Family Friendly

Explore the world of science, art, and human perception at the Exploratorium, a public learning laboratory located on the San Francisco waterfront. With over 650 interactive exhibits, guests of all ages are encouraged to touch, play, and investigate everything from the living world to human behavior. When all that exploring makes you hungry, the Exploratorium offers a cafe and a waterfront restaurant with seasonal and sustainable cuisine. Beyond its hands-on exhibits, the Exploratorium is also a leader in science education, offering professional development programs for educators and sharing its expertise with museums around the globe.

Located in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is a one-of-a-kind destination that brings the natural world to life. This single, stunning building houses a world-class aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a four-story living rainforest, all under one iconic living roof. You can embark on epic science adventures by meeting nearly 60,000 animal residents, from a colony of African penguins to the beloved albino alligator, Claude. Explore hands-on exhibits that showcase Earth’s dazzling biodiversity, zoom through the cosmos in the immersive 75-foot planetarium, and learn how the Academy is working to regenerate the natural world.

Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are San Francisco's most popular destinations for family fun. Located on the vibrant waterfront, Pier 39 is a bustling complex of shops, restaurants, and attractions. A visit isn't complete without seeing the famous sea lions who have made the floating docks their home, providing endless entertainment as they bark, sunbathe, and play. Other can't-miss attractions include the beautiful two-story carousel and the Aquarium of the Bay, which immerses you in the marine life of the local waters with walk-through tunnels and interactive exhibits. Beyond the pier, the larger Fisherman's Wharf area offers more to explore, from the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier to the famous Musée Mécanique, a free arcade with a quirky collection of vintage coin-operated games.

As one of the country's most spectacular urban green spaces, Golden Gate Park is a one-of-a-kind oasis in the heart of San Francisco. Stretching over 1,000 acres, this iconic park was transformed from barren sand dunes into a lush landscape of forests, meadows, and gardens. A top destination for locals and visitors alike, it is home to world-class institutions like the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, as well as serene spaces like the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, and a resident herd of buffalo. The park is a cultural and recreational hub with plenty of room to spread out for a picnic, hunt for waterfalls, or polish a few soccer moves in an open meadow. It also features the Koret Children's Quarter, which includes a playground and a historic carousel. Whether you're jogging along its trails or simply relaxing by one of its peaceful lakes, Golden Gate Park provides an unforgettable escape that embodies the spirit of San Francisco.