Trip

What are some fun family day trips in San Francisco Bay Area?

We're actually starting in San Jose, and the kids are ages 3-12

Public Comments

1. hang out with the people there which r gay
2. If the weather is nice, try Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara. (www.pgathrills.com) or Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy. They are both family friendly parks with rides for toddlers as well as your close to teenager.
   
   
   
   If you're up for a day at the beach, try the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. San Francisco's Pier 39 and Chinatown are great as well if you've never been to the area.
   
   
   
   Have fun!
3. Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara
   
   Marine World in Vallejo
   
   Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco
   
   Monterey/Carmel
   
   Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
   
   Winchester Mystery House in San Jose
4. i live in SJ and others said most of them already but another great place is Bonfante Gardens, which is in Gilroy. i really enjoyed going on these swans and you're in the water (you're given life jackets too) and you pedal to go move around!
5. Im not sure about sanjose but in Sanfrancisco theres a bunch too do. The exploratorium would be great for kids and adults too its all hands on science exibits that are all very fun. Theres fishermans warf which is alright if you havent been there. Coit tower and lombard street are worth checking out. Also right over the golden gate bridge theres a place in marin with an abandoned army base, youll have to look online too find it I have been there but couldnt really give directions but that would be a good place to see and the kids could play too.
6. Definately Alcatraz (also for the 3 year old as sure to enjoy the boat ride if not alcatraz) http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/ buying tickets in advance is a must
   
   Fishermans wharf for lunch (www.fishermanswharf.org)
   
   Drive over Golden Gate and on to Muir Woods easy path for kids and incredible to see the redwoods (and of course the cute chipmunks) http://www.visitmuirwoods.com/
7. If you make it up to San Francisco, I would recommend going to the zoo. Simply take 280 north, go L onto 19th Avenue, then L on sloat blvd. I used to love this as a kid. Someone else mentioned the exploratiorium, which is also a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Take 19th ave north through golden gate park, then shortly before the bridge exit towards the marina district. Also mentioned is alcatraz, which is very neat. Get an audio tour. Take a cable car ride to china town. very colorful. As you're headed through GG park, you could always turn L and head out towards 43rd avenue where the buffalo are. The kids might get a kick out of this. The yerba buena gardens down by SFMOMA (good for you, though kids wouldn't like it) has an ice skating rink, bowling lanes, a merry-go-round, and other kid-oriented activities.
   
   If you head all the way across the bridge, take the stinson beach /hwy 1 exit and head towards muir woods. the kids might be a little young, but teh park is beautiful, the trees are huge and there are several very short little strolls you can take.