Toddler-friendly activities in SF?

[Deleted]

We're going to be going to San Francisco for a long weekend in November and are debating whether or not to take our 15-month old with us (he'll be almost 18 months by then).

We've made several trips to SF in the past, but always as a couple, so I never researched things to do with kids. We're planning to go to a 49ers game, but even that, I'm not sure of...has anyone taken a little one to an NFL game at Candlestick? I know it's not the most modern stadium and walkways are crowded, so I'm hesitant.

A cousin of mine is in SF visiting friends right now, so I asked her to pick their brains about taking a toddler to SF. She said they basically recommended the Exploratorium but then said, "There are more things to do here with your dog than with your kid."

I'm hoping that's just a bunch of childless, 20-something hipsters talking though...

So what do you say--yay or nay to taking the kiddo? I'm honestly torn because while yes, H and I could use a weekend away (it'd be our first without him), I absolutely adore San Francisco and would love to share the experience with my son, even if he won't remember it. I just think "It's one of my favorite places in the entire world...how can I *not* share that with him?

[definitelyO]

we were planning on going - DS is 6yrs old. so - older than a toddler. but here is the list our friend who lives there sent:

So, here’s a few suggestions (in no particular order):

1) California Academy of Sciences – Our youngest Molly (4.5) loves it and so do both our older boys. It’s in Golden Gate Park – about 3.5 miles west of downtown. www.calacademy.org/
2) Yerba Buena Gardens / Zeum – It’s downtown, so you could walk if that’s where you guys are planning to stay. www.yerbabuenagardens.com/ ; creativity.org/ ; www.zeum.org
3) San Francisco Zoo – It’s a fantastic zoo – lots of open space, children’s playground, petting zoo, etc… It’s across from the Pacific Ocean, so it can get chilly depending on the day. About 6 miles west of downtown. www.sfzoo.org/
4) Crissy Field – one of our favorite places!!! It’s in the Presidio with amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, etc… You can walk along the beach or the trail. You should definitely try and go. You can park in the “East Beach” parking lot and walk down towards the Golden Gate Bridge (a little over a mile). From there, you can grab coffee/hot chocolate/sandwiches at the Warming Hut. Keep walking and go to Fort Point (your son will think it’s really cool). It’s a actual fort and you can climb to the top. www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/crissy-field.html;
5) Bay Area Discovery Museum – it’s across the GGB in Sausalito. Great place, but I think it’s geared more towards the Pre-K age group. www.baykidsmuseum.org/
6) Marin Headlands / Point Bonita Lighthouse – it’s immediately across the GGB and has the BEST views of San Francisco. Our kids still think it’s cool. www.nps.gov/goga/pobo.htm. You guys should definitely try and go!

[Deleted]

Thank you guys so much! I appreciate it...

Like I said, I've always seen (and loved) SF through a grown-ups eyes (hello fancy dinners and late nights out), so I was worried about doing it as a parent.

Sounds like there are lots of fun things to try out there. Now we just have to survive the six-hour flight. Thankfully, Virgin America has TV screens. I will so break my "no tv until you're older" rule for that. Who am I kidding...I broke that when he got fussy and would only eat with Elmo on

Thanks again!

[starlily]

PPs have given you a lot of good ideas. I grew up in SF & always had lots of fun as a kid.

One idea that hadn't been mentioned is the big playground in golden gate park.

[rootbeerfloat]

We took DS to SF when he was 17m old. Things that he liked:

Riding the cable cars
Watching the sea lions/Pier 39
Yerba Buena Gardens
Giant playground at Golden Gate Park

We went to an A's game (at the Coliseum, which is not the same as Candlestick, I know), too. He did fine on BART (and like it, actually) and at the stadium, though he didn't have much patience for the game.