San Francisco and Oakland with Kids

If you're in San Francisco and want something super fun and hands-on, check out the Exploratorium at Pier 15. It’s a giant 330,000-square-foot science museum packed with 600+ interactive exhibits, a chill bayside restaurant, and killer waterfront views.

Highlights:

• Explore physics, art, marine life, and more
• Play with plankton and fruit flies under real microscopes
• Build your own Marble Machine in the Tinkering Zone
• Experiment with emotions and social behavior
• Great for all ages—especially curious kids

Pro Tip:

Hit the South Gallery first—it’s where you get to create cool stuff with your hands and tinker with machines. Perfect for kids (and adults!) who like to build and explore.

Pier 15, San Francisco, California 94111
Phone: 415-528-4444

Looking for a fun day out with the kids? The Oakland Zoo is a solid choice. Managed by the Conservation Society of California, this place has over 850 animals—from lions and elephants to wallabies and bears—and plenty to keep the little ones entertained.

Highlights:

• See animals from Africa, Australia, and beyond
• Get hands-on with goats and pigs at the Children’s Zoo
• Ride the zoo train or hop on fun amusement rides
• Check out reptiles, amphibians, and creepy crawlies
• Lots of shaded paths and picnic spots

Pro Tip:

Don’t skip the Skyride—you’ll get an amazing view of the zoo and surrounding hills. Plus, it’s a great way to relax after all the walking.

Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605
Phone: 510-632-9525

Got a creative kid on your hands? The Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco is a hands-on wonderland where imagination totally runs the show. From clay animation to green screen performances, it’s all about learning by doing—and having a blast while you’re at it.

Highlights:

• Animate clay characters in the Animation Studio
• Create posters and album covers in Design Studio
• Take on the Mystery Box Challenge and invent something wild
• Sing, dress up, and star in your own music video
• Get messy (in a good way) in the Spiral Gallery art space

Pro Tip:

The green screen Music Studio is a must—kids can dress up, rock out, and leave with a DVD of their performance. It's like being in their own music video!

221 Fourth St., San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: 415-820-3320

Want a spot where your kids can play and learn while soaking up killer views of the Golden Gate Bridge? Check out the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. It’s set on 7.5 beautiful acres and is packed with hands-on activities to spark creativity and imagination.

Highlights:

• Build, slide, and play in the Imagination Playground
• Get creative in Art Studios 5 and 10
• Explore Bay Hall’s mini ports, underwater tunnel, and train set
• Climb aboard a real fishing boat in the outdoor play zone
• Scenic trails and sea caves to explore

Pro Tip:

Don’t miss the 2.5-acre outdoor zone—it’s got everything from trails to a Sea Cave and it’s perfect for letting kids burn off energy while you soak in the views.

557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito, California 94965
Phone: 415-339-3900

If you were obsessed with Del Popolo back when they were slinging pizzas from their glass-walled food truck, wait ‘til you check out their cozy brick-and-mortar spot in Nob Hill. Same epic wood-fired Neapolitan pies, now with comfy seating and an even better vibe.

Highlights:

• Signature wood-fired pizzas baked in a giant hearth oven
• Communal tables, banquette seating, or front-row counter spots
• Small plates like antipasti to start things off right
• Solid wine list and a great craft beer selection
• Always buzzing—but totally worth the wait

Pro Tip:

Try to grab a seat at the oven-view counter. Watching your pizza get fired right in front of you? Chef’s kiss.

855 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: 415-589-7940

For Small Kids

If your kid’s into fairy tales, Children’s Fairyland in Oakland is pure magic. It’s where storybook characters come to life—think Crooked House, Jack and Jill Hill, and an actual tunnel inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

Highlights:

• Ride the vintage 1954 Jolly Trolly
• Climb inside Willie the Whale and explore whimsical play areas
• Visit friendly farm animals like ponies, goats, and alpacas
• Stroll through themed gardens with fairy tale plants
• Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers

Pro Tip:

The storybook gardens aren’t just cute—they grow veggies used to feed the animals. It’s a sweet way for kids to connect the dots between nature and nurture.

699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, California 94610
Phone: 510-452-2259

Craving a doughnut that’s anything but basic? Head to Dynamo Donut and Coffee, a super creative doughnut shop in San Francisco that’s been rocking wild flavors since 2008. Everything’s made fresh in-house with seasonal, local ingredients—and yep, they’ve got gluten-free options too.

Highlights:

• Handcrafted doughnuts with bold, unexpected flavors
• Fan faves: passion fruit milk chocolate, chocolate star anise, caramel de sel
• Gluten-free picks like carrot cream cheese and lemon raspberry
• Seasonal flavors get *wild* (zucchini oat or jalapeño lime, anyone?)
• Chill back patio for dine-in or grab and go

Pro Tip:

Don’t sleep on the hibiscus beet or hazelnut lavender—they sound weird but taste amazing. Grab a coffee and snag a seat out back.

2760 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 415-920-1978

Tucked away in Chinatown, the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory has been cranking out handmade fortune cookies for over 60 years—and they’re still doing it the old-school way. You’ll see the cookies being made right in front of you, and yep, the smell alone is worth the visit.

Highlights:

• Watch fortune cookies made by hand—up to 10,000 a day
• Try unique flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and green tea
• Kids can write their own fortunes for a custom cookie
• Perfect spot for fun, edible souvenirs
• Cookies stay fresh for up to 3 months

Pro Tip:

Make your own personalized fortune cookie—it's a fun gift and a great keepsake. Just ask and they’ll help you write the message!

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
56 Ross Alley, San Francisco, CA 94113
Phone: 415-781-3956