The best day trips from San Francisco with kids
With so much to do in San Francisco with kids, you could happily spend months exploring – but while you shouldn’t skimp on your time in the city by the bay, it’s hard not to be tempted by the great day trips from San Francisco with kids too.
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Each of my suggestions below is less than two hours away – although bear in mind you may be delayed by traffic, especially travelling in and out of the city. Even with younger kids, they’re all doable without spending half the day on the road though.
And whether you’re looking for inspiration to add to a California road trip, heading north up the coast or further south towards Big Sur, or simply want an escape from the city, this pick of the best days out from San Francisco with kids means there’s something to suit everyone.
Want more inspiration? Check out my tips for some of the best things to do in Northern California with kids, as well as a family-friendly itinerary for the Pacific Coast Highway
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Visit Alcatraz
No visit to San Francisco is complete without exploring Alcatraz island – and while it won’t take you far from the city, the chance to see inside the notorious prison, plus the boat trip to reach it, makes a perfect day trip with kids.
Book in advance as tickets get snapped up quickly, but even young kids will be fascinated by the famous former jail, which once housed Al Capone. After hearing some of the stories from former inmates, there’s plenty of space to run around plus cells to hide in.
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to Alcatraz tours with kids too – as well as booking the Alcatraz City Cruises direct, you’ll find options combined with hop-on-hop-off bus tours, walking tours, visits to Sausalito or Muir Woods. Check out the different choices on Get Your Guide, Tiqets and Viator.
Take a boat tour
Alcatraz isn’t the only option if you’re looking to travel by boat – venture out to Angel Island state park, known as ‘Ellis Island of the West’ for another great day outdoors in San Francisco with kids.
Discover its history on the tram tour – or with a guided Segway tour – as well as taking a stroll around to enjoy the views of the city skyline and the San Francisco bay.
Sausalito
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge – or you can hop on the ferry – is Sausalito, famous for its houseboats, history and laid-back feel.
If strolling around soaking up the atmosphere and checking out some of Sausalito’s food won’t tempt your kids (though an ice cream from Lappert’s surely will), check out the Bay Area Discovery Museum, which mixes science and creativity
With seven different exhibition spaces, it’s aimed at children under 10 with daily drop-in programmes as well as plenty to explore.
Don’t miss the US Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model, an incredible precision model of the rivers, islands, bays and bridges of the Bay area – you’ll even see the tides coming in and going out. Plus it’s free to visit. Sausalito is easy to combine with Muir Woods too.
Marin Headlands
Sometimes you need to leave the city to see it from its best angle! If you’re looking for great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, head just a little way north to the Marin Headlands.
Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, you’ll find miles of hiking trails as well as views of the bay and bridge. Battery Spencer is one of the easiest to reach if you want to avoid any strenuous hikes with younger kids, but it’s popular so it’s worth heading over early to get a parking space.
You could hike the half-mile Point Bonita trail to the lighthouse, or head to one of the beaches too: Rodeo and Muir beaches are accessible by car.
Muir Woods
Less than an hour from the city, you could easily believe you’re miles away once you venture into Muir Woods.
Famous for its giant redwoods (scroll down for more ideas of where to see redwoods), it also has some great trails to try with kids – there’s a half-hour loop, as well as trails which are accessible with a stroller as you marvel at these trees towering over 250ft tall.
Because the woods are so close to the city, it’s another popular day trip from San Francisco with kids, so you need to reserve a parking spot in advance (unless you’re on an organised tour).
Make sure to book ahead as these get reserved fast: it’s a great idea to get there earlier to avoid the crowds as well – and download your confirmations in advance as you’ll struggle to get data in the woods.
If you prefer not to drive, there are plenty of day tours to Muir Woods (if your kids suffer from travel sickness, be aware there are some winding roads along the coach journey). Or try this tour to see Sausalito, Muir Woods and the giant redwoods, with the option of a half day or full day out
See the redwoods
Muir Woods isn’t the only place for a great day trip to spot the spectacular redwoods, with several options to see these ancient trees – some of the redwoods in the Bay Area are nearly 1,000 years old.
Further north, Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, located just beyond Guerneville, is home to some wonderful old growth redwoods, as well as some easy loop trails taking you into the woodland.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is another option, just over an hour south of the city; there’s a half-mile loop trail visiting some of the tallest trees, or a four-mile hike passing a small waterfall.
A little further south near Santa Cruz, Henry Cowell Redwoods state park has its own great short trail through one of the groves that’s the perfect length for younger kids.
If you’re looking for somewhere closer to the city than the state parks, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is home to a forest of coast redwoods, while you could be lucky enough to spot a golden eagle here too, and it’s only around 30 minutes from San Francisco.
Visit the vineyards
Tempted by a tour through some of California’s wine country but don’t think it’s family-friendly? Well, the kids can’t join in with the tasting but there are some great child-friendly wineries that you can discover.
In Napa Valley, around an hour north of San Francisco, try wineries like Castello di Amorosa – designed like a castle (complete with dungeon!), you can also visit the animals during your visit, plus there’s grape juice to sip. Under-21s can’t join the tour, and there are no strollers allowed inside though.
Hoopes Vineyard is another laid-back option with outdoor tables to book by the hour and mini bottles to buy instead of traditional tastings. Or check out more child-friendly wineries in Napa here.
Even better, you can hop on the wine train (although probably best with slightly older kids, rather than babies and toddlers) – with trips lasting from three hours, there are different options depending if you want to include winery tours.
Or head to Sonoma, home to its own child-friendly wineries too. Larson Family Winery has farm animals on site, while Cornerstone is a great family-friendly way to try different wines too – a ‘markeplace’ rather than a winery itself, it has several wine tasting rooms and some gorgeous outdoor space, including one children’s garden.
The Francis Ford Coppola winery has its own pool open during the summer, so the kids can swim while you chill out with a glass of wine.
While you’re in the area, older kids will love Sonoma Canopy Tours for a chance to fly down ziplines through the redwoods, as well as clambering along sky bridges. Only for children aged 10+ who weigh 70 pounds or more.
If you have more than a day to spare, it’s very easy to spend more of your vacation in Sonoma too – Santa Rosa makes a great base, with the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center dedicated to the famed “Peanuts” cartoonist as well as some hands-on fun for kids at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
Find the Petrified Forest
Around 3.4 million years ago, an eruption at Mount St Helena transformed the redwood trees growing in this part of Sonoma County into a petrified forest, a process that took thousands of years.
With the largest petrified trees in the world, this California Historical Landmark has been called one of the finest examples of an ancient forest too and there’s an easy half-mile loop trail to walk for kids to experience this weirdly wonderful spot.
Or wander along the Meadow Trail and keep an eye out for some of the wildlife living here too – an impressive variety, including birdlife galore.
Discover Fort Ross
Did your kids know that Russians settled part of the California coast in the 19th century? And that’s just one reason to visit Fort Ross.
Originally Fortress Ross, built in 1812 (and operated by the Russians until 1841), it’s now a State Historic Park with trails, beaches, a book shop, and a museum, not to mention shipwrecks off the coast.
But one of the most unusual things to do here is to walk across the San Andreas Fault. Fort Ross sits on the ocean side of the faultline, with a red marker on Fort Ross road showing where it lies (which makes for a quirky photo opp).
More seriously, it’s one of the best places to see the awesomely destructive power of earthquakes. The Fort Ross Visitor Center has more information about the 1906 quake and its effects, but you can see the damage in the landscape, including cracked redwoods and even interruptions in the slope of hills as the earth here moved 12.6 feet.
Spot wildlife at Point Reyes National Seashore
If your kids love wildlife (and whose don’t!), Point Reyes National Seashore is unmissable – although as you’ll get the best chance to spot some of the 1,500 species living here as you hike, it’s best for active and older kids.
With trails for different levels of ability, including a string of hikes that will take under one hour, you could look for woodpeckers, learn about earthquakes, spot elephant seals, and even have the chance to see whales as they migrate, along with leopard sharks.
There are 80 miles of beach in this corner of Marin County too, so plenty of chance to soak up some sea air and rest your feet as well.
Stinson Beach
Sure, San Francisco has its own stretch of sand at Ocean Beach, but head north to quieter Stinson Beach and you’ll find one of the best places for swimming along the coast.
There’s a lifeguard tower during the summer months, and any surf fans will love the waves here but there’s still plenty of fun for younger kids (although it’s best avoided on windy days).
With three miles of beach to explore, you can easily while away a day building sand castles, hunting for sand dollars, taking a stroll and playing games – check out my favorite beach activities with kids for more inspiration.
Bodega Bay
If your kids are less excited by the dramatic scenery of the Pacific Coast and more interested in when they get to go to the beach, head to Bodega Bay.
The protected bay tends to have calmer water, so you could try kayaking, as well as relaxing on the sandy beach. It often gets windier in the afternoon, so bring a kite to fly as well.
Sheltered Campbell Cove Beach (Bodega Head) is another great option for kids, with starfish in the shallow water and more calm waters
Just north of the bay, you’ll see sea stacks caused by erosion overlooking the coast too – and for any older kids who are classic movie fans, Alfred Hitchcock’s famous film, “The Birds”, was shot in Bodega Bay.
Half Moon Bay
Heading south rather than north? There are some great beaches around Half Moon Bay – you won’t be paddling at Mavericks Beach, the surf can reach as much as 50 feet, but Francis Beach is easily accessible with some fun family activities nearby.
The California Coastal Trail runs through the bay, so you can combine your beach lounging with a hike, as well as discovering some of the area’s marine wildlife.
A little way north of Half Moon Bay, at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, keep an eye out for harbour seals before peering into tide pools to spot purple sea urchins and sea stars.
Ana Nuevo State Park
This state park is famous for its elephant seals and best of all, you can see them year-round – pups are born between December and February, and if you visit around those months through to end of March, you’ll need to join guided walks to head down to view the elephant seals.
It’s worth knowing that it’s a 3-4 mile hike, including over some dunes so if you’re planning to head over with younger kids, you’ll need to pack a carrier.
As well as literally thousands of northern elephant seals, you can also spy sea otters, harbor seals and California sea lions in the waters around, while Steller sea lions come to lounge on the rocks in the summer months too.
Santa Cruz
Chances are you’ll recognise the Santa Cruz boardwalk here even if you’ve never visited before (especially if you’re a fan of The Lost Boys movie) and you can’t miss a stroll along the beachfront.
As well as retro coasters and classic rides at the amusement park, there are a whole string of family-friendly activities, from mini golf to bowling, not forgetting the chance to soar above it in one of the colourful cable cars.
If you can drag yourself away from the white sand of the beach, take a wander out along the wharf, then head into town for some ice cream – Marianne’s, The Penny Ice Creamery and Cruz Creamery are among the places fighting it out for best ice cream in Santa Cruz.
There are also a string of great family attractions in and around Santa Cruz if you want more than a beach day.
Capitola
Only 10 minutes from Santa Cruz, Capitola is another gorgeously colourful stop that’s perfect for a day out from San Francisco with kids.
As well as houses that come in all shades of the rainbow, like the super brights of Venetian Court, Capitola’s laid-back vibe is a short-cut to that relaxing summer vacation feeling, but despite its low-key status, it still has a ton of fun activities to keep you entertained all day long.
Aside from enjoying the beach during the day – New Brighton State Beach is an excellent option to escape the crowds, while Capitola City Beach has gentle waves (and isn’t far from bigger ones for some body boarding).
Monterey
Monterey’s biggest claim to fame for literature fans is its links to John Steinbeck – but if you’re travelling with kids, it’s all about the aquarium.
Monterey Bay Aquarium is just huge, so allow a whole day to explore and see all the sea creatures and hear some of the talks to learn more about the marine life.
Check out my full review of this fantastic Pacific Coast kids attraction here
You can get a stamp on your hand which allows you to pop out for lunch as well, and take a wander along Cannery Row for something to eat, drink and a quick stop on the beach.
17 Mile Drive and Carmel
See how the other half live in chi chi Carmel-by-the-Sea before hitting the powdery white sand beach here – along the way, make sure you follow the scenic 17-mile drive (or part of it) through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach.
You’ll crawl through the fancy residential streets and want to stop over and over again at the scenic coast, so this isn’t one to rush.
Don’t miss a stop at Cottage of Sweets before you leave Carmel too – if you limit your time at the aquarium, it’s easy to combine this with your visit to Monterey too.
You can also join full-day tours to Monterey and Carmel which follow 17-mile drive – with an option to visit the aquarium during the 11-hour excursion – if you’d prefer not to drive yourself.
Sacramento
It’s easy to wonder why you’d swap one city for another if you’re planning a day trip from San Francisco with kids, but California’s state capital shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Sacramento History Museum is great for filling in some of the area’s background, and the tours of the hollow sidewalks and other underground spaces are unmissable.
There’s also hands-on science at the Explorit Science Center, the Aerospace Museum of California and the Sacramento State Railroad Museum – yes, you can climb aboard! – for kids who are fascinated by all things science, space and engineering.
If you’re visiting California with toddlers and younger kids, Sacramento Children’s Museum is fantastic for interactive activities too – and a great option if you find yourself in Sacramento in the rain. That’s just the start too: check out some more of the kid-friendly activities in Sacramento here.
Got kids who love history? Make time for another day trip to Benicia, which served as California’s state capital for just over a year in the mid 19th century – you can even tour the former state capitol building.
Silicon Valley
Think family-friendly California and Silicon Valley probably isn’t the first idea that comes to mind but there’s more here for kids than you might expect.
For starters, there’s the Tech Museum of Innovation – and given you’re in Silicon Valley, they know about innovation…
You can discover displays that highlight everything from the social side of social media to exhibits on face tracking technology, as well as coding, early examples of technology we take for granted today, and kids can even have a go at designing their own rollercoaster.
Or make your own tech tour of Silicon Valley – I love this pick of 13 top sites from Cali native A Modern Mother, passing Steve Jobs’ garage and Facebook HQ among others. Be warned, along the way, you can find Apple products that are available nowhere else…
Hakone Estate and Gardens
A California day out with a difference – Hakone Estate and Gardens, which overlooks Silicon Valley, is one of the oldest Japanese estates in the western hemisphere.
A century old, it’s a National Trust for Historic Preservation’s site, and it’s like being transported to Japan – the 18 acres contains giant bamboo, traditional Japanese architecture, pools with koi gliding serenely around. Just beautiful.
There are also origami and storytelling sessions (if there’s a minimum of 10 children), while kids over 7 can join the guided tours.
More day trips from San Francisco with kids
If you’re happy to travel a bit longer – or looking for ideas to add to a California road trip with kids, check out the following too. While they’re over two hours away, they’re all worth keeping in mind for a visit to California with kids.
For more great ideas of road trip activities with kids, as well as the best road trip snacks for kids, check out my top tips
Bixby Bridge
One of the most instagrammable spots in California, thanks to its views along the coast, you can look out to the canyon on one side and the Pacific on the other when you visit Bixby Bridge.
While it’s not somewhere to drive for a day trip alone, it’s around 40 minutes south of Monterey, so easy to combine with a road trip to Big Sur.
Andrew Molera State Park
Not far south of Bixby Bridge, this state park is less developed than some others in California, so a great way to soak up the nature of the area – not to mention its own spectacular views of Monterey Bay.
You could easily while away some time at the beach here, but the best way to explore the park is by tying your shoelaces and exploring a trail or two. Think meadows, hilltops, gorgeous beaches, and bluffs to get an idea of what hiking at Andrew Molera is all about!
For a relatively easy trail that provides both beach views and nature, the Bluffs Trail is an excellent choice. For more of a challenge, continue onwards to Panorama Trail, which is a little steeper but has incredible views of Big Sur as a reward.
Pinnacles National Park
Just over an hour inland from Monterey, Pinnacles got its national park status back in 2013, making it another less visited spot – the perfect go-to for those who want to enjoy the best of Cali’s nature while dodging the crowds.
Set right on top of the San Andreas Fault, Pinnacles is home to some weirdly wonderful rock formations and two caves you can explore to your heart’s content (cave exploring here doesn’t require too much effort or skills, making it a perfect family-friendly activity for those traveling with kids).
If you’ve got adventurous kids, it’s also a great place to try rock climbing (beginner lessons are available). Look out for condors too: while they’re critically endangered, sightings here are becoming more common thanks to the park’s re-introduction efforts.
Yosemite National Park
Realistically, this is not an easy day trip from San Francisco – especially not if you’re planning to visit Yosemite from San Francisco with kids.
But if you’ve got limited time in California and can’t bear to miss out on a visit to Yosemite (understandably!), I’d recommend getting a guided tour so you’re not exhausted by the drive or worrying about squeezing everything in to your day.
This 13-hour day tour to Yosemite has a choice of two different departure locations in San Francisco and includes visits to Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.
Or if you want to squeeze a bit more hiking into the trip, this Yosemite day tour lasts 14-15 hours, including Tuolumne Grove Trailhead and Tunnel View instead of Bridalveil falls.
For more inspiration if you’re visiting California with kids, check out my 10-day Pacific Coast Highway itinerary for families, and ideas for things to do in northern California with kids
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
Santa Cruz/Monterey/Carmel images copyright MummyTravels, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos
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