Submitted by Sandra Lee on
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrations in the San Francisco area have roots in Mexico and are all about honoring loved ones who have passed on. Here is how you can join in the pageantry.
Submitted by Sandra Lee on
Halloween events in San Francisco are haunting all corners of the Bay Area and are springing up at a supernatural rate. There are terrifyingly terrific Halloween activities for kids of all ages, from trick-or-treating to pumpkin patches to Halloween train rides.
Keep reading below for scary, good Halloween events in San Francisco. Halloween events continue to brew, so check our SF calendar of events for more haunts and happenings.
For more spooky and festive fun, enjoy gourds galore at the best pumpkin patches near San Francisco and fall into the best harvest & pumpkin festivals in San Francisco. There are more not-so-frightening festivities to discover in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for San Francisco Kids.
Submitted by Sandra Lee on
Visits to the pumpkin patches are an annual family tradition for many of us, and the Bay Area has no shortage of places where kids can find a farm for pumpkin picking. Farms from Half Moon Bay to Petaluma to Livermore offer fun fall activities, including hayrides, bounce houses, petting zoos, u-pick fruits and vegetables, and beautiful backdrops for those obligatory photos in pumpkin patches.
From a two-acre Minotaur's Labyrinth hay maze to a four-story ship slide, it's easy to spend an entire day at one of our favorite Bay Area pumpkin patches that offer a little something extra.
Don't miss other fall traditions like apple picking near San Francisco, and discover more to do during pumpkin season in our Fall Fun Guide for San Francisco Kids.
Submitted by Sandra Lee on
Search for these San Francisco hidden gems with kids that are hiding in plain sight.
San Francisco is full of big attractions like cable cars, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and so many others that bring tourists to the city on the daily, but parents know the real fun often lies in the little surprises. From tucked-away playgrounds and secret staircases to hidden museums and quirky art installations, San Francisco has a ton of free, off-the-beaten-path adventures that kids actually love.
Whether you’re exploring with toddlers, tweens, or a stroller in tow, here are the best hidden gems and secret spots in San Francisco for families. Whether you've been there or not, these are sure to be a hit on your next day trip, and they are all absolutely free. Want more free things to do? For more inpso, check out these free things to do with kids in San Francisco and our San Francisco Visitors' Guide for families.
Submitted by Sandra Lee on
The San Francisco Bay Area is full of great family-friendly pumpkin festivals to celebrate the autumn harvest and the fall season.
Submitted by Sandra Lee on
Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this Labor Day weekend? Enjoy a railroad festival, the Monterey County Fair, family celebrations, and more.
Submitted by Sandra Lee on
Planning a toddler or preschooler’s birthday party in the Bay Area? You’ve got options, almost too many. Whether your little one loves animals, art, bounce houses, or just needs space to run wild, there’s a party venue that can match their energy (and your planning style). From creative museums to indoor play zones, the Bay Area has plenty of places that know how to throw a party for the under-five crowd.
We’ve rounded up some of the best birthday party spots across San Francisco, the East Bay, North Bay, and South Bay/Peninsula. Each one is age-appropriate, parent-tested, and offers enough structure to keep the chaos fun. Consider this your go-to when you (or another mom friend) starts asking, “Where should I throw a birthday party for a three-year-old?”.
Celebrate the big day at these birthday party spots in the East Bay, or these top indoor birthday party places in San Francisco for kids. If you've got little ones and teens, here are the best teen birthday party ideas in San Francisco.
Submitted by Sandra Lee on
Cancun is a longtime favorite for families, thanks to its turquoise beaches, endless activities, and abundance of all-inclusive resorts. But as any seasoned parent knows, not all all-inclusives are created equal. Peak travel season can bring packed buffets, underwhelming food, and sky-high prices.
I’ve stayed at more than my share of resorts in Mexico with my family, from budget-friendly to bougie. So when I heard about the newest addition to Cancun’s hotel scene, AVA Resort, I was eager to see if it lived up to the buzz.
Read on for my honest take on AVA Resort Cancun, including what worked, what was wow-worthy, and why it’s worth a spot on your shortlist for your next family beach escape. For even more family vacation ideas in Mexico, check out our Family Travel Guide and our list of the best all-inclusive resorts for families.
