By Robert Vaux
San Francisco is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, with countless attractions for both longtime residents and vacationers looking for something to do. In addition to attractions catering to grown-ups, the area has a number of places with particular appeal to kids, giving families options for day trips and afternoon outings. A comprehensive list could fill many pages, but some of the most notable attractions are within easy drive of downtown San Francisco.
Bay Area Discovery Museum
The Bay Area Discovery Museum caters to young kids and toddlers. It emphasizes exploration and discovery, letting kids interact with their environment through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Its best feature may be its location, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge and surrounded by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Fort Baker
557 McReynolds Road
Sausalito, CA 94965-2614
Telephone: (415-339-3900)
Pier 39
Pier 39 is in the midst of the historic Fisherman's Wharf, providing a variety of family-friendly attractions. The Aquarium of the Bay can be found there, as well as a 3D ride called TurboRide and a carousel in the middle of the pier. The west marina has become a haven for a large colony of sea lions and boats to Alcatraz Prison leave from nearby on a regular basis. Bike rentals and kayak rentals are available for families interested in exploring the nearby Wharf.
Pier 39
P.O. Box 193730
San Francisco, CA 94119-3730
Telephone: (415-705-5500)
Exploratorium
The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco contains a museum intended to be "a collage of science, art and human perception exhibits." Its low-key approach and hands-on atmosphere make it far more welcoming to children than other scientific museums. It includes of 650 exhibits on a plethora of different subjects, and its interactivity makes sure that the kids who attend are never bored. Like the Discovery Museum, its location allows for picnics and day walks in the surrounding park.
Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
Telephone: (415-561-0360)
AT&T Park
For kids who love baseball, few stadiums in the world can match the sheer beauty and excitement of AT&T Park. Built as the home of the San Francisco Giants (who had grown weary of playing in wind-blown Candlestick Park), it was designed around the classic contours of old-time baseball parks while making excellent use of San Francisco's natural beauty. Beyond the outfield lies San Francisco Bay, dotted with sailboats on warm days, with the city of Oakland visible on the eastern shore. McCovey Cove, just past right field, was designed as a "splashdown" zone where home run balls hit the water of the Bay. Kayakers and boaters eager for a souvenir fill the Cove every game.
AT&T Park
24 Willie Mays Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415-972-1800)
California's Great America
Families willing to drive a little further out from San Francisco can come to Great America, the premiere amusement park in Northern California. Originally a part of the Six Flags string of parks, it retains that entity's emphasis on roller coasters, but also includes a number of rides for smaller children, as well as stunt shows and similar exhibitions. Great America is in Santa Clara, on the south end of San Francisco Bay near San Jose.
Great America
4701 Great America Pkwy
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Telephone: (408-988-1776)
About the Author:
Robert Vaux has been a professional writer and editor since 1995. He has traveled throughout Europe and North America as well as parts of North Africa. Since 2000 he has been a professional movie critic at Flipside Movie Emporium, the Sci-Fi Movie Page and Mania.com. Vaux has a Master of Arts in English literature from Syracuse University.
