One Day in San Francisco:
the Best, Kid-friendly Itinerary for Families
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So you’re looking for a one-day that’s filled with kid-friendly things to do in San Francisco? Well look no further!
In this article, we’ll go through a detailed, 1-day itinerary that’s takes you through some of the most family-friendly and iconic attractions in San Francisco. It’ll be a truly special time for you and your loved ones.
San Francisco is a lively city filled with gorgeous views, delicious food, and a forward-thinking culture. And with great kid-friendly sites like the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, the Exploratorium, and the Musee Mecanique, this diverse city by the bay offers so many unforgettable experiences, especial for families looking to spend some good, quality time together.
Here are some of the best spots in San Francisco that we’ll explore on this itinerary. Some are popular, iconic attractions, while others are littler-known gems, but all of them will help you create amazing family memories.
Golden Gate Bridge
Bay Bridge
Pier 39 (with views of the SF Bay and Alcatraz)
Exploratorium
Aquarium of the Bay
Musee Mecanique
Cable Cars
Crissy Field at the Presidio
Ghirardelli Square
San Francisco Ferry Building
Also, if you happen are fortunate enough to have more than on day to spend in San Francisco, at the end of this post, we’ll also offer some additional San Francisco attractions that are sure to delight all members of your family.
The Top Kid-friendly Things to Do in
San Francisco if You're Short on Time
Alright, let’s get to it. Here is a 1-day San Francisco itinerary that takes you on a journey along the San Francisco Bay and is filled with beautiful views, yummy food, and family-friendly activities.
9:00am – view the Bay Bridge from Rincon Park
Rincon Park address
289 Steuart Lane
San Francisco, CA 94105
Your first stop on this epic day in San Francisco is Rincon Park where you’ll get amazing views of the the Bay Bridge.
While it’s true that the Golden Gate Bridge is the more iconic bridge of two, visitors absolutely should not skip out on seeing the Bay Bridge, and Rincon Park is a great place to see just how grand the bridge is.
This double-decker bridge connects San Francisco to the East Bay where Oakland and Berkley are located. And even though its not a huge tourist destination like the Golden Gate Bridge is, it’s plays a vital role to Bay Area locals l who rely on this bridge to commute to and from work each day.
In fact, the Bay Bridge is 4 times longer and twice as busy as the Golden Gate Bridge!
9:30- San Francisco Ferry Building
1 Ferry Building
San Francisco, CA 94111
After your quick visit to the Bay Bridge, walk down the street to the Ferry Building.
Not only is the San Francisco Ferry Building is a historic landmark and a transit hub for many Bay Area commuters, it is also a popular market place where you can grab a light breakfast of coffee, bagels, and pastries.
You can choose to either sit outside to enjoy your breakfast with a great view of the San Francisco Bay, or you can eat your hand-held breakfast while browsing one of the many unique shops in the market.
You can also book this 90minutes food tour to sample all the best treats at the Ferry Building! Just click on the image below.
10:30am -Exploratorium OR Aquarium of the Bay
After your visit to the San Francisco Ferry Building, you have a couple of options for your next stop on this San Francisco itinerary: The Exploratorium OR Aquarium of the Bay
Exploratorium Address
Pier 15
Embarcadero at Greet Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Aquarium of the Bay Address
Pier 39
Embarcadero at Beach Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
- The Exploratorium is located about .6 miles north of the Ferry Building is a wonderful, kid-friendly, museum that’s will entertain your family for hours. It’s home to more than 600 hands on exhibits that gives your kids the opportunity to explore things like, light, sounds, magnetism, electricity and more! It makes for a super fun and engaging way to learn about the world around us. CLICK HERE TO GRAB YOUR TICKETS TO THE EXPLORATORIUM
- Aquarium of the Bay is located at Pier 39, which is 1.3 miles north-west of the Ferry Building. This Aquarium houses more than 20,000 aquatic animals that are native to the San Francisco Bay. Here, your family will learn about creatures like sharks, jelly fish, and sea stars through observational and interactive exhibits. There’s even an underwater tunnel and touch pool to get your family fully immersed in the underwater world. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE AQUARIUM OF THE BAY
12:30pm – Lunch time by the San Francisco Bay
At this point in your itinerary, you’re sure to have some hungry bellies in your family.
If you’re at the Exploratorium, you have the option of grabbing food at the museum’s cafe or head out to eat in one of the many nearby restaurants.
If your at the Aquarium of the Bay, you have tons of dining options available to you just outside aquarium in Pier 39.
One highly recommending food to try is the iconic clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, which can be found at Boudin Bakery, Chowders, and most other seafood restaurants at Pier 39.
1:30pm- Explore Pier 39 and See views of Alcatraz
Pier 39
Embarcadero at Beach Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
After lunch, enjoy spend some family time by souvenir shopping at Pier 39.
Pier 39 is a popular and lively commercial shopping center filled with restaurants, unique gift shops, rides, and entertainment. From street performers to carnival rides, and mirror mazes to magic shops, there is absolutely no shortage of fun things for the young travelers in your family to do here.
A few must-do activities at Pier 39 include watching the performers at the Pier 39 stage, riding the California Carousel, enjoying a magic demonstration at Houdini’s Magic Shop, admiring the views of Alcatraz, and observing the California Sea Lions at Pier 39’s K-dock.
Also, if you wanted to spend some time seeing the sights on the San Francisco Bay, you can take the family on a really a nice 1-hour bay cruise.
Here are some 0ther San Francsico Bay cruises your family might enjoy
3:00pm – Musee Mecanique
Musee Mecanique Address
Pier 45
San Francisco, CA 94133
This next stop on your San Francisco itinerary is one that often times gets over-looked.
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The Musee Mecanique is an interactive museum filled with over 300 antique arcade games. It’s a place where your kids can discover fascinating machines that they can operate with hand-cranks, gears, and intricate clockwork mechanisms.
Your family will also have fun playing with pinball machines, old claw machines, fortune telling machines, and old-time music boxes. While these games are certainly not as advanced as the video games your kids might know today, it will be good fun transporting back to the early 20th century when arcade game first became popular.
Be sure to bring cash. Just like the early 20th century, no credit cards work in here.
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Exploring Musee Mecanique with Kids
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4:00pm- See the Cable Cars by Ghirardelli Square
Ghirardelli Square Address
900 North Point Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Next up, you’ll take a short walk towards Ghirardelli Square to watch the the famous San Francisco cable cars drive by at the intersection of Hyde and Beach Streets.
This area is also usually a very lively tourist area filled with local vendors and people enjoying the day at Aquatic Park.
If you have a little extra time and if the kids would like a sweet treat, you can also make a quick stop at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop where your family can share a huge hot fudge sundae made out of decadent Ghirardelli chocolate!
4:30pm Presidio Tunnel Tops or Crissy Field East Beach
Presidio Tunnel Tops Address
210 Lincoln Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94129
Crissy Field East Beach Address
1199 East Beach
San Francisco, CA 94129
After your visit to the Musee Mecanique, you have a couple of options for your next stop on this San Francisco itinerary: The Presidio Tunnel Tops OR Crissy Field East Beach. These both will require you to catch a quick ride-share over.
- Presidio Tunnel Tops is a great outdoor space that offers amazing views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. This area is often bustling with city locals enjoying the pop-up food trucks, picnic areas, and stunning views. Once here, make sure your kids get a chance to play at the Outpost Playground which is a wonderful, nature-based playground at Tunnel Tops.
- Crissy Field East Beach is your other option. It is a small, but wonderful, beach that’s a perfect place for simply letting the kids run around and play. It is a very popular spot for both locals and visitors who are wanting to build sand castles, fly kites, wade in the water, and simply enjoy the bay views.
5:30pm- See the Golden Gate Bridge up close from Crissy Field West Bluff
Long Avenue & Marine Drive
San Francisco, CA 94123
We’re saving the best for last on the 1-day San Francisco itinerary! Your last stop before heading back to your hotel to relax before dinner.
On your last stop, you’ll get an amazing view of the famed Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field West Bluff.
The West Bluff Picnic Area is a super popular space for many San Francisco locals. It offers plenty of picnic spaces, a walking path, and a small beach for you to explore and enjoy with your kids.
Plus, from here, you’ll get an up-close view of San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bride.
Break out the camera and get ready for some epic family photos and the perfect way to end your family day in San Francisco!
In Conclusion
Seeing San Francisco with Kids in Just One Day is Possible
It is totally possible to experience a ton of great kid-friendly things in San Francisco in just one day.
In one day, you can see so many of these great things and places:
Golden Gate Bridge
Bay Bridge
Views of Alcatraz
Views of the San Francisco Bay
Bay Bridge
Exploratorium
Aquarium of the Bay
San Francisco Ferry Building
Pier 39
Musee Mecanique
Cable cars
Ghirardelli Square
San Francisco Presidio
San Francisco is a city filled to the brim with endless experiences that the entire family will love and so much of it is within close proximity to each other!
From the Golden Gate Bridge the the Bay Bridge, from the Musee Mecanique to Ghirardelli square, there is no shortage of things to keep your kids entertained all day!
The Exploratorium offers tons of hands on exhibits while the Aquarium of the Bay is filled with enchanting aquatic life. Then there’s Crissy Field, which gives visitors spectacular views of the bay, including Alcatraz.
So even with just one day in San Francisco, it is absolutely possible to see a a ton of the best parts city. Get your cameras ready and day packs packed for some unforgettable family memories in this beautiful City by the Bay.
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