If you’re looking to squeeze one last vacation in before the start of school, or maybe book a fall family getaway… San Francisco and its surrounding areas are a perfect family trip. From parks and a ballgame to water sports and tours, restaurants and more, here are our tips for a successful time.
CAVALLO POINT
Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a day trip to beat the heat, we love Cavallo Point. It’s located at the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge in historic Fort Baker, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Even though it’s close to San Francisco, Cavallo Point provides a quiet and picturesque escape. That’s because it’s nestled within 75,000+ acres of national parkland, comprising the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Our families enjoyed flying kites against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge and taking in the views on porch while we rocked on rocking chairs. They also have e-bikes on property making it easy to get to and from Sausalito if you want to explore the town. It is also a great location if you like hiking, biking or running as it has more than 350 acres of trails.
We love the history behind Cavallo Point. In 1866, the U.S. Army acquired the site for a military base to fortify the north side of the Golden Gate. The 24 buildings around the 10-acre parade ground at Fort Baker took shape between 1901 and 1915. Read more about the history here
One of the largest and most popular urban national parks in the world, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area was established as part of efforts to make national parks more accessible to city dwellers and bring “parks to the people.” The parks’ 75,000+ acres extend north from Fort Baker at the Golden Gate Bridge to Tomales Bay in Marin County and south to San Mateo County. And this year it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Whether you are staying at Cavallo Point, or just come to the area for a day trip, make sure to plan a meal around an experience at Farley restaurant. Indulge in a new take on Bay Area favorites at this welcoming bistro, which pays homage to the seasonal bounty of Northern California. Creative farm-focused cuisine pairs with local microbrews, small production wine, and cocktails inspired by fresh, local botanicals.
Settle into the comfortable dining room, take a seat at the bar, or reserve a table on the terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The staff is all so nice and attentive. Our food was delicious and be sure to save room for dessert too!
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: GAME, TOUR AND TIPS
Hummm Baby! Always fun to come into the city for a San Francisco Giants game. Oracle Park is stunning and regarded as one of the premier in all of baseball with its incredible ocean views, famous “splash hits” into McCovey Cove and all the family friendly offerings from themed games like Peanuts and Harry Potter, to fun giveaways and promotions.
Taking the Oracle Park Behind-the-Scenes Ballpark Tour is epic. Home to 3-time World Series Champions, of course you get to see the trophies, stunning rings and themed memorabilia but our favorite is that you actually get to step on the field and take on the park the way the players and coaches get to see the game and fans. Plus you can sit in the dugout, we may have made a few calls to replay, bullpen at the press (the kids loved those phones). The guides know so many interesting and historical facts about the team, ballpark and baseball in general.
Another fun family tip, did you know you when you attend a game, you can get a “first time” certificate with the details of your Giants game? You can even back date it to your first game if you didn’t know about this opportunity until now. Cool keepsake for kids and adults!
KAYAKING SAUSALITO
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience San Francisco Bay, then a kayak adventure is a must! Take in scenic Sausalito by paddling through Richardson Bay along Sausalito’s waterfront keeping eyes peeled for Harbor seals and birds.
Whether it’s your first time on a kayak or you’re a pro, the route is suitable for all abilities. We went on a guided tour with Sea Trek. The guide shared the history of different sites and fun tidbits about the area. Check out the eclectic houseboat community, spot Alcatraz and also enjoy views of the San Francisco skyline.
Also, it’s a unique family excursion as you can pair up and sit on top of double kayaks. If you have younger kids make sure you pair them with a stronger adult.
TRIDENT RESTAURANT: WATERFRONT FAV OF THE FAMOUS
Whether you are staying in Sausalito or just doing a day trip, a stop at the Trident restaurant is a must. Located on the bay, it has amazing views from every table and the food is phenomenal. We enjoyed seeing dolphins and sea lions pop out of the water and sailboats go by as we enjoyed our meal.
We were so excited when we saw San Francisco clam chowder on the menu and we just had to enjoy it in the sourdough bowl. Trident features different dishes each season and one of the summer favorites is the Ahi Tuna poke. It is delicious and a great starter to share.
We highly recommend the Lobster Roll and Fish Tacos. The kids enjoyed fish tacos, salmon and chicken tenders. So many great options for all the little swashbucklers. Don’t forget to save room for dessert too! The layered Fantasy Cake was created originally for Frank Sinatra. Chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and cheesecake are paired with roasted strawberries. Definitely a dessert worth sharing.
From Robin Williams being a bus boy to Janis Joplin having her own table, we enjoyed hearing about all of Trident’s celebrity connections. One of our favorites was learning how the Sunrise got its start at the Trident. This past June, the Trident restaurant, celebrate its 50th anniversary of the party hosted by Bill Graham. The Rolling Stones were served the modern version of Tequila Sunrise, which they then took on tour. Later, Keith Richards, dubbed their 72 tour, “The Cocaine and Sunrise Tequila Tour.”
Read more about their history and celebrity connections here: https://www.thetrident.net/history
MUIR WOODS: TALLEST LIVING TREES IN THE WORLD
Check out the tallest living trees in the world — the Coastal redwoods. Immerse yourself in the dense forests at Muir Woods National Monument. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in California with its 6 miles of trails.
The National Monument is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is one of more than 400 national park units across the country. If you are driving plan on arriving early as parking is limited. We recommend taking a shuttle. Whether you are parking or taking the shuttle, reservations are required. See site for details.
Established in 1908 to preserve the awe-inspiring old growth redwood forest, Muir Woods National Monument, located on Mount Tamalpais on the Marin Peninsula north of San Francisco, California, is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The monument protects 554 acres of old growth redwood forest, one of a few such stands remaining in the San Francisco Bay Area. Designated the country’s tenth National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, it was the first federal or state park established in the region.
Plan on staying for at least two hours. This will allow you to walk the main loop and take in the majesty of the Redwoods. One of our favorite parts was the Cathedral Grove, where you are asked to walk quietly. It’s a great opportunity to reflect. The redwoods truly are spectacular.
If you are headed to Muir Woods with kids, make sure to check out the Junior Ranger program. When you arrive, head to the visitor center where you receive a Junior Ranger book and a pencil. After you spend some time in the forest and fill out the pages in the book, you return to the visitor center. A ranger will talk to you about your time in the park, what you learned and what you are still curious about. After this conversation the ranger will do the Junior Ranger Pledge with you and then you get your badge!
SHAKE SHACK: A SWEET TREAT BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR HIKE
Our families love burgers and Shake Shack is one of our favorite burger spots. If you are headed to Muir Woods, why not reward yourself after a hike with a sweet treat! Located near the Larkspur Shuttle, Shake Shack – Marin Country Market is a great spot to fuel up or enjoy a shake after a long hike. Our family favorites are the ShackBurger and the Avocado Bacon Burger. Of course we paired it with their crinkle cut fries. The kids loved their Oreo and Chocolate shakes. There’s plenty of outdoor seating too, which we loved soaking in the sunshine while catching up with friends and family.
SAN FRANCISCO’S FAMOUS FIRE ENGINE
Experience San Francisco and its historic sights on board a vintage fire engine!
This San Francisco World Famous Fire Engine Tour seats you atop a big red shiny mack fire engine for a fun-filled 90 minute excursion where you start at Fisherman’s Wharf, travel city streets, cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Fort Baker and enjoy the views from the outskirts of Sausalito.
It’s such a memorable way to explore San Francisco and surrounding area. Our guide was knowledgeable and even sang from time to time. We loved that the tour allowed for a couple stops to get out and take pictures with the Golden Gate bridge in the background.
SPINNAKER RESTAURANT: PERCHED ON PIERS
No trip to the Bay Area is complete without a stop at Spinnaker restaurant. For over 61 years, the Spinnaker has been a dining destination for generations of locals and visitors alike. An iconic restaurant perched on piers over the San Francisco Bay on the Sausalito waterfront, it all started in 1960 when Bill McDonnell and California State Senator Gene McAteer built the Spinnaker on a spit of land in Sausalito called Shell Beach. The beach was so called because oyster shells from all the local restaurants were deposited there.
We highly recommend the Marin French Baked Brie. We also enjoyed the Calamari Fritte. Both are great for sharing. We loved relaxing, taking in the beautiful view of the bay as we enjoyed our meal. The kids loved watching the different boats go by and playing “I Spy” to try to find gulls, sea lions, and dolphins.
The menu features a great selection of seafood, pasta and salads. We enjoyed the Sauté Baja Prawns, which were so delicious and paired with a creamy risotto. We also loved the Mixed Seafood Grill, which has prawns, halibut, salmon and scallops. This is great if you want to try a little bit of everything.
From sundaes to Creme Brûlée, Spinnaker has lots of great desserts and specialty coffees to enjoy too. We couldn’t resist having an espresso and some of the locally made ice cream in a sundae. We also enjoyed watching other families celebrate different occasions while we ate too. It truly is a great restaurant for families to gather.
BAY AREA DISCOVERY MUSEUM
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a space for imaginations to run wild! Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge on 7.5 acres of National Park land in Sausalito, Bay Area Discovery Museum features exhibition spaces and daily programs for children 6 months of age to 8 years.
Their exhibitions are research-backed playful learning experiences that inspire a passion for discovery in every child. A few of our favorites included:
Lookout Cove: 2.5-acre outdoor exhibit featuring natural elements and iconic Bay Area landmarks. We loved the replica Golden Gate Bridge, Fishing Boat Faith, Shipewreck, Tidepools and more….
Gumnet Grove: Modelled after gumnuts, the seed pods of a Eucalyptus tree, these unique play structures will spark your child’s imagination and provide opportunities for adventurous play and age-appropriate risk taking. Once up to see the views, come down the giant slide!
How Things Work: What makes a car move? Where does the water go when a toilet flushes? How Things Work answers these questions and more by revealing new and unique views of ordinary objects. Watch your child learn that a fridge isn’t kept cool by magic, but rather by specific systems and processes. This new perspective will spark your child’s curiosity about all of the objects they interact with, even those beyond what is inside a house.
Cardboard City: The Art Studios features endless ways for children to have fun, try something new, get messy, and explore creativity! This exhibit space, open all day, offers children the chance to try out a wide range of hands-on art activities.
BEAN SPROUTS
When you visit the Bay Area Discovery Center, make sure to fuel up at Bean Sprouts Cafe. Their philosoPEA is to spark children’s appetites with yummy, good-for-you food; and delight grown-ups with a happier mealtime.
We love the family story of how it got its start. Two moms, Kelly “Pea Brain” Parthen and Shannon “Peacasso” Seip launched Bean Sprouts in 2007. Their kids — Kale and Makena Parthen and Isaac and Bini Seip —have served many times as taste testers.
Bean Sprouts Cafe features their signature Imaginibbles™ kids menu which is at lower counter to empower children to make their own good-for-you choices! Our kids loved the Crocamole, which is an avocado filled with guacamole made to look like a crocodile with veggies to dip. They also loved their Grilledzilla, a grilled cheese made to look like a monster and Do-Re-For-Me, a Sunflower Butter and jam sandwich made to look like a piano. The menu has also pizza, sandwiches and salads that everyone will enjoy. The Farmer Parm was a hit with the parents and we really loved that there was a healthy and delicious option located right within the Bay Area Discovery Center.
What’s great about Bean Sprouts Cafe is that there are 17 locations across the country all located in family friendly destinations like children’s museums and science centers.
