Best Outdoor Activities for Kids in San Francisco
31 outdoor adventures for families in San Francisco. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and fresh-air fun for every age group.
Highest rated: Visitacion Valley Greenway Children's Play Garden, Moon Viewing Garden, University of California Botanical Garden. 26 are free. Every listing includes age ratings, stroller access, and parent tips.
Top Picks
Visitacion Valley Greenway Children's Play Garden
5 starsThe Visitacion Valley Greenway Children's Play Garden is part of a larger community greenway project threading through one of SF's southernmost neighb
Moon Viewing Garden
4.9 starsThe Moon Viewing Garden is a small, perfectly formed Japanese-influenced garden within Golden Gate Park that most visitors walk right past. Kids who a
University of California Botanical Garden
4.8 starsThe UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley's Strawberry Canyon is a 34-acre living laboratory that kids experience as a global treasure hunt. The garden is o
Koret Children's Playground
4.8 starsThe Koret playground has a legendary 60-foot cement slide built into the hillside that older kids absolutely lose their minds over — you need a piece
Outpost Playground
4.8 starsThe Outpost Playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops is one of the most dramatically located playgrounds in San Francisco — kids climb, slide, and explore o
FreeVisitacion Valley Greenway Children's Play Garden
Ages: Best for ages 1-7
FreeMoon Viewing Garden
Ages: Great for all ages — a quiet GGP gem
University of California Botanical Garden
Ages: 2-12
FreeKoret Children's Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeOutpost Playground
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
FreeRegional Parks Botanic Garden
Ages: Great for all ages — especially good for curious kids who like nature
FreeGolden Gate Park
Ages: Great for every age — plan by interest
FreeTilden Nature Area
Ages: Great for ages 2 and up — choose trail difficulty by age
FreeMountain Lake Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeMcLaren Redwood Playground
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Penguin Island
Ages: All ages
FreeJoe DiMaggio Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-12
FreePanhandle Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeDuboce Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeHelen Diller Playground
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
FreeGlen Park Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeCrane Cove Park
Ages: Great for all ages
FreeLafayette Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-12
FreeMission Bay Kids Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreePresidio Wall Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeYerba Buena Children’s Garden
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
FreeBison Paddock
Ages: Great for all ages
FreeMission Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-13
FreeCayuga Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-13
FreeWalter Haas Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Japanese Tea Garden
Ages: Great for all ages
FreeAlamo Square Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
Children's Fairyland
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
Hearst Grizzly Gulch
Ages: Great for all ages 2 and up
FreeGarden of Fragrance
Ages: 0-8
FreeKid Power Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-8
Common Questions
- What are the best outdoor activities for kids in San Francisco?
- 31 outdoor family activities in San Francisco. Highest rated: Visitacion Valley Greenway Children's Play Garden, Moon Viewing Garden, University of California Botanical Garden, Koret Children's Playground, Outpost Playground. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and more.
- Are there free outdoor things to do with kids in San Francisco?
- 26 outdoor activities in San Francisco are free, including Visitacion Valley Greenway Children's Play Garden, Moon Viewing Garden, Koret Children's Playground.
- How many outdoor activities in San Francisco are stroller-friendly?
- 23 of the 31 outdoor activities in San Francisco are fully stroller-friendly.
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