Worried about how the family can vacation together without breaking the piggy bank? San Francisco abounds with things to do, places to go and sights to see, many at no charge.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in Yerba Buena Gardens also has an appealing array of kid-friendly activities. Free the first Tuesday of every month, SFMOMA’s second floor houses the Koret Visitor Information Center which is staffed by friendly educators eager to answer questions and help young artists browse through art books, view a community art gallery and play with Art Cards, a gallery exploration activity.
Located in Golden Gate Park and newly remodeled, the California Academy of Sciences’ “inside-out” design provides a behind-the-scenes look at aquatic life support systems for the Steinhart Aquarium. Visitors can meet biologists who care for more than 5,000 animals, and — if they’re lucky — can even help them feed the fish. Admission is free the third Wednesday of the month.
While there’s some usually pretty serious business going on down below, the rooftop above Moscone Center South on Howard Street is the perfect setting for a lighthearted escape. There’s a playground, carousel, ice skating rink and bowling alley. The western corner is anchored by Zeum, a multimedia arts and technology museum where kids and families can explore creativity through hands-on programs such as clay animation, video production and more. It’s free for tots two and under.
The face of a child, composed of more than 2,000 photographs submitted from individuals around the world, beckons at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) located at Third and Mission streets. MoAD is a collector of stories and through the coupling of art, culture and technology it is telling the story of the African Diaspora. History comes alive with “first person” narratives, storytelling and poetry events, and living history presentations. MoAD is free for children 12 and under.
Located on the same block of Mission Street, the Cartoon Art Museum, the only one of its kind on the West Coast, displays rotating exhibitions of art from comic books, animated movies, magazines, advertisements and newspapers as well as sculpture and video, with works dating from the 1730s to the present. The museum exhibits range from a children’s gallery and caricatures to editorial cartoons, the avant-garde and underground comics. The first Tuesday of every month is “pay what you wish day.”
Housed within the walls of San Francisco’s landmark Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District, the Exploratorium is a playground for ideas. In the vanguard of the movement of the “museum as an educational center,” the Exploratorium offers hundreds of interactive exhibits in the areas of science, art and human perception. Admission is free the first Wednesday of every month.
The Wells Fargo History Museum in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District takes visitors back to the Gold Rush era with its displays of gold nuggets, rare artifacts, interactive exhibits and a stagecoach that visitors can hop aboard. Always free.
The one-of-a-kind San Francisco Cable Car Museum deserves special attention. In the historic Cable Car Barn & Powerhouse, the site where the cable system has operated since 1907, visitors can view the actual cable winding machinery as it reels 11 miles of steel at a steady pace of nine-and-a-half miles per hour. Antique cable cars are also on display, including the first one dating from 1873. Always free. It only takes $5 to ride a cable car, the only moving national historic landmark in America, to the museum via the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason lines.
Just as the cable car is the United States’ only mobile national landmark, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in Fisherman’s Wharf is its only floating National Park. Home to the world’s largest collection of historic ships, it includes the 1886 square rigger Balclutha, an 1890 ferryboat Eureka and the steam tug Hercules. Admission to board the ships is $5, under age 17 free; strolling the pier is free. Scheduled events and activities include sea chantey sing-a-longs, birding, tours of the Eureka engine room and crabbin’ “how tos” off Municipal Pier. An enormous Fresnel lens, once used in the Farallon Island lighthouse, marks the entrance of the nearby Visitor Center at the corner of Hyde and Jefferson streets in the 1907 Haslett Warehouse building. Uniformed rangers staff the information desk or one can just simply sail through the fun and interactive panels and displays to learn more about San Francisco’s colorful and diverse maritime heritage.
A project of the San Francisco Fire Department Historical Society, the San Francisco Fire Department Museum displays a collection of vintage equipment including hose tenders and steamers; photographs and memorabilia, especially from the dozens of volunteer fire companies. Always free.
The Presidio’s 1,491 acres of prime real estate next to the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay have some of the best views in town. And there’s so much more to experience, including miles of hiking trails; signed bike routes; hidden picnic sites with lavish backdrops of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands and Pacific Ocean; eucalyptus and cypress groves; cannons dating from the late 1700s; a pet cemetery; abandoned barracks where Indian fighters once slept; and guided walking tours through historic military ruins, artillery batteries and the National Cemetery. A 20-page guide to the two-mile Ecology Trail highlights the Presidio’s oldest redwood trees and Inspiration Point and includes pages for children to journal their own experiences. Guides are also available for the Mountain Lake Park area.
Rangers with the National Park Service also lead free tours at Fort Point, a four-tiered brick and granite fortress built between 1853 and 1861, tucked under the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge. The reclaimed wetlands and grassy knolls of Crissy Field, located along the shoreline of San Francisco Bay not far from the Exploratorium, offer picnic tables, walking paths, viewing areas and an energetic schedule of family-friendly activities in the Crissy Field Center. Using the ocean as a classroom is the province of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary visitor center, which guides groups through more than 1,200 miles of open ocean surrounding the Farallon Islands off the Golden Gate.
4. Historic Abandoned Fortifications Across the Golden Gate Bridge to the north, a series of fortifications, some dating to the Civil War era, can be found at Fort Baker and the Marin Headlands. Dating back to the 1870s, the brick-built Battery Cavallo is a protected refuge for the endangered Mission Blue Butterfly. Other gun batteries built to replace the old brick-made fortifications, include Battery Spencer, constructed in the 1890s with concrete. Both can be explored without restrictions.
The top of Battery construction Number 129, located on Conzelman Road, is the best place for unobstructed 360-degree views of the San Francisco Bay, the City and the Golden Gate Bridge. Its tunnels and walls, designed to house cannons measuring 16 inches in diameter, are just the right size for children to crawl through. On Hawk Hill, Wednesdays are “for the birds,” especially in the autumn when some 20,000 to 40,000 hawks, falcons, eagles and other birds migrate south.
A flashlight and serious play clothes are strongly recommended for exploring the tunnels and walkways of these fortifications.
This is also a good time to head to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, a hands-all-over-the-place museum of children and families housed in a complex of historic buildings beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Permanent exhibits include a life-sized shipwreck, a fishing boat that can be boarded, simulated tide pool and a tot spot.
5. Beaches Visitors expecting bikinis and suntan oil will rarely find them at Northern California beaches. The weather and water here are much cooler than in Southern California. They are, nevertheless, blessed with San Francisco’s views and the Pacific’s rolling waves. Due to dangerous undertow, swimming and wading at these beaches are strongly discouraged.
Ocean Beach along the western edge of the city features four miles of sandy shoreline waiting to be explored. At the north end of the beach, the historic Cliff House sits high above the shore and is a spectacular viewpoint for observing the powerful Pacific. Nearby is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s Visitor Center, stocked with informational pamphlets and maps. Check here for the latest policy on small bonfires, no more than three feet in diameter, which are currently permitted between Lincoln Avenue and Fulton Street; regulations are also posted on www.nps.gov/goga/.
The historic Beach Chalet also houses a visitor center for Golden Gate Park on the first level. Windmills bracket this span of the Great Highway. A four-mile walk down the Ocean Beach Esplanade or a short drive south on the scenic Great Highway leads to Fort Funston. From the wooden observation deck built into the hillside, daring hang-gliders can be seen soaring over the cliffs and sea.
Tucked away behind the million-dollar homes of the Seacliff district is China Beach. The beach is accessible from Seacliff and 28th Avenue, near El Camino del Mar. A game of Frisbee, volleyball or smash-ball is a great way to warm up on this sandy playground.
Baker Beach stretches along the western shore of the Presidio below Lincoln Boulevard. Hikers and sunbathers here are treated to beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands from the ocean side of the peninsula. A word of advance to parents — nude sunbathing is popular at the northern end of the beach as one gets closer to the bridge.
6. San Francisco Zoo The San Francisco Zoo is Northern California’s largest zoological park with more than 225 species of animals in naturalistic settings. Highlights include the African Savanna, Lemur Forest, Meerkats and Prairie Dogs, the Feline Conservation Center, Otter River, Eagle Island, Gorilla World, Penguin Island, Sumatran tigers, African wart hog exhibit and Koala Crossing. The Children’s Zoo gives young folks the thrill of feeding and petting their favorite barnyard animals, and if little legs are starting to weary, the Little Puffer Zoo Train ($4) makes regular circuits of the grounds. The zoo is free on the first Wednesday of every month for San Francisco residents.
7. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival A splendid array of 100 events unfolds from May through October in The Esplanade of Yerba Buena Gardens, Fourth and Mission streets. Opera, performance art, international music concerts, dance performances, children’s programs, theatre, visual arts, puppet shows, cultural festivals, special events, classical and jazz concerts — hardly a day passes without something scheduled. This hothouse of culture also includes the annual San Francisco Theater Festival in July, puppetry and storytelling, and an annual Halloween costume parade.
8. Guided City Walking Tours Locals know the best way to discover the heart of San Francisco is to take a stroll through her unique neighborhoods. While self-guided walking tours are easy (information is available from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau), ambling with the experts can be even more fun. San Francisco’s historical and architectural highlights, tall tales, and gold rush lore unfold at your feet thanks to narrated San Francisco City Guides walking tours. Most walks take one to two hours and reservations are not needed, except for groups of eight or more.
Stroll through the haunts of the original 49ers — the 1849ers — on the “Gold Rush City” tour. Learn the story of the Golden Gate Bridge or meander among the murals of the Mission to experience vivid artwork-covered walls. Kids will enjoy the Fire Department Museum Tour, where they can take a look at San Francisco’s first fire truck and other relics as well as listen to stories of fires gone by. Tours are also offered through the Ferry Building, North Beach, Chinatown, Market Street, the Palace of Fine Arts, Japantown and more. Contact City Guides, 415-557-4266, to discuss which tours are most appropriate for toddlers, school-age kids or teens.
Tours of San Francisco’s majestic City Hall are also offered Monday-Friday at 10 am, noon and 2 pm. Designed by architects Arthur Brown, Jr. and John Bakewell, Jr., it is regarded by many as one of the finest examples of municipal Beaux Arts architecture in the world. Sign up for tours at the information desk on the first floor.
9. 49-Mile Scenic Drive The famous 49-Mile Scenic Drive through San Francisco is dotted with 49 renowned places, such as Civic Center, Chinatown, Twin Peaks, Lake Merced, Mission Dolores, Fisherman’s Wharf and Fort Mason Center. For a break from the road, savor a picnic lunch at Marina Green and watch the weekend yacht races, windsurfing and sail boating. Be sure to look up, too. Master kite flyers practice their craft here with centipede and delta style kites. When summer comes around, Sigmund Stern Grove is the place to go for free concerts. Performers are always top notch and include the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet. Maps outlining the drive are available at the SFCVB Visitor Information Center, 900 Market St. (lower level, Hallidie Plaza at Market and Powell streets, where the Powell Street cable cars turn around).
10. Playgrounds and Playing Fields Even on vacation, kids sometimes just want to play. So why not take a play break in one of San Francisco’s playgrounds?
While Golden Gate Park’s cherished Children’s Playground, the first children’s playground in a public park in America, is currently being renovated to comply with ADA requirements, there are several other playgrounds within the park: Fulton Playground, J.F. Kennedy Drive at Ninth Avenue; Panhandle Playground, between Oak and Fell streets; and Mother’s Meadow, Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive near 19th Avenue.
Other neighborhood playgrounds include the Chinese Recreation Center located at Washington and Mason streets, Portsmouth Square at Kearny and Clay streets, North Beach Playground at Lombard and Mason streets, Mountain Lake at Lake and Ninth avenue, the Rooftop at Moscone Center at Fourth and Howard streets, and Nob Hill’s Huntington Park at California and Taylor streets, and Balboa Park, Ocean and San Jose avenues.
The San Francisco Giants have created some fan-friendly spots at their ballpark, AT&T Park. Located beyond the outfield wall, the Portwalk offers sweeping views of San Francisco Bay and a peek at the game. Fans are encouraged to take in an inning or two and then give way to others. McCovey Point and China Basin Park, directly across from AT&T Park, yields dramatic vistas, picnic areas and even a small baseball diamond. A statue of Willie McCovey, perhaps the most beloved Giant of all, anchors the northeastern portion of the park. A 570-foot-long seat wall features historic markers representing every Giants team from 1958 through 1999.
Beaches:: (Swimming and wading is strongly discouraged.)
Ocean Beach Point Lobos and Great Highway
Chine Beach Twenty-Eighth Avenue and Seacliff
Baker Beach Off Lincoln Boulevard and Twenty-Fifth Avenue in the Presidio
Golden Gate Park Main entrance off Stanyan Street at Fell Maps are available at park headquarters in McLaren Lodge, 501 Stanyan St., Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 415-831-2700 www.parks.sfgov.org
Museums
Asian Art Museuam 200 Larkin St. Free: Target First Free Sundays; children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult 415-581-3500 www.asianart.org
Bay Area Discovery Museum 557 McReynolds Road Sausalito Free: First Wednesday of the month for families, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; children under one free. 415-339-3900 www.baykidsmuseum.org
Boudin at the Wharf (Tours temporarily suspended until April 2009) 160 Jefferson St. Free: Under 12 when accompanied by adult 415-928-1849 www.boudinbakery.com
California Academy of Sciences 55 Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park Free: Third Wednesday of the month; children six and under free 415-379-8000 www.calacademy.org
California Historical Society 678 Mission St. Free: Children under five 415-357-1848 www.californiahistoricalsociety.org
Cartoon Art Museum 655 Mission St. Free: First Tuesday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Day;” children five and under” 415-CAR-TOON (227-8666) www.cartoonart.org
Chinese Historical Society of America 965 Clay St. Free: First Thursday of the month; children five and under free 415-391-1188 www.chsa.org
Contemporary Jewish Museum 736 Mission St. 415-655-7800 Free: Ages 18 and under; visit Web site for other free family days www.thecjm.org
De Young Museum 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. 415-750-3600 Free: First Tuesday of the month; children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult www.deyoungmuseum.org
Exploratorium 3601 Lyon St. Free: First Wednesday of the month; children 3 and under free 415-561-0360 www.exploratorium.edu
Legion of Honor Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street Free: First Tuesday of the month; children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult 415-750-3600 www.legionofhonor.org
Museum of the African Diaspora 685 Mission St. Free: Children 12 and under, visit Web site for additional free days 415-358-7200 www.moadsf.org
Museum of Craft and Folk Art 51 Yerba Buena Lane Free: Every Tuesday of the month; ages 18 and under 415-227-4888 www.mocfa.org
The National Liberty Ship Memorial Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf Free: Children five and under 415-544-0100 www.ssjeremiahobrien.org
San Francisco Cable Car Barn and Museum 1201 Mason St. Free: Always 415-474-1887 www.sfmta.com or www.cablecarmuseum.org
San Francisco Center for the Book 300 De Haro St., Suite 334 Free: More than 50 free events per year 415-565-0545 www.sfcb.org
San Francisco Fire Department Museum 655 Presidio Ave. Free: Always 415-558-3210 www.sffiremuseum.org
San Francisco International Airport — Aviation Library and Museum Free: Always 650-821-5000 www.flysfo.com
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Hyde Street Pier, one block from Beach Street cable car turnaround Free: Children 17 and under 415-561-7100 www.maritime.org Visitor Center Hyde and Jefferson streets Free: Always 415-447-5000 www.nps.gov/safr
San Francisco Museum of Craft+Design 550 Sutter St. Free: Always 415-773-0303 www.sfmcd.org
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art 151 Third St. Free: First Tuesday of the month; children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult. 415-357-4000 www.sfmoma.org
San Francisco Railway Museum 77 Steuart St. 415-974-1948 www.streetcar.org
Wells Fargo History Museum 420 Montgomery Street Free: Always 415-396-2619 www.wellsfargohistory.com
Zeum 221 Fourth St. Free: Ages 2 and younger 415-820-3320 www.zeum.org
Other:
Aquarium of the Bay Pier 39, The Embarcadero Free: Ages two under 415-623-5300 www.aquariumofthebay.com
AT&T Park 24 Willie Mays Plaza 415-972-2000 www.sfgiants.com
City Hall 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place Free: Always 415-554-4933 www.sfgov.org
Conservatory of Flowers 100 John F. Kennedy Dr., Golden Gate Park Free: First Tuesday of every month; ages four and under 415-666-7001 www.conservatoryofflowers.org
Marin Headlands Information Center From Highway 101, Alexander Avenue Exit, Turn left under 101 overpass 415-331-1540
The Presidio www.presidio.gov There are several visitor information centers located in the Presidio of San Francisco:
Presidio Visitor Center 50 Moraga Ave. 415-561-4323 Download 20-page Kids on Trails guide for suggested activities
Crissy Field Center 603 Mason Street at Crissy Field 415-561-7690 www.crissyfield.org Mail inquiries: Crissy Field Center, P.O. Box 29410, San Francisco, CA 94129br>
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Crissy Field, Building 991 415-561-6625 www.farallones.org Mail inquiries: Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, The Presidio, P.O. Box 29386, San Francisco, CA 94129br> Mail can also be directed to: The Presidio Trust, 34 Graham St., P.O. Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129-0052, 415-561-5418
Fort Point Lincoln Blvd. to Long Avenue, under the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge 415-556-1693 www.nps.gov/fopo/ Free: Always Open Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mail inquiries: Fort Point NHS, Fort Mason, Bldg. 201, San Francisco, CA 94123
San Francisco Botanical Garden Society at Strybing Arboretum Golden Gate Park, Ninth Avenue at Lincoln Way Free: Always; donations accepted 415-661-1316 www.sfbotanicalgarden.org
San Francisco City Guides Main Library, Civic Center 100 Larkin St. Free: Always 415-557-4266 www.sfcityguides.org
San Francisco Zoo One Zoo Road Free: First Wednesday of every month; ages 2 and younger free for San Francisco residents only; ages three and under free 415-753-7080 www.sfzoo.org
Submarine USS Pampanito Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf Free: Under age six when accompanied by an adult 415-775-1943 www.maritime.org
Sigmund Stern Grove Sloat Boulevard at 19th Avenue Free: Always 415-252-6252 www.sterngrove.org
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 750 Howard St. Free: Always 415-543-1718 www.ybgf.org