The city of San Francisco, California is home to the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and the famed Alcatraz Federal State Penitentiary. The city exudes activities galore sure to satisfy both kids and parents alike. For instance, kids and their parents can enjoy a cable car ride, bike together in San Francisco’s vast Golden Gate Park, sample organic fare at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market or learn about climate change and sustainable "green" practices. Without question, San Francisco has plenty of things to do for the whole family.
Touch and Learn
The kids are sure to enjoy an afternoon at the Aquarium of the Bay located on Beach Street. The aquarium highlights the aquatic life of the San Francisco Bay area and features over 20,000 species of marine animals including sharks, octopus and jellyfish. Discover the new PG&E Bay Lab, a 1,200-square foot, interactive climate change exhibit showing how land mammals are helping to protect their environment from the impact of climate change. The kids can interact with Western Pond Turtles, Pacific Tree Frogs, Honey Bees, California King Snakes, Blue-tongued Skinks and Pink-toed Tarantulas.
Go to the Park
The immense 1,013-acre Golden Gate Park is three-miles long and a half-mile wide, which makes it larger than Central Park in New York City. Golden Gate Park is an excellent place for a family bike ride or to roller blade. The streets are closed to cars every Sunday until the early evening hours and bike and skate rental facilities are available in the area. Alternatively, rent a paddleboat or rowboat and explore Stow Lake. Golden Gate Park also boasts two of San Francisco's finest museums, the De Young Museum of Art and the California Academy of Sciences. It also houses a Japanese Tea Garden and the impressive Conservatory of Flowers filled with exotic flora including orchids.
Ride the Cable Cars
Quintessentially San Francisco, the cable cars are the best way to have some fun and navigate the hills of the city. Ride a Powell-Hyde car to the bustling section of Chinatown or head down to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market located at the foot of Market Street for a spot of gelato at Ciao Bella Gelato. The market is filled with tempting organic offerings and houses numerous small eateries and restaurants. The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is open on Tuesday and Saturday.
Visit The Animals
The family-friendly San Francisco Zoo is sure to keep the little ones busy either lending a hand at the Family Farm or learning about sustainable "green" practices at the Zoo’s newest 4,000 square foot "Greenie’s Conservation Center" exhibit. Built to commemorate Earth day in 2010, the new exhibit features an organic garden growing food for some of the Zoo’s animals, a harvesting system, a solar-powered fountain, a wind turbine and more. The San Francisco Zoo is open daily.
Take a Ferry Ride
Young or old, a ferry ride across beautiful San Francisco Bay is a treat. Take the ferry for a healthy lunch in the picturesque town of Sausalito, stop for a hike on Angel Island, or--for the brave--head over to Alcatraz Island for a guided tour of the famed old penitentiary. Ferries depart from Fisherman’s Wharf and Ferry Plaza at the Embarcadero.
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