7 Epic Things to Do in
San Francisco at Night with Kids.
Often times people assume that San Francisco nightlife is only for grown-ups .
Well, I’m here to tell all parents that that couldn’t be any farther from the truth.
San Francisco at Night
The gorgeous city of San Francisco, while only 7 miles long and 7 miles wide, is chock-full of epic, family-friendly things to experience.
On any given day in the City, you’re sure to find families spending quality time exploring the city. However, what many families don’t know is that the kid-friendly fun doesn’t need to stop when the sun goes down.
From outdoor miniature golf to eerie night tours, San Francisco offers a plethora to fun things to do after dark, for kids and parents alike.
In this post, we’ll explore 7 of the most memorable night time activities to enjoy with the kiddos. We’ll also cover some tips for keeping your twilight adventure stress-free and memorable.
With so many after-dark activities to do, your entire family will have an awesome time indulging in some safe, past-bedtime fun and excitement.
Stick around until the end for more San Francisco adventures to share with your family.
Is it safe to walk around San Francisco at night?
Most of San Francisco is relatively safe to walk around at night.
In fact, exploring certain areas of the San Francisco at night will offer you some of the most stunning views of the City that you absolutely cannot see while the sun is out.
However, keep in mind, like all major cities, there is small handful of San Francisco neighborhoods you’ll want to avoid, especially at night.
But as long as you stay clear of these areas and remain mindful of where you’re going, you can safely enjoy the City at night.
Tips For Exploring San Francisco at Night
- Stick with night tours that are run by reputable tour companies.
- Stay off your phone when walking down the street at night.
- Avoid public transportation at night. Stick with taxi’s, Ubers, or Lyfts that allow you to track your route.
- Stick with the crowds and explore more touristy areas at night.
- Start your after-dark activities as soon as the sun sets, while people are still out and about.
- Don’t stay out too late. When streets start to empty, that’s your signal to head home.
- Avoid dark, empty areas, streets, and alleys.
Epic Ways to See San Francisco
at Night with Kids
Now let’s get to the good stuff!
While San Francisco is truly beautiful during the day, it is also filled with many family-friendly activities that will let you see a side of the city you simply can’t see while the sun is out.
So, dare to keep the kids up past their bedtimes, and get ready to explore
San Francisco by moonlight with these 7 unforgettable and kid-friendly activities.
Alcatraz Night Tour
There is no doubt that Alcatraz is a tourist hot-spot during the day, but did you know that Alcatraz is accessible to the public at night?
The Alcatraz Night Tour is the only way you can get on The Rock after sunset and is one truly memorable thing to do in San Francisco at night.
This engaging, 2.5-hour tour is perfect for any kid who loves being spooked out or for the history buff who’s looking to soak up cool, mid-19th century facts.
And even if you and your family is neither if these, the sunset ferry ride over to Alcatraz Island is more than worth the trip.
What is included with tour prices?
- round trip ferry rides
- access to the inside of the actual prison
- guided audio tour
- ranger tours
- other seasonal activities available during your visit
How much does the Alcatraz Night Tour cost?
- Adults $60.70
- Children $39.00
- Seniors $57.00
Giants Baseball Game
There’s nothing like catching an evening baseball game at Oracle Park. Whether or not you’re a sports fan, there’s just something very special about being among a crowd that’s passionately cheering for their home team under bright stadium lights.
While the baseball game is obviously the main attraction at the ball park, Oracle Park also offers so many other fun activities for guests of all ages to enjoy.
For starters, anyone can get easily lost trying to decide which one of the many amazing ball park eats to have at Oracle. From Hawaiian poke to Filipino lumpia to hot dogs and everything else in between, don’t be surprised if you end up spending most of their time simply trying out all the amazing food this particular park has to offer.
And if you have a hard time picking which foods to nosh on, when in doubt, have the popular family hits: the garlic fries and Ghirardelli sundaes.
Then, when bellies are full, the kids can have some great fun at the Fan Lot just behind the bleacher where they’ll slide down the long Coca-cola slides , hit whiffle balls, and run bases.
The Bay Bridge Lights
Since San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is a major tourist attraction because of it’s historical significance, it’s very easy to see why the Bay Bridge might get overlooked.
However, do not skip out on this underestimated beauty. The Bay Bridge is truly remarkable, especially at night.
When the sky gets dark, from sunset to 2:00am, the Bay Bridge get’s illuminated with 25,000 individually programmed LED lights to create a bright and dazzling show across its western span. The best part is that it’s absolutely free!
Some of the best places to see the Bay Lights is at San Francisco’s Embarcadero and the Ferry Building.
During business hours, you’ll find several eateries by the Bay Bridge where you can easily purchase treats and snack for the family, so right before you find the perfect spot to view the Bay Lights, make sure you bundle up and grab a warm drink or yummy treat.
Then claim your spot, relax, and enjoy watching the lights dance across the Bay Bridge and bay waters.
Spark Social
Spark Social is a food truck park in the middle of the hip Mission Bay/Dog Patch neighborhood of San Francisco.
This happening spot features a rotating collection of food trucks, each offering unique and delicious dishes and treats.
This place also features a great beer and sangria garden for any grown-up looking for an adult beverage. All this makes for a great hangout spot for families.
And while Spark Social is a popular local spot during the day, it is also a very special place in San Francisco at night, especially with your kids.
After the sun sets, Spark Social becomes quite a magical little place. The lights of the surrounding city come on, the fire pits are lit, and over head patio lights illuminate the space.
Imagine sitting around a warm, fire pit with your kids, munching on brick oven pizza or sipping on decadent hot cocoa, under the San Francisco night sky.
Stagecoach Greens
Another great family activity to do in San Francisco at night is miniature golf.
While Parklab Gardens, Spark Social’s sister park, is another great place to grab more yummy food, the best activity to do at Parklab is play a round at Stagecoach Greens, San Francisco’s one-and-only outdoor miniature golf course.
Stagecoach Greens offer 18 holes of mini golf in the middle of Parklab Gardens. What’s truly special about each hole at Stagecoach Greens is that each one is themed around a big event in San Francisco history.
For example, the 14th hole is appropriately named “I Felt That” and was inspired by the historical earthquakes that shook San Francisco in the past. You can see that putting your way through this course is not only fun, but fascinating for your eager, young learners.
Like Spark Social, Stagecoach Greens is usually bustling with locals during the day, but don’t sleep on the night time rounds of mini golf here. The surrounding lights that illuminate the park will create and extra special experience that you just can’t get during the day.
How much is a round of mini golf at Stagecoach Greens?
- Adults $16
- Youth 12 & under $10
- Tee times required
Skystar Wheel
The SkyStar Wheel is a eye-catching ferris wheel located in the middle of Golden Gate Park.
It was installed in 2020 for the Golden Gate Park 150 year anniversary celebration and will remain there until 2025. That means if you want to experience this with your family, you have to act fast.
While Golden Gate Park isn’t the best place to walk through during the late hours of the night, the Skystar Wheel is accessible by car, so you can easily get there by taxi or ride-share, without worrying about your safety.
In addition, it’s located right next to the California Academy of Sciences, the De Young Museum, and Music Concourse, which is an area that tends to be one of the more bustling parts of the park. That means it’s usually busy with tourists and locals in the evening, which makes it safer for exploring at night.
How much does the Skystar Wheel cost?
- Adults $18
- 12 & under $12
- Seniors $12
- 2 & under are FREE
Ghirardelli Square
Ghirardelli Square is a popular tourist destination during the day, but it is also a wonderful, family-friendly place to go in San Francisco at night.
While it’s true that Ghirardelli Square is a chocolate-lover’s dream, there is so much more to this spot aside from decadent treats.
Ghirardelli Square is filled with interesting little gift shops that are fun to window shop in. One shop that’ll be fun for your kids to browse in is Gigi + Rose Children’s shop. It is an adorable store filled with fun children’s books, toys and trinkets that your family will find irresistible.
For great food options, there are restaurants like the local favorite, Square Pie Guys, which serves up filling, Detroit-style pizzas in the middle of San Francisco.
Then, of course, there’s the star of Ghirardelli Square: The Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. This place is a must for all fun-loving families and is the place you can find huge, sharable, hot-fudge sundaes made with the famous Ghiardelli chocolate.
After all, what kid doesn’t love ice cream and chocolate?
There is So Much to Do in
Yes, it’s true that it’s important to get the kids to bed on time, but every now at then
it’s a nice once-in-a-blue-moon treat to experience San Francisco at night.
From creepy night tours to moonlit miniature golf,
there is no shortage of unforgettable and safe activities for your family to once the
sun goes down in the City by the Bay.
With the glow of the moon above and the lights of this charming city, these 7 epic night time activities will surely help you create lasting, family memories.
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