A Family-Friendly 48 Hours in San Francisco

Where We Stayed: Hotel Zephyr

We based ourselves at Hotel Zephyr, right by Pier 39 and the waterfront. Location-wise, it was perfect: easy access to the trams, the piers, and lots of restaurants within walking distance.

But the real bonus was the hotel courtyard — complete with fire pits, games, and open space where the kids could let off steam at the end of the day. It became our evening hangout spot and honestly saved us from meltdowns after busy sightseeing days.

Family Tip: If you’re travelling with little ones, pick a hotel with outdoor space. Even a small courtyard or garden makes a huge difference at the end of a packed day. If you stay in Hotel Zephyr try and get a room with a sea or partial sea view!

Day 1: Big Landmarks - Hop on Hop off bus

We kicked off our San Francisco adventure with a hop-on hop-off bus tour — the easiest way to cover lots of ground without dealing with strollers on public transport. The kids loved being up top, spotting trams, and waving at people on the streets below. It was also helpful to be driven around after a long journey with a touch of jet lag. We used Big Bus Tours and the first stop was right outside our hotel which was handy so we hopped on the first bus of the day.

There are of course loads of places you can stop but these are the ones we chose:

Stop 1: The Painted Ladies

These pastel-coloured Victorian houses are a San Francisco icon, instantly recognisable from TV and Instagram. But while adults admire the architecture, the kids will probably make a beeline for the playground at Alamo Square Park - if you look closely you can see the painted ladies theme on the playground.

It’s a great reminder that sightseeing with children often works best when paired with somewhere they can climb, slide, and run.

Family Tip: Bring snacks and a picnic blanket — the park has plenty of grassy areas, and you’ll get fantastic views of the skyline behind the houses.

Stop 2: Golden Gate Park

Sprawling, green, and full of surprises, Golden Gate Park is bigger than Central Park. While the little one napped in the stroller with my hubby, I sneaked off with my eldest to wander through the Japanese Tea Garden. It’s serene, beautifully landscaped, and full of winding paths and koi ponds — a lovely moment of calm. It cost me $16 for a ticket but it was free for O (who is 3). We had a lovely time wandering the paths and the stepping stones. There was also a shop and a cafe but we didn't stop here. I then swapped places with my husband and I wandered around the park. I was a little unnerved by the coyote warning signs when I found myself in secluded woodland but other than that it was great! I loved the big track where lots of people were walking and cycling.

Other family-friendly highlights in the park include the California Academy of Sciences (an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum all in one) and the Koret Children’s Quarter playground, one of the oldest public playgrounds in the U.S.

Family Tip: If you’ve got a whole day to spare, Golden Gate Park could easily fill it. For short visits, stick to one or two attractions and factor in a playground stop with kids.

Part of the Journey: Going over the Golden Gate Bridge

On the way to our next stop, the bus took us right over the Golden Gate Bridge. Sitting up top with the wind in our faces, the views were incredible — the city skyline behind us, the Pacific Ocean stretching out to the side, and the Marin Headlands ahead. Make sure you hold onto your hats otherwise you WILL lose them going over the bridge! It was brilliant to be on the bus meaning that both adults could enjoy the views (rather than one of us driving). You can also walk or cycle across the bridge. There are separate pathways for pedestrians and bikes, and while it’s about a 1.7-mile walk each way, even tackling a short stretch gives you those iconic views and a fun sense of scale.

Stop 3: Crissy Field and The Outpost Playground

Later in the afternoon, we hopped off at Crissy Field. This stretch of beach has unbeatable views of the Golden Gate Bridge, but what really grabbed our kids’ attention was The Outpost, a modern playground designed for adventurous play. Think climbing structures, natural wood elements, and lots of space to run free. It was hands-down their favourite playground of the trip.

Family Tip: Bring a change of clothes and a towel. There’s water play here, and sandy shoes are inevitable if your kids head down to the beach.

Evening at Pier 39

After a day of sightseeing, we headed to Pier 39 to go and see the sea lions and wander the pier and souvenir shops. We had dinner at Fog Harbor Fish House, where fresh seafood and stunning bay views made for a great family meal. It is a little pricey but we had a discount with our hotel (even though we forgot to use it). We enjoyed our meal here but in honesty thought it would be tastier than it was - they also missed our gf clam chowder which was the whole reason we went...

Family Tip: Go early. Pier 39 gets very crowded in the evenings, and little kids + peak dinnertime crowds = stress. Early dinners mean shorter waits and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Day 2: Trams, Chocolate, and Market Hopping

Day 2 was all about mixing iconic San Francisco experiences with kid-friendly stops.

Cable Car to Lombard Street

We started the day on the Hyde Street cable car. The kids loved watching the turntable at the start and then clattering up and down the city’s steep streets. We hopped off at Lombard Street — the famously winding road. We took a walk down (and then back up) before heading back on the train. We ditched the stroller as it is steps on the way down and pedestrians are not allowed on the road.

Family Tip: The cable cars are fun, but the lines can be long. Go first thing in the morning to avoid long waits with restless kids.

Ghirardelli Square

Ghirardelli Square was our mid-morning stop after getting off the tram. It’s touristy, but fun, and you can grab a coffee. Be warned the chocolate is expensive! The kids love sitting by the water fountain which kept them happy for a while. After this we headed to fetch our rental car before walking back to the hotel for some midday downtime (the rental place let us keep the car there until we needed it in the morning which saved us some $ parking in the hotel car park).

Boudin Bakery

Before heading to the Ferry Building, we stopped at Boudin Bakery, home of San Francisco’s famous sourdough. The kids loved peering through the big glass windows to watch the bakers at work, shaping loaves into crabs, turtles, and other fun designs. It’s a quick stop, but such an engaging one for little ones (and the bread smell alone is worth it).

Family Tip: If you’ve got time, grab a sourdough bread bowl filled with clam chowder — a true San Francisco classic. We didn't have much time so I just grabbed a turtle shaped sourdough and the kids the biggest croissant I've ever seen!

The Ferry Building + Playground

In the afternoon, we took a tram along the Embarcadero to the Ferry Building Marketplace. This historic building is now home to food stalls, bakeries, and artisan shops — a foodie’s dream. We browsed while we kept the kids happy with snacks. Alex got some goodies from Mariposa Baking Company which offered gluten free goods - he confirmed they were excellent!

But, crucially, we also found a great little playground nearby. This was another well-timed break where the kids could run wild and blow off some steam.

Spotting Waymos

While getting around, we also spotted a few Waymos — San Francisco’s self-driving taxis. Our kids were mesmerised by the idea of a “car with no driver,” and it added a quirky, futuristic twist to our transport adventures.

Dinner at Taco Cantina, Pier 39

We ended our day back at Pier 39 with a casual dinner at Taco Cantina. Easy, tasty, and quick — exactly what you need with small children.

Evening in the Hotel Courtyard

Instead of cramming in more sightseeing, we finished our trip in the Hotel Zephyr courtyard. Fire pits, games, and open space for the kids — it was the perfect low-key end to our San Francisco stay.