Where to take the kids in Novato

Old-growth coast redwoods on a flat boardwalk loop. Quiet, shaded, and short enough that small legs can do it.

• 15 mi
• 3 and up
• Outdoors

Before you go Parking or shuttle must be reserved in advance — people are turned away at the gate every weekend. The main boardwalk is stroller-friendly; the side trails are not. Cool and damp even in August.

Wide-open headlands, a dark-pebble beach, old military bunkers to explore, and the postcard view back at the bridge.

• 19 mi
• 3 and up
• Outdoors

Before you go Fog and hard wind are the norm, not the exception. The road in is narrow and winding — worth knowing if anyone gets carsick. No shade and limited facilities, so bring water.

Tucked under the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, with acres of outdoor climbing, building and water play. Widely considered the best in the region for little kids.

• 20 mi
• Under 9
• Indoors + out

Before you go Right on the water and genuinely cold and windy — a windbreaker beats a sweater. There’s a real water play area, so pack a full change of clothes.

The Little Farm, a vintage merry-go-round and a small steam railway, all in one stretch of the Berkeley hills. A rite of passage for East Bay kids.

• 23 mi
• Under 10
• Outdoors

Before you go At the Little Farm you can feed the animals, but only lettuce and celery — bring it from home, there’s nothing to buy on site. The train and carousel keep their own limited schedules, so check before counting on them.

Hundreds of hands-on exhibits you’re actually supposed to touch, pull and climb on. Adults tend to lose track of time here.

• 23 mi
• 6 and up
• Indoors

Before you go It’s enormous and you will walk — comfortable shoes matter. Under-5s can enjoy it but will miss most of the point. It’s on the water, so it’s windy outside the doors.

Science exhibits plus an outdoor terrace looking clear across the bay, and a giant DNA sculpture kids are allowed to climb.

• 24 mi
• 6 and up
• Indoors + out

Before you go Perched up the hill, so it’s windier and cooler than downtown Berkeley. The drive up is a series of switchbacks — dose the carsick kid beforehand.

Aquarium, four-story rainforest dome, planetarium and natural history museum under one roof. The default answer when it’s raining.

• 24 mi
• All ages
• Indoors

Before you go The rainforest dome runs on timed entry and the line builds fast — go early. Weekend parking in the park is rough; the underground garage is the reliable option.

Stop-motion animation studio, clay lab and music room. Kids leave holding something they made.

• 24 mi
• 3–9
• Indoors

Before you go Small enough for a half day. Pair it with the historic carousel and the gardens right outside to make a full outing.

One of the oldest public playgrounds in the country, with a century-old carousel and a bank of long concrete slides.

• 24 mi
• 1–10
• Outdoors

Before you go Bring a flattened cardboard box — the concrete slides barely work without one, and every regular family has one in the trunk. Weekend parking is tight; transit is genuinely easier.

A small hilltop community museum with live animals, craft workshops and one of the better views in the city.

• 25 mi
• Under 10
• Indoors

Before you go Compact — plan a half day and add the hill outside. It closes on set days each week, so check before driving over.

A dedicated children’s zoo and a little steam train, which is often the part they actually remember.

• 26 mi
• Under 10
• Outdoors

Before you go It sits directly on the Pacific and runs far colder and foggier than downtown, in summer especially. Bring a real jacket — this is the single most common mistake here.

A storybook park built entirely at toddler scale — nothing loud, nothing scary, no long lines.

• 27 mi
• 1–8
• Outdoors

Before you go Adults are only admitted with a child — don’t plan to send one grown-up in to scout. It’s a half-day park; don’t block out the whole day.

Planetarium shows, space exhibits and large research telescopes up in the hills above Oakland.

• 29 mi
• 6 and up
• Indoors

Before you go Telescope viewing runs on specific evenings and depends entirely on clear skies — check the schedule and the forecast together, and bring warm layers for standing outside after dark.