{"id":6528,"date":"2016-08-18T12:26:28","date_gmt":"2016-08-18T18:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cloud9living.com\/blog\/?p=6528"},"modified":"2022-08-23T02:17:57","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T08:17:57","slug":"fall-family-activities-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virgingifts.com\/blog\/fall-family-activities-san-francisco","title":{"rendered":"Autumn Family Activities in San Francisco You Don\u2019t Want to Miss!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pay attention, parents! As the west coast mornings slowly grow more crisp and the stream of family activities in San Francisco<\/a> wind down for the summer, there\u2019s no denying it. Autumn is on its way.<\/p>\n

And with it (if they haven\u2019t commenced their routes already) will come the steady hum of school buses. The kiddos will bring backpacks full of announcements and assignments home. And the household calendar will likely get loaded with exciting extracurricular activities for both kids and adults alike\u2026 Meetings, practices, homework, carpool duties, and socializing (and surely plenty more where those came from). ..<\/p>\n

Among all of this hustle and bustle of these new school year activities in SF, it\u2019s of the utmost importance to keep one thing in mind: each other<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Establishing a healthy balance between the new school year\u2019s vim and vigor, and ensuring your family members also enjoy enough quality<\/em> time together, is a vital part of sharing this next \u2018chapter\u2019 of family life together.<\/p>\n

So this fall, keep the good times together going strong through November with these 17 things to do in San Francisco with kids.<\/p>\n

\"san<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. Rockridge Ice Cream Tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Indulge in one of the sweetest family activities in San Francisco! This one-hour (0.5-mile) tour in Oakland features three stops where guests can enjoy samples, demonstrations and fun facts about the world\u2019s tastiest frozen treats. Try samples like ice cream sandwiches, gelato, and wild new flavors. This outing is perfect for all ages, and generally runs each Saturday and Sunday until late October.<\/p>\n

\"san<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. Coastal Clean-Up Day <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Being the eclectic city that it is, it comes as no surprise that some SF activities, such as this, exist to promote TLC for our planet. Round up the young\u2019ns and participate in one of Cali\u2019s biggest volunteer clean-up efforts. Help local beaches sparkle again, preventing trash from washing into the ocean waters, thereby keeping wildlife healthy. This is a great way to engage kids in stewardship and environmental responsibility. Do it on your own or join a formal organization to support the cause.<\/p>\n

\"sf<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

3. International Dragon Boat Festival <\/strong><\/h2>\n

For a cultural spin on things to do in SF with kids, head to Lake Merritt! The traditional boat races offer spectator fun for everyone. And \u2018Dragon Land\u2019 is not to be missed! Enjoy countless activities for children: hula hoops, music, arts and crafts, free games, obstacle courses, photos, and lots of food!<\/p>\n

\"san<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. Big Book Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nothing says quality family time quite like curling up together with a good book before bedtime. If any hot spot supports this activity in San Francisco, it\u2019s the Fort Mason Center. Let kids\u2019 inner bookworms run wild with a spread of over 500,000 books at the event. Or let them splurge with a DVD. As adults, you\u2019ll love the \u2018vintage\u2019 collection of vinyl that\u2019s available for your listening pleasure and purchase.<\/p>\n

\"best<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. Grand National Rodeo, Horse & Stock Show<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If an event takes place at a venue called \u201cCow Palace\u201d \u2014especially one that showcases the wild side of livestock\u2014 you know it\u2019s got<\/em> to be good. So get in on some of the best rough \u2018n\u2019 tumble family activities in San Francisco! Grab some delightfully greasy food, snag some seats in the stands, and cheer on the event\u2019s bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and much more\u00a0\u2014 YEEEHAWWW!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"things<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

6. Potrero Hill Festival <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jazz up what would otherwise be a normal Saturday afternoon at the homestead. Be a part of one of the most unique community activities in SF, when your family hits up the Potrero Hill Festival instead! Feast your eyes, ears and taste buds on the likes of good grub, cool tunes, art, history, and a plethora of fun for the kids (petting zoo, puppet show, crafts, entertainment, etc.).<\/p>\n

\"fun<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

7. Halloween Hoopla <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yerba Buena Gardens goes all-out for this fall festival for the little(ish) ones. Perfect for SF\u2019s residents who are 10 years old and under (and their parents\/guardians, of course), this interactive event offers games and performances in honor of this spook-tacular time of year. Dress to impress because the Hoopla ends with a costume parade, where all are welcome to show off their most happenin\u2019 Halloween threads!<\/p>\n

\"fall<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

8. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Holy cow, it\u2019s another event at the palace\u2026 Cow Palace, that is. So again, you know it\u2019s going to be great! Step through the venue\u2019s doors and marvel at its transformation into an old English Victorian Christmas celebration. Too soon? Nah, it\u2019s the perfect way to fade into winter fun. Enjoy the holliest-jolliest family activities in San Francisco, full of food, drinks, shops (featuring arts, crafts, toys, jewelry, books and more), music, dancing, kids theatre shows, and plenty of period costumes. The Cow Palace halls are usually decked with boughs of holly until mid-December.<\/p>\n

\"fall<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

9. Turkey Trail Trot with Kids Gobbler Chase<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Go for the gold on Thanksgiving Day! In other words, rally your fam for a walk\/run through Golden Gate Park! It will help the kids burn off some steam before the excitement of the foodie-festivities commences. And it\u2019s a great way for you to go guilt-free \u2014 working off your Thursday feast in advance, woohoo<\/em>! So starting your Turkey Day in an invigorating way, with one of the healthiest things to do in San Francisco with kids.<\/p>\n

\"sf<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat on Any Date\u201d Family Activities in San Francisco<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Can\u2019t squeeze one of the above ideas into your family\u2019s schedule? Not to worry! Plenty of activities in SF are available year-round, so they flexibly fit into almost any time frame. Check \u2018em out below.<\/p>\n