When it rains, families can head indoors to the Aquarium of the Bay in the Fisherman's Wharf district of San Francisco. The 65,000 square-foot facility features more than 700,000 gallons of San Francisco Bay water and 20,000 species of marine wildlife. Popular exhibits include sharks, octopus and bat rays. Guests can also watch shark feedings and divers exploring the aquarium exhibits. Tickets cost $16.95 for adults and $8 for children, as of January 2011. The aquarium also features a climate change exhibit and other educational exhibits to show guests what they can do to conserve marine habitats.
Some rain won't put a damper on a trip to the historic island prison of Alcatraz. Alcatraz is one of the most popular all-ages tourist attractions in San Francisco. Guest are transported out to the island on a covered boat and although some outdoor walking is required to see the cell blocks, the majority of the Alcatraz experience is spent indoors. On the island, guests can take a walking audio tour. They'll learn of its history, escape attempts and even have the chance to get locked in solitary for a few moments.
The Exploratorium is a family-friendly museum of science, art and human perception. The museum takes science and makes it visible and touchable through hundreds of interactive exhibits, which are changed or tweaked as technology and general interests change. Exhibits focus on astronomy and space, Earth, the human body, the material world and the mind. As of January 2011, the Exploratorium is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Zuem is a San Francisco children's museum that features hands-on activities in an attempt to inspire the imagination and creativity of America's youngsters. Exhibits focus around animation, digital arts, special effects, music videos and other workshops. Zuem also provides children with DVDs of what they accomplished in the hands-on activities as a souvenir. As of January 2011, the nonprofit museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students.
