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Pacifica and San Francisco: Touring Northern California with Kids

Pacifica and San Francisco: Touring Northern California with Kids

Last updated: October 27, 2026. This update qualifies current coastal and park-safety planning while keeping the family’s weather and boardwalk memories personal. Date information added October 28, 2026.

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First published August 10, 2018. This is our account of a past visit and the weather we experienced then, not a seasonal forecast for Pacifica or San Francisco.

I think our time in Pacifica can be summed up in two words: cold and damp. That’s how we feel about it when we talk about our time there. That’s a little harsh, but I think it was so much different than we expected it to be.

At the time, we thought we had picked the wrong season. We were told that August was Pacifica’s winter and that nearby temperatures could affect the clouds and fog. That was what we heard on our trip, not a seasonal rule I can vouch for. We did experience cold, damp weather. The National Park Service notes that Bay Area microclimates vary and coastal fog can last through summer, so check a forecast for your dates; here is its San Francisco climate overview.

There was one day, in particular, I remember that was so sunny and glorious. I came back from the gym and it was sunny! Surprise! I got a spontaneous moment (which is rare for me) and scooped up the kids. We grabbed some sunscreen and sprayed it quickly on, grabbed the beach toys, and walked down the boardwalk to the beach.

It was so.much.fun! We ended up staying there for a couple of hours. The kids started playing in the water and we did get a little wet. However, it was just such a fun memory. I suppose I really appreciated it since it was such a rare day.

Otherwise, for the most part, everything seemed just wet all the time. And we all wore pants all the time, which was so strange for all of us in August. In fact, I realized there that Harrison somehow had lost his pair of pants and I had to get him a new one.

We were right across the street from the ocean, but people we met warned us about going near the water. I took those warnings seriously: I kept the kids close, the older ones did not go past their ankles, and the littles stayed farther back. California State Parks cautions that conditions, waves, cold water, and currents can make wading dangerous and may change quickly. Check local conditions before approaching the water; here is the state’s ocean-safety guidance.

The boardwalk started to feel scary to me after one neighbor sought us out to tell me not to let Lucy walk there alone, because her daughter had been raped at a similar age. Yikes! That really freaked us out. It was one neighbor’s warning and experience, but it shaped how I supervised the kids.

As for San Francisco, we always love the city. I was curious to see if I would feel as drawn to it as I was to Portland, or if I could picture us living there too. It is hard to get that feeling when you are just visiting for the day. I didn’t get that vibe, and I didn’t have any desire to stay before or after our visit. To me, it felt crowded and not kid-friendly to a different level.

The things I love about San Fran are better with just adults :). I love walking tours (there is a great company of tours put on by locals that I find so fun) and slow exploration of the city.

We had wanted to take the kids to Fisherman’s Wharf for a long time, so it was intensely satisfying to finally go together. The carousel was so fun (two levels!), and our group paid $25 to ride during that visit. Check PIER 39’s current carousel information and its ticket link before visiting. We had the edible cookie dough, which looked so good but was a bit disappointing in the end. It was so, so sweet that no one could finish it or come close. I took it home and made cookies, which also weren’t finished.

We loved introducing the kids to Boudin’s and their fun sourdough in different shapes. We bought an alligator, crab, teddy bear and turtle. The factory is so fun to walk by and the bread bowls are delish (albeit not gluten-friendly in any way). Alcatraz was SUPER fun, which I will cover in a different post.

Overall, I think San Fran is much better to visit and be a tourist in. I’m sure many areas of Northern California are beautiful and glorious and I am sad we did not see more of them. 

I’d love recommendations if we ever make it back!

Our original San Francisco video: We Had The Worst Time In San Francisco!.

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