Fun & Learning: Top Children’s Activities Around Mission Bay
Mission Bay’s revitalization makes it one of the most attractive, up-and-coming areas in San Francisco. And, because of the area’s parks, beaches, and other community-friendly spaces, along with affordable BMR developments like 400 China Basin, more Bay Area families can live here on the waterfront.
10 Mission Bay Spots to Learn, Have Fun, & Make Memories With Kids
Besides all there is to do and see here in Mission Bay and bordering neighborhoods, families love the accessibility to other great children’s activities nearby - most of which are accessible via public transportation.
Here are 10 of our favorite things to do with children in and around the Mission Bay region of San Francisco.
1. Make the Mission Bay Library a Regular Date
Public libraries are an amazing resource for families with children. In addition to events and programming specific to children of all ages and interests, libraries have books and media about every subject imaginable. And, best of all - it’s free. They even have video games for rent, which allows kids to try them out ahead of time before you spend money on a game that loses its appeal after the first week or two.
Unlike stores and other spaces where children’s constant requests for “Can I have….” or “Can you get me…” inspire dread for a frugal, budget-centric parent, a visit to the Mission Bay library allows you to say Yes, Yes, and Yes.
Once you have your library card, you can check out anything under the sun. And, if they don’t have what you’re looking for, teach your children how to use the library computers with you. There, they can request any book in the entire county library system.
2. Track seasonal changes on the beach
Do your kids spend more screen time than you’d like? Then, get out of the house together and begin taking regular walks on the beach. While the general geography of the coast may stay more or less the same, keeping a nature journal of weekly walks on the beach reveals how much this area changes as one season flows into the other.
Other than extreme inclement weather days, our beaches are walkable year-round. This gives you and your children the chance to record things like:
● Temperatures and weather conditions.
● The condition of the water and waves.
● The types of birds and animals they saw that day (use the library and check out field guides to the area to learn more about Bay Area coastal birds and critters).
● The plants, flowers, and trees (drawing pictures to see if/how they change throughout the year).
● Noting what items have washed up on the shore, making up stories about where they may have come from.
And, of course, it’s always a great idea to have a bag in hand to pick up trash and help instill the value that we always leave places better than how we found them.
3. Take Picnics to the Parks
Mission Bay and the surrounding areas offer plenty of public park spaces, each with its own appeal. We listed most of them in our post on Mission Bay Activities.
One of our favorites is Crane Cove Park because it has more than seven acres to explore and two separate children’s play areas. We recommend packing a picnic and taking it to the park. While you’re there, try to keep your phone out of the picture and really connect with your children.
Another favorite for kids is the Mission Bay Kids Park. Parents appreciate that the park is divided into two separate areas, one for toddlers and one for older kids. Both have ample play equipment and features that keep most kids entertained for long periods - especially if you’re prepared with snacks and drinks. The park also includes a nature area, plenty of picnic tables, and is available to reserve for birthday parties or family events.
Other area parks worth exploring (how about creating a Park a Week Plan?) include:
● India Basin Shoreline Park
● Dolores Park
● Tank Hill
● Twin Peaks
● Glen Canyon Park
● MacClaren Park
4. Catch a Game at Oracle Park (with parenting insider tips)
You can’t write about things to do in Mission Bay without a shout-out to Oracle Park. With its views of San Francisco Bay, Oracle Park is one of the most beautiful places to watch a baseball game. That said, little kids typically get antsy no matter how excited they are to see their SF Giants heroes.
If you’re planning to go to a game with kids eight years old or younger, take some pro-parenting tips from those who’ve been there before:
Try to catch a Sunday Game
After the games on Sundays, kids are allowed to run the bases. Talk about exciting. It’s a memory that will last them a lifetime. It’s also the day that children 14 and under can get autographs from players, coaches, and attending alumni.
Use the Marina Gate to Avoid Long Lines
Rather than entering through the Willy Mayes or Second and King Street gates, we recommend entering through the Marina Gate. Located behind the center field and along the Port Walk, your kids can see the bay and boats and are far less likely to wait in a long line to get in.
Pack meals and snacks to save $$
Oracle Park allows families to bring in their own food and unopened, non-alcoholic beverages. Your water bottles can be refilled on the Promenade Level, near the ticket and guest services windows. If you do want to purchase favorite gameday snacks, take your kids on a full tour before making your decisions so they don’t wind up wishing they had something they see someone else eating later on.
Take your kids to the Fan Lot
Have some smaller members who don’t think watching live baseball is as fun as their parents or older siblings do? No problem. Take a “field trip” to the Fan Lot. There, they can play on slides (some of which are hidden inside a gigantic Coca-Cola bottle), run around the bases on a miniature baseball field, and rub signatures onto a piece of paper from embossed signatures traced from some of baseball's most outstanding “Giants.”
5. Thrive City Events
Thrive City is a family hotspot. While the “city” is part of the Chase Center and home to the S.F. Warriors, they also host a tremendous amount of free or low-cost events geared for families and young children.
Examples include:
● Their annual Winter Wonderland (with evening snow, a gorgeous holiday tree and a special mailbox for sending letters to Santa).
● Outdoor family movies in the summertime
● Shops and restaurants that are open year-round
And, of course, whenever you can make it, the Chase Center has games, concerts, and other events (like the upcoming monster truck rallies), so it’s worth keeping an eye on their events calendar.
6. An Afternoon or Evening at Parklab Gardens & Stagecoach Greens
What’s not to love about Parklab Gardens? With its array of delicious food trucks and activities - including Mini Golf, Parklab Gardens is a place the whole family can enjoy. According to the founders:
“Life is all fun and games at Parklab Gardens. Come play the city’s only outdoor miniature golf course, Stagecoach Greens, designed to immerse you in the story of Boom and Bust, using sight, sound and technology that puts you in the middle of the story.”
You can also reserve space at Parklab Gardens for private events, like birthday parties or family reunions.
7. Spend Time at The Children’s Creativity Museum
Just across the 80 freeway in the Mission District lives the Children’s Creativity Museum, which offers hands-on, multimedia arts and technology experiences designed to build creative confidence in children ages 2-12. The museum’s mission is to nurture creativity and collaboration in all children and families. They believe creative expression, innovation, and critical thinking are core to fostering the next generation.
The museum hosts six different exhibits on two separate floors. They are:
● ArtLab
● Community Garden
● Design It Studio
● Animation Studio
● Making Music Studio
● Storybook Park
And, if you’ve been there before, then you know their piece de resistance is the LeRoy King Carousel. This historic carousel, named in honor of San Francisco Redevelopment Commissioner and civil rights advocate LeRoy King, is the crown jewel of Yerba Buena Gardens. It transports children (and children-at-heart!) to a bygone era characterized by the rush of organ music and a thrilling, imaginative ride.
The museum is open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday (although it’s always good to visit their website as days/times change with seasonal events and holidays. The
8. Head to the Museum of Craft and Design (MCD)
If the Children’s Creativity Museum is a little too busy for your taste, you’ll appreciate this next recommendation. The Museum of Craft and Design moves at a slower and adult-inspired pace, while still being approachable for children who love making, creating, and art.
San Francisco residents are fortunate to have some of the best museums in the world. And those of us living and working in Mission Bay appreciate that we’re less than a mile from the Museum of Craft and Design (MCD), the only museum in San Francisco devoted to craft and design. Founded in 2004, MCD showcases designers, makers, and artists through an exciting and distinctive series of craft and design-focused exhibitions and public programs.
As a non-collecting institution, the museum actively collaborates with artists, designers, museums, and universities, as well as design venues and practitioners, to create inspirational experiences in the world of craft and design for visitors of all ages. The MCD events calendar is loaded with fun things to do, including many that are child-friendly. They also have a Mobile MakeArt van that travels around, bringing art projects to every neighborhood in the city, so keep an eye out for it when you’re out and about in other areas of the City.
9. Ride Bikes, Rollerblade, Scooters, Or Skate Your Way Around
With miles and miles of paths, Mission Bay offers ample opportunity for families to walk, jog, rollerblade/skate, or ride bikes around its interior and perimeters. Don’t have bikes of your own? No problem! Head to the Bay Wheels Bike Sharing station located at 4th St at Mission Bay Blvd S.
If you’re looking to do something different, check out local rental companies where you can:
● Ride around on electric scooters
While you may have to head out of Mission Bay to pick up your rentals, it can be a fun way to get around and check out areas you may not have been to before.
10. Take advantage of water sports and classes
Mission Bay offers all kinds of ways to have fun on and in the water. This includes learning how to sail, ride jetskis, paddleboard or windsurf, and so on.
Connect with local businesses like Spinnaker Sailing, Dogpatch Paddle, City Kayak, and others. Many offer group lessons or camps, making these activities more affordable - and fun - for families with kids in Mission Bay.
Get Your Family Outside and Have Fun in Mission Bay S.F.
Are you tired of living the indoor, landlocked life? Would you like to give your children a lifestyle that balances indoor screentime with outdoor learning, fun, and physical activities? There’s no excuse not to get outside and have fun together as a family when you live in Mission Bay, San Francisco.
Contact the sales team at 400 China Basin to learn more about this and other affordable BMR developments being built in this up-and-coming area in the City. Your kids will have the childhood of a lifetime when they take advantage of all there is to do here.
