We often feel that pull towards the idea of jet-setting somewhere or packing up the car for a weekend away out of town. While those adventures are fabulous in their own right, why not reframe the idea of ‘getting away’ and invest some time into discovering your local gems? I try to find adventures that all of my kids can enjoy together, despite the wide age gap of 9-months to 15-years-old. This is not an easy feat, but I will share our success stories that deliver smiles and happiness every time. Here are our top ten favorites in the Bay Area:
Rent the yellow go-cars (check the age minimum) and explore all San Francisco has to offer while allowing the GPS to navigate and act as your personal tour guide. We have done all of the different path options, but our favorite is the one that includes going down the windiest street in the world, the infamous Lombard Street. Make sure you also go down towards the Golden Gate Bridge and give your family a self-guided tour of Fort Point National Historic Site. Pick this up in Fisherman’s Wharf, where a reservation isn’t necessary, but recommended.
Take one of several ferries from Marin to the SF Saturday morning Farmer’s Market. Enjoy a leisurely morning stroll while trying all that they have to offer. Enjoy walking around both inside and outside the ferry building, enjoying the eclectic vibe and diverse flavors of the many purveyors.
We love doing cable car days. We start at fisherman’s wharf and either do a round trip or end up union square. The kids love the hills, and so do we.
Go to Muir Woods, bring a picnic, and go explore! There are many options as far as trail difficulty, and we opt for an easier loop when we have all of the kids in tow.
Go to Stinson Beach and enjoy the beautiful beach and funky town. Park and eat at Parkside. From there, it’s a short walk to both the beach and the adjacent playground.
Go to Japantown and immerse yourself in a cultural festival for the senses. Enjoy endless shops and delicious eateries. Floating Sushi Boat is the kids favorite spot for lunch, and a must-see if you’ve not been. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, get a private booth at K-Box Karaoke.
Go to Sonoma Train Town. It’s a quick drive and the kids absolutely love spending the day here. Have lunch at Girl And The Fig after in the square, or grab a picnic and enjoy the playground that is centrally located in the middle. We also love the Sonoma Cheese Store!
Go to tunnel-tops in SF. This is a great park option that entertains the kids for hours and adults love the view! Most people don’t even know that the park exists which often makes for a less-crowded destination. There’s a great restaurant on property that makes delicious homemade pizza which you can get to go and enjoy a yummy lunch while taking in the incredible view of the city skyline and water.
We love a fun day on Chestnut Street! We always start off by having a great breakfast at Cracked And Batter. Dare I say, this just might single-handedly be the best breakfast spot in the Bay Area. Grab your leftovers and head down to the Palace of Fine Arts to feed the ducks and walk around the incredible grounds. It’s absolutely magical and affords a wealth of San Francisco history, to boot.
Last, but certainly not least, our favorite day in Mill Valley is to grab lunch at Mamahuhu and head to the cascade pools and falls. It is the most beautiful family hike. A destination for sight-seeing fabulous homes that look like treehouses, a place to catch waterfalls, delight in swimmable water holes, and the perfect spot to get those wiggles out at an absolutely amazing playground.
Phew! That’s our personal Top-10 list and we simultaneously covered a lot of grounds without much effort or need for pre-planning. Each destination is one that has been thoroughly and rigoriously tried-and-tested by our family many times over. And while it’s true, San Francisco has undergone some changes over the last several years, but it by no means should be written off your list. It still exudes that magical energy, a love of cultures, and represents so many innovative and exciting hot-spots that rivals no other city . So, the next time you’ve got the itch for a mini-get-away and want to embark upon a little excursion, immerse yourself in one of these incredible destinations that the North Bay and San Francisco so abundantly affords. Have any destinations your family enjoys that aren’t included in my list? Leave them in the comments below— my family and I are always looking for new places to enjoy!