Free Things To Do In San Francisco With Teenagers
How do you get an apathetic teenager excited about a family trip to San Francisco? Most teens will jump at the chance to go shopping, hear live music and hang out with friends at the beach. So when you find yourself out of ideas on how to entertain your disagreeable teen in the city, suggest one of these free ideas!
Meander through Chinatown. Lined with storefronts offering inexpensive novelty trinkets, fresh produce and fish markets, and architecturally-stunning churches, San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, and the longest-running Chinatown in North America. Let your teens explore the area by themselves (just make sure you have a pre-determined meet-up spot). Great for photo opportunities, souvenir shopping, and delicious dining, Chinatown is a place your teens won't soon forget. A variety of holidays are celebrated (in accordance to the Chinese calendar) throughout the year, and visitors can expect some extra excitement around the Chinese New Year! Highlights of Chinatown include the Chinatown Gate (marking the entry to Grant Avenue), the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (free admission daily), Waverly Place (home to multiple Chinese temples) and the Chinese Historical Society of America (free the first Thursday of each month).
Go beachside with your teens. Referred to as the "Coney Island of the West," the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a great place to let your teens explore the Pacific Coast. For over 100 years, the Boardwalk has been entertaining the masses with it classic thrill rides, restaurants and family entertainment. While admission to walk on the Boardwalk is completely free, rides, games and attractions require a pre-paid ticket. Check out the Looff Carousel and Giant Dipper while you're there, both rides are considered National Historic Landmarks. For more information, call 831-423-5590.
We've never met a teenager who doesn't love music, and we're betting your kids are the same way. Even if your son or daughter isn't a music-obsessed audiophile, they'll definitely appreciate a visit to Amoeba Music, located at 1855 Haight Street. The store is a music collector's dream. Endless rows of LPs (new and used), a great selection of CDs, rare posters and T-shirts of obscure artists, and an excellent collection of DVDs are just a few of the things that make this place so intoxicating. With a helpful, knowledgeable staff, numerous in-store performances, and bins of discounted music, your teen (and maybe even you yourself) could spend an entire day discovering new sounds at Amoeba. For more information, call 415-831-1200.
Take your teens to the Mission District to check out the murals on Balmy and Clarion Alleys. Known for its vibrantly colored murals, the artwork depicted in the Mission's alleyways is said to look three dimensional. Seasoned graffiti artists, as well as newer painters, express their artistic voices on garages, walls and buildings on a regularly basis. Constantly evolving, the area offers a unique experience to see this unconventional art form at its finest.
Go window shopping with your teens in Union Square. This area offers selections for the more mainstream teenager. While we don't have time or space to list everything located in the area, some highlights include H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Paul Frank. Great for teens who love to shop in style, and see the sights of the city! When you get hungry, try one of the eateries in the Macy's food court (even if it's not free, you can usually score some budget eats).