10 of the Best Family Tours in San Francisco

Are you planning a family vacation to San Francisco and looking to book some of the best family tours in San Francisco?

San Francisco is a beautiful city. It’s full of rich history, beautiful architecture and unique attractions. There are plenty of things to do, but if you’re in the city with kids then it can be hard to figure out what experiences  (especially when it comes to tours) are best for kids or families. 

Today, we are sharing with you the best family tours in San Francisco to help you plan your family trip.

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Top 3 Pick for Family Tours in San Francisco

If you’re looking for some great options for family-friendly tours in San Francisco, check out these top picks:

The Best Family Tours in San Francisco

1. California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is an amazing place to visit with kids. It’s a huge complex with attractions under one living roof, with exhibits and shows that explain the universe:

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $38 | 🎟️ Book Now

• Aquarium: The aquarium is home to nearly 40,000 live animals, representing over 900 unique species. It offers guests an unprecedented view of underwater and terrestrial habitats. The coral reef exhibit at the academy is home to a stunning display of living coral and fish. Children can learn about the importance of coral reefs and the threats they face in the wild.
• Planetarium: The planetarium at the Academy of Sciences is a must-see for any space enthusiast. The dome theatre offers a variety of shows, including “Tour of the Universe” and “Incoming!” that explore different aspects of space and astronomy. Check the schedule on the academy’s website for specific show times. Children under 4 are not permitted inside the Planetarium
• Rainforest Dome: The Rainforest Dome is one of the most popular attractions at the Academy of Sciences. It is a four-story indoor rainforest home to over 1,600 live animals, including butterflies, birds, and reptiles. Encourage your children to look for the different animals and plants as you make your way through the exhibit.
• National History Museum: The Naturalist Center is a hands-on exhibit that allows children to explore different specimens, including fossils, shells, and bones. Encourage your children to ask questions and learn as much as they can about the different animals and plants.

With a variety of exhibits and activities, there is something for everyone. 

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the California Academy of Sciences

What Visitors Have to Say About the California Academy of Sciences?

The experience was pretty awesome. It’s an interactive natural history museum, aquarium, imax theater all wrapped into one location. The cafe had a good menu. I really appreciated that the app was very helpful in answering all my questions in regard of what to expect (health and safety precautions) what is available, helpful tips and suggestions. Made the trip that much more smoother and hassle free (especially if you have little ones).

Read more reviews on the California Academy of Sciences here.

2. Aquarium of the Bay

The Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco is a fantastic place to visit with kids. It’s located on the historic Pier 39. Families will get to explore the underwater world of San Francisco Bay.

⭐ Rating: 4.2/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $31 | 🎟️ Book Now

The aquarium offers several guided tours which you should take advantage of. Guided yours include:

• behind-the-scenes tour, 
• a shark tour, and 
• a touch pool tour where kids can touch sea creatures, including starfish, sea urchins, and hermit crabs

These tours provide a more in-depth and hands-on experience and allow children to learn more about the animals and their habitats. It’s a great way to keep the kids even more interested

Overall, the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco is a wonderful place to visit with kids. With a wide variety of exhibits and activities, children of all ages will have a fun and educational experience exploring the underwater world of San Francisco Bay.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the Aquarium of the Bay

What Visitors Have to Say About the Aquarium of the Bay?

Very fun! We got to touch the sting rays and baby sharks ! I recommend for a fun short experience. The otters really put on a show underwater and when you walk through the display you are surrounded by sea life as you walk through a tunnel of water and swimming fish! …. and employees that love to give info and suggest cool facts about the different sea creatures.

Read more reviews on the Aquarium of the Bay here.

3. Alcatraz Island Tour

Alcatraz Island is one of the most infamous prisons in the United States.

Alcatraz Prison operated from 1934 to 1963 and was a maximum-security prison for some of the most dangerous criminals. Inmates included Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert Stroud, also known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” The prison was known for its harsh conditions, including small cells, limited recreation time, and strict rules.

In 1962, three inmates attempted to escape the prison by digging a tunnel but were caught and punished. The prison was closed in 1963 due to the high operation cost and the buildings’ deteriorating conditions.

A tour of Alcatraz Prison is a great way for families to explore the history of the prison and learn about its most infamous inmates. Plus, you get a boat ride as a bonus! 

Two popular tours for Alcatraz Prison are:

Alcatraz Ticket combined with a 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $112 | 🎟️ Book Now

With this Big Bus tour + Alcatraz visit in San Francisco, you’ll take a ferry to the infamous Alcatraz Island to enjoy a self-guided audio tour. You’ll also have a 2-day ticket to the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour, where all the family can explore San Francisco without the hassle of driving and finding parking. You’ll also get an evening 1-hour tour of San Francisco.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the Alcatraz tour + Hop-on Hop-off bus

What Do Visitors Have to Say About this Alcatraz Island tour?

Hop on and off works wonderfully, picking up tickets – nice service Boat trip to the island – top Alcatraz itself is unfortunately very run down – audio guides are available on site and are great !! Be sure to take part in the night drive, it’s worth it!

Read more reviews on this Alcatraz Island tour here.

Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket

⭐ Rating: 4.3/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $99 | 🎟️ Book Now

With this waterfront guided tour + Alcatraz visit, you’ll do a walking tour of some of the best sights in San Francisco, starting at the Fisherman’s Wharf. On this walking tour, you’ll make many stops including Fisherman’s Whaft, Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, Barbary Coast trail and the Embarcadero Promenade.

Then, you’ll jump on a ferry to Alcatraz Island to enjoy a self-guided tour of the Island and prison.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the Alcatraz tour + guided walk

This was a fantastic insight into San Francisco history. Our guide Eric was incredibly knowledgeable, and fun, keeping the whole walking section of the tour interactive. He gave us clear instructions on what to do once we left him to head over to Alcatraz which was so useful. Alcatraz itself was fascinating, the self guided audio tour was brilliant and well worth doing. I would highly recommend this trip.

Read more reviews on this Alcatraz Island tour here.

Remember to dress appropriately. The weather on Alcatraz Island can be unpredictable, so dress in layers, bring a jacket and wear comfortable shoes. The island can also be windy and chilly.

4. Golden Gate Bridge E-Bike Tour (13+)

If you have older kids looking for a fun outdoor adventure in San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge E-bike tour is for you.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $67 | 🎟️ Book Now

On this guided cycling tour, you’ll ride along the waterfront and pass in front of the Fisherman’s Wharf and the historic Presidio. Then, you’ll bike across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and end in Sausalito.

The tour is led by a local guide and last about 3 hours, but the bike rental is valid for 24 hours if you wish to continue exploring San Francisco by bike.

Note that it can be really windy and a bit scary biking across the Golden Gate Bridge. You want to ensure your kids have a good experience with biking before taking this tour.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the Golden Gate Bridge E-Bike tour

What Do Visitors Have to Say About the Golden Gate Bridge E-Bike tour?

Mikie led our group today. Very friendly and helpful staff. Mike was very knowledgeable about the sites we biked thru. No hurry or rush with him, good sense of humour. Recommend Mike and his group for anyone wanting a great way to spend a couple of hours !

Read more reviews on this San Francisco E-bike tour here.

5. Hop on Hop Off San Francisco Tour

The hop-on hop-off bus tour in San Francisco provides a convenient and efficient way to explore the city. It allows you to get on and off the bus at any designated city stops. 

⭐ Rating: 4.4/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $53 | 🎟️ Book Now

You can choose to stay on the bus for the entire tour, which takes about two hours, or get off at any stop and explore the area on foot. When you’re ready to continue the tour, simply hop back on the next bus.

The buses run regularly, usually every 15 to 30 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long to catch the next one.  It’s important to know that there is a lot of traffic in San Francisco, so delays on the bus schedule are fairly common.

You’ll also have access to an audio guide, available in multiple languages, that provides information about the different attractions and neighbourhoods along the route.

You can choose between a 24-hour or a 48-hour bus tour. Some visitors say 24 hours l enough to visit most of the sights, but if you’re travelling with young children, you may like the flexibility the 48 hours allows you.

Also, some buses are wheelchair accessible, but it’s best to call in advance to know which routes.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour

What Do Visitors Have to Say About the Big Bus San Francisco tour?

This was a very informative tour. You did have to do a lot of walking if you got off at one of the stops. The actual landmarks were spread out from the bus stop. The headphones worked very well with the audio and that was much better than a person using a microphone.

Read more reviews on this San Francisco bus tour here.

6. San Francisco Scavenger Hunt

In this 2-hour scavenger hunt tour, you’ll walk around San Fransisco with a guide and participate in a treasure hunt. There are 2 written scavenger hunts based on the ages of participants.

⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $39 | 🎟️ Book Now

And as a bonus, you’ll also visit the Fortune Cookie Factory, do a tour of the factory and taste some cookies.

It’s recommended to bring strollers if you have young children to make sure you can complete the tour.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the Scavenger Hunt tour

What Do Visitors Have to Say About the San Francisco Scavenger Hunt tour?

Note: This is a new tour, so not many reviews yet!

Beth was fantastic! She stuck with our small group and gave us goodies along with teaching us about the area. My son especially loved the fortune cookie factory and the yin/yang game.

Read more reviews on this San Francisco bus tour here.

7. Muir Woods Guided Tour

With this Muir Woods guided tour, you’ll take a bus from San Francisco to Muir Woods National Monument. Your entry tickets are included in the tour. At Muir Woods, you’ll have 1.5 hours to explore the park and the beautiful ancient sequoia trees. On the way back, you’ll also get a sightseeing bus tour of Sausalito.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $85 | 🎟️ Book Now

The total tour is about 3.5 hours.

Named after John Muir, the famous naturalist and conservationist, the park is home to some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth, reaching heights of over 300 feet and ages of over 1,000 years.

The park covers over 550 acres of land and is home to one of the last remaining old-growth coastal redwood forests in the world. These trees are some of the tallest and oldest living organisms on Earth, 

The park has several well-maintained trails that wind through the forest, offering visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the giant trees and other flora and fauna.

Some of the most popular trails include:

• Main Trail: a flat and easy walk that takes visitors through the heart of the forest,
• Dipsea Trail: a more challenging hike that offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the Muir Woods guided tour

What Do Visitors Have to Say About the Muir Woods tour?

A fabulous day out! My kids loved it too. A perfect amount of time in the woods and out of the city.

Read more reviews on this Muir Woods guided tour here.

8. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area

If your kids are LEGO fans, you must bring them to LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Milpitas in the Bay Area. Milpitas is about an hour’s drive from downtown San Francisco.

⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $27 | 🎟️ Book Now

This indoor LEGO playground is geared toward kids from 3 to 10 years old. There are more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks in one location.

Plan for 2 to 3 hours to enjoy fully. There is a LEGO-themed ride, a 4D cinema where you can see all of your favourite LEGO characters come to life with special effects, and MINILAND™, a LEGO re-creation of the Bay Area’s most popular landmarks.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the LEGOLAND Discovery Center

What Do Visitors Have to Say About LEGOLAND?

We loved it. Nine-year-old would be too old for it but there’s plenty of things to do for all different ages.

Read more reviews on LEGOLAND here.

9. San Francisco Bay Cruise

The Bay Area around San Francisco is so beautiful, so why not enjoy it from the water? A San Francisco Bay Cruise is a must while in San Francisco with the kids.

Most cruises are about an hour and show the main highlight of the city: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the beautiful San Francisco skyline.

San Francisco can be really foggy, so try to book an afternoon cruise for better chances for a clear sky.

Here are two options for a San Francisco cruise tour:

1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

This 1-hour Bay cruise by boat tour starts at Pier 39, where you’ll see the famous sea lions. The cruise goes along San Francisco’s historic waterfront, revealing the city’s fascinating skyline. 

⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $34 | 🎟️ Book Now

On the boat, there is indoor and outdoor seating, and enjoy a full narration describing major landmarks as you sail by and a bar with snacks and drinks (not included).

Some visitors said it can be hard to hear the commentaries as it can be loud when the boat is full.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the 1-hour cruise tour

Really picturesque cruise, sunset views of the GGB were perfect, my son always gets seasick on the way to Catalina but not on this trip, despite swells under the bridge. Came real close to Alcatraz which was sobering. Clean and comfy on board.

Read more reviews on the cruise tour here.

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Golden Gate Bay Cruise

The Golden Gate Bay Cruise is similar to the first one. It also departs from Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf. There are between 8 and 14 departures per day, where you’ll sail along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and close to the notorious Alcatraz Island.

⭐ Rating: 4.7/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $38 | 🎟️ Book Now

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the Golden Gate Cruise tour

The cruise was excellent!! Great views and audio tour, and the hot chocolate that was available for purchase was delicious. Highly recommend.

Read more reviews on the cruise tour here.

10. San Francisco Zoo

At the San Francisco Zoo, you’ll visit more than 2,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals set over 100 acres of gardens on the Pacific Coast. 

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 stars | 💰 Price: US $25 | 🎟️ Book Now

The San Francisco Zoo is quite large, and it’s easy to get lost or miss exhibits. When you arrive, take a map of the zoo. The zoo is organized into zones, so you can focus on the areas that interest you and your kids the most.

Here are a few things you don’t want to miss:

• Children’s Zoo: Kids can get up close and personal with farm animals, play in the playground, and explore the animal discovery room. There are also daily animal encounters, where kids can learn about and interact with various animals.
• See the big cats: The San Francisco Zoo is home to a variety of big cats, including lions, tigers, and leopards. Be sure to visit the Lion House and the Big Cat Exhibit to see these majestic creatures up close. There are also daily big cat feedings and talks, where you can learn more about these amazing animals.
• Watch the penguins: The Penguin Island exhibit is a favorite among visitors of all ages. Here, you can watch penguins swim, play, and interact with each other. There are also daily penguin feedings.
• Take a ride on the Little Puffer Train: Kids love riding the Little Puffer Train, which takes visitors on a scenic zoo tour. The train runs on weekends and holidays, and tickets can be purchased at the entrance.

The tickets are valid for the entire day. All tours and rides are at an additional cost. When you buy your tickets online in advance, you don’t have to wait in line at the entrance.

Note that the weather and temperature at the Zoo can vary throughout the day, and even throughout the park. Dress in layers that are easily removed/put on so you stay comfortable throughout your visit.

Also, the San Francisco Zoo is a 100-acre park. You want comfortable shoes and probably bring a stroller for young children.

🎟️ 🎟️ Get your tickets for the San Francisco Zoo

What Do Visitors Have to Say About the San Francisco Zoo?

I took my 22-year-old son and my Mother with me to the San Francisco Zoo! It was was wonderful. A very good walk with a lot of cute animals to see. There were a few animals missing but for the most part we were pleased to be able to have the experience!

Read more reviews on the San Francisco zoo here.

F.A.Q Visiting San Francisco With Kids

What is the best time of year to visit San Francisco?

The best time of year for a family vacation in San Francisco is from May to September, when it’s warm but not too hot, with plenty of sunshine and good weather. 

What are the best things to do in San Francisco with kids?

There are many great activities for kids in San Francisco, such as visiting the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown, hiking Angel Island and kayaking, exploring the Presidio of San Francisco, visiting the Children’s Creativity Museum, and taking a boat tour to get the best views of the bay.

How long should I plan for a trip to San Francisco with kids?

Depending on the activities and attractions you plan to visit, you should plan for at least 3 days in with kids

Do you need a car to visit San Francisco?

It is not necessary to have a car to visit San Francisco. Various public transportation options, such as buses, and metro trains, can be used to get around the city. Plus, you can use the Hop on-Hop off bus to get to most attractions.

Overall, it is possible to visit San Francisco without a car, and in some cases, it may even be more convenient than renting a car. Parking in the city can be expensive and hard to find, and overnight parking may cost up to $50 per night without in/out privileges. 

If you wish to rent a car, compare prices on DiscoverCars.com

Final Thoughts: Which Ones Are the Best Family Tours in San Francisco

There are many great tours for families in San Francisco. I hope you try one out and let us know your thoughts.

Related Article – California With Kids

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