way to finish the afternoon.
You don't need to walk the whole bridge to appreciate it with young children. There are plenty of viewpoints around the Presidio.
Our tip: Bring layers. It can feel chilly and windy around the bridge even when the rest of the city is warmer.
6. Discover Golden Gate Park and the city's playgrounds
Golden Gate Park was one of our stops on the first day. While our youngest napped in the stroller with my husband, I explored the Japanese Tea Garden with our eldest. We loved the winding paths, stepping stones and peaceful atmosphere.
We also stopped at Alamo Square Park when visiting the Painted Ladies, where the playground was a great way to combine sightseeing with play.
The Outpost
Our favourite playground, with plenty of adventurous outdoor play in the Presidio.
Alamo Square Playground
Near the Painted Ladies, making it easy to combine iconic city views with a play stop.
Koret Children's Quarter
A well-known Golden Gate Park playground with climbing equipment and concrete slides.
Helen Diller Playground
A further option at Dolores Park, with creative play equipment and skyline views.
Our tip: Golden Gate Park is huge. Choose one or two areas rather than trying to see it all with little children.
More things to do in San Francisco with kids
We couldn't fit everything into our two full days. We didn't personally visit the following attractions, but they're worth considering if you have longer in San Francisco.
Exploratorium
A hands-on science museum at Pier 15, full of interactive exhibits.
California Academy of Sciences
An aquarium, natural history museum, rainforest dome and planetarium in Golden Gate Park.
San Francisco Bay cruise
A different perspective of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge from the water.
Walt Disney Family Museum
Interesting for Disney fans and older children, in the Presidio.
Chinatown
Colourful streets, food shops and the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
Aquarium of the Bay
A waterfront attraction at Pier 39, focused on local marine life.
Free things to do in San Francisco with kids
Some of the best family experiences here won't cost a thing:
- Pier 39: Watch the sea lions.
- The Outpost: Explore the adventure playground.
- Presidio Tunnel Tops: Enjoy lawns and beautiful views.
- Crissy Field: Play on the sand and admire the bridge.
- Alamo Square: See the Painted Ladies and visit the playground.
- Golden Gate Park: Explore paths, green space and free playgrounds.
- Cable Car Museum: Discover how the cable car system works.
Money-saving tip: Build a day around the Presidio, Crissy Field and The Outpost for incredible views and fun without a major admission charge.
Our real two-day San Francisco itinerary with kids
We stayed in San Francisco for three nights, but had two full days to explore. Rather than suggest an itinerary we didn't follow, here's how we actually spent our time with our one- and three-year-old.
Day 1: Hop-on hop-off bus, big landmarks and playgrounds
- Morning: Boarded the Big Bus sightseeing tour near Hotel Zephyr.
- Painted Ladies: Got off at Alamo Square, admired the famous houses and enjoyed the playground.
- Golden Gate Park: Explored the park and Japanese Tea Garden while our youngest napped.
- Golden Gate Bridge: Crossed the bridge on the open-top bus.
- Afternoon: Stopped at Crissy Field and spent time playing at The Outpost.
- Evening: Watched the sea lions at Pier 39 and had dinner at Fog Harbor Fish House.
Day 2: Cable cars, Lombard Street and the waterfront
- Morning: Rode the Hyde Street cable car and explored Lombard Street on foot.
- Mid-morning: Visited Ghirardelli Square for coffee and a break by the fountain.
- Late morning: Collected our hire car, leaving it at the rental location until the following day, then returned to the hotel for downtime.
- Afternoon: Stopped at Boudin Bakery, then travelled along the Embarcadero to the Ferry Building and a nearby playground.
- Evening: Had dinner at Taco Cantina on Pier 39 before relaxing in the Hotel Zephyr courtyard.
We also spotted Waymo self-driving taxis, which completely fascinated the boys. Little things like that made the city feel exciting for them.
What made this work: We mixed landmarks with playgrounds, took advantage of the sightseeing bus to cover distances and gave the boys some hotel downtime rather than filling every minute.
For more detail on every stop, including our meals, transport and family tips, read our 48 Hours in San Francisco with Kids: Our Real Itinerary .
Is San Francisco good for toddlers?
Yes! Our boys were one and three, and we found it a really enjoyable city break. A few things made the trip easier:
Plan around the hills
San Francisco isn't somewhere I'd try to walk everywhere with a stroller. The hop-on hop-off bus was really useful for covering distances and enjoying the famous sights.
Give children time to play
We included The Outpost, Alamo Square and a playground near the Ferry Building. These stops helped balance all the sightseeing.
Use naps and downtime
We explored the Japanese Tea Garden while our youngest napped, and returned to Hotel Zephyr for a break on our second day.
Bring layers and snacks
The weather can change quickly, especially around the Golden Gate Bridge, and snacks help with waiting for cable cars or transport.
Think about your hire car
We explored the city without a car. We arranged collection before leaving San Francisco and avoided paying for overnight hotel parking.
Where to stay in San Francisco with kids
We stayed at Hotel Zephyr, near Fisherman's Wharf. The location worked brilliantly for Pier 39, cable cars, restaurants and the sightseeing bus stop.
The courtyard, with fire pits and games, was a real bonus: somewhere for the boys to relax and play after busy days exploring. I'd definitely prioritise location and some family-friendly outdoor space when choosing accommodation.
Our tip: If staying at Hotel Zephyr, consider asking about a sea-view or partial sea-view room. We found the Fisherman's Wharf base very convenient with young kids.
Frequently asked questions about San Francisco with kids
What are the best things to do in San Francisco with toddlers?
Our favourites were The Outpost Playground, watching the sea lions at Pier 39, riding cable cars, the Painted Ladies playground and the Golden Gate Bridge area.
Are two days enough in San Francisco with kids?
Two full days gave us a great introduction to the city. We stayed for three nights, which meant we could explore without squeezing sightseeing into our arrival and departure days.
What free things can families do in San Francisco?
The Outpost, Pier 39's sea lions, Crissy Field, the Painted Ladies viewpoint and several city playgrounds are all excellent free options.
Is San Francisco stroller-friendly?
The waterfront and some park areas are easy to manage, but the steep hills can make longer walks difficult. We found a sightseeing bus particularly helpful.
Should you hire a car for San Francisco?
We didn't need one for our sightseeing days and arranged our hire car for the onward road trip. This helped us avoid expensive overnight parking.
Our final thoughts on San Francisco with kids
San Francisco surprised us as a family destination. We expected cable cars, iconic landmarks and steep streets, but hadn't appreciated how many great experiences there would be for our boys.
Two full days was enough to see a lovely variety of sights, especially because we included plenty of opportunities to run around and play.
If you're planning a visit with toddlers or preschoolers, I really wouldn't let their ages put you off.
Planning a California road trip with kids?
San Francisco was just the beginning of our adventure through Yosemite, Monterey, the Central Coast, Disneyland and Los Angeles.
Our California Family Road Trip Guide includes our route, accommodation ideas, itineraries and practical planning tips from travelling with two little children.
Explore our California Guide – £12 →Or start with our free two-week California road trip itinerary .
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