If I’d be visiting San Francisco and the Bay Area under the rain with my children, this is where I would take them:
Do not forget to read my post on not letting the rain sabotage your vacation.
1 Haas-Lilienthal House, San Francisco
This is definitely the kind of outing that we postponed for years. It was never a good timing or it never popped her mind. We finally visited it last year and it was very interesting and a beautiful place to spend a raining day!
The house is only open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for limited hours. Guided tours.
Girls listening to the guide
2 USS Pampanito, San Francisco
I have never visited the USS Pampanito (or any submarine) but I bet that visiting it on a rainy day should be lots of fun! Not for claustrophobics.
3 Musee Mecanique at the Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
We prefer the old location, it was way smaller and felt more special. This one is way bigger and let’s look at the positive aspect, you have more space to roam around and play old mechanical games. Our family really enjoyed hanging out there so bring lots of quarters and enjoy the fun.
4 Cable Car Museum, San Francisco
An overlooked museum but such an interesting place to visit. And it is free so do not miss it. Keep in mind that parking is not easy.
Now would be the time to do it! But not with children under 8. It is a fascinating museum that our family enjoyed discovering. Read my review here.
6 Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Walnut Creek
Same as the Haas-Lilienthal House, we knew about it but never managed to visit it for the longest time. Once we did, we realized what a treasure this museum is, saving animals and educating the young generation on preservation and the Bay Area wild life.
7 Cantor Museum and Stanford University
You know that I just love this museum, it is free and it is a beautiful place to explore the arts. Take your umbrella and wander in the University admiring the Rodin sculptures.
8 Brushstrokes studio, Berkeley
Enjoy making some pottery or mosaic in a warm studio! The owner, Jessica, is really friendly and you will feel right at home (and you have to love the warmth inside the studio!).
9 The Monterrey Bay Aquarium
You can spend your whole day there and never get tired of everything there is to discover. With all the glass windows, the rain dropping on them makes the place a safe harbor.
10 The Winchester Mystery House
I have never been but that’s a place that would be on my to do list for a raining day. Check out their website: the music makes the story even more intriguing….The fee is on the high side by the way….
Related posts
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8 tips to not let the rain sabotage your vacation
Tips for a drama-free visit to any museum with kids
