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Presidio Tunnel Tops
Bridge views, generous lawns and a nature play space make room for an unhurried day.
THE FAMILY GUIDE
Little people. Big discoveries.
Hands-on science, waterfront wildlife and room to play. Choose one neighborhood and keep the day easy.
Choose nearby stops and check current hours, admission rules and transport. Free admission can exclude special exhibitions, food, rides or parking.
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Exploratorium
Touch, test and tinker your way through hands-on science on Pier 15.
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PIER 39 Sea Lions
Watch the waterfront’s loudest residents turn floating docks into their own stage.
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Randall Museum
Make a small-scale science and nature stop above the Castro, with city views outside.
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Cable Car Museum
See the giant wheels and cables that keep a city icon moving beneath the streets.
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California Academy of Sciences
Reef life, a living rainforest and big questions about our planet share one roof.
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Children’s Creativity Museum
Build, animate, make music and follow the kids’ curiosity through a hands-on museum day.
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Brook Thompson: I Love Salmon and Lampreys
Meet author Brook Thompson for a picture-book reading about salmon, lampreys and the Klamath River.
Updated October 30, 2026. Check dates and prices before making plans.