Three days is a solid window for San Francisco with kids. You won't see everything — the city is genuinely big — but you can hit the iconic stuff, get into a neighborhood or two, and avoid the exhausting-everyone-into-misery problem that plagues family trips where people try to do too much. The best time to visit is September and October, when the famous summer fog clears and temperatures are actually warm. Avoid the peak summer tourist season (June–August) if you can.
Day 1 — Fisherman's Wharf and Golden Gate Park
Morning (9am–12pm): Fisherman's Wharf
Start at Great Big Game Show Fisherman's Wharf when they open. A live hosted game show experience with a perfect 5.0-star rating across 1,598 reviews — your family competes as actual contestants on giant screens with a real host. Book the 9 or 10am session online in advance (runs – for a family of 4). This one sets the tone for the trip.
After, walk the Wharf. Pop into Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze at – for the group — it's 20–40 minutes and genuinely disorienting. Sea lions at Pier 39 are free and always a hit with kids.
Lunch: Boudin Bakery's clam chowder bread bowl is a Wharf institution and costs less than most Wharf options. Budget – for a family lunch.
Afternoon (1:30pm–5pm): Golden Gate Park
Drive or rideshare to Golden Gate Park. Head straight to Koret Children's Playground — the famous 60-foot cement slide requires cardboard to go fast (find scraps near the entrance). Let kids play for 45 minutes, then walk west to Bison Paddock — real American bison, completely free. This is the detail that surprises every first-time visitor.
End the afternoon at Japanese Tea Garden (– for a family of 4) or Conservatory of Flowers (–) depending on the kids' energy.
Evening: North Beach for dinner (Italian restaurant row on Columbus Ave, budget – for a family). Walk off dinner at Joe DiMaggio Playground Park — it's free and gives kids a chance to run after a big meal.
Day 1 estimated cost: –
Day 2 — Science, Nature, and the Presidio
Morning (9am–noon): California Academy of Sciences
The Osher Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences is a four-story glass dome inside the museum with free-flying tropical birds and butterflies. It's one exhibit within the museum, but the whole Cal Academy experience runs 3–5 hours and is worth every minute. Admission is – for a family of 4. Book timed tickets online. Go on a weekday if possible — weekend crowds at Cal Academy are serious.
Lunch: Eat at Cal Academy's cafe (budget –) or pack a lunch and eat in Golden Gate Park outside.
Afternoon (1:30pm–5pm): Presidio and Outpost Playground
Drive or take a rideshare to the Presidio. Outpost Playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops is free and has some of the best playground engineering in SF — plus the Golden Gate Bridge views are right there at no extra cost. Budget 45–60 minutes to play, then walk to the overlook.
If kids have energy left, Activate San Francisco in Stonestown is the afternoon pick for ages 7+ — technology-infused active gaming rooms (laser grids, light panels, physical challenges) that run – for a family of 4. Book online in advance.
Evening: The Presidio Tunnel Tops area has lawn space for sunset watching. Grab food from the Presidio food trucks if available, or rideshare to the Inner Sunset for affordable neighborhood restaurants (–).
Day 2 estimated cost: –
Day 3 — East Bay Hidden Gems and Departure-Friendly Timing
Morning (9am–noon): Tilden and Berkeley
Cross the Bay Bridge to the East Bay. Tilden Nature Area in the Berkeley Hills is $0 entry with free parking. The Environmental Education Center has live animals and hands-on nature activities. The adjacent Little Farm lets kids feed goats and farm animals (bring lettuce leaves from any grocery store). This is genuinely different from anything in SF proper — quieter, more natural, and completely free.
After Tilden, drive 15 minutes to University of California Botanical Garden in Strawberry Canyon (– for 2 adults + 2 kids). The carnivorous plant collection — pitcher plants, sundews, Venus flytraps — is the guaranteed kid highlight. Plan 90 minutes.
Lunch: Berkeley's Telegraph Ave or Solano Ave have excellent family-friendly restaurants. Budget –.
Afternoon (1:30pm–3:30pm): Bay Area Discovery Museum or departure
If you have time before your flight or drive, Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito (– for a family of 4) is one of the best children's museums in Northern California and a 30-minute drive from Berkeley. The outdoor exhibits have genuine Bay views. Plan 2 hours.
If departure is late morning, swap Day 3's order: Bay Area Discovery Museum first (opens at 9am), then cross to Berkeley for lunch before heading to the airport.
Day 3 estimated cost: $180–$300
What This Trip Will Cost
| Day | Activities | Estimated Cost (Family of 4) | |-----|-----------|------------------------------| | Day 1 | Great Big Game Show + Magowan's + Japanese Tea Garden + meals | $240–$370 | | Day 2 | Cal Academy + Activate SF + meals | $260–$370 | | Day 3 | Tilden (free) + UC Botanical Garden + Bay Area Discovery Museum + meals | $180–$300 | | Total | 3-day family trip | $680–$1,040 |
This doesn't include hotel or transportation. Budget families can cut $200–$300 by swapping Cal Academy for a full free day in Golden Gate Park (Koret + Bison Paddock + picnic lunch) and skipping Activate for Immersive Gamebox on a weekday at lower pricing.
Practical Tips for Your San Francisco Family Trip
- Parking: Golden Gate Park weekend parking is free on JFK Drive (car-free weekends). Presidio has some free lots. Fisherman's Wharf parking garages run –/day — rideshare from your hotel is usually cheaper.
- Rideshare over rental car: If you're staying in the city, a rental car creates more headaches than it solves. Rideshare for day trips to Presidio and East Bay; rent a car only if you're doing Tilden and Berkeley in the same day.
- Book in advance: Great Big Game Show, Activate SF, Immersive Gamebox, and Cal Academy all sell out on weekend mornings. Book at least a week ahead.
- Fog: June, July, and August can be persistently foggy and cold — 55-60°F with marine layer through midday. September and October are warmer. Always pack a layer regardless of forecast.
- Meals near Fisherman's Wharf: Avoid restaurants directly on the Wharf. Walk two blocks inland for the same food at 30% lower prices. North Beach (one neighborhood east) is a legitimate upgrade in both quality and value.
- East Bay timing: Cross the Bay Bridge eastbound before 9am or after 10am on weekdays to avoid gridlock. Weekend Bay Bridge traffic is lighter.