By Jennifer Eblin
Parents of teens in the
San Francisco area are always on the lookout for ways to keep their kids out of trouble. The teens themselves are equally excited about finding new things to do. This is a city full of history and excitement and they have many different things for teens to do that allow them to stay safe and have fun at the same time.
Youth Speaks
Youth Speaks is a San Francisco based organization focusing on helping teens interested in poetry. They host a teen poetry slam every year in the city, where teens have the chance to share their stories with others. They give out prizes to teens simply for reading and writing poetry and song lyrics.
Youth Speaks
290 Division St. Suite 302
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: (415) 255-9035
youthspeaks.com
Great America
California's Great America is another spot in San Francisco that teens seem to love. This amusement park offers over ten roller coasters, many of them featuring a loop, stores, rides and restaurants. They also have a season pass, which lets teens have unlimited access to the park during business hours.
California's Great America
4701 Great America Pkwy
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: (408) 988-1776
Website: pgathrills.com
Teen Challenge
Teen Challenge is a drug and alcohol addiction center, specifically created for teens and their families. They offer support and services for teens such as group therapy and one on one therapy. They also offer help for teens who have a family member or friend with an addiction problem.
Teen Challenge
1464 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110-3717
Tel: (415) 285-1353
Website: sfteenchallenge.com
The Tech
Teens interested in science and technology will find The Tech interesting. This museum is devoted to the history of technology and how it has changed over time. The museum also has an after school program with field trips and guest speakers at different events.
The Tech
201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Tel: (408) 294-TECH (8324)
Website: thetech.org
Teen Center
The Albany Teen Center located in nearby Albany is also popular with teens. The organization is open to all kids between sixth and ninth grade as long as they register. They host different events throughout the year such as field trips and basketball games.
Teen Center
Teen Center
900 Buchanan (Ocean View Park)
Albany, CA 94706
Tel: (510) 525-0576
Website: albanyca.org/index.aspx?page=211
Jack London Square
Jack London Square is similar to an outdoor shopping mall, with dozens of restaurants and stores located right on the pier next to the water. Throughout the year they host different events for families, kids and teens. They host dance contests, movie nights and most of these events are free to the public.
Jack London Square
Broadway & Water Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tel: (510) 645-9292
Website: jacklondonsquare.com
Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club of America is open to all children and teens under the age of eighteen. They focus primarily on at-risk teens such as those who come from a broken home. They offer programs to foster the creative arts and courses that teach teens life skills and other basic information.
Boys and Girls Club
1654 Sunnydale Ave
San Francisco, CA 94134-2628
Tel: (415) 584-5028
Website: bgcsf.org
Lyric
The Lyric organization exists solely for teens who are gay, bisexual or transgender. The organization hosts different events such as parties and art shows based on the art of members. They believe in helping teens accept themselves and accept others.
Lyric
127 Collingwood St
San Francisco, CA 94114-2411
Tel: (415) 703-6150
Website: lyric.org
Crissy Field Center
The Crissy Field Center is part of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservatory. The focus of the programs here is on making learning fun. They hold summer camp there every year, run a historic building and host workshops on environmental and historical ideas after school.
Crissy Field Center
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Building 201
Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Tel: (415) 561-3000
Website: parksconservancy.org/our_work/crissy/
About the Author:
Jennifer Eblin has been a full-time freelance writer since 2006. Her work has appeared on several websites, including Tool Box Tales and Zonder. Eblin received a master's degree in historic preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
