Michaela's Guide to SF with Kids
Days start early when you have little kids, and we’ve learned that in San Francisco, that isn’t always a bad thing. You get ahead of the lines and can pack more into the day before everyone else wakes up for brunch. Whether you're looking for a mini road trip, some fresh air, or just really good coffee paired with a solid playground, here are a few of my family’s favorite ways to spend a weekend in and around SF.
Bay Area Discovery Museum + Pizzahacker (Mill Valley)
When we need a quick adventure outside the city, the Bay Area Discovery Museum is our go-to spot. My daredevil loves to climb the ladders and ropes of Gum Nut Grove before heading to the maker spaces to try her hands at the rotating art projects. There is something here for all ages and personalities, and the views cannot be beat. After the museum, we like to head to Pizzahacker in Mill Valley, where the grownups can relax with great food while kiddos explore a pirate ship play structure by the outdoor seating area. If you time it just right, the ride home is the perfect nap time.
Devil’s Teeth Baking Co + Sunset Dunes Park
The ultimate early riser’s reward? Beating the lines at Devil’s Teeth Baking Company. We grab their famous breakfast sandwiches (yes, they’re worth the hype) and a cinnamon roll to go, then walk it down to Ocean Beach for a (sandy) breakfast picnic. From there, it’s easy to take in all Sunset Dunes has to offer with its art, play structures, and space to run, ride or scoot.
Glen Canyon Park + Picnic or Burritos
When we’re craving nature but don’t want to brave leaving the city, we head to Glen Canyon Park for a perfect dose of the outdoors. The trails are wide, mostly flat, and can be easily looped or shortened. There's also a great playground. For lunch, we grab burritos from La Corneta (they’re fast, delicious, and kid-friendly) or pick up something fresh from Gus’s Community Market and enjoy a canyon picnic under the eucalyptus trees.
Noe Valley Farmers Market + 24th Street
The Noe Valley Farmers Market is a small but lively Saturday tradition, with live music, fresh produce, and an easygoing neighborhood vibe. Kids love dancing to live music, playing on the slide, and sampling the best fruit and produce the market has to offer, and it’s just steps away from 24th Street and all its shops, bookstores, and restaurants. This is the kind of morning that often stretches into lunch and a stroller nap without much planning.
Slow Sanchez + La Lucha Coffee
Sometimes we’re looking for a mellow option on the weekend, and Slow Sanchez is often our go-to. It’s become a town square to see neighborhood friends and a great space for kids to play, whether riding bikes, using chalk, or kicking soccer balls. La Lucha at 29th and Sanchez is stroller-friendly and always buzzing with families. With baked goods from Neighbors Bakehouse, their pastries are always delicious. We love the everything croissant, and don’t miss the teddy graham latte. Park yourself at a sidewalk table and watch the neighborhood walk by or head to Upper Noe Rec Center and enjoy the newly renovated playground.