Bay Area Children’s Activities

While the Bay Area offers many destinations for young children, at times, nothing beats the cost and convenience of a local park or library. However, if you are looking for a different experience, here are some interesting places to visit.

Alamo

• Mount Diablo State Park. If you can handle twisting mountain roads, a trek up to the Mount Diablo summit offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. The park also features campsites for those looking for an overnight, outdoor experience. Rock City is a wonderful hiking trail that meanders through large rocks with wind-carved tunnels.

Fremont

• Ardenwood Historic Farm. Features farm animals and exhibits.

Oakland

• Fairyland. 10-acre playground with farm animals near Lake Merritt. Reasonably priced, but somewhat dated.
• Oakland Zoo. A wonderful, smaller zoo with a newer children’s zoo exhibit.

San Francisco

• Asian Art Museum. Offers an educational experience that spans the different cultures of Asia.
• Golden Gate Park – Koret Children’s Quarter. An expansive playground and a carousel. Older and more adventurous kids can ride cardboard boxes down the concrete slides.
• San Francisco Zoo. A wonderful place to spend a San Francisco morning watching animals.

San Jose

• Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. Re-opened in 2010, Happy Hollow offers rides, puppet shows and fun play structures for young children.

Santa Cruz

• Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Free museum featuring aquariums and other marine life exhibits.