San Francisco with kids – Lonely Planet

The mild-weathered City by the Bay is a compact place, ranked number seven in the US for parks, with tasty food for even the most finicky eaters and with a commitment to accessibility. San Francisco is an easy and exciting place for families to visit for many reasons – plenty of green space, tons of culture, never too hot, and relatively easy to get around, whether by public transportation, car or stroller.

Is San Francisco good for kids?

Short answer: yes! SF’s public art makes for extra colorful neighborhood parks and walks. It’s also consistently ranked as a top food city with plenty of affordable choices, from street cart bacon-wrapped hot dogs to food truck parks. Car-free weekends on the Great Highway and JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park are ideal for toddler trikes and safe urban exploration on foot. Public transportation infrastructure has improved and expanded in the past few years, including a new MUNI metro line extension to Chinatown and bus-only lanes along the busy Van Ness Avenue (and don’t forget about cable cars!).

Nearly every establishment has wheel-friendly ramp entrances and family/accessible restrooms, most of which have changing tables. But depending on how hilly your itinerary is for the day, stashing a travel-friendly baby carrier is always a good idea.

While it has many affordable and free activities, San Francisco can still get expensive for a traveling family. City attraction passes save on admissions fees for museums and other popular attractions. Check online for free admission days to museums and gardens. Several participate in reciprocal membership programs, so your hometown memberships may get you discounted or free admission to sister institutions in SF. 

Where is best in SF for kids?

The 4,000-plus acres of green and recreational space in San Francisco make much of the city kid-friendly – an obvious big hitter being the sprawling Golden Gate Park with lesser-known pockets that can make each visit feel new. The former military area of The Presidio in the north part of the city has the buzziest new park in Presidio Tunnel Tops. Other fun outdoor spaces include the foggy Mount Davidson, walkable weekends on the Upper Great Highway, the celebratory Stern Grove Festival, and Ocean Beach campfires. Add to that numerous vibrant farmers markets, delicious and historical Chinatown, storied and beautiful…