San Francisco Indoor Activities: Here’s How to Romanticize the Drizzle

The California Academy of Sciences, nestled in Golden Gate Park, is a must-visit spot for families. It combines incredible attractions like a massive aquarium, a cutting-edge planetarium, and a vibrant four-story rainforest—all under a living roof. You’ll also find a natural history museum, interactive exhibits, and even an earthquake simulator. Kids, especially, love the living roof and exploring the rainforest, where butterflies flutter all around them.

Located on San Francisco’s waterfront, Aquarium of the Bay is a perfect destination for families. The highlight is the Under the Bay exhibit, featuring two massive 300-foot acrylic tunnels filled with over 750,000 gallons of water, showcasing 200+ species like leopard sharks, rays, and vibrant local fish. Kids will love the Touch the Bay area, where they can interact with bat rays, skates, sharks, and tide pool creatures.

Don’t miss the North American River Otter Gallery, home to four playful otters with daily feedings and interactive presentations. With hands-on activities, stunning marine displays, and a strong focus on conservation, it’s an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Just a short drive from San Francisco in Milpitas, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area is a fantastic destination for families with kids aged 3-10. Highlights include LEGO-themed rides, a 4D cinema, creative workshops, and a large play area that inspires hands-on learning and creativity.

Perfect for a rainy day, this indoor attraction offers hours of screen-free fun in a comfortable, family-friendly environment.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a fun, interactive museum filled with bizarre and fascinating oddities. It features hundreds of unique artifacts, strange exhibits, and hands-on displays, such as shrunken heads, optical illusions, and a massive woolly mammoth constructed from recycled tires. Families will especially love the Mirror Maze, a challenging yet hilarious experience.

It’s all indoors, making it an excellent spot for a rainy day. Ripley’s is a unique blend of a science center, art gallery, and carnival, guaranteed to spark curiosity in all ages. It’s all indoors and makes for an excellent pick on things to do in SF on rainy day lists.

The 7D Experience San Francisco combines the thrill of an amusement ride with the excitement of a video game. Guests wear 3D glasses, sit in motion seats synchronized with on-screen action, and compete using laser blasters against virtual enemies like zombies, robots, or werewolves.

Each mission lasts minutes, offering a quick, thrilling activity at Pier 39 with family-friendly games and a competitive scoring system. It’s a fast-paced, immersive indoor adventure that’s great for both kids and adults, especially on a rainy day.

Explore the fascinating world of Musée Mécanique, home to one of the largest private collections of coin-operated antique arcade machines. You’ll find restored penny arcades, vintage fortune tellers, music boxes, player pianos, and animated dioramas—some dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. It’s a hands-on, interactive experience perfect for all ages. The vibe is a mix of nostalgia, charm, and just a dash of the uncanny.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest contemporary and modern art museums in the U.S., spanning seven floors and boasting over 170,000 square feet of gallery space.

Its collection features legendary artists like Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, and Mark Rothko, along with a rotating lineup of temporary exhibits that keep things fresh. Even the building is a work of art, with striking staircases, open atriums, and natural light that perfectly highlights the pieces on display.

The Exploratorium is a one-of-a-kind museum that blends science, art, and human perception to spark curiosity in everyone. It’s packed with hands-on exhibits that invite you to touch, experiment, and explore, making it fun for both kids and adults.

Some must-see highlights include the Tactile Dome (a completely dark maze navigated by touch), the Giant Mirror, and the outdoor exhibits that delve into the science of the Bay. It’s ideal for curious minds of all ages—especially adults on the hunt for indoor activities San Francisco for adults that don’t feel like a field trip.

The Museum of 3D Illusions, nestled between Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, is a fun indoor spot with over 40 hand-painted murals that let you dive into creative scenarios—think surfing giant waves, hanging off skyscrapers, or riding a magic carpet near the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a place for all ages to explore, snap photos, and just have fun.

Most people spend about 45-60 minutes here, and if you want to level up your visit, you can book a VIP package with a personal photographer. It’s a great choice for families, groups, or anyone looking for a cool indoor activity in San Francisco.

Nestled in the historic Presidio, the Walt Disney Family Museum spans 40,000 square feet, celebrating Walt Disney’s incredible journey and creative impact. With ten permanent galleries, it takes you through his life—from his early days in Missouri to creating Mickey Mouse, producing “Snow White,” and building Disneyland.

Packed with interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, vintage animation reels, and a stunning 12-foot Disneyland model, it’s a fully immersive experience. The museum’s location provides stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, even on those classic foggy days.

Just south of San Francisco in Union City, iFLY Indoor Skydiving – San Francisco Bay is the perfect spot to experience the thrill of skydiving—without jumping out of a plane. Inside a vertical wind tunnel, you’ll suit up in flight gear, float on air, and get guidance from trained instructors.

It’s an awesome activity for all ages and skill levels, whether you’re with family, a group of friends, or just looking for a rush. Plus, it’s a great indoor option for some active fun, no matter the weather.

The FLYER San Francisco offers a fun, immersive experience that takes you on a virtual flight over the city’s famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the Bay. With motion seats and high-definition visuals, it feels like you’re soaring through the skies—all without leaving the comfort of an indoor theater. It’s a quick but memorable ride, perfect to add to your Pier 39 plans, especially on a rainy day.

City Lights Booksellers is an iconic indie bookstore and publisher in San Francisco’s North Beach. Opened in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and sociology professor Peter D. Martin, it was the first bookstore in the United States to focus entirely on paperbacks—a revolutionary concept at the time.

With its creaky floors and maze-like layout, the place exudes character, especially the famous Poetry Room upstairs—a cozy, treehouse-like space filled with poetry from around the world. It remains a vibrant hub for book lovers, hosting regular readings, events, and even a thoughtfully curated children’s section. If you’re wondering what to do in San Francisco when it rains, this should be near the top.

Green Apple Books has been a San Francisco favorite since 1967, tucked away in the Richmond District. The store is a maze of rooms and levels, packed with new and used books, vinyl records, magazines, and quirky gifts—a perfect mix of organized chaos.

Their children’s section is enormous, and the handwritten recommendations from the staff always lead you to something special. It’s got that cozy, treasure-hunt vibe that makes you want to stay and explore. A true haven for book lovers, night-owl readers, or anyone who loves to browse and discover something new.

Breadbelly brings a creative twist to comfort food with treats like kaya toast, gyeranbbang, and breakfast sandwiches made with soft pandesal buns. The airy, minimalist vibe and the smell of fresh-baked goodies make this Asian-American bakery-café perfect for a cozy rainy-day takeout or a quick coffee break at the parklet.

Tucked into the Financial District, Verjus is the kind of effortlessly cool wine bar that makes gray skies feel cinematic—think warm lighting, Parisian small plates like duck liver mousse and truffle agnolotti, and a natural wine list curated by James Beard Award-winner Mark Bright. It’s wildly cozy and perfect for riding out the rain one silky glass at a time.

A natural wine bar meets underground record party, Bar Part Time is where Mission cool kids and low-intervention wine lovers come together under candlelight and vinyl vibes. The rotating bottle list leans bold and unfiltered—think punchy pét-nats, cloudy skin-contact whites, and funky reds you won’t forget.

The snack menu is elevated but straightforward—marinated olives, tinned fish, and sourdough worthy of a slow clap. It’s a go-to for late-night musings or simply escaping the drizzle with a good glass of wine—aka one of the best things to do in SF when it rains if you’re feeling aesthetic.