San Francisco Fire Department Pioneer Museum

Presidio Heights inn on a quiet street, a calm base with school-age kids.

Split by age: a small sandbox corner for the under-fives, and a bigger play area plus a basketball court for older kids.

Old-school diner on Geary with a kids' menu; lively enough for toddlers and up.

Swings, a slide, a sandbox and climbing structures, next to a full-length basketball court and a clubhouse.

A full-length basketball court, with swings, a slide, a sandbox and climbing structures for the kids, and a picnic area.

Calm bakery with cupcakes that work for babies through school-age kids.