Packed with kid-friendly experiments and plenty of stuff to touch, science and technology museums and exhibits are a great family outing.

The Tech Museum of Innovation (201 S Market St, San Jose)
www.thetech.org
Family-friendly interactive science and technology center. 

Exploratorium (Pier 15, the Embarcadero, San Francisco) 
www.exploratorium.edu
An experimental, hands-on museum designed to spark curiosity, regardless of your age or familiarity with science. There are hundreds of exhibits to touch, pick up and tinker with. 

CuriOdyssey (1651 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo) 
http://curiodyssey.org/  
A Serious Science Playground! Experiential science and wildlife center for children and families.

California Academy of Science (55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco)
www.calacademy.org
The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution dedicated to exploring, explaining, and sustaining life on Earth. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it's the only place in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum, as well as innovative programs in scientific research and education - all under one living roof.

CA Academy of Science

Randall Museum (745 Treat Ave, San Francisco)  
www.randallmuseum.org
The Randall Museum offers youth and adults opportunities for active involvement and recreation in an integrated program of arts and sciences. Focusing on the cultures and environment of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Museum strives to inspire creativity, curiosity, and appreciation of the world around us. 

Bay Area Discovery Museum (557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito)  
www.baykidsmuseum.org
One of a kind indoor/outdoor children’s museum, with a range of programs for children and families. Features hands-on-art, science and environmental exhibitions, performances, special events, cultural festivals and ongoing educational curricula… all with a focus on fun!  

Children Discovery Museum (180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110)
www.cdm.org
Activities for children, hands-on fun, crafts, bubble play area, story time, pinscreen, gear up, kid’s garden, rainbow market, water play area and more. 

Chabot Space and Science Center (10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland)
http://www.chabotspace.org
With hands-on interactive exhibitions, full-dome digital Planetarium and historic Observatory, Chabot Space & Science Center is the ideal place to stretch your boundaries and expand your universe! 

Lawrence Hall of Science (1 Centennial Dr, Berkeley)
http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/ 
Fascinating exhibits, live science demonstrations, Planetarium, and special events.

Computer History Museum (1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View)
http://www.computerhistory.org/ 
The Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the stories and artifacts of the information age, and exploring the computing revolution and its impact on society.

Children's Creativity Museum (Yerba Buena Gardens, 221 4th St, San Francisco) https://creativity.org/  
An innovative art and technology experience for children ages 2-12. 

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo (1451 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto)  
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/csd/jmz/
Interactive museum science exhibits, and mini zoo.   

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo

Airports, Aviation Museums and Plane spotting

Fasten your seat belts and prepare for takeoff; Next stop: aviation museums, USS Naval Air Station, plane spotting and more. Your little plane lover is going to have fun! 

Hiller Aviation Museum (601 Skyway Rd, San Carlos) 
www.hiller.org 
With more than 50 aerospace vehicles, the Hiller Aviation Museum is the largest aircraft history museum in the bay area. In addition to educational exhibits, the museum offers family oriented activities like flight simulators, imagination playground, and family events.

The Museum is located adjacent to the San Carlos Airport, where you can watch small planes take off and land.
Open daily, 10am-5pm.
Adult - $16, juniors (6-12) - $5, children 5 and under – free.

Hiller Aviation Museum

Oakland Aviation Museum (Oakland International Airport, 8252 Earhart Rd, Oakland) 
www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org 
30 vintage and modern airplanes, both civilian and military, and other displays that highlight noted aviators and innovators makes. Don’t miss the play area where kids can climb to kid sized planes, control tower and more. 
The Museum is located adjacent to the Oakland Airport, where you can watch planes take off and land.
Open Wednesday - Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Adult - $10, juniors (5-17) - $11, children 4 and under – free. 

Oakland Aviation Museum

Alameda Naval Air Museum (2151 Ferry Point, Alameda) 
www.alamedanavalairmuseum.org 
The museum is home to a unique collection of artifacts and exhibits emphasizing the role of the Alameda Naval Air Station in the defense of the nation and as an integral part of the local community. The museum is very little, but offers a nice booklet for children to learn about airplanes and flights (download here: http://alamedanavalairmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/flight.pdf).
Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Adult - $7, children 12 and under – free.

SFO Aviation Museum and Library (San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco) 
www.flysfo.com/museum 
Aviation Museum provides unique opportunities for learning about the development of commercial aviation and the role it plays in our everyday lives. Located in the International Terminal, it is an architectural adaptation of the Airport's 1930s passenger lobby. The collection focuses on air transport with an emphasis on the West Coast and the Pacific region. Located right next to the security check, it is our favorite stop before boarding a plane.
Open daily, 10am-4:30pm.
No admission charge, open free to the public.

SFO

USS Hornet Museum (707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda) 
www.uss-hornet.org 
The Aircraft Carrier Hornet, permanently docked in Alameda, has a collection of 15 aircrafts, dating back to World War II. Kids will enjoy visiting the flight deck and flight simulators, as well as meeting educating and inspiring veterans. Docent led and self-exploring tour options available.
Open daily, 10am-5pm.
Adults - $20, juniors - $10, children 6 and under – free.

USS Hornet

Wings of History Museum (12777 Murphy Ave, San Martin) 
www.wingsofhistory.org 
Wings of History is a non-profit organization dedicated to aviation history through education, preservation, restoration, and flight. Visit the restoration shop, propeller shop, library and aircrafts.
Open Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am-3pm.
Adult - $7, juniors (6-12) - $5, children 5 and under – free.

Wings of History

Other great places for plane spotting:

Mineta San Jose International Airport (1701 Airport Blvd, San Jose) – The adjacent Guadalupe River Park is a great place to watch planes bound for San Jose Airport. 

Palo Alto Airport (1925 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto) – The adjacent Baylands Park is a great place to watch planes take off and land. 

Coyote Point (1701 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo) and along the Bay Trail in San Mateo - Planes bound for SFO fly close to the park and the trail. (Parking fee to Coyote Point is $6, don’t miss the great playground, or visit CuriOdyssey). 

Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline (San Leandro) – A great place to see planes landing in Oakland Airport. 

California International Airshow (37 Mortensen Ave, Salinas) – www.salinasairshow.com