Last updated on March 31st, 2024 at 03:55 pm
On the hunt for fun things to do in San Francisco at night with kids?
If so, this list is for you! I’ve lived in California for more than 20 years, and San Francisco is one of my favorite cities to visit.
San Francisco is an incredibly popular destination to visit in California for family travel. And while it is packed with great spots to explore with kids and teens during the day, there are also many cool activities to keep you busy well into the evening â even with kids!
Top 5 Picks: Things to Do in San Francisco at Night with Family
If you are just looking for a quick list of the canât miss, very best family-friendly things to do in San Francisco at night, here are our Top 5 recommendations.
âș Wander along the waterfront at Pier 39 for great nighttime shopping, dining, activities, and views of the city lights
âș Visit Ghirardelli Square for some chocolatey treats
âș Play vintage pinball and arcade games at MusĂ©e MĂ©canique (free admission!) at Fisherman’s Wharf
âș Explore the famous prison after dark on the Alcatraz Night Tour
âș Take a sunset cruise on San Francisco Bay
Keep reading for more details on these top fun things to do in San Francisco at night with kids and teens, plus lots more ideas to help you plan your trip!
Family-Friendly Things to Do in San Francisco at Night
1. Big Bus San Francisco Panoramic Night Tour
The best way to see the city lights is on a sightseeing tour, and the Big Bus San Francisco Panoramic Night Tour is one of the best things to do in San Francisco at night with kids.
Beginning at Fishermanâs Wharf, the double decker tour bus climbs historic Nob Hill for a magnificent close up of Grace Cathedral, and then makes its way across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island. This will give you the opportunity for amazing views of the San Francisco skyline lit up at night.
Back in the city, the tour concludes with a ride along the Embarcadero for stunning views of the glittering lights on the Port of San Francisco.
The two-hour San Francisco Night Tour features live English commentary from a tour guide who will point out all the sites along the way! If you are staying at a hotel in Union Square (or just want to check out Union Square at night), a courtesy shuttle back to Union Square is provided at the end of the tour.
âș Click here to explore discount Big Bus Night Tour tickets.
2. Ride a Cable Car
Did you know that the San Francisco Cable Cars are the only moving National Monuments in the entire country?
No trip to San Francisco would be complete without hopping on a cable car! And riding it at night brings a whole new perspective to the city. Plus, lines are shorter in the evening, and it is much less crowded when you ride the cable cars at night.
Two of San Franciscoâs three cable car lines come into the Fishermanâs Wharf area: the Powell-Hyde and the Powell-Mason lines. Both originate in Union Square. The California line runs the other way, originating in the Financial District.
At $8 per ticket, cable car rides can be expensive, so if you plan to use other San Francisco public transit, purchase a Muni passport that provides unlimited access.
The cable cars provide transportation around the city 365 days a year including holidays, and typically run until 10:30 pm or later, making this one of the great things to do at night in San Francisco with kids.
3. Take a Bay Cruise
Viewing San Francisco from the bay is one of the best ways to take in the cityâs beautiful skyline lit up at night. We loved this San Francisco City Lights Sail, a nighttime sailing tour along the San Francisco waterfront that includes drinks!
There are several other great options for evening cruises. The San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise is a relaxing way to see the city lights of San Francisco at night. This 2-hour cruise is fully narrated and you can purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on board.
There is nothing more quintessentially San Francisco than witnessing the sun go down by the Golden Gate Bridge!
Another great nighttime bay cruise option with kids is the Escape from Alcatraz Cruise. This 90-minute cruise follows the same path as other bay cruises, however, this one includes additional time and information about Alcatraz as it circles the island.
Keep in mind, San Francisco gets chilly at night, especially out on the water! Be sure to bring a warm jacket and possibly even gloves depending on the time of year.
âș Click here to explore discount San Francisco Bay Cruise tickets.
4. Alcatraz Night Tour
Arguably one of San Franciscoâs most famous landmarks, Alcatraz Island is a must-do excursion when visiting San Francisco. The Alcatraz Night Tour offers a more personalized look at this infamous island. My son and I did this tour and it was a very unique experience (though not as scary as he was hoping)!
The infamous prison once housed Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and the Birdman of Alcatraz. Today, it is run by the National Park Service and you can tour the old prison and the islandâs grounds.
You get to see what it was like to be inside this former federal prison at night. Since they limit the people on the night tour, unlike during the day, you have more space to move around and get a feel for the stories and events that happened there! There are also additional programs and talks offered on the night tour.
âș Check out the Alcatraz Night Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise.
5. Night Segway Tour
A cool way to explore San Francisco with older kids or teens is taking a nighttime Segway tour. We loved the San Francisco Sunset Segway Tour.
Zip through the streets and feel the cool evening air as you discover the city! The Electric Tour Company also offers a night tour that goes through Chinatown and Little Italy â two of the coolest neighborhoods to zoom through at night! Enjoy panoramic views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Washington Square Park, Coit Tower, North Beach, and Ghirardelli Square.
Most tours run for around two and a half to three hours and include a training session on how to operate the vehicle safely. After that, a guide will lead the way on a fun and interesting city tour.
6. Go on a Ghost Tour
If you have kids thrilled by ghost stories and mysteries, you will definitely want to take a ghost tour!
The Haunt offers a family-friendly Haunted San Francisco Ghost Tour through Chinatown and Gold Rush alleys.
Armed with ghost hunting gear like a Spirit Box, dowsing rods, and your own EMF detector, you’ll unearth stories of forgotten graves, the devastating Great Earthquake of 1906, and the residual hauntings that persist.
At any moment, your EMF meter might signal paranormal activity, and you’ll investigate further with your ghost hunting tools. This tour is considered family-friendly and not too scary.
If you are traveling without kids, you may also enjoy the San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl. This fun tour combines a classic ghost tour with a pub crawl in San Francisco, with stops at paranormal spots along the way!
âș Looking for more San Francisco itinerary ideas? Don’t miss these Fun Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids and Teens.
7. San Francisco Love Tour
See the best of San Francisco from aboard a 1970s VW hippie bus. It is truly a unique and fun way to see San Francisco!
Complete with shag carpet and 70s music, San Francisco Love Tours takes you around the city to see the major sights and roots of San Franciscoâs hippie culture.
The vans take only up to 6 people at a time, so itâs an intimate experience and the small vehicle can go places that big tour buses cannot.
The night tour will allow you to see some of the cityâs famous sites after dark, including Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Lombard Street, and the Castro, in a unique and memorable way.
âș Check out these cool retro vans on the San Francisco Love Tour.
8. Visit Fishermanâs Wharf and Pier 39
Shop, dine, visit San Franciscoâs famous sea lions, and enjoy free daily shows by local street performers and musicians or explore a variety of attractions.
Yes, it is touristy, but you canât visit San Francisco without checking the area out! Some of the fun activities for kids and teens at Pier 39 include the Flyer, the San Francisco Carousel, Frequent Flyers (giant trampoline for kids) and a new Escape Room.
Walk out to the end of the pier for some of the best views of Alcatraz, Angel Island and the bridge.
9. Hang Out with Cats at KitTea
Do your kids love cats? Then this is the place for you!
A visit to a cat café was not on our original itinerary, but a Facebook ad popped up on my phone and next thing you know my son and I are sipping tea and playing with string on the floor with six other people and a roomful of cats!
To be fair, we love cats. And visiting a cat cafĂ© has been on my travel wish list for a long time. (How Facebook knew that, Iâll never know!) Best of all they are open late, so this was the perfect activity to do at night.
KitTea also offers special movie nights and Cats on Mats yoga nights, so check out their website if youâre interested in paying the kitties a visit while in San Francisco.
KitTea is divided into two spaces: a regular café where you can watch the cats through a window, and a cat lounge where you can go in and get hands-on with the cats. Included with admission to the lounge ($25) is an unlimited offering of four handpicked Japanese green teas.
If $25 sounds steep, just think of it as a donation. It takes a lot of litter, kibble and vet bills to care for all those awesome rescue cats! Many of whom are adoptable, by the way.
Kids are welcome, but must be 6-years or older on weekdays and 9-years or older on weekends. Kids (and adults) of any age are welcome on the cafe side, which has a large viewing window of the Cat Lounge. They are open until 9pm.
âș Click here to find out more about visiting the Cat Lounge at KitTea!
10. 7D Experience
At the end of Pier 39 youâll find the 7D Experience. This attraction offers two activities in one location and stays open at night.
The first is the 7D DarkRide Experience, which is part video game and part movie. Youâll encounter heightened excitement, featuring a large movie screen and 20-seater theatre, cutting-edge 3D technology, sound, and motion effects. The second is the LaZer Challenge, where you race around a dark room trying to avoid the lasers.
11. Go to the Theater
San Francisco has one of the worldâs most renown theater and arts scenes.
If you are visiting San Francisco at Christmas, take your kids to see the Nutcracker, the iconic holiday ballet. The Nutcracker actually made its American debut in San Francisco in 1944. Since then, it has been a holiday tradition every year in San Francisco.
Throughout the year, you can catch a live performance at one of the cityâs many theaters. We saw a great Broadway-style musical at the San Francisco Playhouse, located right in Union Square.
Thereâs also the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Ballet, and many more live theater options.
12. Hard Rock Café
This isnât an attraction per se, but if your teen is a music-lover like mine, dining at the Hard Rock CafĂ© is an experience not to be missed!
The Hard Rock CafĂ© San Francisco is located at Fishermanâs Wharf, so it is convenient to pop in for a bite between activities.
In addition to a yummy meal, youâll experience a one-of-a-kind rock ânâ roll atmosphere with over 250 pieces of memorabilia. We had fun just walking around the restaurant and checking out some of the displays while waiting for our food.
Speaking of food, our meal was fantastic! My son had a steak and I enjoyed an amazing steak salad. The salad was huge! Fresh mixed greens tossed in a blue cheese vinaigrette, with pickled red onions, red peppers and Roma tomatoes, finished with crispy shoestring onions and blue cheese crumbles.
13. Museum of 3D Illusions
The Museum of 3D Illusions was founded is a place where you can let your imagination run wild! They have 40+ 3D illusions that produce eye-popping pics, inspired by cartoons, art, current events, movies, and more! You can look forward to flying on a magic carpet next to the Golden Gate Bridge, walking on the edge of the mountain, or even surviving the top of the skyscraper.
The Museum of 3D Illusions is a great place for people of all ages to experience one of a kind interactive art exhibits that also make for fantastic photo opportunities.
14. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
If you’re near Fisherman’s Wharf, stop by the world-famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. To be very honest, itâs a little pricey and not really my thing, but I do have to admit the artistry is amazing!
Some of the wax figures are dead ringers for the stars they represent. Stars represented include Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and the Beatles, just to name a few.
Whatâs awesome is that Madame Tussauds encourages visitors to get up close and personal with the wax figures, so if you have a selfie-loving teen the photo ops are fun.
15. The Escape Game
Located in the Financial District, The Escape Game San Francisco is San Franciscoâs #1 escape room and immersive adventure.
There are five 60-minute adventures to choose from â Gold Rush, Special Ops, The Heist, Prison Break and Playground. We did the Gold Rush room; it was very challenging and super fun, and gave us a good chance to work together and bond solving problems and decoding the clues.
16. Take Your Kids Ice Skating
If you are visiting during Christmas in San Francisco, consider taking your family ice skating! There are two major rinks in San Francisco operating during the holidays.
- The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square: This is probably the most popular of all the San Francisco Bay Area outdoor ice skating rinks. Families can skate in San Franciscoâs iconic plaza beside a gorgeous tree and surrounded by festive lights and the sounds of the holiday season. If youâve ever visited Rockefeller Center in New York City during the holidays, youâll definitely get that same vibe in Union Square!
- The Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center: Located adjacent to the Hyatt Regency and across from San Franciscoâs historic Ferry Building, the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center offers views of the Bay Bridge and waterfront.
17. Chinatown Night Walking Tour
Chinatown is one of San Franciscoâs most exotic neighborhoods!
Located next to North Beach and the Financial District, Chinatown is easy to reach on foot or by cable car. A walking tour is one of the best ways to see this historic area of the city at night. You can even try some local treats, including dim sum and fortune cookies!
With its distinct architecture, exotic shops and restaurants, abundant street art and even a fortune cookie factory, a visit to Chinatown is definitely worth a spot on your San Francisco itinerary.
18. Musée Mécanique
The MusĂ©e MĂ©canique collection includes over 300 vintage and novel coin operated machines. Itâs a must-see attraction for vintage game lovers and history buffs, and a fun way to show your kids what games were like before Xbox.
Open until 8pm every night, itâs a great place to check out and have a little fun in the evening with kids.
This quirky attraction is among the many San Francisco museums kids will love, and has been family owned and operated since 1933. Pieces include coin-operated pianos, antique slot machines, hand-cranked music boxes, and various vintage arcade games.
The arcade games are all in working condition and can be played. There is also a collection of mechanically operated musical instruments.
Admission is free, but youâll have to bring some quarters if you want to play any games.
19. See a Baseball Game
Nighttime baseball games are a âfun tradition anywhere, but the Giantsâ expansive ballpark is particularly enjoyable. Grab a hot dog and a pint of beer and join in on the fun! The team also hosts a few different special events throughout the summer.
You can find more information and tickets for Giants games here.
20. Visit Ghirardelli Square
A San Francisco landmark since 1862, this former chocolate factory is now a three-level shopping and restaurant center. The main showpiece is the Ghiradelli store, where you can buy ice cream and desserts in the soda shop, and chocolate souvenirs at the Ghiradelli store.
Ghirardelli Square was a must-see stop for us, but to be honest, now that Ghiradelli chocolates are available everywhere (like, even Target) and Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim even has a replica of their shop near Cars Land, itâs kind of lost its uniqueness and charm.
That said, I still love visiting Ghiradelli Square at night for an ice cream or frozen mocha in the summer, or hot cocoa in the colder months. Itâs the perfect way to end a great day in San Francisco!
Final Thoughts: Things to Do at Night in San Francisco
Finding family-friendly things to do in the evening can be tricky when you’re visiting a big city. While there tend to be plenty of options if you are looking for bars, nightlife, or live music, those are not typically things you want to do with kids!
I’ve spent a lot of time in San Francisco with my family! Even at night, it is perfectly safe if you stay in busy areas. And the nice thing is they are mainly batched in the “touristy” parts of town (but of course stay alert and keep your kids close after dark). So whether you are looking for a cultural experience or the chance to explore some of San Francisco’s iconic attractions after dark, there are many plenty fun things to do at night in San Francisco to fill your itinerary.
âș Travel Insight
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