#4 San Francisco, California

  San Francisco, California

In San Francisco, California, kids take the reigns and shape their own adventures. From exploring ships to SCUBA diving or building an epic fort, you’ll get back to adventure in its purest forms, and everyone will feel like a kid again.

Surrounded by the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, adventure with a nautical influence abounds. All you have to decide is whether to explore above or below the water! If dry land has been holding you back all spring, then SCUBA diving might be just the ticket. And at Scuba Fusion – home to the only kid-friendly SCUBA program in Northern California – the whole family can take the plunge together! For an adventure of the historical kind, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and explore National Historical Landmarks like the U.S.S. Pampanito, a WWII submarine or the 1886 Balclutha. You might recognize the Pampanito from the film Down Persicope!

If all of this talk of ship construction inspires you to create something – you’re in luck! Just across Bay Bridge is the Berkeley Marina and a little something called the Adventure Playground – though playground is a mighty understatement here. Here kids have to freedom to play and build in a land of tools, grounded boats, wood scraps and plenty of wet paint – supervised of course. And you don’t want to miss out on the fun; watch the kids, or volunteer around the facility.