The San Francisco Zoo
1 Zoo Road
415-753-7080
Lions, Tigers, Bears oh my! With over 250 species of animal there is tons to see and explore at the zoo! Named northern California’s largest zoological park and conservation center; this San Francisco zoo provides entertainment for all ages. Now open at the zoo is the African Savanna exhibit which places African wildlife in a mixed species environment, and closer to the public than ever before. Also at the zoo, stop by the Lipman Family Lemur Forest to see some amazing primates from Madagascar! Don’t forget to stop by the newly expanded Children’s Zoo for some up close and personal encounters!
The Cartoon Art Museum
655 Mission St.
415-227-8666
The current ongoing exhibit at this ‘toony’ place is “Worlds of Wonder” which features different cartoons from all around the world. Also, If you are in town during June, stop by their Cartoon Bootcamp and learn how to draw your very own cartoon character!
The Exploratorium Museum of Science, Art, and Human Perception
3601 Lyon St.
415-EXP-LORE
A collage of the sciences, arts, and perceptions, the Exploratorium is housed in the Palace of Fine Arts, and is the leader in the movement to promote museums as educational centers. Children can learn hands on how to make a mummy, build a spectroscope, and make paper airplanes. You can even learn how to make a battery from a plant!! With so much to explore, the Exploratorium makes learning fun!
The Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
831-648-4888
From sharks to jelly fish come and find out why this aquarium is rated as the #3 family attraction in the U.S! Current exhibits include, “Wild about Otters” which features six African spotted neck Otters and four Asian small clawed otters, living in their Asian and African habitats. Also visit “Splash Zone” a family oriented exhibit featuring over sixty species of fish, as wells as penguins, corals and more. Don’t forget to stop by the Shark exhibit, “Sharks: Mystery and Myth” for a chance to see nearly two dozen species of sharks and rays from all around the globe!
Bay Area Discovery Museum
555 McReynolds Road, East Fort Baker
415-339-3900
“All hands on Fun” is this museums motto. Featuring ‘hands-on’ art, science, and environment exhibitions, there is so much for children to explore!
Golden Gate Railroad Museum
Bldg. 302 Hunters Point Shipyard
415-822-8728
Open on weekends from 10 am to 5pm; bring the family to see all these amazing locomotive and passenger trains. Children will love looking through these restored beauties! You can even rent a locomotive, so call them for additional info!
