← All Guides
Curated Guide

Bay Area outing choices

Review the current listing details below before choosing an outing.

20 spots curatedUpdated Oct 21, 2026

Listing details changed since this guide was written. Review costs, hours and access below before going.

Magazine order

Featured uses Phirky family appeal and guide fit. Distance uses your browser location only on this device.

Saved outing choices

Pick 1

Bill's Backyard

Ages: 0-12

Cost: free

Parking: Nearest parking: SP+ Parking (~1 min walk) · ParkSJ: Woz/87 Lot (~2 min walk)

Address: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110, USA

Pick 2

Immersive Gamebox - Stonestown Galleria, San Francisco

Ages: 0-12

Cost: paid

Parking: Nearest parking: Parking (~1 min walk) · 400 Winston Dr Parking (~2 min walk)

Address: 3251 20th Ave Suite 101, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA

Pick 3

D & Z Family Home Day Care

Ages: 0-5

Cost: varies

Parking: Street parking area — check posted signs.

Address: 32524 Regents Blvd, Union City, CA 94587, USA

Pick 4

Palo Alto Museum

Ages: 0-12

Cost: paid

Parking: Nearest parking: Lot M (~2 min walk) · Gilman / Waverley Lot G (~3 min walk)

Address: 300 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA

Pick 5

Exploratorium

Ages: 0-18

Cost: $29 adults, $19 youth (13-17), free for children under 3; free community days available

Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Parking: Nearest parking: Exploratorium Parking (~3 min walk) · Motorcycle Parking Metered Spots 2 (~4 min walk)

Address: Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

Pick 6

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Ages: 0+

Cost: General admission: children 1-17 and adults 18-64 $25; seniors 65+ $23; babies under 1 free. Eligible discounts have conditions; Goblin Jamboree uses separate pricing. Parking is complimentary.

Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Parking: Nearest parking: Shore parking (~5 min walk) · Shore parking (~5 min walk)

Address: Art Studios, 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA

Saved outing choices

Pick 1

California Academy of Sciences

Ages: 0-18

Cost: $40 adults, $30 children (ages 3-17), free for children under 3. Check for free admission days quarterly.

Hours: Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Parking: Nearest parking: Bike Parking - Cal Academy (~2 min walk) · Music Concourse Underground Garage (~5 min walk)

Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA

Pick 2

Art Academia

Ages: 0-12

Cost: paid

Address: 604 Celestial Ln, Foster City, CA 94404, USA

Pick 3

Roopali's Kala Art Studio

Ages: 0-12

Cost: paid

Address: 38387 Amaryllis Pl, Newark, CA 94560, USA

Pick 4

Catherine Brennan Memorial Rose Garden

Ages: 0-12

Cost: free

Address: 1400 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061, USA

Pick 5

Shift Arcade

Ages: 0-12

Cost: paid

Address: 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd #2602, San Ramon, CA 94583, USA

Pick 6

Universal Child

Ages: 0-5

Cost: paid

Address: Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA

Related guides

A little help planning your weekend

Outing plans, free finds and booking reminders for Bay Area families. Thursday newsletter; the last Thursday brings the Month Ahead edition. Free.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

All guides