Watch CBS News

Best Family Activities In San Francisco To Do Before The Summer Ends

(credit: Thinkstock)

With lazy summer days coming to an end, many families are looking for ways to enjoy the end of the season. San Francisco has plenty of options for families looking to spend some time together, whether it be outdoors in the fresh air or escaping the heat by heading inside. Everyone from art lovers to science buffs can find a way to spend some quality family time out and about. Here are five end of summer activities for the whole family.

Curious George Exhibit
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Fort Baker
557 McReynolds Road
San Francisco, CA 94965
(415) 339-3936
www.baykidsmuseum.org

Head across the bridge to the Bay Area Discovery Museum to check out Curious George: Let's Get Curious. This exhibit will be on display through Sept. 6 and provides kids the opportunity to stroll through favorite sites from the Curious George books and television shows. The interactive environment is designed to foster curiosity about engineering, science, math and technology, and even includes a bit of mini golf. Swing by the museum on a Friday to catch a special appearance by Curious George himself!

The Day The Crayons Quit, The Musical
Bay Area Children's Theater
Children's Creativity Museum
221 4th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(510) 296-4433
www.bachtheatre.org

Throughout the month of August, the Bay Area Children's Theatre will be running "The Day The Crayons Quit," The Musical at San Francisco's Children's Creativity Museum. The kid-friendly musical is based on author Drew Daywalt's book. This delightful tale is about a young boy named Duncan whose beloved crayons come to life and start talking back. The show is appropriate for all ages, and at 45 minutes long is very manageable for littler ones. Kids one and over will need their own ticket.

Sunday Streets / Excelsior Art And Music Festival
Mission St. between Theresa/Avalon and Geneva Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 334-0489
www.sundaystreetssf.com

Based on a movement started in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday Streets are monthly events designed to get folks moving outside with their community. One day each month, certain San Francisco neighborhoods are closed to all vehicular traffic and residents hit the streets for everything from biking and dancing to yoga and running. The Aug. 16 Sunday Streets event combines with the annual Excelsior Arts and Music Festival. This free festival runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and includes live entertainment, music, crafts and the opportunity to sample a variety of international foods.

Picnic At The Presidio
Main Post Lawn
Lincoln Blvd. and Anza St.
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 339-5888
offthegridsf.com

Every Sunday on the Presidio's Main Post Lawn from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. San Francisco's Off The Grid puts on a grand-scale group picnic event. Grab a blanket, the family and some cash and enjoy the mouth-watering variety of eats from all manner of food trucks. Picnickers can nosh on everything from burgers and pizza to Indian and South American cuisine. There are even options for picky palettes and those who are gluten-free. Send off the summer with an epic picnic, enjoying delicious food, fresh air and live music.

Stranded! Tropical Island Survival
Conservatory of Flowers
Golden Gate Park
100 John F. Kennedy Dr.
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 831-2090
www.conservatoryofflowers.org

Nestled in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers is a beautiful Victorian-era construction, and home to a variety of stunning aquatic and tropical plants. The Conservatory is currently running a special exhibit about all the nuances of what it would take to survive if stranded on a tropical island. Families can learn about everything from life-saving plants to what makes the best building materials. Tickets to enter the conservatory are $8 for adults and $5 for kids ages 12 and up. Make sure to ask about the discount for San Francisco residents.

Joanna Metheny is a freelance writer covering all things South Bay. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.


 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.