78 Family Things to Do in San Francisco This Summer

Headed to the San Francisco this summer? We're not sure how long the sun will stick around, but we know that the kiddos are out of school pretty soon, so it's time to drum up a list of things to do this summer - rain or shine. Following are 78 suggestions of amazing family outings in the Bay Area from Red Tricycle editors. Did we miss one of your favorites? Add it in the comments below.

1. Pack up the sunscreen and towels and visit a water park
2. Grab your beach chairs and check out an outdoor summer concert
3. Visit a new playground with water features, an awesome play structure or scenic backdrop
4. Grab a blanket, picnic basket and indulge in an outdoor movie night
5. and 6. Fill your backpack with energy bars and try a family-friendly hike or a wildflower hike
7. Visit one of these U-Pick Farms and let the kids work for their supper
8. Day Trip: The Arboretum in Santa Cruz
9. Camping in Anderson Valley (can you say wine tasting?). No reservation? try one of these last minute camping spots
10. Take the ferry to Tiburon and enjoy the family-friendly Friday Nights on Main
11. Hit up the State's Capital. Old Sacramento and the Train Museum make it worth the trip.
12. Enjoy an ice cream (Macapuno, Vanilla Lavender or good old Chocolate) or frozen yogurt (banana cream pie or green tea)
13. Take the dogs, kids and a kite to Berkeley's Aquatic Park
14.Summer festivals abound from the North Bay to the Peninsula and East Bay
15. Explore the open spaces and gorgeous ridgeline ocean views of the Santa Cruz Mountains
16. Grab your fishing pole and head to Dublin Hills Regional Park
17. Check out an old school wooden playground with a stunning backdrop just 20 minutes from San Francisco.
18. 'Tis the season to sample fresh fruit at an area farmers market
19. Head North for a beachy family holiday at Sea Ranch
20. and 21. Take a kid-friendly trip to Napa's Wine Country (yes, it is possible!) and visit one of these awesome family-centric wineries
22. Break out your tents and sleeping bags and head to Yosemite for family camping fun.
23. and
24. Dip your toes in the surf at Mendocino--or peer into the tidepools at Half Moon Bay
25. See the Bay Area's best blooms at Botanical Gardens around the Bay
26. Take a stroll through the Filoli Gardens during their peak season
27. Get fancy and attend one of the Bay's many classical concerts for kids
28. and 29. Try a guided tour - either with a naturalist or an urban city adventure
30. Skip the Boardwalk and build a sandcastle at one of Santa Cruz's quieter kid-friendly beaches
31. Kayaks and BBQ oysters - do you need another reason to head to Tomales Bay?
32. One of the biggest musical festivals, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, is surprisingly kid-friendly (with these insider tips)
33. A farm in the middle of the city? This you've got to see.
34. Invest in new summer duds for yourself and your kids at the Union Street shops
35. Sniff the blossoms at Gilroy Gardens (did you know it's also a mini amusement park perfect for the under 5 set?)
36. Soak up the sunshine at Phoenix Lake, a hidden Marin gem
37. Big trees = big fun! Take a roadtrip with kids to Humboldt Redwoods State Park
38. Explore a miniature Golden Gate Bridge--and a beautiful golden one--at Point Bonita
39. Work up a sweat while enjoying beautiful San Francisco scenery on one of the city's little-known stairway walks.
40. and 41. Looking for a cool splash on a hot summer day? Head North to the Russian River or East to Del Valle Regional Park and Lake
42. Or stay in SF and hit up Rodeo Beach and Fort Cronkhite
43. Make history fun! Go panning for gold in Northern California
44. Stay in the shade and keep your temperature down in Glen Park
45. Grab your bucket and shovel (and maybe some take out from the neighboring Le Garage restaurant) and spend the day at Kayak Beach
46. Take little lords and ladies on a genuine quest in Muir Woods
47. Look for turtles at Lake Lagunitas
48. Count how many shapes you can see in the strange rock formations at Rock City, Mt. Diablo.
49. Break out the training wheels and take the whole family on a bike trip around one of the many Mill Valley bike paths
50. Indoor fun is still in season during summer! Check out one of the Bay Area's best puppet shows if you need a break from the heat
51. The pleasant Piedmont Park Loop makes for shady summer playtime
52. See animal rescue in action at the Marine Mammal Center's pinniped hospital and research lab
53. Discover the ins and outs of Jack London Square's trains and boats
54. Count the birds during a stroll along the shore of Lake Merced
55. Ride the train or the Merry-Go-Round and feed the animals in the petting zoo at Tilden Park
56. Discover, question, and explore at the Bay Area Discovery Museum
57. Get banana pancakes at Bette's and explore the shops on Berkeley's Fourth Street
58. Stay in the shade in San Mateo's Central Park--and see if you can catch the koi being fed!
59. Get up close and personal with native California mammals at CuriOdyssey, and then play the day away at the adjacent Magic Mountain playground
60. Head north and wander through the grapevines in Napa, then take the little ones to Scientopia, a cool hands-on kids museum

Rainy Days? No worries, we've got you covered, with tips 61- 71.

61. Find a cozy spot at one of these kid-friendly indoor cafes
62. Head to one of these indoor playspaces.
63. If the big musuems are too crowded, check out one of these itsy bitsy museums.
64. Spot animals and explore natural habitats at one of these wildlife centers
65. Check out a live theatre performance, just for kids
66. The Academy of Sciences is always a home run (especially with these insider tips)
67. Didn't think the DeYoung was kid-friendly? Think again.
68. Want more artsy opportunities? Explore the SFMOMA on a Family Sunday!
69. Head to Studio Grow in Concord for some super fun playtime!
70. Take the little ones to a museum just for them! Check out Zeum, San Francisco's Children's Museum and multimedia playspace.
71. Head to one of these transportation museums and have fun learning about planes, trains and automobiles.
72. Stroll down 4th Street in Downtown San Rafael. Don't forget to explore the Thursday evening farmer's market, held throughout the summer!
73. Visit Seesaw for a truly family-friendly cafe, free weekly storytime, and access to a fun play studio!
74. Walk along the waterfront and explore Benicia.
75. Learn about the people who first called the Bay Area home at Novato's Museum of the American Indian
76. Play your heart out (and get ready for naptime) at Hal Brown Park in Greenbrae. The turbo slide, swings, spiderweb climber, and tricycle track are guaranteed kid-pleasers.
77. Fly a kite and walk Fido at Cesear E. Chavez park.
78. Head to Oakland and find out why Rockridge rocks!

Bonus: These just in....take them out to a ballpark or hit a drive-in