Things To Do With Kids in Sausalito, CA

The Phyllis Ellman Trail is an easy, paved pathway that's perfect for families with young children, jogger strollers, and beginner walkers. This scenic Mill Valley connector trail offers gentle grades, beautiful neighborhood views, and a safe space for kids to explore nature without challenging terrain or busy roads.

Crissy Field is an absolute gem for families, offering a stunning beach where kids can play in the sand while you soak in iconic Golden Gate Bridge views. The calm, shallow waters make it safer than most San Francisco beaches, and the expansive grassy areas are perfect for picnics, kite flying, and letting kids run wild. With paved trails ideal for strollers and bikes, plus free admission, it's a must-visit outdoor destination that combines beach fun with easy city access.

Presidio Tunnel Tops is San Francisco's newest must-visit family destination, transforming a former highway into a spectacular 14-acre park with epic Golden Gate Bridge views. Kids can explore multiple play areas designed for different ages, run along winding trails, and enjoy wide-open spaces for picnicking and playing,all while parents soak in some of the city's most Instagram-worthy scenery.

The Walt Disney Family Museum offers a magical journey through the life of Walt Disney himself, featuring interactive galleries, early animation displays, and an incredible scale model of Disneyland that will captivate Disney-loving families. Located in the beautiful Presidio with stunning Golden Gate Bridge views, this museum blends nostalgia for parents with engaging, hands-on exhibits that bring Disney's creative process to life for children.

Old Mill Park is a charming, family-friendly oasis in Mill Valley where kids can splash in the gentle creek, explore around the historic replica mill wheel, and run freely on soft grassy areas under towering redwoods. With its safe, enclosed feel and toddler-friendly water play, this park is a local favorite that combines natural beauty with low-key fun perfect for the preschool and early elementary crowd.

Sweetwater Music Hall brings live music to life for families in a historic, intimate setting in downtown Mill Valley. While primarily an evening music venue, they host special all-ages concerts and family-friendly matinee shows that introduce kids to the magic of live performance in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere where young music lovers can experience everything from folk to rock up close.

Housed in a charming historic train depot since 1987, Mill Valley Depot Cafe And Bookstore offers the perfect combination of literary discovery and family refreshment. Parents can browse the thoughtfully curated children's book section while kids enjoy hot chocolate and pastries in the cozy cafe, making it an ideal rainy day destination or post-school treat spot in downtown Mill Valley.

Piazza D'Angelo offers a relaxed Italian dining experience in the heart of downtown Mill Valley that actually welcomes families with open arms. With a dedicated kids menu, casual atmosphere where little ones can be themselves, and a pleasant outdoor patio perfect for wiggly diners, it's a solid choice when you need a real meal out without the stress of fine dining expectations.

The Dipsea Trail offers families a magical introduction to Bay Area hiking through towering redwood groves and peaceful forest paths. While the full trail is challenging, the lower Mill Valley sections provide gentle, kid-friendly walks where little ones can explore nature, spot banana slugs, and experience the wonder of walking among giants without steep climbs.

Lands End Trail offers families a stunning 3.4-mile coastal adventure with jaw-dropping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, rugged cliffs, and the Pacific Ocean. This relatively easy trail features fascinating shipwreck remains, a welcoming visitor center at Lands End Lookout, and multiple turnaround points perfect for families with varying energy levels and abilities.

The Mill Valley Public Library is a beloved community gem offering families far more than just books. With its award-winning children's section, engaging story times, creative summer reading programs, and year-round family events, this library transforms reading into an adventure that keeps kids coming back week after week.

Step back in time at this wonderfully quirky free arcade museum featuring over 200 vintage coin-operated games, mechanical music machines, and antique attractions from the early 1900s. Kids are mesmerized by fortune tellers, laughing Sal, mechanical carnivals, and classic arcade games while parents enjoy the nostalgic trip down memory lane,all for just the cost of quarters.

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience combines San Francisco's rich chocolate-making history with irresistible sweet treats that make kids' eyes light up. Located at historic Ghirardelli Square near Fisherman's Wharf, families can watch chocolate being made, sample free squares, and indulge in the famous hot fudge sundaes while enjoying stunning waterfront views of the bay.

Capurro's is a beloved family-owned Italian restaurant that's been welcoming San Francisco families since 1963. With generous portions perfect for sharing, a relaxed atmosphere where kids can be kids, and classic Italian-American dishes that even picky eaters will enjoy, this Fisherman's Wharf area spot makes family dining easy and enjoyable.

PIER 39 is San Francisco's ultimate waterfront playground where kids can watch wild sea lions bark and lounge on the docks, ride a historic carousel with hand-painted animals, and be entertained by talented street performers. This iconic destination combines natural wildlife viewing with classic amusement fun, all set against breathtaking Bay views with Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

Aquarium of the Bay offers an unforgettable underwater adventure where kids can walk through crystal-clear tunnels surrounded by 20,000 marine animals native to San Francisco Bay. The thrilling experience of having sharks, bat rays, and shimmering anchovies swim overhead creates magical photo ops and lasting memories, while the touch pools let little hands get up close with sea stars and bay creatures.

Muir Woods Trading Company offers a convenient pit stop for families exploring downtown Mill Valley, with a relaxed outdoor seating area perfect for letting kids stretch their legs. While primarily a cafe and gift shop, it's an ideal spot to grab coffee and pastries before or after exploring nearby hiking trails and local shops, with a casual atmosphere where parents don't have to worry about keeping little ones perfectly still.

The California Street cable car line offers one of San Francisco's most thrilling rides for kids, climbing steep hills from the Financial District to Van Ness Avenue. Children will be mesmerized by the vintage wooden cars, the clanging bell, and the gripman manually operating the cable system while enjoying spectacular city views along the route.

Golden Gate Park is San Francisco's crown jewel for family fun, sprawling across 1,000 acres of gardens, playgrounds, and unexpected delights like a real bison paddock. With everything from vintage carousels to pedal boats, plus multiple playgrounds scattered throughout, families can easily spend an entire day exploring without ever running out of activities,and best of all, entry is completely free.

The Exploratorium is a hands-on wonderland where kids can touch, experiment, and play with over 650 interactive exhibits that make science magical. From creating fog tornadoes to experimenting with sound waves and exploring the fascinating Tactile Dome, this waterfront museum keeps children engaged and learning without even realizing it.

The California Academy of Sciences is a one-stop wonder where kids can explore a four-story living rainforest, dive into an aquarium filled with 40,000 animals, journey through the cosmos in a state-of-the-art planetarium, and meet Claude the albino alligator,all under one living roof! This isn't just a museum; it's an immersive scientific playground where children can touch tide pool creatures, watch penguins waddle, and experience an earthquake simulator.

Jefferson Square Park is a welcoming community park in Daly City that offers families everything needed for an active outdoor day. With well-maintained playground equipment, sports courts for basketball or tennis, and plenty of open lawn space for frisbee or soccer, it's a versatile destination that keeps kids of all ages entertained without the crowds of larger regional parks.

Giannini Plaza is a neighborhood gem in Daly City offering everything families need for a perfect park day. With a well-maintained playground, open sports fields for impromptu games, and peaceful walking paths, it's an ideal spot for burning energy while parents enjoy the quiet residential setting and convenient picnic facilities.

This 55-acre wonderland in Golden Gate Park offers families an incredible diversity of plants from around the world, including a duck pond that delights toddlers and a hands-on Garden of Fragrance perfect for sensory exploration. With children under 12 entering free with an adult and wide pathways perfect for strollers, it's an affordable way to introduce kids to nature's diversity while getting fresh air and exercise.

The Randall Museum is a hidden gem offering an intimate, hands-on experience that bigger museums can't match. Kids get up close with live animals like snakes, owls, and tarantulas, explore interactive science exhibits, and participate in creative art workshops,all completely free, making it perfect for budget-conscious families seeking quality educational fun.

Ocean Beach offers San Francisco families miles of sandy shoreline perfect for sandcastle engineering, kite flying, and endless running room. While the Pacific waters are too chilly for swimming, kids love beachcombing for shells and sea glass, watching surfers brave the waves, and roasting marshmallows at bonfire pits during the evening. The stunning sunsets and wide-open spaces make this a favorite escape from the city bustle.

The Children's Creativity Museum is a tech-forward wonderland where kids don't just observe,they create! This hands-on museum lets children design their own animations, produce music videos, and explore digital art through interactive technology stations. It's the perfect rainy-day destination that channels screen time into creative, imaginative learning experiences.

Montecito Plaza in San Rafael is a family-friendly outdoor shopping destination that combines retail therapy with play time. Parents can browse shops while kids enjoy the playground and interactive fountain, making it an ideal spot for those errands-with-entertainment days when you need to accomplish something but keep the little ones happy.

Gerstle Park is a beloved San Rafael neighborhood gem that delivers everything families need for a perfect afternoon outdoors. With well-maintained playground equipment for various ages, open grassy fields for running wild, basketball courts for active kids, and plenty of shaded picnic spots, this park offers a refreshing escape without the overwhelming crowds of larger destinations.