One of the best things about living in the Bay Area is that it feels like spring all year long! Across the region, there are countless fun, engaging, and seasonal activities for kids of all ages. Spring in the Bay Area is our family’s favorite time of the year because the days are longer, so there is more time to explore the parks, gardens, and hiking trails.

Whether you're a local looking for fresh weekend inspiration or a visitor planning a memorable trip, this list highlights some of the best activities to make the most of the season. Check out the list below with some fun spring activities in San Francisco and the Bay Area for your family to enjoy!

Spring into more adventures by discovering the best playgrounds in San Francisco, trekking these family-friendly urban hikes in San Francisco, and checking out more seasonal activities in our Spring Fun Guide for San Francisco Kids. 

Family Activities in San Francisco this Spring

 
Climb into spring fun at the Koret Children's Playground. Photo by Mike Lui via Flickr 2.0

1. Golden Gate Park 

Spring in San Francisco means it's peak cherry blossom season at the Japanese Tea Garden, and tulips are in full bloom at the Queen Wilhemina Garden (but prepare for the crowds!). The San Francisco Botanical Garden and Conservatory of Flowers are full of stunning gardens to explore. Kids will also love the Koret Children's Quarter and Carousel, which is one of the best playgrounds in San Francisco. 

2. Salesforce Park — SoMa

Salesforce Park is a hidden gem near BART. The beautiful outdoor park sits high above the ground with stunning city views. Take the free gondola or the giant escalators to the jungle gym, free events, and storytimes. 

3. Helen Diller Playground in Dolores Miller Park — Mission District

After hauling strollers for a taco crawl in the Mission with friends, you can end (or start to tire the kids out) with this fantastic park. In the summer, if your kids are night owls, check out a Sundown Cinema sing-along in the park, where you can pull out a blanket and some yummy tacos and enjoy! 

4. The Ferry Building — Embarcadero

Take the ferry from all over the Bay to San Francisco. Once you arrive, enjoy a delicious lunch, snack on bagels or ice cream, and explore the vibrant marketplace. 

5. Palace of Fine Arts — Marina District

While the Palace of Fine Arts is always worth a spring stroll, the Balloon Museum EmotionAir has landed at this picturesque landmark. Check out what to expect in this EmotionAir Instagram Reel when the Mommy Poppins San Francisco Social Media Manager went! 

6. Golden Gate Bridge

Walk, bike, or drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, but no matter what vessel you choose, there are fun activities to enjoy! Either way, there are so many fun things to do around the Bridge in the spring, too (see below!). 

7. Presidio Park — The Presidio

If it’s raining or cold, you can head inside to the Walt Disney Family Museum. There’s also a beautiful lawn in the park where you can meet friends and hang out with toys and snacks. On a sunny spring day, let the kids explore the Presidio Tunnel Tops with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

8. Crissy Field — The Presidio

Grab a blanket and kite to spend the day on the east beach of the field. It’s perfect for a picnic with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and boat spotting. Be prepared for some sandy shoes on the way home!

9. Yerba Buena Gardens — SoMa

Yerba Buena Gardens is a downtown San Francisco oasis perfect for kids, featuring a colorful playground, hands-on Children's Creativity Museum, and the iconic LeRoy king Carousel. It's a great spot to let little ones explore, play, and enjoy some fresh spring air in the heart of the city. 

10. Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival — Japantown

The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is a vibrant annual celebration of Japanese culture, featuring traditional music, dance, food, and art held every April. It's one of the largest cherry blossom festivals in the country, and the perfect way to welcome spring in San Francisco! 

Fun Family Activities this Spring in the East Bay

11. Oakland Zoo — Oakland

Springtime means new babies at the Oakland Zoo! Also, now that it’s warmer, you can take the gondola to the California Wild! Playground at the Zoo and enjoy putting your feet in the little river. Be sure to bring an extra set of clothes!

12. Lake Merritt — Oakland

In spring, it’s warm enough to walk around the beautiful lake with your family. Explore Lake Merritt’s secret gardens, bird sanctuary, play lawn bowl (Sundays only and check the time), and of course, walk around the lake. There are delicious restaurants around the lake, like Grand Lake Kitchen or our family favorite a little further up Grand Avenue (by the Grand Lake Movie Theatre), Lynn and Lu’s Cafe, for giant oatmeal pancakes. 

RELATED: 100 Fun Free Things To Do in San Francisco with Kids 

 
Meet the Ballers Possum mascot "Scrappy."

13. Ballers Baseball Games — Oakland

There is a new baseball team in town that’s a real gem to the Oakland community. The Ballers games are super fun for kids since they can watch the entire game from the playground. After the game, check out the new Prescott Market Hall nearby. Our family favorite is Pizzeria Violetta.

14. MorCom Rose Garden — Oakland 

The best time to smell the roses is springtime in the garden. You can bring your scooters and run through the garden. However, there are two watch-outs: the rose thorns and the crazy turkey that walks around. Neither will stop the kids and family from having a blast in the springtime. 

15. UC Berkeley Campus

Springtime may be finals for the students, but that means it’s a playground for families. During the weekdays, we love exploring the clock tower, greens, and campus. Then, on weekends, it’s fun for our family to cheer on the spring sports teams like lacrosse, baseball, and softball. Afterward, we walk around downtown for delicious restaurants like Jupiter and Gather. 

Awesome Family Activities this Spring in the North Bay

16. Muir Woods — Mill Valley 

We knew how small our kids really were, but bringing them to walk among the towering redwood trees in Muir Woods for the perfect spring hike puts everything in perspective. Luckily, your kids get up early, so start your spring day hiking through the awe-inspiring trees. 

17. Benecia Community Park — Benecia

A spring day in Benicia is the perfect weather in California. The park slide is super long. The brand-new playground is excellent for the family. Afterward, walk around downtown for a delicious lunch for a picture-perfect day. After you're nice and full, stroll the beautiful state park around the water's edge. 

18. The Junction — Mill Valley

A little music. A little playground. A little pizza (or bagels, depending on the time of day). No matter what, for parents, there is a lot of beer to help make it through spring break.

19. Bay Area Discovery Museum — Sausalito 

After driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, your family can enjoy an incredible outdoor interactive museum in Sausalito. It is perfect for families with kids under 10. 

20. Loma Vista Farm — Vallejo

Have you ever seen a Llama in Pajamas? Your family can visit Loma Vista Farms to see the baby llamas and more. Take the ferry from San Francisco to Vallejo, or take a break at the farm on your way to Napa Valley to visit kid-friendly wineries in Napa and Sonoma. 

Fun Family Activities this Spring in the South Bay

21. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo — San Jose

If you combined a zoo, Bay Area summer camp, and an amusement park, that would be Happy Hollow Park Zoo. In the spring, they open their Saturday Experience Programs. Kids can spend their spring Saturdays at Zoo University! 

RELATED: Best Playgrounds in San Francisco

 
Feed chickens at Emma Prusch Farm Park. Photo by George Ruiz via Flickr 2.0

22. Emma Prusch Farm Park — San Jose

Emma Prusch Farm Park in San Jose features farm animals, community gardens, a fruit orchard, and acres of open grass perfect for picnicking, kite flying, games, and relaxing. Bring a quarter or two so you can feed the chickens and goats.

23. Oak Meadow Park — Los Gatos

Inside this park, springtime brings back the secret railroad and carousel at the back of the park. Enjoy the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad & W.E. "Bill" Mason Carousel this spring. No need to bring anything, as there is even a snack bar there, too!

24. San Jose Earthquakes — San Jose

Springtime means soccer is finally starting up again. It’s a fun family event to check out a professional soccer game. The Quakes in the spring have various soccer skill programs and camps for your kids, too. It’s a great way to experience soccer with the Quakes community. 

Beyond the Bay Area this Spring

25. Children's Museum of Sonoma County — Santa Rosa 

The vegetables finally grow at the CMOSC in the spring. You can help grow and pick the vegetables in the beautiful outdoor gardens. Not to mention, spring means it's warm enough that when your kids get wet from the water ball play area outside, they will easily dry off.

26. Helen Putnam Regional Park — Petaluma

This is a beautiful hiking trail with a wonderful playground in Petaluma. Afterward, we head to the nearby farmers market (next to Walnut Park) and then have a delicious lunch in downtown Petaluma at Della Fattoria. Then, we spend the afternoon walking around enjoying the beautiful sunny day, the river, and the shops. 

27. Capitola Village — Capitola 

Springtime means a fun time in Capitola. Spend a sunny spring day walking around the beautiful town and seeing all of the colorful houses. There is no shortage of delicious kid-friendly restaurants, which always makes it feel like a spring day win. 

28. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — Santa Cruz 

Are you a rollercoaster family? Or do you prefer more rides and arcades? Luckily, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk opens for spring break. It's one of the best things to do with kids in Santa Cruz! 

29. Gilroy Gardens — Gilroy 

Do you like a little garlic? How about some flowers and amusement rides? Nothing beats a spring family walk through Gilroy Gardens. Don’t forget to try the garlic ice cream while in town!