There’s no doubt that the densely-populated metropolis of San Francisco, California, is full of kid-friendly activities, and for those who are fitness and wellness-minded, you’ve come to the right place, too. With its coastal area, cultural scene and historical sites, the Golden Gate city has plenty of attractions that kids are certain to love and benefit from in mind and body.
Head to the Beach
San Francisco, in cooler Northern California, doesn’t exactly have swimmer- and sunbather-friendly beaches, and its waters can in fact be rather dangerous. But you can still enjoy its beautiful Pacific coastline with the kids, especially at Ocean Beach, which is the largest beach in the city at 4 miles long.
Kids will enjoy getting active with activities such as biking and skating on the paved path across the Great Highway. Even when the weather is a little chilly, constant activity will keep the kids warm.
Kayaking
San Francisco Bay is a popular kayaking destination with multiple kayak rental facilities for those who don’t own their own.
With its stunning views of the blue Pacific Ocean waters and the Golden Gate Bridge, your kids will never forget their day of kayaking, a fun and challenging water sport that older kids will love, especially when they get to oar on their own and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Go to the Museum
Stimulate your children’s minds and get them to enjoy some healthy walking at any of the vast array of San Francisco’s kid-friendly museums. Located at the Palace of Fine Arts is the Exploratorium, featuring the Tactile Dome, an exhibit, recommended for children ages 7 and older, in which guests use their tactile sense to make their way through the darkness.
According to its website, the Exploratorium is more than a museum--it’s “a vast collection of online interactives, web features, activities, programs and events that feed your curiosity.”
Head to Zeum, an interactive museum intended to give children the chance to experience music and film production as well as graphic art. The music studio is appropriate for kids ages 3 and older, and the other exhibits are recommended for ages 5 and older.
The Bay Area Discovery Museum has exhibits for kids in their toddler years as well as in elementary school, including Tot Spot for babies who are still crawling or just beginning to walk, Lookout Cove, which has shipwrecks for kids to explore, and an art studio.
Visit Fisherman’s Wharf
Take the kids to Fisherman’s Wharf, where there are a variety of activities to pique their interest, such as Pier 39, where children will love the sight of sea lions gathered in a large group that migrated to the pier after the 1989 earthquake in Loma Prieta.
Tours are available of the World War II submarine, the "USS Pampanito," making for an educational and historical visit. Take a health-promoting and historically enlightening walk through the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, home of the Maritime Museum, with beautiful views of the water and tours of historic ships and special activities for children, such as arts and crafts and a sing-a-long held once a month.
The kids are in for an educational treat when they go to Fisherman’s Wharf.
See the Animals
There’s no question that kids love animals, and San Francisco’s got plenty of animal attractions that will be sure to delight your little ones. Head to Aquarium of the Bay, known for its moving walkways that take visitors through see-through tunnels of sea life, or head to the San Francisco Zoo, which is especially kid-friendly with several child-oriented exhibits such as Family Farm, where your kids can help out with farm work, the Insect Zoo and public feedings of lions and tigers.
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