Yes, you have to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get to this children's museum, but we promise it's worth the trip. 

Located on the bay near Sausalito, the Bay Area Discovery Museum boasts a plethora of hands-on, indoor/outdoor experiences for kids aged 6 months to 10 years. 

Don't miss the Lookout Cove, a 2.5-acre outdoor area with tide pools, gravel pits, fishing boats, shipwrecks, caves, and spider web installations.

Kids of all ages will like this sprawling aquarium located on the waterfront at Pier 39. You’ll see more than 20,000 marine animals like sharks, rays, octopus, jellyfish, river otters, and more.

If you need an indoor option, check out this trampoline park in San Francisco's Crissy Field. 

Located in a converted airplane hanger, families can take advantage of open trampoline jump time, trampoline dodgeball, and even sometimes catch Olympians training on the trampolines.

This 210-foot white concrete tower—built in 1933—nestled into the top of Pioneer Park might be on a lot of tourist must-do lists, but trust us when we say your kids will be happy here too. 

The tower is accessible by elevator and you'll get amazing 360-degree views of the city. Pro tip: check out the murals inside the tower's base, which depict California life during the Depression.

Head to the Embaracdero and experience this ode to all things science. 

Hands-on exhibits allow kids to step inside a tornado, count the rings on a 300-year-old tree, and even build their own electrical circuits. Adults will love this place too.

Located in the Presidio, the Letterman Digital and New Media Arts Center is home to Lucas Film. 

Star Wars fanatics will love the life-size Yoda sculpture and the Star Wars costumes located inside the lobby, and the center's surrounding grounds (complete with meadows, a lagoon, and sitting areas) offer an ideal spot for a picnic.

Machine-obsessed tots look no further: the free Cable Car Museum in San Francisco's Nob Hill should be your first stop. 

Not only will you get valuable info on the city's favorite means of transportation, but also kids can see the cable wheels and working models in action.

Located below the rugged cliffs on the Presidio’s western shoreline, Baker Beach is a good choice for picnics (there are tables, restrooms, and grills at the east end of the parking lot) and sand castles. 

Note: The northernmost end of Baker Beach is frequented by clothing-optional sunbathers.

Looking for more Bay Area beaches? We’ve got you covered, over here.

On November 30, the Fairmont San Francisco’s gingerbread house will take shape inside the hotel’s lobby. It will feature thousands of house-made gingerbread bricks and gallons of royal icing adorned by hundreds of pounds of candy.

The Children's Creativity Museum is a hands-on space that allows children to imagine and create in a multimedia environment. 

Kids can design their own clay motion animations, pretend to be a rock star in the music studio, or invent a new machine. There's something for all ages here.

Created in 1852, South Park remains one of San Francisco’s oldest yet lesser known parks in the city. The park underwent a $3.8 million renovation, opening this year new features: grass, benches, tables, swooping meadows, cement walkways, and a custom universal play area that boasts undulating forms both in structure and in the mounded surface.

On the city's westernmost side, adjacent to Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach is a getaway with 3.5 miles of white beaches next to two giant windmills that are sure to fascinate the littles. 

The water is cold and the currents can be hazardous, but Ocean Beach is a top pick for walks and beach time picnics.

This fine arts museum in Golden Gate Park has plenty to entertain adults, but kids can also have a grand time here with a bit of effort. 

Visit the warrior masks upstairs, explore the sculpture garden outside, and take the elevator to the museum's free observation tower for views of the city. 

The museum also boasts an artist studio where kids can talk to an artist-in-residence and holds free Saturday classes with guided tours and art studio activities.

Set on the northern side of Golden Gate Park, Spreckels Lake is home to the San Francisco Model Yacht Club. 

Head to the lake and watch enthusiasts sailing their remote controlled model yachts or bring a picnic and enjoy the sunset beside the beauty of the Monterey Cypress trees.

In the heart of Golden Gate Park, Stow Lake is a gorgeous spot to rent rowboats, electric boats, and pedal boats that seat up to 6 people. 

Families can spot a variety of different (and friendly) birds, and if you're lucky you'll see a turtle or two. The boathouse also has a kid-friendly cafe and serves alcohol.

Called the Koret Children's Quarter, the children's playground at Golden Gate Park is a magical space with concrete slides, climbing walls, a playground, and plenty of grass for picnics. 

But the park's most unique feature is a gorgeous carousel—originally built in 1914—with 62 animal figures to ride.

This new park in the Mission debuted in 2017 as the In Chan Kaajal Park—meaning “My Little Town” in Mayan.

The alfresco space measures 31,850 square feet and features a sprawling lawn, an outdoor stage and performance space, an adult fitness equipment area, a children’s play area, and an interactive water plaza to help keep you cool whenever San Francisco has an unusual heat wave.

Adults love the Castro for its stylish shops, popular bars, and bustling restaurants, but there's plenty to do for families too. 

Catch a movie at the historic Castro Theater—built in 1922—where sing-alongs and movie theater classics often play, or head to the adorable playground at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center.

Reopened after a $9-million renovation, the Randall Museum offers hands-on science, live animal, and art experiences for school-aged kiddos. 

The remodel will feature a brand new STEM lab, an enlarged ceramics studio, and a sculptural tree that will house raptors in its branches. Pro tip: check out the old playground at the foot of the hill for amazing views.

This mini-park near the Castro—built in 1973—boasts a community garden and loads of native plants. 

But the main attraction is two steep concrete slides that are a thrill for older kids and adults alike. Bring a piece of cardboard and wear sturdy pants.

Older kids will love this wacky indoor miniature golf course, featuring 14 holes of putt putt with many designed to look like iconic San Francisco locations. 

Bonus for parents: there's a full-service restaurant and bar upstairs, so adults can enjoy a beverage while the family plays.

This grassy hill park in Bernal Heights doesn’t disappoint. An easy 30-minute walk up a dirt path will earn you 360-degree views of the bay, downtown, the Golden Gate Bridge, the East Bay, and San Bruno mountain. 

There's also a rope swing at the top of the hill and a dog park for Fido. Pro tip: After the park, stroll down Cortland Avenue for fun bakeries and kid-friendly restaurants like Bernal Star.

If you're looking for more sandy walks on the beach, check out Fort Funston, a former harbor defense station from the early 1900s that also boasts sand dunes. 

Steep cliffs meet the shoreline for picture-perfect scenery, and dogs and older kids alike will have fun chasing the waves (warning: the undertow is dangerous, however, so we don't recommend swimming). 

Fort Funston is also a great place to watch hang-gliders take off from the cliffs above. The walk down to the beach is steep, so this one is better for the older kiddos.