There are more things to do here than can be covered in any one vacation (or perhaps even any dozen). Bring the kids and have a great time! Here are a few ideas:
Fisherman's Wharf
San Francisco has great street performers, and kids like watching them. Be careful if you see a bush in an odd spot with a lot of people looking at it. It's the famous "Bush Man," whose entire act consists of hiding behind that bush and jumping out to scare people. Some small children find him a little too scary.You'll find more performers all along the wharf area and at all three of the waterfront shopping complexes (pier 39, The Cannery and Ghirardelli Square).
Kids with maritime interests can get them satisfied here. The Liberty ship Jeremiah O'Brien and the Pampanito submarine are open for tours, as is the Hyde Street Pier Maritime Museum.
Alcatraz: Good for ages six and up. Buy tickets in advance to avoid standing in line and possible disappointment. The line to get on the ferry at your scheduled time will be long, but there's a lot to see from the pier (sea lions, seagulls, etc.). You can also wait until the last minute to get into the line - the last person to get in line arrives at the Alcatraz pier at the same time as the first person who gets on.
If you or your kids like things weird and unusual, try Ripley's Believe it Or Not or the Wax Museum.
Pier 39
Shopping galore, if your kids like that kind of thing. Lots of souvenir and specialty shops will tempt them to spend (or ask you to). There is also a double-decker Venetian carousel in the center of the complex, frequent free performances and the Aquarium of the Bay, a unique, walk-through underwater attraction.Best Things to Do with Kids in San Francisco
What is your favorite place to go with kids in San Francisco?Fisherman's Wharf | Alcatraz | Pier 39 | Ocean Beach | Golden Gate Park | San Francisco Zoo | Union Square | Lombard Street
Basic Needs
This area at first seems somewhat restroom-challenged, but there are plenty if you know where to look. You can find restrooms at Pier 39 (the ones upstairs are usually less busy), behind the Alcatraz ticket office (somewhat messy but usable), at the Cannery, and at Ghirardelli Square. The big green pay toilets on the street are cleaned after each use. Some kids might think they're fun, but the cleaning leaves everything a little damp (albeit clean).Don't abuse their good nature with this information, but the restrooms at Alioto's at Fisherman's Wharf are at the top of the stairs, and before you get to the control of their hostess. Be prepared to leave a tip for the attendant.
On the other end of things, a quick bite from one of the sidewalk restaurants can be enjoyed while watching the people. You'll find several sandwich shops and burger joints on the next street away from the water and if anyone has a sweet tooth, kids (and especially teenage girls) love hot fudge sundaes from shop at Ghirardelli Chocolate.
More Things to Do with Kids in San Francisco: Downtown | Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach | Outside San Francisco | Kid-Friendly Restaurants
