By Jill Leviticus
Family Things to Do in San Francisco
, home of the Golden Gate Bridge, offers a variety of family-friendly activities. The city is known for its 19th-century architecture and views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Whether your family enjoys touring landmarks, shopping or visiting museums, you'll find plenty to do in San Francisco.
Golden Gate Bridge
You'll find a panoramic view of the San Francisco area from high atop the Golden Gate Bridge. While you can drive across, walking or biking gives you ample opportunity to enjoy the scenery. Bikers and pedestrians are permitted to cross the bridge during daylight hours. If you want just a quick look at the bridge, parking and viewing areas are available at either end of the bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge
Lincoln Boulevard near Doyle Drive and Fort Point
San Francisco, CA 94129
Tel: (415) 921-5858
Goldengatebridge.org
Aquarium of the Bay
The Aquarium of the Bay features 20,000 aquatic animals from San Francisco Bay and surrounding waters, including sharks, rays and octopuses, plus a few land animals. Kids will enjoy viewing the giant octopus from the observation bubble and watching the daily shark feeding. The aquarium is open every day except Christmas.
Aquarium of the Bay
The Embarcadero and beach Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
Tel: (415) 623-5300
Aquariumofthebay.com
Fisherman's Wharf
In addition to being the home of working fishing fleets, Fisherman's Wharf is a popular tourist spot. You'll find the Wax Museum, a World War II submarine and a variety of shops and restaurants in the Fisherman's Wharf area. A recent addition to the area is the San Francisco Carousel on Pier 39. The hand-crafted, hand-painted carousel depicts famous San Francisco landmarks, including Alcatraz, sea lions, the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown. For those visitors wanting a more adventurous carousel ride, several spinning tubs have been included among the 32 animals on the carousel.
Fisherman's Wharf
Jefferson Street between Hyde and Powell Streets
San Francisco, CA 94133
Tel: (415) 391-2000
Visitfishermanswharf.com
Alcatraz Island
Also located in the Fisherman's Wharf area is Alcatraz cruises. Alcatraz, an island in the San Francisco Bay, was once a prison that housed such inmates as Al Capone and Robert Stroud, known as the "Birdman" of Alcatraz. Before its incarnation as a prison, the island served as a harbor defense fort and military prison. In addition to touring the prison, you may want to spend some time in the Alcatraz Gardens. The cost of admission includes a ferry ride to the island. Alcatraz is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Alcatraz Cruises, LLC
Pier 33, Hornblower Alcatraz Landing
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: (415) 438-8360
Alcatrazcruises.com
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum offers two floors of incredible and unbelievable exhibits. You'll find galleries devoted to vampires and graveyards, strange people and odd animals, weird and wacky art and the Orient. The museum is open every day.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum
175 Jefferson Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
Tel: (415) 202-9850
Ripleysf.com
Resources
About the Author:
Jill Leviticus has been a writer for 20 years. She writes business, health and travel articles for several online publications and worked as a writer for a hospital and a nonprofit research foundation. Leviticus has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Lock Haven University and works as a public relations writer.
Photo Credits:
Rich Niewiroski Jr./wikimedia commons
