Bring the Grown-Ups Along!

1. EXPLORATORIUM

Stimulate all your senses at this hands-on interactive space located on a refurbished waterfront pier. “Explainers” help kids tinker with wood, make mechanical contraptions or build a circuit board. Don’t miss the tactile dome.

2. CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Explore a rainforest, an aquarium and outer space at this sprawling natural history museum in the middle of Golden Gate Park. Make sure you catch the planetarium show, the penguin feeding and the coral reef dive. See Claude, the 24-year-old albino alligator and don’t miss the observation deck and living roof.

3. WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM

Yes, kids. Walt Disney was a real person. His creative genius is on display at this museum dedicated to his life and bigger-than-life imagination. Catch the special exhibit “Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World,” to learn about Mickey Mouse’s influence on art and entertainment.

4. ANTIQUE CAROUSELS

Take a spin on one of San Francisco’s four vintage carousels. Find hand-carved horses at the Children’s Creativity Museum; frogs, dogs, roosters and pigs at Golden Gate Park; sea lions, dolphins and sea dragons at Pier 39; or a full menagerie of animals at the San Francisco Zoo.

5. BOATING AT STOW LAKE

Take a rowboat, electric boat or pedal boat out for a spin on Stow Lake. Located in the middle of Golden Gate Park, Stow Lake has its own island, a waterfall, stone bridge, a Chinese pagoda, plus turtles, ducks and birds. There’s even a cafe in the boathouse.

6. MINIATURE GOLF AT GHIRARDELLI SQUARE

There’s a lot more than chocolate at historic Ghirardelli Square. It’s home to Subpar Miniature Golf with 18 holes plus an arcade. Bring the whole family along for glow in the dark golf on Friday and Saturday evenings.

7. TRAINTOWN IN SONOMA

All aboard! Located just a mile from Sonoma Plaza, kids can ride on an old-fashioned quarterscale railroad, complete with a caboose. Four miles of track winds through tunnels, over bridges and into a miniature town with a petting zoo. You’ll also find other railroad-themed amusement rides including the “High Iron” ferris wheel and “Iron Horse” carousel.

8. SWIMMING IN WINE COUNTRY

At Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville, you’ll find two outdoor swimming pools open to the public, plus a restaurant with kid-friendly options such as pizza, burgers and french fries.