Indoor Family Fun That’s Right Up Your Alley

Rainy days and chilly temps are back, and with it, a whole bunch of parents looking left and right for cool ways to beat the winter blues with their kiddos. Spare yourself and the kids the trouble of finding something appropriate for all ages and head to your local bowling alley for funky shoes, yummy snacks, and hours of fun. Luckily, the Bay Area is rife with places where the whole fam can play (bumpers optional) that will leave your little ones shouting for strikes, spares, and gutter balls.

San Francisco

Lucky Strike
This is one of San Francisco’s newest and most chic (can you use that word when describing a bowling alley?) spots. Kids can have a great time trying to nudge the ball down the lane, the music and light shows will delight. The menu looks pretty good too, not the usual alley treats usually including fried and more fried food. Future Lebowski fans will dig noshing on yummy sliders, deviled eggs, nachos and even fondue!

Insider Tip: Little Giant’s fans might catch a glimpse of the bearded Brian Wilson, he’s part owner of the establishment!

Lucky Strike
200 King Street
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: Sun – Wed: 11:00 am – Midnight, Thurs: 11:00 am – 1:00 am, Fri & Sat: 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Phone: 415-400-8260
Online: bowlluckystrike.com

Presidio Bowl
Smack dab in the the middle of the Presidio National Park, this 12 lane alley has a great bar and grill attached, bumpers on all lanes for the kiddos under 8, and, back by popular demand: All You Can Eat Pizza Sundays!

Insider Tip: The bowling alley is open every single day of the year.

Presidio Bowl
Corner of Moraga and Montgomery
Presidio National Park
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: Sun -Thurs: 9:00 am – Midnight, Fri & Sat:  9:00 am – 2:00 am
Phone: 415-561-2695
Online: presidiobowl.com

Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center
With not only bowling but ice skating and other forms of entertainment, this is a great spot for fun, perfect for a whole family day! Take note: this alley is a little smaller than some of the others around town but has some of the best rental prices. Yerba Buena also has extremely popular summer camps, if one of your bowlers shows a little skill with the ball.

Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center
750 Folsom Street
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: Mon & Mon: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Tues – Thurs: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Fri & Sat: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Phone: 415-820-3541
Online: skatebowl.com

North Bay

Country Club Bowl
The only bowling alley in Marin County is a destination for fun. Family owned and operated since 1959, not only do they offer bumpers, but also boast a full arcade, party packages a plenty and even youth bowling leagues. Kids ages 6 and up have a chance to learn from pros and even compete in local tournaments.

Insider Tip: Join a bowling league as a family! Sunday family day at Country Club Bowl.

Country Club Bowl
88 Vivian Way
San Rafael, Ca
Hours: Mon/Tue: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Wed/Thur: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm, Fri/Sat: 10:00 am – Midnight, Sun: 10:00 am-11:00 pm
Phone: 415-456-4661
Online: bowlmarin.com

AMF Bowling Boulevard Lanes
This bowling alley may be corporate owned but still caters to the family feeling in Petaluma. Check out the Fun Pack, which includes 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, 1 pitcher of your favorite soda and 1 large popcorn.

Bowling Boulevard Lanes
1100 Petaluma Boulevard, South
Petaluma, Ca
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 11:00 am – Midnight, Fri: 11:00 am – 1:00 am, Sat: 10:00 am – 1:00 am, Sun: 10:00 am – Midnight
Phone: 707-762-4581
Online: amf.com/boulevardlanesca

East Bay

The Albany Bowl
Want to shoot some hoops, play with a puck or hit an eight ball? This east bay alley has it all. Not only does it offer 36 lanes but there family friendly billiard tables, air hockey and a full arcade. The family special days are Thursday and Friday, where from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm walk-in bowling prices are only $1.25 a game per person.

Insider Tip: Birthday parties thrown at Albany Bowl include a visit from Mr. Pin, a giant bowling pin with a smile.

The Albany Bowl
540 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, Ca
Hours: Mon & Tues: 9:00 am – 2:00 am, Wed & Thurs: 9:00 am – 1:00 am, Fri & Sat: 9:00 am – 2:00 am, Sun: 9:00 am – 1:00 am
Phone: 510-526-8818
Online: thealbanybowl.com

Clayton Valley Bowl
This family friendly location in Concord offers a Friday Kid Time bowling from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, it’s just $8 per bowler and mom-approved music videos rock the big screens. Saturdays mornings at the Valley Bowl include the Pee-Wee bumper league, for kiddos under the age of 6.

Clayton Valley Bowl
5300 Clayton Road
Concord, Ca
Hours: Sun – Thurs: 10:00 am – Midnight, Fri & Sat: 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Phone: 925-689-4631
Online: claytonvalleybowl.com

Manor Bowl
Located in San Leandro, Manor Bowl is family owned and operated and offer awesome specials and prices on a daily basis. Check out the early Sunday morning Practice Specials for just $1 a game and $3 shoe rentals from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm or Wacky Weekdays, where until 4:30 pm $5 get the kids a couple of games and shoe rentals.

Insider Tip: Tuesdays is lucky pizza train night. Every ½ hour a free pizza is given away.

Manor Bowl
887 Manor Boulevard
San Leandro, Ca
Hours: Mon: 10:00 am – Midnight, Tues – Thurs: 9:00 am – Midnight, Fri: 10:00 am – Midnight, Sat: 9:00 am – Midnight, Sun: 8:00 am – 11:30 pm
Phone: 510-351-2101
Online: manorbowl.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Bel Mateo Bowl
This location offers a fantastic way for kids to learn while playing. The Learn as You Roll programs is 5 sessions, limited to 20 people per class and comes with a specialized bowling ball! All ages are eligible for sign-up.

Insider Tip: There are kid-friendly specials Mon – Fri, only $2 bowling and $2 shoe rentals.

Bel Mateo Bowl
4330 Olympic Avenue
San Mateo, Ca
Hours: Mon: 9:00 am – Midnight, Tues – Sat: 9:00 am – 1:00 am, Sun: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Phone: 650-341-2616
Online: belmateobowl.com

Sea Bowl
Located on Highway One across from Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, this 7 day-a-week family friendly bowling alley has great packages and bumper bowling is available at no extra charge. Ask about “Herman’s Club,” a summer bowling leagues for kids.

Sea Bowl
4625 Coast Highway
Pacifica, Ca
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 10:00 am – Midnight, Fri: 10:00 am – 12:30 am, Sat:  9:00  am to 1:00 am
Sun: 9:00 am – Midnight
Phone: 650-738-8190
Online: seabowl.com

300 San Jose
A swanky spot in San Jose, 300 offers 50 lanes of bowling! The menu is trendy, with yummy bites such as Southwestern Beef Skewers and Mac-n-Cheese bites and there are great bowling deals like the Lunch & Bowl.

300 San Jose
5420 Thornwood Drive
San Jose, Ca
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9:00 am – 2:00 am
Phone: 408-578-8500
Online: threehundred.com

Where do you like to take the family for bowling fun? We want to know!

— Gabrielle Cullen

photo credit: Kathy V. via yelp, claudia y. via yelp, Jeannette P. via yelp, Henry M. via yelp, Ivy R. via yelp, Christa M. via yelp, Tracie P. via yelp, & Monica G. via yelp