Explore: Mission Bay with Kids

One of the city’s newest neighborhoods, Mission Bay can seem a little like “no-man’s land” to the uninitiated. But if you know where to look, you can find some wonderfully, uncrowded places to enjoy time with your kids.
Every SF resident has made a trip to Sports Basement at one time or another, but did you know they host a Saturday morning story time for children? This Sunday they’re hosting their second annual block party–an afternoon of live music, games, raffles, food, and much more with all proceeds benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of SF.

On the UCSF Mission Bay campus, the Bakar Fitness and Recreation Center has a Kindergym program, tons of great classes for kids (from hip-hop to tae kwon do), and two amazing pools (including a rooftop one with views of downtown). This weekend they’re hosting kayak tours of Mission Creek (kids must be 8 or older, and accompanied by an adult.

The Mission Bay branch of the San Francisco Public Library is a modern, new facility, and on Thursday mornings, they host Baby Rhyme and Playtime, appropriate for even the youngest of bookworms. Also on Thursdays is their preschool story time, and they host a gathering for toddlers on Friday afternoons.

Just a few blocks away, Thee Parkside (yes, THEE), a divey bar on the fringes of Potrero Hill, hosts a Sunday hoedown with classic American country-tinged music and it’s all ages. When it’s time to refuel after all that running around, Mission Bay Foods has something for each member of your family, no matter what they’re craving: Dos Piñas Mexican restaurant, Caffe Pazzo (for Italian), or sandwiches at Café 24.

More to Explore (with kiddies in tow):

El Cerrito

Tiburon/Belvedere

Point Reyes

North Beach

The Mountain Play, Mt. Tam

Gourmet Ghetto

Yerba Buena Gardens and Union Square

Pier 39

Ring Mountain

Japantown

Jack London Square

Chinatown

Kayak Beach