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, Golden Gate Park. 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
Golden Gate Park
4.8 starsGolden Gate Park is one of the greatest urban parks in the world — bigger than Central Park in New York, with miles of trails, multiple world-class mu
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
Mountain Lake Playground
4.8 starsMountain Lake Playground sits right on the edge of Mountain Lake in the Richmond District — one of the few SF playgrounds where kids can see actual wi
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
FreeGolden Gate Park
Ages: Great for every age — plan by interest
FreeKoret Children's Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeMountain Lake Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeOutpost Playground
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
FreeMcLaren Redwood Playground
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
University of California Botanical Garden
Ages: 2-12
FreeTilden Nature Area
Ages: Great for ages 2 and up — choose trail difficulty by age
FreeRegional Parks Botanic Garden
Ages: Great for all ages — especially good for curious kids who like nature
FreeLafayette Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-12
FreeGlen Park Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeJoe DiMaggio Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-12
FreePanhandle Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeMission Bay Kids Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeDuboce Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
Penguin Island
Ages: All ages
FreeHelen Diller Playground
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
FreeCrane Cove Park
Ages: Great for all ages
FreePresidio Wall Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeMission Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-13
Japanese Tea Garden
Ages: Great for all ages
FreeYerba Buena Children's Garden
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
FreeCayuga Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-13
FreeBison Paddock
Ages: Great for all ages
FreeAlamo Square Playground
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
Children's Fairyland
Ages: Best for ages 2-10
FreeWalter Haas Playground Park
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Hearst Grizzly Gulch
Ages: Great for all ages 2 and up
FreeKid Power Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-8
FreeGarden of Fragrance
Ages: 0-8
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, Golden Gate Park, Koret Children's Playground, Mountain Lake 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, Golden Gate Park.
- 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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