This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
We had to build game-time prep into our San Francisco trip, and I was a little baffled by it. We’re going to a basketball game. Couldn’t we spend that hour finding a good flat white and a slab of cake somewhere instead?
No. This was Savannah’s dream.
When I first surprised her with tickets, she screamed, dropped to the floor, and rolled around in tears at our dining room table. So I gave up the coffee idea, went back to our shabby little hotel room, and waited the better part of an hour while she got herself ready for a WNBA game at the Chase Center.
14-year-old Savannah and I rolled into the city that day off five days on the Majestic Mountain Loop, legs still tired from the Sierra Nevada. San Francisco after all that granite and pine felt loud and bright and full of people. This is not our first time visiting San Francisco. It’s the fourth time for me and Savannah visited for five days when she was seven. We’ve now experienced San Francisco as a solo traveler, couples’ travelers, with younger kids, and now with teens. I can confirm that it’s a pretty great city to take a teen.
Every place on this list is somewhere we’ve been with our own teen, or somewhere I’d happily send yours. I’ve kept it to what actually lands with this age group, the stuff Savannah cared about and the things Kalyra loved back when she was a teen too. Some we did on this trip. Some we’ve done on the many visits before it. I’ll tell you which is which as we go.
San Francisco at a glance 🔍
- Where to stay: San Francisco is expensive, and it climbs fast in summer. Aim for Fisherman’s Wharf or Union Square so you can walk to plenty and jump on transport easily. See our full where to stay in San Francisco guide for options from budget to splurge.
- Getting around: Skip the car. San Francisco is walkable, and the buses are easy. Tap your card on and off. If you’re heading to a concert or a sporting event, your transit is free that whole day.
- Unmissable for my teen: A WNBA game at the Chase Center. Hands down.
- Money-saving tip: If you’re visiting a few paid attractions, a Go City attraction pass can knock a good chunk off admission across the city.
Looking to reserve a vacation rental in San Francisco? Click here to browse.
1. Catch a WNBA game at the Chase Center
A WNBA game at the Chase Center was the reason we were in San Francisco. Savannah is a die-hard WNBA fan, and the Dallas Wings were playing the Golden State Valkyries at the Chase Center in Mission Bay. The women on the court were brilliant, but so was everything around them.
Dancers and games and giveaways through every timeout, glitter and color in the crowd, the local crowd roaring for the Valkyries and a fair scattering of Wings jerseys dotted through it. Savannah wore her player jersey. I wore a shirt that said, “I’m in my Dallas Wings era.” We committed.
Getting there is easy. Buses and the Metro both run to the arena, and with an event ticket the ride is free. Right on the complex, Thrive City has outdoor space and somewhere to eat before tip-off. We found a burger joint with gluten-free buns, reasonable prices, community-style tables, and a gluten-free beer on tap that made me very happy.
A WNBA game is a brilliant teen night out. The tickets can be more affordable than the men’s game, the atmosphere is warm and family-friendly, and women’s sport is having a moment your teen will want to be part of. There’s a whole story behind our night here, from an Aussie player who stopped to talk to us to the seats we upgraded on a whim. I’m giving that its own post soon, so keep an eye out for our full guide to seeing a game at the Chase Center.
2. Walk from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge
Because we clearly hadn’t walked enough in the Sierra Nevada (😉), we decided to walk from Fisherman’s Wharf all the way around to the Golden Gate Bridge. Savannah grumbled at the start. Then the clouds began to clear, the bridge came into focus, and she came around.
We popped into Ghirardelli Square first so she could taste the chocolate at its original home. We grabbed a couple to go. The raspberry dark chocolate is mine.
The path runs along the marina, and we stopped at Equator Coffee to fuel up. Then the Palace of Fine Arts, which was on Savannah’s list after she found it on TikTok, forgetting we’d photographed her there as a kid. It’s a slice of ancient Rome dropped into San Francisco. Get your shots from across the pond, then wander in under the rotunda.
We carried on past Crissy Field, out onto the pier for the bridge views, and up toward the fort. This was the one window on our whole trip where the clouds pulled back and the bridge stood there in full red. We took far too many photos and regretted none of them.
At the end, the Roundhouse Cafe. It’s round, as promised, with windows giving you the full sweep of the bridge. We’d walked about 4.5 miles by then, so we sat with an Equator coffee and watched the clouds roll back in over the water. The photo I caught of Savannah there, with the bridge out the window, is one of her favorites.
You don’t have to walk back. Buses run from the bridge to wherever you’re headed. And if your teen has more in the tank than mine did, the trail keeps going to Baker Beach and Lands End out to the Sutro Baths. On earlier trips, Craig and I have rented bikes and ridden across the bridge to Sausalito for a picnic, then caught the ferry home. I tried to sell Savannah on it. She said no. Your teen might say yes. I’d rate it as a top thing to do with teens in SF. Here are various bike rentals, including ebikes, which we never had the option for!
3. Explore the Presidio
Right by the bridge is the Presidio, an old army base turned parkland that we’ve loved on past trips. On summer Sundays there are food trucks and community gatherings on the lawn, and it’s a lovely spot to spread out for a picnic.
There’s more here for teens than you’d expect. Tucked into the woods are Andy Goldsworthy’s sculptures, and tracking them down feels like a treasure hunt (Woodline is my favorite). There’s a hidden Yoda statue at the Letterman Digital Arts Center, home to Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic. And for Disney fans, the Walt Disney Family Museum tells the story of how one persistent, creative man built a whole world, through interactive exhibits that pull you right in. I came away moved by how many times he failed before it worked.
I’ve rounded those up along with more of the city’s quieter finds, including colorful mosaic tile steps made for the photos your teen will want in our hidden gems in San Francisco post, and there’s plenty more in our full Presidio guide.
4. See the sea lions and shop at Pier 39
Savannah wanted the sea lions, so we hopped out at Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf for a bit. The seals don’t need long. A few minutes of watching them snooze, slide off into the water, and bark at each other, and you’ve had the experience.
The shops right there are made for teens. I’d braced for tourist-trap prices and was pleasantly surprised. Savannah grabbed a San Francisco hoodie, which we needed more than expected. It was much chillier than we’d realized coming off 90-degree Yosemite. We picked up a t-shirt for Craig too.
While you’re here, Umbrella Alley is a community art space packed with murals and interactive photo spots, and it’s very much a teen’s kind of stop. We missed it this time. You may also want the famous clam chowder bread bowl from Boudin Bakery.
5. Take a ride in a Waymo
The driverless cars were a novelty when we visited, so I’m putting them on the list as a San Francisco attraction for teens in their own right. You’ll spot them everywhere, white Jaguars with a spinning sensor on the roof. Savannah begged me to get in one. I love trying new things, so I said yes.
It was a lot of fun. Easy to use, priced like an Uber, no tipping. A little unnerving at first to sit in a car with no one driving. We laughed and shrieked our way from the Painted Ladies down to Fisherman’s Wharf, and the car took the turns with ease, stuck to the speed limit, let us pick the music, and didn’t make small talk. At one point it read a car that looked parked, understood it wasn’t, and smoothly went around. Very impressive.
We did it once more because Savannah wanted to ride up front. I’m still not sure how I feel about driverless cars and what they mean for jobs down the line. As a one-off with your teen, it’s a memory. I’d still rather walk or take the bus most of the time.
6. Photograph the Painted Ladies
Savannah is a Full House kid, so the Painted Ladies were non-negotiable. We walked there from our hotel, through a few different neighborhoods, and stopped at Ritual Coffee on the way for a cup in their little outdoor seating area.
There isn’t much to do at the Painted Ladies beyond photograph that famous row of townhomes, and that’s fine. Go early and you’ll have them to yourself. We’ve been here around lunchtime before, when the park across from them fills up with people picnicking, which is lovely in its own right.
7. Explore the California Academy of Sciences
I’d assumed a 14-year-old would be over science museums. Savannah asked to go. I’m so glad she did, because I loved it, and it’s a museum that works for any age.
It’s split into the earth’s different environments, and the rainforest section feels like an actual rainforest, high humidity, parrots overhead, butterflies drifting past your head as you climb the canopy. The aquarium has stingrays, coral, and every kind of fish. We’d been hoping to see the Pacific octopus, especially after reading Remarkably Bright Creatures and watching the film together, but it was tucked away that day. The penguin feeding is a highlight, and I loved the connection to the conservation work the Academy does with penguins in South Africa, a beach I’ve actually sat on.
Savannah’s favorite was Vivid, a new exhibit we walked into with no idea what it was. You step into rooms where the walls and ceilings become ecosystems, ultra high-definition projections, soundscapes, even scents. It’s sensory and beautiful, and it stopped her in her tracks.
Prices are steep, so it’s worth it if your teen is the kind who’ll happily sink a few hours in. The Go City tourist pass takes the sting off admission. There’s a planetarium too. We couldn’t line up a show time, but I’d build one in if you can. When you’re done, walk across the parking lot to the de Young Museum and ride up to the viewing room. It’s free, a little hazy through the glass, and the view over the park and the city is worth the elevator.
You can buy your ticket in advance here, which is a lot cheaper than what we paid upon arrival!!
8. Spend time in Golden Gate Park (bike it even)
You’re already in Golden Gate Park at the Academy, so give it some time. It’s big, with sculptures and botanical gardens threaded through it, and on an earlier trip we rented bikes to cover more of it (see here for bike rentals). You can even spot the resident bison.
Craig and I have done the Japanese Tea Garden here, and the afternoon tea is exactly the kind of thing my teens would love. There’s an entry fee, so weigh the interest against the budget. If a picnic is more your speed, the park is made for it.
9. Wander Haight-Ashbury
We walked through the park to Haight-Ashbury, home of the 60s and 70s hippies, and a place I’ve always liked. It’s where Kalyra bought her first pair of Doc Martens as a teen. If your teen is into thrift stores, vintage racks, colorful buildings, murals, and a slightly alternative feel, this is their corner of the city.
It’s a good lunch stop too. We ate at Hippie Thai, where I had a Pad Thai I’d put up against some of the best Thai I’ve eaten in a long while. San Francisco is a serious food city, and I knew Haight would deliver something authentic.
10. Climb up to Buena Vista Park
A couple of streets from Haight is a quieter find: Buena Vista Park. After five days of hiking, we groaned at how steep the short climb to the top is. It’s worth every step. The views over the city are beautiful, and on a clear day you’ll catch the red of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. We got lucky and did.
From there, walk a few blocks to Third Wheel Coffee on the corner. Excellent coffee, and a good place to land after the hill.
11. Wander Union Square and Chinatown after dark
On our first evening, after dinner at a hole-in-the-wall Peruvian spot, we wandered past the hearts in Union Square for a couple of photos, then through the gate into Chinatown. It was quiet at that hour, so Savannah didn’t get the full bustle of it, but it was a lovely walk all the same. We’ve brought both girls here on earlier trips and they’ve always enjoyed it.
In the daytime, there’s more. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Ross Alley has been making cookies by hand since 1962, and you can watch the fortunes go in, sample a few, and buy a box. Ross Alley itself has real history, from the Tong Wars to scenes in Karate Kid II. Up on Waverly Place, the Tin How Temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples still running in the country.
On the edge of Chinatown, where it meets North Beach, is Jack Kerouac Alley, with murals worth a look and City Lights Booksellers on the Italian side. Savannah is an avid reader, so we went in. It’s the most famous bookstore in the city, tied to Kerouac and the Beat writers who used to drink at Vesuvio Cafe across the alley. If your teen loves books, they’ll love it here.
12. Ride a cable car
This one stayed on Savannah’s list and, somehow, we never checked it off. She loved hanging off the side of one as a kid, and I think riding those hills as a teen would be an even bigger buzz. There are three lines now, the Powell-Mason, the Powell-Hyde, and the California Street line. Do the Powell-Hyde from the wharf up to Union Square for the classic ride.
13. Visit Alcatraz
Savannah wanted to go back to Alcatraz, but we’d done it before and ran out of time this trip. It’s one of the best things to do in San Francisco. Kalyra surprised me by how much she got into it, and both girls came away full of questions, about the two men who escaped and where they might have ended up, about the fact that the guards’ children lived on the island and loved it. Walking into those cells and feeling what the prisoners felt is unnerving, and Savannah was a little freaked out. A good, quiet lesson in staying on the right side of the law. Book well ahead, it sells out.
Book your Alcatraz tickets in advance. Here are options. I love the look of the night tour. Adding it for next San Fransico trip!
14. Take in the view from Coit Tower
I really wanted to get Savannah up Coit Tower, and she was keen, but by the end of the trip she was spent. It has one of the prettiest panoramas in the city, a full 360 that had me thinking of Greece the last time I stood up there. It’s $10 to ride to the top, and worth it for views that reach the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. Don’t skip the murals downstairs, painted during the Depression. It sits on the edge of the North Beach Italian quarter, so pair it with lunch there.
15. Snap fun photos at the 3D Museum of Illusions
Walking through Fisherman’s Wharf, we passed the 3D Museum of Illusions and both got a hit of memory from doing it years ago. Savannah lit up talking about it and wanted to go again. Put it on the list. Your teen gets a stack of fun photos and some clever art in the same stop.
16. Zip around in a GoCar
Savannah brought up the GoCars more than once, and I kicked myself for not planning them in. They’re the little yellow two-seaters that scoot around the city on a guided route you can follow or ignore. It’s a fun way to see the sights, and teens love them. If time allows, hire one for longer and take the routes out through the Presidio and Golden Gate Park.
Check whether your car or travel insurance covers excess for a motorbike, which is how GoCars are classed. It can be an included attraction on the Go City tourist pass. OR rent them in advance here.
17. Take a day trip to Muir Woods
If your teen hasn’t stood among redwoods before and you’ve got the time, drive out to Muir Woods National Monument. It’s a green world under the tallest trees you’ll see, and you can take it all in on an easy 2-mile loop in a couple of hours. Book your parking slot online before you go, you can’t get in without one, and an America the Beautiful national parks pass covers your entry. If you don’t have a car, it is probably easier to join one of these tours.
18. Chase street art in the Mission District
If your schedule stretches, the Mission District is a fun one for teens. It’s an outdoor gallery of murals with Latino roots and a creative streak, great food, and exactly the kind of backdrops they want for their feed. Walk Clarion Alley, between 17th and 18th, and Mission and Valencia. More than 700 murals have gone up there since 1992, many carrying messages about the community. Balmy Alley has more.
While you’re here, Mission Dolores Park is a good gathering spot with fine city views, and two of the best ice cream places in town are close: Smitten and Bi-Rite Creamery. If your teen loves a pastry, Tartine Bakery is here too. They also bake bread San Franciscans are obsessed with. Here is a food and history walking tour of the Mission District which takes in the murals.
Where to eat in San Francisco with teens
I’ll be honest, our food ran hot and cold this trip. Savannah’s a fussy eater and our tastes pull in different directions, so I couldn’t camp out in Thai and Vietnamese spots the way I wanted to, and we grabbed a lot of bits and pieces on the run.
The wins were worth it though.
The best meal we had was at Barbara in North Beach, the Italian quarter. Italian is the cuisine you can trust almost anywhere, and Barbara is a lively Roman spot on a light-filled corner, with a little table tucked into the window nook. Rome is one of our favorite cities, and this felt like it.
I had a gluten-free rigatoni with sausage and mushroom, an Aperol spritz, and a glass of Italian red. Savannah had a lasagna she loved. The prices were kind for that neighborhood, which isn’t easy to find. Skip dessert there and walk down to Victoria Pastry Company for tiramisu instead.
My favorite breakfast came from Reveille Coffee in a beautiful flatiron building across from Vesuvio. Clean design, excellent coffee, and a plantain bowl I’m still thinking about.
A few we couldn’t fit but would happily chase next time: Arsicault Bakery, whose chocolate croissant has been named the best in the country (I’m gluten-free and stole a bite when we visited years ago, no regrets), Butter & Crumble near Coit Tower for laminated pastries and crumble cakes (get there before they sell out around midday), and Foreign Cinema in the Mission, where they screen films while you eat. On an earlier visit we also loved the Ferry Building, a landmark since 1898 with a farmers market on Saturdays, bay views, and a whole store dedicated to gluten-free pastries that had my name on it.
A few more we’d add next time
Since we’ve covered so much of the city over the years, these are the ones I’d fold in on a future trip.
- A bay cruise. Savannah wanted one. I’m cautious given how often San Francisco sits under cloud and cold, and I’d hate to pay for a cruise and see nothing while we shiver. A sunset sailing might be the sweet spot.
- A ghost tour. A favorite way to get to know any city, as long as your teen is fine with a bit of spook. Mine would be.
- A food tour. We do a lot of these, and even fussy Savannah tries more when she’s on one. In a food city like this, pick a neighborhood whose cuisine you love, Chinatown or North Beach, and go.
Where to stay in San Francisco with a teen
I’m not going to send you where Savannah and I stayed, because it isn’t worth sending you to. We were there during the soccer World Cup in peak summer, hotel rooms were averaging $600 a night, and there was almost nothing left. We dug deep and landed in a hostel-style room with a shared bathroom. Savannah got a taste of the not-so-privileged life she’s been living and was mortified. I’ve done plenty of hostels and shared bathrooms in my time, so it was fine for me. And I was happy she was having a toughen up buttercup moment. She would not recommend it, and neither would I, because I want your teen to have a better first impression of this city than that. And it wasn’t in the best area either; I think we saw a few deals go down.
Where you stay depends on what you’re doing, but I’d point you to Fisherman’s Wharf or Union Square. On past trips we’ve loved Hotel Zoe near the waterfront, two blocks from the water with a good seafood restaurant on site. The Beacon Grand in Union Square gave our family of four two interconnecting rooms, a free wine hour with city views, and transport at the door.
And the Marriott Marquis has the View Lounge up top that Savannah was gutted to miss once she heard I’d been. It’s totally worth adding to your San Francisco teen itinerary even if you don’t stay there! Rooms were large here and the hotel nice.
For the full run-down, see our where to stay in San Francisco guide and see options for Airbnb rentals, which we have not done.
Getting around and getting from the airport
San Francisco is one of the easiest cities to get around. From the airport, grab a cab or take the train downtown, which ran us about 30 minutes and cost very little. I love the public transport here. Tap your credit or debit card on and off, on the trains and the buses both.
Two things worth knowing. If you’re holding a ticket to a concert or a sporting event, the buses are free for the entire day. And anyone under 19 rides free, all the time. For a family with a teen, that adds up fast. Buses come all the time. I just used google to plan out my routes and see when the buses were coming.
FAQs about visiting San Francisco with teens
Is San Francisco good for teens?
Yes. The city is a patchwork of neighborhoods with their own personalities, so there’s sure to be one that clicks with your teen. The food scene is among the best in the country, there are photo spots everywhere they’ll want them, and the museums, galleries, and attractions cover just about any interest. It’s easy to get around, and your teen won’t be bored.
Is San Francisco safe for teens to walk around?
In a lot of areas, yes, especially around Fisherman’s Wharf and the more visited neighborhoods. Some pockets aren’t as safe, so do your research on where you’re staying and where you’re wandering. Around our hotel, I wouldn’t have let Savannah walk alone, and definitely not after dark.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
Three days is a good amount. There’s enough here to fill more if you want to. Two days or one still works, you’ll just be moving fast, and teens don’t always love being rushed.
What is there to do in San Francisco with teens at night?
Look for an event like a WNBA game, or a concert if one lines up. A relaxed dinner somewhere good goes a long way with this age group. And a wander around Fisherman’s Wharf to see what’s happening is an easy way to end a day. And of course, one of those ghost tours!
Final thoughts
San Francisco surprised me with a teen. I expected the eye-rolls and got a kid who wanted the science museum, the Painted Ladies, the bookstore, the sea lions, and above all, her team on the court. She said it was the best night of her life, and she hasn’t stopped planning the next one. Which she got just a few weeks later watching the Dallas Wings play the NY Liberty in New York City. Craig took her to NYC for three days while I was in Slovenia. Of course she came home begging to go to the DC game, but we denied that one!
That’s the thing about traveling with them at this age. You get these windows where they let you back in, and you see who they’re becoming. Take the walk. Say yes to the driverless car. Help them pursue their dreams. That’s what the teen years are built for. Savannah is now researching potential careers in the WNBA! That makes the investment into travel so worth it.
If you’ve got a San Francisco question I haven’t answered here, drop a comment below. I’d love to help you plan it. Here are some things to know before visiting San Francisco!
