Leroy King Carousel

The Leroy King Carousel at Yerba Buena Gardens is one of those underrated San Francisco family gems that gets overshadowed by the city's bigger attractions but delivers a genuinely special experience for a very modest budget. This is a beautifully restored 1906 carousel with hand-carved wooden horses and period detailing — not a modern reproduction, but an actual antique ride that gives young children a portal into another era of American entertainment.

Located in the Children's Fun Zone section of Yerba Buena Gardens at 701 Howard Street in SoMa, the carousel is part of a cluster of affordable family activities that include bowling and ice skating in the surrounding complex. But the carousel itself is the most universally appealing element — babies and toddlers who can barely speak will point at it in awe and need to ride it immediately.

The surrounding Yerba Buena Gardens make this a natural half-day anchor. The outdoor gardens are free to walk through, with a waterfall memorial, open lawns, and a children's garden area that extends the visit well beyond carousel time. SFMOMA sits directly across the street if the adults want to add culture. The Metreon is nearby for food.

At $3-5 per ride, the carousel is among the most affordable family activities in downtown San Francisco — a meaningful consideration in a city where family entertainment costs add up quickly. Budget $20 for multiple rides and spend the rest of the afternoon in the free gardens.

Note the variable hours: closed Monday and Tuesday, opening at noon Wednesday and Thursday, and open 10AM-4PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The earlier hours on weekends make it possible to do a carousel morning before the SoMa crowds build.