We are going to San Francisco for a week and we definitely won't be able to everything we want in 7 days. SO much to do with kids! Mind you, we used to live there, so we are excited to revisit our favorite neighborhoods and playgrounds.

The Discovery Museum in Sausalito is a lot of fun and a beautiful location.
The zoo is great.
Cal Academy of Sciences
Dolores Park (and then Bi-Rite for ice cream)
Fisherman's Wharf
Coit Tower
North Beach
Chrissy Field
Ocean Beach
Baker Beach

These are just a few things on our list

It depends on the ages of the kids but I also think you're underestimating just how much kids are entertained by an open field to run around in.

San Francisco my kid absolutely didn't want to leave the because we visited. He was just running around and putting his toes in the water (too cold to do anything else) and could have done that for most of the day.

From a Seattle-based travel site:

How many days is ideal for Seattle?

FAQs How many days do you need in Seattle? A first-time visitor can see the best the city has to offer in as little as 3 or 4 days. This would allow enough time to explore downtown, taste Seattle's amazing food options, one or two unique neighborhoods, visit a museum, and have one or two outdoor adventures.

^^^
Even local travel sites say you only need 3-4 days.

To make the most of a week in San Francisco, focus on iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Pier 39, explore diverse neighborhoods, and consider day trips to nearby attractions. A week allows for a deeper dive into the city's culture, food scene, and unique attractions.

Here's a possible itinerary:

Day 1: Downtown & Ferry Building
Start at the Ferry Building Marketplace for a taste of local food and drinks.
Walk around the financial district to get your bearings.
Consider a ferry to Angel Island for scenic views and a change of pace.

Day 2: Golden Gate Bridge & Golden Gate Park
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge, either by foot, bike, or bus.
Explore Golden Gate Park, with attractions like the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences.

Day 3: Cable Cars & Chinatown
Ride the historic cable cars for a classic San Francisco experience.
Explore Chinatown, the largest Chinatown outside of Asia.

Day 4: Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39
Visit Fisherman's Wharf, including the iconic Pier 39 with its sea lions.
Consider a San Francisco Bay cruise for a different perspective of the city.

Day 5: North Beach & The Mission
Explore North Beach, known for its Italian heritage and literary history.
Discover The Mission, a vibrant neighborhood with colorful murals and diverse cuisine.

Day 6: Alcatraz & Painted Ladies
Take a tour of Alcatraz Island, a former prison with a rich history.
See the Painted Ladies, the iconic Victorian houses on Alamo Square.

Day 7: Day Trip or Relaxing
Day Trip:
Consider visiting Muir Woods National Monument to see giant redwoods, or explore Wine Country (Napa or Sonoma).
Relaxing:
Enjoy a final stroll through Golden Gate Park, visit a museum you missed, or simply soak in the city's atmosphere.

For a week in Seattle, you can experience iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, explore museums, enjoy outdoor activities, and delve into the city's vibrant culture. Here's a suggested itinerary:

Day 1:
Arrive in Seattle, check into your accommodation, and head to Pike Place Market to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, grab coffee at the original Starbucks, and enjoy the fish tossing.
Evening: Enjoy dinner at a restaurant in Pioneer Square or the waterfront.

Day 2:
Morning: Visit the Space Needle for panoramic views and then explore the Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) at Seattle Center.
Afternoon: Explore the Seattle Art Museum (SAM).
Evening: Catch a show at a theater or enjoy the nightlife on Capitol Hill.

Day 3:
Morning:
Take a ferry to Bainbridge Island for scenic views of the Puget Sound and the city skyline.
Afternoon:
Explore Bainbridge Island, visit Winslow Park, or enjoy lunch at a local cafe.
Evening:
Head back to Seattle and explore the Ballard neighborhood, known for its shops, restaurants, and breweries.

Day 4:
Morning: Visit the Museum of Flight for an interactive aviation experience.
Afternoon: Explore the Ballard Locks and watch the fish ladders, then have a picnic at Gas Works Park.
Evening: Enjoy dinner and drinks in Fremont, known for its quirky atmosphere and the Fremont Troll statue.

Day 5:
Day Trip: Take a day trip to Mt. Rainier National Park (be aware of weather conditions, it's best visited in late July-September for hiking).
Alternative: Explore the Olympic Peninsula or visit Whidbey Island.
Evening: Enjoy dinner at a restaurant in your chosen area.

Day 6:
Morning: Visit the Woodland Park Zoo.
Afternoon: Explore the Discovery Park for hiking, birdwatching, and stunning views.
Evening: Enjoy a final Seattle dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

Day 7:
Morning: Depart from Seattle.

Additional Tips:
Consider a Seattle CityPASS for discounts on multiple attractions.
Explore different neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Fremont for a diverse range of experiences.
Enjoy Seattle's coffee scene and explore local cafes.
Consider attending a local event or festival, Visit Seattle's events calendar for options.

That’s the best the inter webs could generate in 2025.

PS - Be careful if you opt for an Airbnb. I know 3 families whose Airbnb rental was robbed (different trips). It’s a thing.

This thread is very weird. Seattle and San Francisco are both great cities with a ton of stuff to do in the city themselves and the surrounding areas. We aren't talking about Kansas here.

I assume the poster is either trolling or can't find anything interesting to do anywhere after 2 days unless it is Disneyworld, lounging on the beach or going in a sub to see the Titanic (which also wouldn't fill a week).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Seattle with teens a few summers ago and San Francisco a few more summers ago, both on the way to other places. I had been to both cities myself several times before.

Kids loved the Alcatraz behind the scenes tour in San Francisco, in addition to Muir Woods, Chinatown Food tour, and general city stuff - the Wharf, Ghirardelli, etc. A year later, they enjoyed the Space Needle in Seattle, plus the Chihuly Museum, Pike Place Market, Ballard Locks, etc.

We find fun wherever we go.

Sure, so do I.

But as you said, you were only there for a quick stop en route elsewhere—and the few items you mentioned as highlights would barely fill one day.

I’m curious what a typical day looks like. Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Taking afternoon breaks?

I can understand running around DC for several days given the museums, landmarks, etc. And NYC has plenty to do. Rome, London, Paris, etc. have so much to see and do.

But Seattle? Yeah, Pike Place is fun for like 30 mins. SF Wharf is a place you pass by while heading out to eat. Even the YouTube videos or articles on what to do in those cities are pretty short.

Thank you for dissing our experience, lol!

Alcatraz took up the majority of a day. The Chinatown food tour took a half a day. So did Muir Woods.

The Space Needle and Chihuly took a half day. Ballard Locks took more than a half day. OK, you caught me - we have relatives in Seattle, and we spent time at their houses.

I hate negative, can’t-do people.

Assuming most people vacation for 5-7+ days (especially when traveling across the country), the point is this: your itinerary included activities that cumulatively filled 2 days (maybe).

And that’s the point.

Some cities are fine for a couple of days but lack enough activities to entertain kids/families for an entire vacation.

Nobody is poo-pooing your trip. I mean, I bet most of us have done the exact same things in those two cities. The difference is how long you stay there. Is it a pit stop or part of a bigger trip, or is it a weeklong trip?

Not everyone is looking to fill every moment of their vacation with activities. How is that a vacation?

Agreed that you don’t need to fill every minute…but you need to have things to do for an entire week when staying in one city. It’s far easier to lounge around at a beach or lake than in a city…especially with kids.

Not PP, but those listed activities/sights are around 1/3 of what we see/do when we have gone to those cities/areas. There is so much more. East Bay could also be 2 days of activities easily.

To put a finer point on it- I can see PP saying "hey these could be fun things for a lot of people, not my thing", but acting like there isn't enough to do (in the right season, admittedly) in two of the most beautiful and varied regions of the country? In our case, we find a week at the beach or a lake too long. Not enough to do! But I don't act like people spending a week are fooling themselves. They enjoy it, and that's great.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Seattle with teens a few summers ago and San Francisco a few more summers ago, both on the way to other places. I had been to both cities myself several times before.

Kids loved the Alcatraz behind the scenes tour in San Francisco, in addition to Muir Woods, Chinatown Food tour, and general city stuff - the Wharf, Ghirardelli, etc. A year later, they enjoyed the Space Needle in Seattle, plus the Chihuly Museum, Pike Place Market, Ballard Locks, etc.

We find fun wherever we go.

Sure, so do I.

But as you said, you were only there for a quick stop en route elsewhere—and the few items you mentioned as highlights would barely fill one day.

I’m curious what a typical day looks like. Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Taking afternoon breaks?

I can understand running around DC for several days given the museums, landmarks, etc. And NYC has plenty to do. Rome, London, Paris, etc. have so much to see and do.

But Seattle? Yeah, Pike Place is fun for like 30 mins. SF Wharf is a place you pass by while heading out to eat. Even the YouTube videos or articles on what to do in those cities are pretty short.

Thank you for dissing our experience, lol!

Alcatraz took up the majority of a day. The Chinatown food tour took a half a day. So did Muir Woods.

The Space Needle and Chihuly took a half day. Ballard Locks took more than a half day. OK, you caught me - we have relatives in Seattle, and we spent time at their houses.

I hate negative, can’t-do people.

Assuming most people vacation for 5-7+ days (especially when traveling across the country), the point is this: your itinerary included activities that cumulatively filled 2 days (maybe).

And that’s the point.

Some cities are fine for a couple of days but lack enough activities to entertain kids/families for an entire vacation.

Nobody is poo-pooing your trip. I mean, I bet most of us have done the exact same things in those two cities. The difference is how long you stay there. Is it a pit stop or part of a bigger trip, or is it a weeklong trip?

Not everyone is looking to fill every moment of their vacation with activities. How is that a vacation?

Agreed that you don’t need to fill every minute…but you need to have things to do for an entire week when staying in one city. It’s far easier to lounge around at a beach or lake than in a city…especially with kids.

Not PP, but those listed activities/sights are around 1/3 of what we see/do when we have gone to those cities/areas. There is so much more. East Bay could also be 2 days of activities easily.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Seattle with teens a few summers ago and San Francisco a few more summers ago, both on the way to other places. I had been to both cities myself several times before.

Kids loved the Alcatraz behind the scenes tour in San Francisco, in addition to Muir Woods, Chinatown Food tour, and general city stuff - the Wharf, Ghirardelli, etc. A year later, they enjoyed the Space Needle in Seattle, plus the Chihuly Museum, Pike Place Market, Ballard Locks, etc.

We find fun wherever we go.

Sure, so do I.

But as you said, you were only there for a quick stop en route elsewhere—and the few items you mentioned as highlights would barely fill one day.

I’m curious what a typical day looks like. Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Taking afternoon breaks?

I can understand running around DC for several days given the museums, landmarks, etc. And NYC has plenty to do. Rome, London, Paris, etc. have so much to see and do.

But Seattle? Yeah, Pike Place is fun for like 30 mins. SF Wharf is a place you pass by while heading out to eat. Even the YouTube videos or articles on what to do in those cities are pretty short.

Thank you for dissing our experience, lol!

Alcatraz took up the majority of a day. The Chinatown food tour took a half a day. So did Muir Woods.

The Space Needle and Chihuly took a half day. Ballard Locks took more than a half day. OK, you caught me - we have relatives in Seattle, and we spent time at their houses.

I hate negative, can’t-do people.

Assuming most people vacation for 5-7+ days (especially when traveling across the country), the point is this: your itinerary included activities that cumulatively filled 2 days (maybe).

And that’s the point.

Some cities are fine for a couple of days but lack enough activities to entertain kids/families for an entire vacation.

Nobody is poo-pooing your trip. I mean, I bet most of us have done the exact same things in those two cities. The difference is how long you stay there. Is it a pit stop or part of a bigger trip, or is it a weeklong trip?

Not everyone is looking to fill every moment of their vacation with activities. How is that a vacation?

Agreed that you don’t need to fill every minute…but you need to have things to do for an entire week when staying in one city. It’s far easier to lounge around at a beach or lake than in a city…especially with kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Seattle with teens a few summers ago and San Francisco a few more summers ago, both on the way to other places. I had been to both cities myself several times before.

Kids loved the Alcatraz behind the scenes tour in San Francisco, in addition to Muir Woods, Chinatown Food tour, and general city stuff - the Wharf, Ghirardelli, etc. A year later, they enjoyed the Space Needle in Seattle, plus the Chihuly Museum, Pike Place Market, Ballard Locks, etc.

We find fun wherever we go.

Sure, so do I.

But as you said, you were only there for a quick stop en route elsewhere—and the few items you mentioned as highlights would barely fill one day.

I’m curious what a typical day looks like. Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Taking afternoon breaks?

I can understand running around DC for several days given the museums, landmarks, etc. And NYC has plenty to do. Rome, London, Paris, etc. have so much to see and do.

But Seattle? Yeah, Pike Place is fun for like 30 mins. SF Wharf is a place you pass by while heading out to eat. Even the YouTube videos or articles on what to do in those cities are pretty short.

Thank you for dissing our experience, lol!

Alcatraz took up the majority of a day. The Chinatown food tour took a half a day. So did Muir Woods.

The Space Needle and Chihuly took a half day. Ballard Locks took more than a half day. OK, you caught me - we have relatives in Seattle, and we spent time at their houses.

I hate negative, can’t-do people.

Assuming most people vacation for 5-7+ days (especially when traveling across the country), the point is this: your itinerary included activities that cumulatively filled 2 days (maybe).

And that’s the point.

Some cities are fine for a couple of days but lack enough activities to entertain kids/families for an entire vacation.

Nobody is poo-pooing your trip. I mean, I bet most of us have done the exact same things in those two cities. The difference is how long you stay there. Is it a pit stop or part of a bigger trip, or is it a weeklong trip?

Not everyone is looking to fill every moment of their vacation with activities. How is that a vacation?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Seattle with teens a few summers ago and San Francisco a few more summers ago, both on the way to other places. I had been to both cities myself several times before.

Kids loved the Alcatraz behind the scenes tour in San Francisco, in addition to Muir Woods, Chinatown Food tour, and general city stuff - the Wharf, Ghirardelli, etc. A year later, they enjoyed the Space Needle in Seattle, plus the Chihuly Museum, Pike Place Market, Ballard Locks, etc.

We find fun wherever we go.

Sure, so do I.

But as you said, you were only there for a quick stop en route elsewhere—and the few items you mentioned as highlights would barely fill one day.

I’m curious what a typical day looks like. Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Taking afternoon breaks?

I can understand running around DC for several days given the museums, landmarks, etc. And NYC has plenty to do. Rome, London, Paris, etc. have so much to see and do.

But Seattle? Yeah, Pike Place is fun for like 30 mins. SF Wharf is a place you pass by while heading out to eat. Even the YouTube videos or articles on what to do in those cities are pretty short.

Thank you for dissing our experience, lol!

Alcatraz took up the majority of a day. The Chinatown food tour took a half a day. So did Muir Woods.

The Space Needle and Chihuly took a half day. Ballard Locks took more than a half day. OK, you caught me - we have relatives in Seattle, and we spent time at their houses.

I hate negative, can’t-do people.

Assuming most people vacation for 5-7+ days (especially when traveling across the country), the point is this: your itinerary included activities that cumulatively filled 2 days (maybe).

And that’s the point.

Some cities are fine for a couple of days but lack enough activities to entertain kids/families for an entire vacation.

Nobody is poo-pooing your trip. I mean, I bet most of us have done the exact same things in those two cities. The difference is how long you stay there. Is it a pit stop or part of a bigger trip, or is it a weeklong trip?

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the Bay Area and lived in Seattle after college. For a family trip I would probably pick Seattle in the summer but would say either would be terrific. I don't think we have heard back from the OP about family composition or activity preferences, but activities that come to mind for Seattle include:

- hiking -- no need to drive as far as Mt Rainier or Olympic NP. Good hiking up at Snoqualmie summit or along the Mountain Loop Highway (if in Seattle)
- Burke Museum at UW, Seattle Art Museum (both downtown and in Volunteer Park)
- Boeing tour
- kayaking or canoeing in the Arboretum or Lake Union
- live music
- ferry ride to Bainbridge Island
- rent a beach house on Whidbey Island -- beach, hiking, farmers markets, sea kayaking, Shakespeare Festival, County Fair, etc.
- Seattle Rep, Symphony, and/or Opera
- Woodland Park Zoo
- Ballard Locks salmon ladder
- whale watching
- thrifting
- Ballard farmers market
- Pike Place Markets
- swimming in Lake Washington

Good list. Alki Beach or Discovery Park are also nice options for a nice afternoon on Puget Sound but not driving far. Camano Island is also nice for a very quick, beautiful day trip.

I grew up in the Bay Area and lived in Seattle after college. For a family trip I would probably pick Seattle in the summer but would say either would be terrific. I don't think we have heard back from the OP about family composition or activity preferences, but activities that come to mind for Seattle include:

- hiking -- no need to drive as far as Mt Rainier or Olympic NP. Good hiking up at Snoqualmie summit or along the Mountain Loop Highway (if in Seattle)
- Burke Museum at UW, Seattle Art Museum (both downtown and in Volunteer Park)
- Boeing tour
- kayaking or canoeing in the Arboretum or Lake Union
- live music
- ferry ride to Bainbridge Island
- rent a beach house on Whidbey Island -- beach, hiking, farmers markets, sea kayaking, Shakespeare Festival, County Fair, etc.
- Seattle Rep, Symphony, and/or Opera
- Woodland Park Zoo
- Ballard Locks salmon ladder
- whale watching
- thrifting
- Ballard farmers market
- Pike Place Markets
- swimming in Lake Washington

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Seattle with teens a few summers ago and San Francisco a few more summers ago, both on the way to other places. I had been to both cities myself several times before.

Kids loved the Alcatraz behind the scenes tour in San Francisco, in addition to Muir Woods, Chinatown Food tour, and general city stuff - the Wharf, Ghirardelli, etc. A year later, they enjoyed the Space Needle in Seattle, plus the Chihuly Museum, Pike Place Market, Ballard Locks, etc.

We find fun wherever we go.

Sure, so do I.

But as you said, you were only there for a quick stop en route elsewhere—and the few items you mentioned as highlights would barely fill one day.

I’m curious what a typical day looks like. Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Taking afternoon breaks?

I can understand running around DC for several days given the museums, landmarks, etc. And NYC has plenty to do. Rome, London, Paris, etc. have so much to see and do.

But Seattle? Yeah, Pike Place is fun for like 30 mins. SF Wharf is a place you pass by while heading out to eat. Even the YouTube videos or articles on what to do in those cities are pretty short.

Thank you for dissing our experience, lol!

Alcatraz took up the majority of a day. The Chinatown food tour took a half a day. So did Muir Woods.

The Space Needle and Chihuly took a half day. Ballard Locks took more than a half day. OK, you caught me - we have relatives in Seattle, and we spent time at their houses.

I hate negative, can’t-do people.

When we were in Seattle (also spent some time with family), one day we went out to Bellevue to see folks. Spent late morning picking blueberries at a farm 10 minutes from Microsoft HQ. Fun little thing you can't do anywhere near DC, got some nice berries to eat for the next 3 days. I don't understand why it's so hard to believe you can't find fun summer things to do in a big metro area surrounded by water and mountains.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited Seattle with teens a few summers ago and San Francisco a few more summers ago, both on the way to other places. I had been to both cities myself several times before.

Kids loved the Alcatraz behind the scenes tour in San Francisco, in addition to Muir Woods, Chinatown Food tour, and general city stuff - the Wharf, Ghirardelli, etc. A year later, they enjoyed the Space Needle in Seattle, plus the Chihuly Museum, Pike Place Market, Ballard Locks, etc.

We find fun wherever we go.

Sure, so do I.

But as you said, you were only there for a quick stop en route elsewhere—and the few items you mentioned as highlights would barely fill one day.

I’m curious what a typical day looks like. Are you sleeping in? Going to bed early? Taking afternoon breaks?

I can understand running around DC for several days given the museums, landmarks, etc. And NYC has plenty to do. Rome, London, Paris, etc. have so much to see and do.

But Seattle? Yeah, Pike Place is fun for like 30 mins. SF Wharf is a place you pass by while heading out to eat. Even the YouTube videos or articles on what to do in those cities are pretty short.

Thank you for dissing our experience, lol!

Alcatraz took up the majority of a day. The Chinatown food tour took a half a day. So did Muir Woods.

The Space Needle and Chihuly took a half day. Ballard Locks took more than a half day. OK, you caught me - we have relatives in Seattle, and we spent time at their houses.

I hate negative, can’t-do people.