Sandra Lee

Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.

Latest posts by Sandra

39 Things To Do with San Francisco Babies Before They Turn 1

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 09/03/2023 - 4:45am

Take baby to the beach to admire San Francisco's most iconic landmark. Crissy Beach photo by Nicole Findlay for Mommy Poppins

San Francisco babies grow up amid culture, world-class cuisine, and some of the most iconic sights in the country. That first year for San Francisco babies is full of exciting discoveries, lots of photo ops, and new emotions as they immerse themselves in the world around them.

It can be tough to figure out what to do with San Francisco babies who are still learning how to walk, but before you know it, restaurant outings, family hikes in San Francisco, and day trips from the Bay Area with a little one in tow will be a no-brainer. Keep reading below for the best things for San Francisco babies to do before they turn one.

They might be babies now, but they do grow up so fast, so take it all in at a pace, and enjoy these 100 things to do in San Francisco with kids before they grow up and find more resources in our San Francisco Baby Guide for Parents.

Oakland with Kids: 34 Best Things To Do in Oakland, CA

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 08/27/2023 - 3:30am

Admire the hundreds of animals at the Oakland Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Zoo

Oakland is a vibrant, family-friendly, diverse city full of culture and hidden nature gems, making it an excellent urban escape for a day or weekend of exploring with kids.

Less crowded than its famous neighbor of San Francisco, Oakland is packed with beautiful hikes, kid-friendly museums, and over-the-top ice cream sundaes, making it worthy of a destination on its own. Keep reading below for the best things to do in Oakland with kids.

Seek more adventure with the top day trips from San Francisco, and the best urban hikes for families in the Bay Area. Pack up the car and hit the road with the help of our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips Guide for San Francisco.

Puerto Vallarta with Kids: 21 Best Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sat, 08/19/2023 - 12:51pm

Paddleboarding is even more fun when you do it with a sea lion. Photo courtesy Vallarta Adventures

Puerto Vallarta has everything that makes Mexico such a popular family vacation destination: warm and sunny weather, beautiful beaches, loads of outdoor activities, delicious cuisine, and family-friendly all-inclusive resorts. The city's manageable size and affordability are added bonuses that ensure everyone, from curious toddlers to uber-cool teens to adults in need of a little R&R, has a great time.

Whether you're swimming in the turquoise ocean water, learning to cook a new dish, or relaxing on a hammock while the kids play in the pool, you're bound to make lasting memories in Puerto Vallarta, as my family has over the years.

Here are the 21 top things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids, including great Puerto Vallarta hotels and Puerto Vallarta restaurant options for families. Visit our Best Mexican Family Travel Guide for more great places to visit in Mexico, as well as our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids.

Free and Cheap After-School Programs for San Francisco Area Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 08/13/2023 - 7:05am

Kiddos can keep the learning going strong with after-school STEM activities. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area After- School All-Stars program..

After-school programs keep the kids engaged and looked after while you finish working, go grocery shopping, or cross off those last-minute errands. They are also great for socialization and keep the kiddos entertained. Don't wait for these programs—popular ones tend to fill up quickly.

From after-school programs at the always accessible (and affordable) Parks and Rec programs to STEM activities and homework help, there is something for every kid's interests and hobbies, from pre-k to pre-teen. Keep reading below for favorite after-school programs in the San Francisco Bay Area that are not only fun and engaging for the kids but easy on your wallet.

While school might be top of mind, summer camp planning will follow suit, so plan with these free and cheap summer camps in San Francisco.

Best Splash Pads for Kids in San Francisco

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Fri, 07/28/2023 - 9:15am

Jump into summer fun at our favorite splash pads in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the City of Castro Calley

Splash pads are such an excellent way to cool off during the summer. Most are at kid playgrounds, and parents love these free and easy spots where it's almost guaranteed for little ones to have a blast without going to one of their favorite beaches. Splash pads are perfect for toddlers that aren't quite swim-ready yet, not to say that kids of all ages can't have fun.

We've rounded up our favorite splash pads and parks where kids can jump, splash, and beat the heat all for free, and also included some not-to-be-missed water parks for when everyone needs a day in the pool to cool off. Don't forget to pack a change of clothes and some snacks for an afternoon of serious water fun!

For more summer fun on a budget, explore awesome free things to do in San Francisco this summer with kids, and dive into our Ultimate San Francisco Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Best Day Trips from San Francisco with Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 05/21/2023 - 8:30am

Take in coastal thrills. Photo courtesy of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Day trips from the Bay Area are just a quick drive away from so many things to do with kids, with attractions that bring tourists from all over the country to see. Lucky for us, they are all in our backyard, without the need to book a flight.

We’ve got the best day trips from San Francisco with kids, all within driving distance, for a day out of the ordinary. From beaches to redwoods, amusement parks to wine country, we’ve got a day trip for every kind of family.

Turn an afternoon of hiking into a day trip with these family-friendly urban hikes in San Francisco. Looking to extend a day trip to a weekend? Get inspired by our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips for San Francisco Guide.

Best Summer Camps in San Francisco for Preschoolers

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 04/23/2023 - 9:15am

Preschoolers will delight in camp activities. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Discovery Museum

Summer camps allow kids to learn new skills, make new friends and new memories, and get away from the screen for a few hours. If you think enrolling kids in camp needs to wait until they are about five years old, we've got some good news.

There are plenty of summer camps in San Francisco and the Bay Area for preschoolers, and they can be so much fun for your little one while giving you some free time when the school year ends to do, well, and everything else. We've rounded up the best preschool summer camps in the San Francisco and Bay Area and have something for every kind of kid. From ballerina camps to nature days and sports galore, check out our picks on where to send your little one for a summer of fun, learning, and exploring!

Have older kiddos too? We've got plenty of options for camp, like free and cheap camps, STEM camps, and even more in our San Francisco Summer Camp Guide.

Imagination City is a NEW Interactive Play Space in the San Francisco Bay Area

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Fri, 04/21/2023 - 9:15am

Veer over to pretend play at Imagination City. Photo by the author

Imagination City is a brand-new indoor pretend play space in the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo, and I recently checked it out. Since opening its doors in February, families have been talking about it, the mall has been promoting it, and our family just had to see it ourselves. Once in a while, we like to go to a spot around the Bay Area that's getting a lot of buzz and see if it's worth all the hype. Keep reading below for our review!

If the kiddos are yearning for more imaginative play, we've got a whole list of indoor playgrounds and play spaces, plus free museum days to continue education and inspiration.

Sandra Lee

Latest posts by Sandra

Pages