It’s vacation season in San Francisco. The locals are out of town and the tourist are in town. What a perfect excuse to make like a visitor and enjoy everything our city has to offer. Here are our top picks for kid-friendly events happening in San Francisco this month. Check out our list of Fourth of July events, too.
Know of something else fun going on around town? Email us at info@SanFranciscoMomsBlog.com or leave a comment below!
July 1
Fillmore Jazz Festival, Fillmore St. between Jackson and Eddie: The free festival takes up twelve blocks in the Pacific Heights and Lower Pacific Heights neighborhoods. Like all SF street fairs, in addition to music, plan to treat yourself to the gourmet food tents and browse the art vendors along the way. 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Sounds of Music Sing Along, Castro Theatre: Now until July 7, join fellow fans of this classic film at the iconic Castro Theatre and sing along to your hearts content. Costumes are always welcome. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM
July 2
Fillmore Jazz Festival, Fillmore St. between Jackson and Eddie: The free festival takes up twelve blocks in the Pacific Heights and Lower Pacific Heights neighborhoods. Like all SF street fairs, in addition to music, plan to treat yourself to the gourmet food tents and browse the art vendors along the way. 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Sounds of Music Sing Along, Castro Theatre: Now until July 7, join fellow fans of this classic film at the iconic Castro Theatre and sing along to your hearts content. Costumes are always welcome. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Story Time and Family Walk, SF Botanical Gardens Library, 1199 9th Ave: Every first and third Sunday of the month meet in the cozy children’s book nook for lively readings of nature-themed stories. Afterward, families can enjoy a special docent-led family Garden walk that brings the stories to life. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Suitable for children aged 4-8. 10:30-11:30. Free for SF residents.
YMCA Learn to Ride Program, Presidio Main Lawn: Let YBike’s awesome instructors teach your kids how to ride a bike at Off the Grid Presidio Picnic. Bikes and equipment provided. All ages welcome. No pre-registration required; just drop by, the south end of Main Post Lawn. 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Free
Surfrider Foundation Beach Clean Up, Ocean Beach: Meet across from the Beach Chalet at Stairwell 17 to volunteer to help clean up Ocean Beach. Buckets and other supplies will be provided. Clean up happens every first and third Sunday of the month and no advanced registration is required. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
July 3
Sound of Music Sing Along, Castro Theatre: Now until July 7, join fellow fans of this classic film at the iconic Castro Theatre and sing along to your hearts content. Costumes are always welcome. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. 7:00 PM
July 4
Check out our list of Fourth of July Events happening around the city.
Sound of Music Sing Along, Castro Theatre: Now until July 7, join fellow fans of this classic film at the iconic Castro Theatre and sing along to your hearts content. Costumes are always welcome. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. 7:00 PM
July 5
Sound of Music Sing Along, Castro Theatre: Now until July 7, join fellow fans of this classic film at the iconic Castro Theatre and sing along to your hearts content. Costumes are always welcome. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. 7:00 PM
July 6
Sound of Music Sing Along, Castro Theatre: Now until July 7, join fellow fans of this classic film at the iconic Castro Theatre and sing along to your hearts content. Costumes are always welcome. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. 7:00 PM
July 7
Sound of Music Sing Along, Castro Theatre: Now until July 7, join fellow fans of this classic film at the iconic Castro Theatre and sing along to your hearts content. Costumes are always welcome. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. 7:00 PM
July 9
Inner Sunset Flea Market & Merchant Hop, Irving St. @ 9th-10th: The market is open on the second Sunday of every month through October and is full of family fun, food, and finds. 10:00 to 4:00 PM.
July 15
Film Night in the Park, Union Square: Watch “Beauty and the Beast” (1997) on a giant outdoor screen in the heart of Union Square. Attendees are encouraged to picnic before screenings and are discouraged from bringing chairs. Free. Movie begins at dusk.
July 16
Sunday Streets, Mission: Enjoy car-free fun in the heart of the Mission from Duboce to 26th Street on Valencia, with fun, free activities for the whole family to enjoy all along the way. Activity Hubs will be located between 14th and 16th and 24th and 26th streets.
Story Time and Family Walk, SF Botanical Gardens Library, 1199 9th Ave: Every first and third Sunday of the month meet in the cozy children’s book nook for lively readings of nature-themed stories. Afterward, families can enjoy a special docent-led family Garden walk that brings the stories to life. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Suitable for children aged 4-8. 10:30-11:30. Free for SF residents.
Surfrider Foundation Beach Clean Up, Ocean Beach: Meet across from the Beach Chalet at Stairwell 17 to volunteer to help clean up Ocean Beach. Buckets and other supplies will be provided. Clean up happens every first and third Sunday of the month and no advanced registration is required. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
July 30
Surfrider Foundation Beach Clean Up, Baker Beach: Meet at the picnic table near the beach entrance to volunteer to help clean up Baker Beach. Buckets and other supplies will be provided. Clean up happens every last Sunday of the month and no advanced registration is required. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Throughout the Month
SF Giants Game, AT&T Park: Check out the Giants’ home schedule and take the family to a baseball game this month (we’ve got tips on how to do it). Every Sunday, kids and their parents are invited to run the bases immediately following the game. The line to do this may look long, but it moves quickly!
Conservatory of Flowers Light Show, Golden Gate Park: In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, the building will be lit up in psychedelic colors from now until October 21st. to JFK Dr, and JFK Dr between Bernice Rodgers Way and Transverse Dr. 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Free Museum Admission Days: Every month, participating museums, including the California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, de Young Museum, and Conservatory of Flowers offer free admission on designated days.
Every Sunday
Off the Grid at Presidio Picnic, Main Parade Ground: Bring your picnic blanket and hang out. With so many delicious food trucks to choose from, you’ll want to spend time sampling them all. 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Union Square Live, Union Square: From April through October, there will be live performances in the plaza at 2:00 PM. Free.
Stern Grove Festival, Stern Grove Park: Bring your picnic blanket and snacks to this weekly concert series. Seating is first come, first serve. Concert begins at 2:00 PM. Free.
Golden Gate Park Band, Spreckels Temple of Music: Each week the band will perform music from a different theme, through October. 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Every Monday
Chinatown Walking Tour, Portsmouth Square: Learn about the history and daily lives of the largest Chinatown outside of Asia on this tour hour walking tour of the neighborhood. Meet at the parking garage elevators on the park level ten minutes before the tour begins. 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Free.
Every Wednesday
Union Square Live, Union Square: From April through October, there will be live performances in the plaza at 6:00 PM. Free.
Tots and Tails Story Time, SPCA 2343 Fillmore St: Visit the SPCA’s 2nd floor conference room for animal-themed stories and a tour of the Pacific Heights adoption center. Recommended for children 5 years old and younger. 2:00 PM. Free.
Every Thursday
Presidio Twilight Off the Grid, Presidio Main Parade Ground: The Bay Area’s largest community campfire runs every Thursday with a large selection of international cuisine, live music, sunset activities, and the ambiance of San Francisco’s national park for a one-of-a-kind experience. Lantern-lit cabanas and fire pits underscore the “picnic at dusk” atmosphere and are available to all guests on a first come, first-served basis at no cost. Additional event activities include traditional games such as bean bag toss, hula hoops, and giant Jenga. 5:00 – 9:00 PM. Free.
Every Friday
Off the Grid at Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd: Come for an early dinner with the kids. They’ll love the music and lively setting. You’ll love the good food and drinks. 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Pier 39 Celebrations, Pier 39: In honor of Pier 39’s 39th anniversary, the Pier will host difference events every Friday until October.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Children’s Performance, Children’s Garden, 799 Howard St: The kids will love seeing a different entertainer every Friday. Will it be a clown, puppeteer, or musician. Join the fun and find out! 11:00 – 11:30 AM. Free.
Every Saturday
Chinatown Walking Tour, Portsmouth Square: Learn about the history and daily lives of the largest Chinatown outside of Asia on this tour hour walking tour of the neighborhood. Meet at the parking garage elevators on the park level ten minutes before the tour begins. 10:00 AM. Free.
