Free days out with kids in San Francisco

Free parkland over the tunnels with the Outpost, a two-acre natural playground of slides, tunnels and a giant birds' nest built for two to twelve. There are water features, so bring a change of clothes even when you were not planning on it.

The city's largest park, spanning over 1,000 acres.

The Painted Ladies hill: a wide lawn to run down, benches with the postcard view, and a playground at the top end.

A sunny playground with a big hill slide and swings overlooking the city.

Half the fun is getting up there on the free gondola, then letting kids run around the rooftop park three stories above the street.

A free room at the wharf packed with working penny arcade machines, from a hand-cranked carnival to old strength testers. Bring quarters and expect to stay.

A coastal trail in San Francisco with dramatic views, near Tunnel Tops and the Presidio.

Pair the playground with a short walk into a real urban canyon, where you can find a creek, rock formations and spring wildflowers.

A park good for picnicking, with old military batteries and camping spots to explore.

Two decks of shops and food built out over the water, with a carousel at the end and the sea lions barking off the far side. Loud, flat and easy to push a stroller round.

A Chinatown alley the width of a hallway where two women fold cookies off a hot press by hand. Two minutes, a sample, and worth the detour.