Where to See Animals in San Francisco with Kids

You can build an entire San Francisco weekend around animals, and a surprising amount of it is free. Here is where to go, roughly in order of how much it costs.

Free

The sea lions at Pier 39

They took over K-Dock in 1989 and never left. Numbers swing wildly with the season, so some days there are hundreds hauled out and barking and other days there are almost none. Check the live webcam before you drive across town.

K-Dock, Pier 39 · Free · pier39.com

The Randall Museum

A free city museum with a live animal room organized by California habitat, rescued residents who cannot be released to the wild, and keepers who are happy to talk to a curious five-year-old. There is also a model railroad and drop-in art and science activities.

199 Museum Way · Free · Tue–Sat 10am–5pm · Small free lot that fills fast on Saturdays · randallmuseum.org

The bison of Golden Gate Park

There has been a bison herd in Golden Gate Park since 1892. They live in a paddock along JFK Drive west of Spreckels Lake, and you watch them from the fence line whenever you like. It is a ten-minute stop that kids remember for years.

JFK Drive near 38th Ave · Free

Birds at Heron’s Head Park and Lake Merced

Heron’s Head in the Bayview is one of the city’s best birding spots, with over a hundred species recorded and an EcoCenter on site. Lake Merced is the other: a flat loop with waterfowl the whole way around, good for a scooter or a first long bike ride.

Cargo Way at Jennings St; Lake Merced Blvd · Free

Harbor seals and sea lions at Lands End

Look out toward Seal Rocks from the Lands End Lookout and you will usually find pinnipeds piled on the offshore rocks. Bring binoculars, because they are a long way out.

680 Point Lobos Ave · Free

Worth the ticket

California Academy of Sciences

An aquarium, a rainforest dome, a planetarium and a colony of African penguins under one living roof, which makes it the single best rainy-day animal destination in the city. Penguin feedings are the highlight for most kids. Adult tickets run about fifty dollars and child tickets about forty, with higher peak pricing in summer and around the holidays, and five-dollar admission for EBT and Medi-Cal cardholders.

55 Music Concourse Dr · Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm · Three dollars off with same-day transit proof · calacademy.org

San Francisco Zoo

Out at the far western edge of the city, next to Ocean Beach, so dress for fog even in July. The Little Puffer miniature steam train and the Dentzel carousel cost a few dollars each on top of admission and are usually the actual highlight for younger kids. San Francisco residents pay a reduced rate with proof of address, and the zoo runs occasional resident free days.

Sloat Blvd at the Great Highway · Adults about thirty-two dollars, children about twenty-two, less for residents · Daily 10am–5pm, last entry 4pm · sfzoo.org

Aquarium of the Bay

Small, but the walk-through tunnels put kids eye to eye with sharks and rays from the bay itself, and it is indoors and right at Pier 39, which makes it a good rescue plan on a cold day at the Wharf. Stroller-friendly, with touch pools.

Pier 39 · Roughly thirty dollars adult, twenty-two child online · Daily 10am–5pm, last entry 4:30pm · aquariumofthebay.org

Conservatory of Flowers

Not animals exactly, but the warm tropical house is full of the kind of insects, carnivorous plants and enormous lily pads that fascinate kids, and it is a reliable escape from a cold Golden Gate Park afternoon. Free to everyone on the first Tuesday of the month, and discounted for San Francisco residents.

100 John F. Kennedy Dr · Closed Mondays · conservatoryofflowers.org

Prices and hours were checked in September 2026 and can change, so confirm before you go.