Things To Do

There are tons of parks and attractions to visit in the Bay Area. We listed a few of our favorite attractions for the whole family. We also provided a link to a more comprehensive list of thins to do. The bold listings are recommended by us.

• Aquarium of the Bay - Aquarium of the Bay is a truly unique educational facility dedicated to the San Francisco Bay and its surrounding waters. The self-guided journey begins with a decent into a 707,000-gallon aquarium. Visitors then enter 300-feet of clear acrylic tunnels. A staff of expert naturalists is on hand to answer questions and encourage exploration of this mysterious world beneath the surface of the Bay. Visitors finish with a hands-on meeting with sea stars, urchins and sharks.
• Bay Area Discovery Museum - Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, the nationally recognized Bay Area Discovery Museum is a one-of-a-kind indoor/outdoor family museum that offers a full range of activities for children ages six months to eight years. The Museum’s unique programs feature hands-on art and science exhibitions, special performances and cultural festivals -- all with a focus on fun!
• Children's Discovery Museum - The striking 52,000 square foot purple building was designed to serve the needs of children, families and schools as a center for learning and discovery. Encompassing the broad themes of community, connections and creativity, exhibits invite self-directed, open-ended explorations, while programs provide facilitated, focused, and sustained interactions.
• Exploratorium - Housed within the walls of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a collage of over 650 science, art, and human perception exhibits. The Exploratorium is a leader in the movement to promote the museum as an educational center.
• Jack London Square - Jack London Square is a special spot at the water's edge where places for shopping, dining, and daydreaming are all waiting for you. Jack London Square features 15 varied restaurants, specialty shops, USS Potomac, Yoshi's Jazz Club. Accessible via ferry from San Francisco.
• Pier 39 - San Francisco's Number One Attraction provides visitors with postcard views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, the San Francisco Bay and the City skyline. Visitors can enjoy shopping, entertainment, dining, and more!
• Ripley's Believe it or not Museum - Two floors, 11 galleries, over 10,000 square feet of exhibits, state of the art interactive displays, illusions and much more!
• San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) - The San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) provides transportation to all points of interest within San Francisco. The Muni system operates both diesel and electric trolley buses, historic streetcars and the world famous Cable Cars.
• San Francisco Zoo - The largest zoological park in Northern California and one of the Bay Area's most popular cultural and recreational attractions, the San Francisco Zoo is home to over 250 species of exotic and domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

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