Family Stops Along the Pacific Coast :: San Francisco

Are you planning a drive up or down the Pacific Coast Highway with your family? Well, City Moms Blog Network has got you covered! San Francisco Moms Blog has joined with San Diego, Anaheim, and Sonoma County to put together a list to keep your family busy with fabulous stops along Highway 1!

Here are our top San Francisco family stops!

1. Golden Gate Bridge 

<img class=" wp-image-1441" src="https://sanfranciscomoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/471374958-300×193.jpg" alt=" on April 27, 2015 in San Francisco, California.” width=”396″ height=”255″>

Nothing says San Francisco more than the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.  Every SF visitor will want to see this! Make sure you bring your camera and your jacket.  The bridge offers amazing views but will be chilly, especially in the summer!   You can either drive, walk (parking on the North side is easier!) or bike over the bridge.  Bike and Roll is our favorite place in the city to rent a bike, and they provide you with an easy-to-read bike map!  

2.  Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is made up of  1,017 acres of public grounds.  You could spend an entire day here!  Visit one of the famous museums, experience a tea garden, feed the ducks at Stow Lake or even rent a paddle boat!  You can also check out the buffalo or go to the Koret Children’s Quarter to play on the playground or ride the carousel. Read more about the top things to see and do in the park. 

3. SF Zoo

Spend a day visiting all the animals at the SF Zoo!  Make sure to check out their calendar for classes and special events.  The zoo is right of the coast and can be chilly or hot, so bring layers! 

4. Alcatraz 

Discover the history of Alcatraz! These tours are amazing because not only do you get to tour the island with an up-close visit to the prison, you also get to take a ferry ride in the Bay.  You do need to buy tickets in advance, so plan ahead. They sell out all the time!

5. San Francisco Cable Car

The best place to pick up the cable car is at the corner of Lombard and Hyde street.  This avoids the terrible lines in both Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf.  If you have young kids, they don’t need the full ride anyway.  This route is easier, short and sweet, and the best part is going down the big hill to Fisherman’s Wharf. Make sure to look left while going down to see the Golden Gate Bridge! Lombard Street is the famous SF zig-zag street so you need to see it, walk up and down it, and take pictures anyway.  Then, just stand at the corner of Lombard and Hyde and wait for the cable car to stop by. You want to take it DOWN the hill, otherwise you’ll go the wrong direction.  Bring cash to pay for your tickets as you hop on!

We hope you enjoy our San Francisco stops on your Pacific Coast Highway Tour.

To continue your adventure, visit:

San Diego Pacific Coast Highway Stops

Anaheim Pacific Coast Highway Stops

Sonoma County Pacific Coast Highway Stops