The San Francisco area is well-known for its natural beauty and cultural scene. In the post below we hand-picked places we chose with our children for you: small coastal towns, historical landmarks, amusement parks for the smallest ones, – our Bay Area hidden gems
Exploring Bay Area hidden gems with a family
1. Point Reyes
The area is a haven for nature lovers, and bird watchers, providing opportunities to witness marine life, and even migrating whales. Good with kids: walk along the beach, explore low tides, and take a look at Point Reyes Lighthouse perched on dramatic cliffs.
2. Muir Woods
Muir Woods, is home to the majestic coastal redwood trees, some of the tallest living organisms on Earth. Visitors can stroll along trails surrounded by towering trees that reach heights of over 250 feet. A destination for nature lovers:
3. Small coastal town: Sausalito
If you have never heard about Sausalito, don’t worry, it’s a little hidden gem that most locals know about. Park a car and take a pleasant walk through to see numerous houseboats and have lunch at waterfront dining.
Our friends who used to live in the SF Bay area referred us to Fish and it was perfect to visit with a toddler (they have a huge outdoor sitting right in front of the marina):
4. Education: Berkeley
Berkeley is worth visiting for its vibrant atmosphere, academic innovation, and natural beauty. Visitors can explore the iconic University of California campus, known for its historic landmarks, botanical gardens, and Hall of Science.
On the picture below: Subway sandwich delivery robot on the streets of Berkeley:
5. For the wine: Napa Valley
Napa Valley, located in Northern California, is famous for its picturesque landscapes, world-class vineyards, and exceptional wines. But also, it is a family-friendly destination, with hiking trails, hot-air balloon rides, and family-friendly wineries.
6. For history lovers: Sacramento
At the Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park visitors can step back in time to the 1840s to explore the fort and take a look into the daily life of early European and Californian settlers. Check the schedule for living history demonstrations, it is fun!
7. For little children: Fairyland
Fairyland is another hidden gem located in Oakland – the best place for toddlers and little kids in the SF Bay area. We were there with a 1 y.o., 4 y.o. and 9 y.o. The park has rides, animals, play sets, puppet theater, and Magic Keys for talking “Storybook Boxes”.
8. For the fans: Jack London Square
Jack London’s cabin was built on the North Fork south of Dawson City, in the heart of Klondike, just prior to the Gold Rush of 1898. Nowadays, visitors can visit it being well-preserved at Jack London Square in Oakland:
9. Prison and Gardens of Alcatraz
Visiting the Prison and Gardens of Alcatraz offers an unusual and contrasting experience, combining the history of famous prisons with the beauty of nicely maintained gardens.
The prison, once home to notorious criminals, provides a glimpse into the harsh conditions of incarceration on “The Rock”:
10. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
If you have never explored tidepools, check the schedule ahead and try it at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. We also saw several harbor seals resting at the beach.
A nice short hike starts at the Marine Reserve parking lot: Cypress Tunnel:
11. Half Moon Bay, Poplar Beach
Half Moon Bay is conveniently located just a short drive from San Francisco and is known for its natural beauty. The views of the Pacific Ocean are breathtaking, and the surrounding landscape includes rugged cliffs and sandy shores:
12. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Big Basin is California’s oldest state park, established in 1902, and it is home to some of the most ancient and awe-inspiring redwood trees on the planet. The park has a significant number of coast redwoods, including the 250-foot tall, 2,000-year-old “Father of the Forest” redwood tree:
13. Train rides: Roaring Camp
Roaring Camp is a historic tourist attraction located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. One of the main attractions is the authentic steam train rides. Visitors can hop on board the narrow-gauge steam locomotives and take a scenic journey through the redwood forest:
14. Natural Bridges Beach
The beach is named after the natural arch-shaped rock bridges that were formed by the natural process of erosion. While one of the bridges has collapsed, the remaining formations are still captivating:
What you can see directly from the beach:
Also interesting to watch with kids at the Natural Bridges Beach: Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve.
From mid-October through mid-February, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate to the eucalyptus grove in the park, creating an unforgettable sight.
15. Aquarium: Monterey
Monterey, located on the central coast of California in the United States, is a charming city known for its natural beauty and rich history. Great to visit with children: 17 Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium:
16. Bay Area hidden gems: Carmel-By-The-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea, often simply referred to as Carmel, is a charming coastal city. Known for its scenery, artistic history, and European-style architecture, it has a reputation as one of the most beautiful destinations in California. Stroll through the town, have a meal at a local restaurant, and take a rest at the beach.
17. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a scenic and ecologically significant coastal area located on the central coast of California. It is renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich marine ecosystems. Pictured below: Cypress Grove Trail, Bluefish Cove:
18. Red sand beach
One of the unique features of Pfeiffer Beach is its distinctive purple sand, which is caused by manganese garnet particles washed down from the surrounding hillsides. The purple hue is particularly noticeable when the sunlight hits the sand:
19. McWay Falls
McWay Falls looks picturesque, but has one con: there is no beach access due to unstable ground. We parked along Highway 1, the hike was easy and only 0.5 miles. It took us around 30 minutes to get to the observation point and back:
Check out the weather, hours, fees, and roads conditions before you go
Thank you for reading, we are very glad to have you here!
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