Where is the best place around Bay area to go for a family with little kids?

Question

I have 2 little lids, one 5 and one 7. I want to take them to a short vacation around bay area since I don't have long vacation, only general 4 days during Christmas. Where is the good place to go for fun?
Thanks for the suggestion?

Answer 1

So many choices! Here's a few of my favorites!

In SF, there's the Exploratorium. It's a hands-on science museum, where they get to play with all kinds of fascinating toys...There's a room called the "Shadow Box", where the walls are photosensitive, and will leave an image of your shadow on the walls every few minutes. There are exhibits in sound, sight, gravity, DNA, just about anything you can think of...And all of it is intended to be interactive. It has been one of my favorite places to visit for about 30 years now!

San Francisco also has a great zoo, right in Golden Gate Park.

If your kids were a little older, I'd suggest the trip to Alcatraz, but it's probably oriented toward folks a little older.

A little farther south, but still in the area, is the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. As the name states, it's a museum that is specifically oriented toward kids. Lots and lots of fun here, including an IMax theater!

If you're in San Jose, and the weather is nice, I'd recommend Happy Hollow, at Kelley Park. I have many, many, fond memories of playing at this park!

If you're up for going even farther south, there's the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, or Bonfante Gardens (in Gilroy). The Boardwalk is good family fun, right on the beach. Bonfante Gardens is a small theme park, which is very much focused on families with small children (I have never seen so many strollers in one place in my life!).

Answer 2

East to Sacramento (11/2 to 2 hour at most) short drive They have The worlds biggest (I think) train museum. Kids Love this place plus Old fashion train rides along the river, also they have "Old Town" free to walk around and enjoy old "gold rush" buildings and old school house again kids love this stuff! Old sac is very kid friendly. They also have tons of other museums around town including a kids exploratory called??? see link below (Auburn/Watt ave.) with a space program their as well, really cool stuff! Not sure on the cost of that.
Hey if you made it that far why not go a little farther to Auburn/ Eldorado's Gold Rush area I think their open during winter months
Or "Apple Hill" (East hwy 50) a must at some point, We were their last weekend and plan on going again this weekend!
Hope this helps, have fun on your days off, enjoy!

Answer 3

There might be some children's theater. Be sure to ride a Cable Car....drive down Lombard Street, watch the street artists along the wharf or Pier 39, take a ferry ride to Sausilito. If it's nice, you can ride bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge. Book early to see Alcatraz. You have to have reservations. Explore Golden Gate Park.

Have fun!

Answer 4

Go to Marine world in Vallejo. I love that place, use to go there all the time, Or the Zoo in S.F. or Oakland. The exploritorium in SF. Golden gate park and the aquarium. I think that the observatories in Oakland. Do you like to fish, try some of the local fishing haunts like lake Chabot.
Or give them a lesson in life and go watch the knuckle heads down town on Market.

Answer 5

Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Always a great time for the kids and adults.

I haven't been in the Bay Area in a long time. I wanna make a trip up there sometime soon.

Answer 6

How about the Monterey Bay Aquarium? That would surely be fun for all of your kids -- even you!

Answer 7

Bring them by Fairfield for some Jelly Belly jelly beans and a cool tour.