Top Things to do in San Francisco with Kids

By Betsy Malloy, About.com Guide

If your kids would like to take home something with San Francisco written all over it, Pier 39's souvenir and specialty shops will tempt them to spend (or ask you to). There's also a double-decker Venetian carousel in the center of the complex, frequent free performances that kids love on the stage near the end of the pier and the Aquarium of the Bay, a unique, walk-through underwater attraction. On the west side of the complex, you'll find where the California sea lions hang out.

San Francisco has great street performers and most kids love to watch them. You'll find some of the best of them between Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf.

Pros and Cons of Going to Pier 39 with Kids

Children (and the adults) enjoy watching the Sea lions who have taken over the small marina beside the pier. It's a good place to get a bite to eat and when the kids are ready to "go," Pier 39 has free public restrooms.

On the downside, Pier 39 gets very crowded and noisy, especially during the summer, making it hard to navigate with active kids and strollers. Some people think Pier 39 is a tourist trap and according to the official definition, it probably is, created with the aim of attracting tourists and offering overpriced goods and services. This may be more of a turn-off to adults than to the kids, who tend to care less about such things than they do about having fun.

See how others rate Pier 39.

More about Pier 39

Get some insider tips and find out more about taking the kids to Pier 39.

See what it looks like before you go. Check out the image gallery.

See where it is on a map. It's the orange balloon with a black dot.