Children enjoy playing golf as much as adults, but leisure time activities designed specifically for kids provide a special type of enjoyment. San Francisco offers a host of attractions that welcome children for physical, educational and entertaining times. The Exploratorium, a pioneer in total immersion, hands-on exhibits for children, recently celebrated a 40th birthday and continues to welcome young visitors.
California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences features the "Living Roof," an ecosystem of native plants used as environmental building materials, as well as a planetarium, aquarium, four-story rainforest exhibit and the Natural History Museum. Special exhibits, including shows and displays integrating music, technology and art, are offered each month. The Academy is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets are available from the box office and from the website. Admission fees vary in price according to the attractions included and the events on the date of the visit. General admission tickets may be purchased online up to 6 months in advance. An adult general admission ticket is available for approximately $25 in 2009. Children seven to 17 are admitted for reduced fees, and children under six are admitted free of charge.
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 379-8000
calacademy.org
San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo is located on the Pacific Ocean in the middle of a botanical garden. In addition to touring the exhibits, visitors may take part in the zoo's educational program designed for both children and adults. The Family Farm, Insect Zoo, Hawk Hill and the Nature Trail are part of the special children's zoo exhibits. The institution supports various conservation programs, including saving rare local plants and animals (such as the eagle), and offers special informational programs describing these efforts. A calendar of events is linked to the zoo's web page. Consult the monthly calendar for special programs. The zoo is open in the winter (November through March 16) from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, but hours may vary in extreme weather conditions. During summer hours (March 17 through October 31), the zoo opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Adult admission in 2009 is $15 and seniors and children are admitted for a reduced rate. Children under 3 are admitted without charge. San Francisco residents receive a discount with proof of residency.
San Francisco Zoo
1 Zoo Road
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 753-7080
sfzoo.org/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=1859
The Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is designed for children, but adults enjoy the exhibits and displays. The hands-on exhibit orientation allows visitors an opportunity to explore the basic science concepts of physics, chemistry, biology, natural science and seismology. The museum is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. The Exploratorium is closed on Mondays, Christmas and Thanksgiving Days. Hours vary on other major holidays. Consult the museum's web page or call for special hours. Adult admission in 2009 is under $15, and students, seniors and children qualify for reduced admission fees. Children under 3 are admitted without charge. The museum has free admission on the first Wednesday of each month.
Exploratorium
Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 561-0399
exploratorium.edu
About The Author
Lee Grayson is an ethnographer and freelance writer. She has written for both Oxford and Harvard University presses and research publishers, including Facts On File and ABC-CLIO. She holds certificates from the University of California campuses at Irvine and San Diego.
