What could be better than a family vacation in the City by the Bay? San Francisco is a delight for visitors of all ages, including children and teenagers, with its excellent family-friendly attractions. Think about museums, theme parks, aquariums, and playgrounds; this city will keep your little ones occupied and offer activities for family bonding. So, let’s dive into this step-by-step 5-day San Francisco Itinerary for families.
? Bonus: We even made a free downloadable 5-day San Francisco Itinerary for Families PDF to make your planning super easy. [Get it here??]
Budgeting For A Family Trip In San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities to visit in the USA. However, you won’t have to drain your wallet with a carefully planned budget. This includes choosing budget-friendly options regarding food, transportation, accommodation, and activities. Still, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $251 per day, which can be adjusted for a family based on its size and individual preferences.
Food
Food expenses are something you can’t avoid when going anywhere. On average, a traveler can expect to spend around $100 on food per person. You can reduce it to $32 or $79 for budget and mid-range dining experiences, respectively. Eat in Chinese and Mexican establishments instead of American sit-down diners to reduce costs.
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Transportation
San Francisco is a walkable city, allowing you to explore many attractions on foot. That said, you still need to catch a ride for longer distances. Use public transportation options, such as Muni buses, light rail Metro trains, cable cars, or streetcars, to save money. A single bus or metro ride lasting 120 minutes costs $2.75; a day pass is available for $5.50. Taxis are slightly expensive, with fares costing from $4.15 for the first one-fifth mile, plus $0.65 for each additional one-fifth mile or fraction. Choose BART to transit between San Francisco, northern San Mateo County, and much of the East Bay.
Accommodation
As one of the famous travel destinations, San Francisco features diverse accommodation options. Budget travelers can book a stay at hostels with an average rate of $32 per dorm bed. Mid-range hotels’ rates are usually from $181, while 5-star properties charge over $501 per night. Furthermore, you can save money by visiting free attractions, such as parks, streets, and neighborhoods. Museum admission rates also vary depending on the type.
5-Day San Francisco Itinerary: Day 1: Explore Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39
Visit the Sea Lions at Pier 39
- Address: The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram
Your visit to San Francisco starts at the infamous Pier 39 within Fisherman’s Wharf. This popular tourist destination is home to a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. However, the best part about this pier is its playful sea lions. These sea creatures arrive in droves during winter months and leave in summer to migrate to the Channel Islands. While you can’t feed sea lions, you can enjoy their playful antics from the pier. Afterward, you can stop by any fast food eatery or full-service restaurant for a hearty meal.
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Explore The Aquarium of the Bay
- Address: PIER 39 The Embarcadero & Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Tickets: General Admission: $28, Family Combo (3 minimum): $70
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Since you are already in Pier 39, you might as well visit the Aquarium of the Bay. It features 24,000+ local marine animals in its four exhibits. Expect to see rockfish, dungeness crab, urchins, leopard sharks, octopus, moon jellies, bat rays, sea stars, otters, sea cucumbers, and anemones. The aquarium offers daily programs, including the Big Feed, Animal Encounter, Squid Dissection, and Otter Enrichment. Families should take their kids to this aquarium, as it offers a fun and educational experience.
Take A Ride On The Historic San Francisco Carousel
- Address: 39 Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 11 AM – 8 PM
- Tickets: One ride: $3, Two rides: $5
- Social Media: Official Website
After visiting such family-friendly attractions, take a lunch break. You can stop by any of the many family-friendly seafood spots in San Francisco. Finally, ride the infamous San Francisco Carousel. It features 1,800 twinkling LED lights and 30+ animal rides. You will hear traditional organ music and see Pier 39’s bustling scene as you enjoy the ride. Anyone can ride this carousel, with children aged 2 and under getting a free ticket.
Optional: Visit the Musée Mécanique for vintage arcade games after the carousel.
Day 2: Golden Gate Park Adventures
Enjoy A Morning Walk Across The Golden Gate Bridge
- Address: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 5 AM to 9 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
- Things To Do: Walking, Biking, Taking Photographs, Jeep Tours
Rise and shine early and set out for a refreshing walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Journey through this 1.7-mile-long bridge on foot and admire its tremendous 746-foot-tall towers. The bridge’s signature orange color and Art Deco style make it stand out from any other city attraction. It is also one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco and the state of California. You can also rent a bike or book a jeep tour. Don’t forget to visit Fort Point at the base of the bridge.
Check Out Exhibits Of The California Academy of Sciences
- Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
- Entrance Fee: Anytime Admission (all ages): $59 per person
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Continue your expedition to the California Academy of Sciences. This natural history museum is a multifaceted venue featuring an aquarium, a planetarium, and a rainforest. Catch sight of gigantic skeletons, 400 dazzling and dramatic gem specimens, and the mysterious ocean world. The Morrison Planetarium shows are immersive, featuring cutting-edge visualizations and hyper-realistic virtual environments. You will thoroughly enjoy learning about a specific star, planet, galaxy, or the universe. Finally, the four-story rainforest displays 1,600+ live plants and animals, including golden silk orb-weaver spiders, taxicab-like sun beetles, and a slithering Amazonian tree boa.
Stroll Through The Japanese Tea Garden
- Address: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entrance Fee: $0 – $18
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Experience serenity at one of the oldest operating public Japanese Tea Gardens in North America. Part of the Golden Gate Park, it offers a peaceful retreat from San Francisco’s bustling atmosphere. Visit the Tea House inside the garden for a meditative cup of tea and delicious Japanese refreshments. Take a walk through the garden and admire its pagodas, stepping stone paths, cherry blossom trees, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Spend the remainder of the day at the Golden Gate Park’s playgrounds. You can also enjoy a picnic or rent pedal boats at Stow Lake.
Day 3: Iconic Landmarks
Have A Picnic At Crissy Field East Beach
- Address: San Francisco, CA 94129, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Things To Do: Playing in the sand, Picnicking, Kite surfing
On your third day in San Francisco, set out for the popular Crissy Field East Beach. It is renowned among families, joggers, and kite surfers. Here, kids can frolic in the sand, play in the waves, and enjoy other recreational activities. If you enjoy kite surfing, this beach is the perfect destination for that. Moreover, you can have a family picnic with your favorite food items. The beach offers many amenities, including wheelchair-accessible picnic tables, BBQ grills, complimentary parking, and restrooms. Have an outdoor meal while feeling the cool sea breeze and admiring the stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
See What The Fuss Is All About The Walt Disney Family Museum
- Address: 104 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94129, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entrance Fee: Adults: $25, Youth (6-17): $15, Students with valid ID: $20, Senior (65=): $20, Children and US Military Personnel: Free Entry
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Those who watched Mickey Mouse cartoons growing up must visit the incredible Walt Disney Family Museum. It is part of the Presidio of San Francisco, which was initially an active Army base and the Pacific Coast’s strongest coastal defense. The museum is dedicated to the life of Walt Disney, the man behind Mickey Mouse and many other Disney characters. Its galleries feature hands-on exhibits of Walt Disney’s early life, his move to Hollywood, and exploration of new horizons. It also hosts temporary exhibitions.
Enjoy A Family-Friendly Bay Cruise
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Price: $88 onwards
- Ideal For: Families, Couples, Solo Travelers
Close your day with a luxurious San Francisco Bay sunset cruise. These cruises are usually 1 to 2 hours long with a professional staff on board. Bask under the glow of a dipping sun and see the city skyline and Alcatraz from the water. You can also enjoy food and beverages depending on the cruise you choose. Some also offer one complimentary drink per person with the beverage of your choice.
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Day 4: Interactive And Educational Fun
Take Your Kids To The Exploratorium
- Address: Pier 15 Embarcadero at Green St, San Francisco, CA 94111, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM, 6 PM – 10 PM
- Ticket: Adult (18-64): $39.95, Youth (4-17): $29.95, Senior 65+: $29.95
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Get amazed at the must-visit family destination, the Exploratorium. This science museum serves as a public learning laboratory, where visitors can explore the world through the lens of science, art, and human perception. Its six spacious indoor and outdoor galleries feature 700+ interactive, educational exhibits and activities. The popular attraction is the Tactile Dome, where you will navigate your way through a wonderland of textures using only your sense of touch. You will journey through total darkness, so those with claustrophobia are advised not to enter.
Learn A Thing Or Two At The Cartoon Art Museum
- Address: 781 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Admission Fee: Adult: $10, Students/Senior: $6, Kids (6-12): $4, Children (5 and younger): Free Entry
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Museums don’t have to be boring; destinations like the Cartoon Art Museum are ideal for families whose children dislike going to typical museums. Launched in 1984, this museum is dedicated to the history of cartoon art. It features an ever-changing exhibition calendar, with two major new exhibitions debuting approximately three to four times a year. As of this writing, its current exhibitions include Sunday Funnies, I Left My Art In San Francisco, A Treasury Of Animation, and the Batman Armory. You can also participate in its educational programs, workshops, and classes.
Be Amazed At The Marrakech Magic Theater
- Address: 419 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States; Google Map
- Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Tickets: General Admission: $55, Front Row: $65
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Experience a magical night at the San Francisco Magic Theater at the Marrakech. Your evening expedition begins with a world-class sleight-of-hand magic performance at the Oasis Lounge. From there, you will enter an intimate showroom, where host Jay Alexander will blow your mind away with his magic, mentalism, and psychological feats. Alexander will keep you hooked for the next hour with his mind tricks and humor. You can also buy drinks and Moroccan appetizers before the show.
Day 5: Alcatraz Island And Chinatown
Take A Morning Ferry Tour Of Alcatraz Island
- Address: San Francisco, CA, USA; Google Map
- Distance From San Francisco: 1.25 miles
- Ferry Ride Duration: 90 minutes
- Ferry Ride Price: $47.95 (Day Tour), $59.65 (Night Tour), $104.65 (Behind the Scenes Tour)
Your San Francisco trip will be incomplete without visiting Alcatraz Island. This small island is only 1.25 miles offshore from the city in San Francisco Bay. It was previously a fort, a military prison, and a maximum security federal penitentiary. Today, hundreds travel here to explore Alcatraz’s complex military history and natural beauty. On the last day of this 5-day San Francisco Itinerary for families, hop aboard a ferry to travel to the island. This 90-minute sightseeing cruise showcases San Francisco’s iconic landmarks, including Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. The Alcatraz City Cruises are the official provider of these ferry tickets.
Do Last-Minute Shopping In Chinatown
- Address: Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official X
After an educational trip to Alcatraz Island, head to San Francisco Chinatown for a delightful lunch. It is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, featuring many cafes, restaurants, and Chinese eateries. Try dim sum, wonton noodles, Cantonese-style dishes, and Szechuan-style food. You can also explore Chinatown’s shops and buy Chinese t-shirts, books, and other souvenirs. Afterward, head back to your hotel, pack your bags, and say goodbye to San Francisco. Optional: Spend an additional night in the city.
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This 5-day San Francisco Itinerary is primarily tailored for families with small children and teenagers. You can alter any activity or destination based on your interests and preferences. San Francisco is also renowned as one of the most romantic cities in the world. You can plan a trip with your other half and enjoy the city’s many attractions that cater to couples. Its diverse culture also includes a strong LGBTQ presence, making the City by the Bay a perfect travel destination for all.
