Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in san francisco, CA

Fort Point National Historic Site

by Crystal Ritchie

August 10, 2009

San Francisco summer was in full swing at Fort Point National Historic Site on Sunday.  Upon our arrival early in the day, the bridge was swathed in mist and fog, but by mid-afternoon the sun and breeze drove away the clouds to reveal a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge spanning sparkling water.  Nestled right under the southern end, the stately military outpost provides a great vantage point from which to see the bridge, the bay, Alcatraz, and the city's unique skyline.

While one may not immediately think of Fort Point as a place to take a young child as some may find the loud nearby foghorn or the dark alcoves of the fort overwhelming, there is plenty for more adventurous kids to touch and see.  The architecture of the brick building and steel bridge will leave you and your child wide-eyed.  There are several canons that are out in the open for inspection with stacks of canon balls next to them and a room full of ammunition barrels.  Climbers have three flights of stairs and a spiraling staircase to ascend, all leading to the roof of the structure where a small lighthouse lives.

Special Programs and guided tours are presented by the rangers throughout the day.  Volunteers also provide information about the rich history of the site.  We learned about medicines and instruments used by military physicians and toured the sleeping quarters of the soldiers.

Fort Point is located in the Presidio.  It is easily accessible and free to the public (although a donation is suggested), making it an ideal place to visit for families as well as tourists.  Weather is (not surprisingly) unpredictable, so sweaters are recommended.

Hyde Street Pier

by Crystal Ritchie

July 31, 2009

Determined to get out of the house and enjoy a bit of sunshine before the fog rolled back in, I packed a picnic lunch and carted my 3 year old son to the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park at Fisherman's Wharf on Sunday. Admission to the park was $5 for me and free for Jack since he is under the age of 16. The receipt allows for free readmission to the park for up to six days after the initial visit, which can come in handy in the event of an unscheduled meltdown or an unwavering boat obsession.

At the Hyde Street Pier we were presented with five vessels to board which fully delighted my little pirate. Jack was nervous aboard the slightly unsteady C.A. Thayer, one of the smaller schooners in the water, so we had a bit of a whirlwind tour. He was much more comfortable on the heartier Balclutha, and his face lit up when he saw a fellow pirate-loving boy exploring and rocking a giant chain located in the sleeping quarters of the 256-feet-long deck. Narrow stairways, which may be difficult to navigate for anyone unsteady on their feet, lead down to the massive cargo hold where we watched a short video on the history of the ship.

A National Park Ranger informed us of an interpretive program perfect for children with decent attention spans. The National Parks feature junior ranger programs, as well, which give older children a way to obtain their very own ranger badge by asking the rangers questions about the park. The rangers love to share their knowledge and love of the parks!

After enjoying our lunch on a park bench, we headed back to our car parked across the street in the garage at Ghirardelli Square (where I may or may not have bought $20 worth of incredibly delicious Kara's Cupcakes to get validated parking).

San Francisco History at Rincon Center

by Mike Adamick

July 29, 2008

After abandoning the Ferry Building this weekend because of enormous crowds, we headed over to the nearby Rincon Center in search of dim sum and instead spent an hour studying the wonderful murals that depict the history of California and San Francisco. It is the perfect place to learn about the city's history through the pictorial. Created by Anton Refregier , the murals show everything from  Read more...

Savvy crafts: Free museum days

by Mike Adamick

June 30, 2008

The Museum of Craft and Folk Art has an interesting exhibit about American Symbols running through Aug. 3, and it's worth a stop if your toddler is into flags, army men (the really old kind, not the fake plastic ones) or anything to do with red, white and blue. And the best part is ... Tuesdays are always free. I didn't know that until a few days ago, when we stopped by to see what was going on  Read more...

Horses and Heads for Little Historians

by Mike Adamick

May 26, 2008

This may be best for younger kids, who still get excited about seeing animals in unusual places. Older kids, however, might revel in the stories of bandits and beheadings. (If you even want to go there, of course. You might just want to stick with the bandits, depending on how much sleep you want to get that night.) But if you happen to be downtown, and have a few minutes to spare, check out  Read more...

Day Tripper: Hyde Street Pier

by Mike Adamick

May 15, 2008

No need to load up the car for a day trip, thanks to the thousands of possibilities found along the waterfront alone. One of our favorite activities is spending a morning at the Hyde Street Pier. Sure, it's really close to the ultra-touristy Fisherman's Wharf, but for some reason, even during the busiest of seasons, this little attraction remains almost deserted in the mornings. You'd think that  Read more...