25 fun things to do with the grandkids in the Bay Area

When you’re retired and living in the San Francisco Bay area, there’s no shortage of things to do. When you have family visit you might wonder, what are some fun things to do with your grandchildren in the Bay Area?

Finding activities that appeal to different ages and interests isn't always easy, so we've gathered 25 options to help you plan a day everyone can enjoy. From exploring nature at Golden Gate Park to shopping in Union Square, there's something for a wide range of interests. Pack what you need, choose a destination together, and get ready to make some wonderful memories with your grandchildren.

Golden Gate Bridge

What to see: The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is an impressive sight at any age. A visit to San Francisco with your grandchildren wouldn't feel complete without seeing this famous landmark together, whether from nearby or across the water.

What to do: Whether you admire it from a distance, drive across it, or explore it on foot, the Golden Gate Bridge is worth a visit. An outdoor museum explains how the suspension bridge works. You can also rent bikes at Fisherman’s Wharf and ride across the bridge or take the 1.7-mile walk while enjoying time together.

Recommended for: All ages

Fisherman’s Wharf

What to see: This historic district is one of San Francisco's most popular tourist destinations. From here, you can take a ferry to Alcatraz Island or join a whale-watching tour. With plenty of restaurants and shops to explore along the waterfront, your grandchildren will have lots to see and do during a family visit.

What to do: Hop on a cable car to see more of San Francisco's sights, or visit Pier 39 for shopping, dining, and a 7D experience. Other attractions to explore with your grandchildren include the Cartoon Art Museum, Hyde Street Pier, and the S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien.

Recommended for: All ages

Pier 39

What to see: Pier 39 is a family-friendly destination and home to San Francisco’s famous sea lions, located at the Aquarium of the Bay. Their lively presence can entertain visitors of different ages.

What to do: After seeing the sea lions, you'll find plenty more to do together. Take a ride on the San Francisco Carousel, or bring younger grandchildren to the tot-friendly Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze for another memorable activity.

Recommended for: Kids of all ages

Union Square

What to see: If shopping is on your list, Union Square offers a wide range of stores and places to eat. This iconic San Francisco destination can feel like a shopper's paradise. Whether you're looking for designer clothing, gifts, or souvenirs, you'll find plenty of choices. You can also rest your feet with your grandchildren at one of the area's many restaurants and cafes between stores.

What to do: Explore Union Square's many shopping and dining options at a pace that works for your family. Browse a gift shop, local boutique, or upscale flagship store for fashion, furniture, gadgets, and home goods, all in one convenient central location.

Recommended for: All ages

San Francisco Zoo

What to see: Animals are the main attraction at the San Francisco Zoo. You and your grandchildren will find plenty to see across this 100-acre wildlife conservation preserve, so everyone can look for the animals that interest them most.

What to do: With so many animals and activities to enjoy, map out your day before you arrive so you can make the most of your time. The zoo's location near the ocean helps keep temperatures cooler, so plan accordingly. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring sunscreen, and take a stroller or wagon for younger children. You can also rent one there if needed.

Recommended for: Kids of all ages

Ride a cable car in San Francisco

What to see: If you're looking for a fun way to travel around San Francisco with your grandchildren, a cable car ride can turn transportation into part of the day's adventure while giving everyone a different view of the city.

What to do: Cable cars run seven days a week and are a popular way for visitors and locals to get around San Francisco. You can also visit the free Cable Car Museum to learn more about their history and how they operate. The Powell-Hyde line is one of two cable car lines running from Union Square to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. It's an especially fun choice for grandchildren who love trains.

Recommended for: All ages

Monterey Bay Aquarium

What to see: More than 200 exhibits and 80,000 plants and animals make up the Monterey Bay Aquarium. You and your grandchildren can see African penguins, jellies, sea otters, sharks, and many other animals from A to Z. There's something here to interest everyone in the family.

What to do: The aquarium was the first to feature a living kelp forest, and its wide range of exhibits can fascinate both you and your grandchildren. Watch marine mammals swim in enormous tanks designed to resemble their natural habitats, or see animals being fed by divers through sea-level windows with an underwater camera offering another perspective. Take your time exploring the displays that appeal to each person.

Recommended for: All ages

Japanese Tea Garden

What to see: Experience the natural beauty, tranquility, and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The peaceful surroundings offer visitors from around the world a relaxing place to explore together.

What to do: The Japanese Tea Garden is a peaceful retreat in the heart of San Francisco. Explore classic features such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, Zen gardens, and serene koi ponds. You and your grandchildren can slow down and enjoy the garden's quiet atmosphere.

Recommended for: All ages

California’s Great America in Santa Clara

What to see: Looking for an amusement park in the Bay Area? Spend a day at one of southern California's most entertaining destinations, with roller coasters, shows, and food. This 112-acre theme park offers rides and performances, along with picnic-area food options and exciting roller coasters that may leave your grandchildren wanting another turn. With different things to see and do, everyone can look for an activity that suits them.

What to do: In addition to roller coasters, the park hosts special events, including musical performances and themed parties. If you and your grandchildren want more excitement during the day, try a water ride at South Bay Shores Waterpark.

Recommended for: All ages

California Academy of Sciences

What to see: This natural history museum is one of the largest in the world and houses more than 46 million specimens. Located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, it's a must-see for grandchildren who love science and want to discover something new with you.

What to do: This museum is the world’s only aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and living museum under one roof. Explore exhibits featuring penguins and parrots, or watch sharks and stingrays swim beneath your feet. Toddlers, older children, and adults can all find something interesting to enjoy. Fly to Mars from a planetarium seat, or take a virtual safari in African Hall. With so many choices in one place, you can shape the visit around your grandchildren's interests. Before you leave, you can also stop by the gift shop.

Recommended for: All ages

Muir Woods National Monument

What to see: One of the Bay Area's memorable regional parks is Muir Woods. Federally protected as a national monument since 1908, the park is known for its old redwood trees and makes a memorable day trip with your grandchildren. The towering trees provide a dramatic natural setting for spending time together.

What to do: Walk beneath towering old-growth redwood trees with your family and enjoy the surrounding landscape. You might also stop for a picnic, talk about what you've seen, and simply enjoy the day together.

Recommended for: All ages

San Francisco Botanical Garden

What to see: Located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, this botanical garden showcases 8,000 kinds of plants from around the world. If your grandchildren enjoy nature, flowers, or discovering unfamiliar plants, this is a lovely place to explore together at an easy pace.

What to do: Join a workshop, meditation class, flower-drawing class, painting class, or yoga session. As you walk through the gardens with your grandchildren, you can see a different collection of flowers each month you visit. Visitors can also discover the extraordinary variety of rare and unusual plants that grow in coastal California, giving you plenty to notice and discuss together.

Recommended for: All ages

Alcatraz Island

What to see: Alcatraz Island offers an up-close look at the lives of the people who once called it home when it was a maximum-security federal prison. Visitors of different ages can explore gardens, enjoy views across the water, and take part in activities such as bird-watching on this historic island. The combination of history, scenery, and outdoor exploration can make the ferry trip worthwhile.

What to do: Take a ferry to the island, then begin your visit by exploring its bird sanctuary and gardens while watching for birds together. You can also tour the 84-foot lighthouse, which was the first lighthouse on the West Coast, and enjoy the views that surround the island.

Recommended for: Older kids and teens

Walt Disney Family Museum

What to see: Located in the historic Presidio, the Walt Disney Family Museum offers an engaging and magical experience for children and adults. The museum is dedicated to Walt Disney's life and work.

What to do: Explore interactive galleries and modern exhibits featuring early drawings, cartoons, movies, and a layout of Disneyland. As you move through the museum, you can also enjoy daily screenings of Disney classics with your grandchildren.

Recommended for: All ages

Bay Area Discovery Museum

What to see: The Bay Area Discovery Museum gives children hands-on experiences in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, this 7.5-acre national park site in Sausalito offers daily exhibits and programs for children of different ages.

What to do: Give your grandchildren room to use their imaginations and direct some of the day's play. They can navigate winding tunnels or explore their creativity around cold-water tide pools. The museum's early learning experiences are designed to build creative problem-solving skills and inspire children's imaginations through active, hands-on discovery.

Recommended for: Ages 6 months to 10 years

Children’s Creativity Museum

What to see: The Children’s Creativity Museum is a fun place to bring younger grandchildren for hands-on experiences. The museum encourages children to take an active role in the creative process and explore their own ideas.

What to do: The Children's Creativity Museum offers more than its Animation Studio. Families can explore hands-on activities for children of different ages. In the Imagination Lab, children ages 3 and older can play and create in one space. Musically inclined visitors can also find instruments waiting to be played, giving grandchildren another way to express their creativity.

Recommended for: Ages 2–12

Local sports teams

What to see: Children of all ages can enjoy attending a game in the Bay Area. The region is home to more than half a dozen professional teams across baseball, football, soccer, and hockey, giving sports-loving families several possibilities to consider.

What to do: You can catch a sporting event in the Bay Area throughout the year. From the San Francisco Giants in the winter to the Golden State Warriors in the summer, there's always sports action to enjoy. Choose a team your grandchildren follow, or introduce them to a sport that's new to them.

Recommended for: All ages

Kimball Natural History Museum

What to see: At the Kimball Natural History Museum, you can learn about the fascinating role color plays in nature, compare fossils from early human relatives, and marvel at a specimen that has been preserved for 160 years. These varied exhibits give you and your grandchildren several topics to explore together.

What to do: Step into exhibits where you can explore African landscapes and animals. Get close to displays examining the evolution and future of life on Earth. It's an educational place to bring grandchildren who want to learn about fossils and human evolution while sharing their questions and observations with you.

Recommended for: All ages

Steinhart Aquarium

What to see: The Steinhart Aquarium is home to the world’s deepest living indoor coral reef, a colony of African penguins, and almost 40,000 live animals representing more than 900 species. Your grandchildren will find plenty to explore, from familiar animals to species they may never have seen before.

What to do: The Steinhart Aquarium's exhibits include species you can't find anywhere else in the world. It's a place of discovery, with species from around the globe and cutting-edge research into little-known ocean ecosystems. Take time to explore the displays that capture your grandchildren's attention and talk about what you've learned.

Recommended for: All ages

Ghirardelli Square

What to see: Ghirardelli Square, named for Ghirardelli chocolate, is a three-level landmark near Fisherman’s Wharf that was once a chocolate factory. All three levels are filled with shops and restaurants, making it a tempting destination for anyone with a sweet tooth and a fun stop to share with your grandchildren.

What to do: Spend an afternoon enjoying Ghirardelli Square's award-winning restaurants, chocolates, and scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can browse the shops, stop for something sweet, and take in the surrounding landscape together.

Recommended for: All ages

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

What to see: Located along the mile-long sandy stretch of Beach Street, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a fun destination for children. There's plenty to do, whether your family wants thrilling rides or relaxed time together by the beach.

What to do: The adrenaline-pumping Big Dipper is the park’s most popular ride. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been recognized as one of the world's best seaside parks and offers plenty of family-friendly activities. Whether you choose the rides or simply explore the area, stop at one of the local food stands for a corn dog, ice cream, or another treat.

Recommended for: All ages

de Young Museum

What to see: The de Young Museum is a welcoming place to see art from around the world with your family. Exploring the galleries together can give grandchildren and grandparents plenty to notice, discuss, and remember.

What to do: Hands-on activities, discovery guides, and videos help make art engaging and approachable for children. These activities encourage close observation, questions, and thoughtful reflection, giving your grandchildren several ways to connect with the art they see.

Recommended for: All ages

Exploratorium

What to see: The Exploratorium is a museum of science, technology, and art in San Francisco. This hands-on educational museum offers experiences for children of all ages, making it a flexible choice when grandchildren have different interests.

What to do: Visit hundreds of hands-on exhibits covering topics such as electricity, earthquakes, global weather patterns, sound, and color. Your grandchildren can learn by interacting with the displays, while you explore each subject alongside them.

Recommended for: All ages

Mount Diablo State Park

What to see: Mount Diablo State Park gives you and your grandchildren plenty of room to explore. With more than 34,000 acres, the park offers hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a playground, so family members can find activities that match their interests and energy levels.

What to do: Stop at the Visitor Center before beginning your hike. Its maps and ranger-led programs can help you make the most of your visit and choose an outing that works for everyone in your group.

Recommended for: All ages

Randall Museum

What to see: The Randall Museum is a place where your grandchildren can learn about science and nature. Its exhibits cover topics such as animals, plants, and astronomy, providing several ways for children to follow their curiosity.

What to do: The museum also offers classes and workshops throughout the year, giving your grandchildren more ways to explore their interests. If anyone gets hungry, the on-site cafe offers healthy snacks and drinks. Choose an activity that fits your grandchildren's interests, and enjoy discovering the Bay Area together.

Recommended for: All ages