We love to build, test, and refine our Bay Area Staycation Guide. If your favorite place didn’t make the list, please share it in the comments.
My family loves to “staycation”. Sleep in our own beds and enjoy the stuff that makes the Bay Area magic? Yes, please! We like to build our day around mini adventures when school is out. Are you sticking around for closer to home this year? How many of these day trips and adventures for grade school-age children can you squeeze into your Bay Area staycation?
Climb rock formations and see a new landscape at Rock City at Mount Diablo State Park or Indian Rock in Berkeley. If you pose just right, it’ll look like Joshua Tree.
Ropes course challenges. Quarry Park is worth the drive for children over the age of ten, capable of climbing, swinging, and hanging around.
Children’s Fairyland is open for Spirit Week from April 6 to 10, featuring a variety of theme days like wild animals and fairytale explorations. The rest of the spring season, they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Learn more >
Hike among the redwoods. Some of the country’s tallest trees live right here in the Bay Area. Whether you venture up to Muir Woods or get lost in Redwood Regional Park, hug a tree for all of us.
Ride horses in Point Reyes. Ride horses on the ranch half a mile north of Point Reyes Station, looking over Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore. Starting at $80 per hour per person. For ages 6+ More info on TripAdvisor>>
See the Bay from Angel Island. Hop on a ferry, cruise around on bikes or on foot, ride a tram when you’re getting weary. Angel Island has a ton to offer.
Explore nature inside and outside. Cal Academy offers engaging activities—including dino days, penguin feedings, puppet shows, and nature storytime. March 26 is Academy Day, the annual pay-what-you-can ticket day with prices starting at $5.
Brunch and more. A day trip to Mission Ranch in Carmel for Sunday brunch so the kids can enjoy fluffy sheep-watching. Fresh air, yummy food, and sheep grazing in the pasture — what could be better?!
Hit Alcatraz. Go where the tourists go. My kids rated this adventure as “better than expected” because it included a cool ferry trip, running on an island, and exploring real-life prison cells. Take your kids to Alcatraz. (Book now!)
Splash in the waves at a Bay Area beach. Crissy Field has all the views and is so close to the Presidio. Hearts Desire rewards your long drive with a lovely, secluded beach.
Find a perfect hotel getaway within two hours’ drive >
Afternoon baseball game. Check the Giants’ schedule to catch a game before bedtime. Their home opener is March 23. Buy tickets >
Venture out to Safari West for a special look at wild animals. Pretend you’re in Africa. (Call today for a reservation.)
Go on a miniature exploration. Did you know that adorable gnomes are hiding out in Oakland? Or a fairy village at Little Point Richmond? You and your children will adore these special urban hikes.
Visit with animals at Sulphur Creek Nature Center. Run off your ya-yas afterward at Mia’s Dream Come True playground.
Lots more Bay Area places where kids can enjoy animals >>
Go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Playing in the water makes it a vacation! Check out some of the lakes, shores, and beaches that cater to water sports in the Bay Area. We like these local places for SUP. We like these local places for kayaking.
Sugar high: When you tour the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, go for all-you-can-eat jellybeans! Still have money and energy? Head over to Scandia for more laughs.
Spring Break at The Lawrence Hall of Science. Visit this local favorite science museum, with both inside and outside exhibitions to enjoy. Read more about visiting The Lawrence with kids >
Monterey Aquarium:Â Visiting the giant aquarium always feels special; do it as a day trip or single overnight getaway.
Stomp in the creeks. Stick closer to home with a morning romp in an East Bay creek and ice cream treats for dessert. Here are five creeks we love for little kids.
Enjoy Tilden. Tilden Steam Trains and the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round offer some fun outdoor playtime. Make a whole day of it and enjoy a picnic lunch at Tilden Regional Botanical Gardens, where entrance is free.
Bean Sprouts Family Days. Visit the Children’s Garden at the SF Botanical Gardens for Bean Sprouts Family Days on select days from March through May. Enjoy gardening and hands-on activity stations. The program is free of charge with admission. If you enter before 9 am, admission is free too.
Use our East Bay family events calendar to find activities for any specific day!
Discover & Go. Plan to nab the free passes to your favorite museum.
A very low-budget shopping trip to spend one’s “own money” at the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse. Pro tip: 3-ring binders and empty photo albums seem to keep my kids busy for hours.
Skydive indoors. We tried indoor skydiving with kindergartners through grandparents, and we all had a blast. This memorable activity is prime staycation splurge material.
Getaway in our own backyard. If you really want to splurge, The Claremont Club & Spa offers child care, whether you’re just going to the spa for a treatment or really want to treat yourself as an overnight guest at the hotel.
Stay up late for stargazing. You don’t need a telescope to see the Milky Way. Summer is a great time to seek it out, mostly because it’s warm at night. Stargazing can also be very exciting when your kids get to stay up past bedtimes and drive a bit to escape the nearby light pollution. Check out our Guide to Stargazing With Kids & Seeking Out the Elusive Milky Way >>
