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What's Happening Today: September 7

Today's family shortlist has 12 events, led by Children's Creativity Museum, Mitchell Park & Magical Bridge Playground, California Academy of Sciences.

11 spots curatedUpdated Sep 7, 2026

This guide is built from Phirky's trusted family inventory and refreshed for September 2026. It prioritizes options with concrete parent-useful details like age fit, cost, stroller or dog notes, and timing where available.

Fall in the Bay Area — warm days, harvest festivals, and perfect outdoor weather. Use it as a fast starting point, then open individual picks for the practical details.

Fall in the Bay Area — warm days, harvest festivals, and perfect outdoor weather.

Magazine order

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

Top picks

A curated starting point from Phirky's trusted family inventory.

Pick 1

Children's Creativity Museum

Children's Creativity Museum is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Make stop-motion animations, design video games, and record music — where art meets tech. Kids design video games, create stop-motion animations, record music, and build with LEGO in hands-on tech and art stations. Open-ended creative play keeps all ages engaged for hours.

Insider tip: Right next to the Yerba Buena Gardens playground and carousel. Combine for a full day.

Ages: Ages 2-12

Cost: $14 per person, free under 2

Address: 221 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 2

Mitchell Park & Magical Bridge Playground

Mitchell Park & Magical Bridge Playground is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Parents love this inclusive playground that caters to children of all abilities, ensuring everyone can have fun together. Kids play on innovative, fully accessible playground structures including wheelchair swings and sensory areas. Free park with sports fields and library nearby.

Insider tip: Go during off-peak hours on weekdays to enjoy the playground with fewer crowds.

Ages: Babies to tweens

Cost: Free

Address: 600 E Meadow Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 3

California Academy of Sciences

California Academy of Sciences is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

This museum offers a unique combination of an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history exhibits that fascinate both kids and adults. Kids explore penguins, touch stingrays, walk through a 4-story rainforest, and watch the planetarium show under one roof. Plan 3-4 hours for aquarium, natural history exhibits, and interactive science

Insider tip: Purchase tickets online in advance to save time and money, especially for busy weekends.

Ages: Ages 0-17

Cost: $42 adult, $32 child (4-11), free under 4. Quarterly free community days available.

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

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 4

Tree Urchins Outdoor Preschool

Tree Urchins Outdoor Preschool is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Combines physical play, nature discovery, and unstructured learning—everything preschoolers need in one program. Outdoor preschool program where kids ages 2-5 explore nature, build forts, and learn hands-on skills in the park. Children develop confidence through climbing, digging, and discovering plants and wildlife in a supervised

Insider tip: Dress kids in layers and bring a change of clothes; outdoor play means dirt is part of the curriculum.

Ages: Ages 2-5

Cost: Paid

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 5

Upper Pete Siemens Trail and Redwood Springs Loop

Upper Pete Siemens Trail and Redwood Springs Loop is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Shaded trails and moderate terrain make this accessible for kids of various ages and abilities while delivering real wilderness magic. Explore towering redwoods on shaded, moderate trails through Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve. Kids discover forest wildlife, giant trees, and natural springs while staying cool under the canopy—perfect for families seeking

Insider tip: Start early to beat crowds, bring a backpack carrier for younger kids who may tire, and pack water—the shade keeps it cool but the hike is still active.

Ages: Ages 3-12

Cost: Parking is limited but FREE.

Address: Los Gatos, CA

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 6

Sensory Storytime

Sensory Storytime is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Combines storytelling with tactile learning and real animals, making science memorable and magical for young learners. Kids explore animals' senses through hands-on activities during interactive storytime at the California Academy of Sciences. Touch, listen, and discover how creatures see, hear, smell, and feel—perfect for curious minds

Insider tip: Arrive early—sensory storytimes fill up fast. Bring a small notebook so kids can sketch their favorite animal discovery.

Ages: Ages 2-8

Cost: Included with admission

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

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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More options to compare

Additional picks that can work depending on location, timing, and energy level.

Pick 1

SF Fleet Week Air Show (Blue Angels)

SF Fleet Week Air Show (Blue Angels) is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Blue Angels roaring over the Golden Gate Bridge — one of the most spectacular free shows anywhere. Watch the Blue Angels perform high-speed aerial maneuvers over the bay while exploring Navy ships docked at the waterfront. Free viewing from Marina Green and nearby beaches.

Insider tip: Bring ear protection for toddlers. Crissy Field has the best views. Friday practice show is less crowded.

Ages: Ages 0-17

Cost: Show box between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz; free along the waterfront; paid seating at Marina Green ($192.50-$

Address: Marina Green, San Francisco, CA 94123

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 2

Oak Meadow Park

Oak Meadow Park is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Combines multiple activities to keep young kids entertained for hours without breaking the bank. Toddler paradise with a classic playground, mini train rides, and carousel. Kids climb, slide, and spin their hearts out while parents relax on shaded benches.

Insider tip: Arrive early on weekends to avoid crowds, and pack snacks—the playground has shade but limited facilities.

Ages: Ages 1-8

Cost: Free

Address: Los Gatos, CA

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 3

California Forest-Themed Playspace

California Forest-Themed Playspace is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Families love this vibrant playspace that inspires creativity and imaginative play in a natural setting. Kids explore a California forest-themed playspace with hands-on activities and imaginative play inside the California Academy of Sciences.

Insider tip: Go during off-peak hours to avoid crowds and allow your kids more freedom to explore.

Ages: Ages 1-8

Cost: Included with admission.

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

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 4

Redwood Forest Steam Train

Redwood Forest Steam Train is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

The Redwood Forest Steam Train offers a unique and scenic ride through majestic redwoods, captivating both kids and adults. Kids ride a narrow-gauge steam train through redwood groves to Bear Mountain, with conductors sharing railroad and forest history along the way.

Insider tip: Book tickets in advance during peak season to ensure availability and consider a weekday visit for fewer crowds.

Ages: Ages 2-14

Cost: Buy Tickets

Address: 5401 Graham Hill Rd, Felton, CA 95018

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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Pick 5

Amazing AirMaze!

Amazing AirMaze! is a strong fit for What's Happening Today.

Families love it for the interactive experience that combines fun and learning through the fascinating movement of air. Kids watch and control air-powered objects traveling through an oversized tube maze. Hands-on exhibit teaches physics through play.

Insider tip: Visit during weekday mornings to avoid crowds and bring a camera to capture the colorful displays.

Ages: Ages 2-12

Cost: Paid

Address: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110

Order: Sorted by Phirky family appeal, then event date.

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