Summer Fun Activities But Make It Sensory Friendly
Summer in the San Francisco Bay Area is bursting with sunshine, fresh adventures, and plenty of fun for everyone — including those who prefer a more sensory-friendly experience! From peaceful nature walks to quiet museum mornings and inclusive events designed with comfort in mind, there’s something for every pace and preference. The Bay Area’s beautiful blend of coastal attractions, abundance of museums, parks and available programs makes it the perfect place to explore, unwind, and make joyful memories.
With any type of new outdoor activity it’s important to remember that flexibility is the criteria for success! Tap into your shaping strategies and maybe start off slow in duration spent and each activity before building up to a longer duration. Start small and short (sometimes spending 10 minutes at a new location is a great building block for future fun). Celebrate progress and if you need help with understanding this process reach out to a BCBA who can help you with this.
🌳 Outdoor Adventures
Golden Gate Park (San Francisco)
Explore the playgrounds, rent pedal boats at Stow Lake, or visit the Koret Children’s Quarter.
Nearby attractions: California Academy of Sciences, Botanical Gardens.
Crissy Field & Beach
Gentle waves, a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a large lawn for picnicking or kite flying.
Tilden Park (Berkeley)
Ride the historic steam train, visit the Little Farm (bring lettuce to feed animals), or swim at Lake Anza.
Redwood Regional Park (Oakland)
Shady trails perfect for summer hikes. Kid-friendly loops and picnic areas.
Coyote Point Recreation Area (San Mateo)
Features Magic Mountain Playground, a sandy beach, and the CuriOdyssey science museum.
🧪 Hands-On Learning & Museums
Exploratorium (San Francisco)
Highly interactive science museum. Kids of all ages can explore hands-on exhibits indoors and out on Pier 15.
Children’s Creativity Museum (SF)
Geared toward younger kids (ages 2–10). Features creative activities like animation studios and a carousel.
Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley)
Great for STEM learning with outdoor exhibits and sweeping Bay views.
Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)
Located right near the water under the Golden Gate Bridge. Outdoor exploration spaces and creative exhibits for younger kids.
🐘 Animals & Nature
Oakland Zoo
Large, modern zoo with a sky gondola and an impressive California Trail exhibit.
San Francisco Zoo
Beachside zoo with animals, playgrounds, and a mini steam train.
Safari West (Santa Rosa)
A “Sonoma Serengeti” experience with giraffes, zebras, and safari jeep tours. Great day trip from the Bay.
Lindsay Wildlife Experience (Walnut Creek)
Small, calm environment with up-close animal experiences. Great for kids who prefer quiet and slower-paced interaction.
Little Farm at Tilden Park (Berkeley)
Free, calm, and outdoors. Animals can be fed at your own pace, and there are shaded areas and quiet walking paths.
🎨 Top Indoor + Creative Play
Children’s Creativity Museum (San Francisco)
Tailored for ages 2–10, with a tot area, hands-on art and tech play, and an old-school carousel outside.
Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)
One of the best for young kids! Outdoor exploration zones, imagination playground, and ocean-themed exhibits—all sized for toddlers.
Habitot Children's Museum (Berkeley)
Specially designed for toddlers and preschoolers. Water play, art studio, pretend play, and a safe, enclosed space.
🚂 Train + Boat
Ride the Niles Canyon Railway
Vintage train ride between Sunol and Niles (Fremont).
Gilroy Gardens
A whimsical horticultural amusement park, perfect for younger kids.
Alameda Ferry Ride
Hop on a ferry to SF, explore the Embarcadero, and enjoy views from the Bay.
🎢 Thrills & Adventure
California’s Great America (Santa Clara) & Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo)
Roller coasters + wildlife exhibits. Ideal for thrill-seeking teens who also like animals.
Rock Climbing (Planet Granite, Touchstone gyms across Bay Area)
Big rides, water park section, and just the right mix of adrenaline and hangout space.
Physically challenging, social, and great for groups or older teens.
Trampoline Parks (SkyZone, Rockin’ Jump)
High-energy fun that still feels “cool” to most teens.
🌲 Nature & Outdoor Exploration
Muir Woods Hike + Sausalito Visit
Giant redwoods and beautiful trails followed by a visit to shops/cafes in Sausalito.
Angel Island Ferry + Hike/Bike
A ferry adventure, hiking or biking around the island, and sweeping views of the Bay.
Surf Lessons or Beach Day (Pacifica, Santa Cruz)
Surf schools offer beginner lessons. Or just enjoy the beach with volleyball or bodyboarding.
Mount Tamalpais Sunset Hike
Mount Tamalpais Sunset Hike
Dramatic views of the Bay Area at golden hour—great for photos and disconnecting from screens.
🧪 Museums & Immersive Experiences
Exploratorium (San Francisco)
Still cool for older kids with its hands-on science and perception exhibits—especially in groups.
Immersive Art (like The Vault or WNDR Museum SF)
These Instagrammable, interactive installations often appeal to creative teens.
California Academy of Sciences (SF)
Teens who like animals, the environment, or biology will enjoy the rainforest dome, aquarium, and planetarium.
🎭 Creative & Chill Experiences
Alamo Drafthouse or AMC Dine-In (SF, East Bay)
Luxury movie experience with food served at your seat—fun for groups or date nights.
Live Outdoor Concerts (Stern Grove, Shoreline)
Summer shows offer a relaxed way for teens to enjoy music and hang out.
Street Fairs or Night Markets (Oakland First Fridays, SF's Sunset Night Market)
Food, music, art, and crowds of other teens and families.
🎮 Bonus Ideas for Social Teens
Escape Rooms (The Escape Game SF, Omescape, etc.)
Fun and teamwork-heavy, great for small groups of friends.
Board Game Cafes (Victory Point Café in Berkeley, Gamelandia in Palo Alto)
Low-key but interactive. Teens can play strategy games or just hang out with milkshakes.
Thrifting in Haight-Ashbury or Telegraph Ave (SF/Berkeley)
Fashion-forward teens often enjoy hunting for vintage styles.
🎥 Sensory-Friendly Movie Screenings
AMC Theatres (various locations)
Offers Sensory-Friendly Films with lower volume, dimmed lights, and freedom to move or vocalize. Usually on Saturdays for kids & Tuesdays for teens/adults.
CinéArts or Century Theatres (select locations)
Some locations occasionally partner with autism organizations for sensory-friendly screenings.
🛝 Inclusive & Adaptive Playgrounds
Magical Bridge Playground (Palo Alto, Redwood City, Morgan Hill, etc.)
Specifically designed for all abilities. Features quiet zones, wheelchair-friendly play structures, and sensory-friendly experiences.
Heather Farm Park (Walnut Creek)
Toddler-friendly and mellow, with sensory elements and multiple zones for different play styles.
Unity Park (East Bay)
Includes inclusive features and sensory play elements. Ideal for children who need flexible space.
🏕️ Inclusive "Mainstream” Camps with Supports
Camp Galileo
Locations: Multiple across the Bay Area
Focus: STEAM, innovation, creativity
Supports: Offers inclusion support – contact them ahead of time to arrange
Website: galileo-camps.com
Camp Doodle
Locations: San Francisco, Marin, Mill Valley
Focus: Creative play, art, outdoor fun
Supports: Open to discussing supports for neurodiverse campers
Website: https://campdoodles.com/programs/
Bay Area Friendship Circle Summer Camp (Palo Alto)
Ages: 5–20
Focus: Fun, friendship, and inclusion for kids with special needs
Supports: 1:1 buddy system
Website: bayareafc.org
💡 Tips for Sensory-Friendly Outings
Go early in the day or on weekdays for lower crowds and noise.
Bring noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, or fidget tools if the venue doesn't supply them.
Call ahead—many places offer accommodations if requested in advance.
Be patient — some steps may take time.
Make it fun — use games, songs, or roleplay.
Celebrate effort — even small steps are big wins.
Adjust as needed — if one step is too hard, break it into smaller ones.
