Noe Valley is a neighborhood in San Francisco populated mainly by families. Known for its charming, family-friendly activities, the neighborhood serves as an oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of the nearby Mission and Castro Districts. Home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and parks, finding things to do in Noe Valley with a stroller is fairly easy. Here are the best activities and things to do in Noe Valley if you have young children that are accessible to parents with strollers.
24th Street Corridor
The 24th Street Corridor is a commercial district in Noe Valley that houses a number of shops and restaurants. Spanning both the Mission District and Noe Valley, 24th Street offers families plenty of options to spend the day. Some of the best restaurants and shops in the 24th Street Corridor include the following.
Vive La Tarte
Vive La Tarte is a bakery in Noe Valley along 24th Street known for its coffee, tea, cast-iron sourdough bread, California-inspired brunch, and handmade pastries. The mission of the bakery is to provide honest food in the heart of the neighborhood. The bakery produces multiple dozens of batches of sourdough bread. Every type of bread is made directly in a Dutch oven rather than an expansive deck oven. Their famous California-inspired brunch ranges from avocado toast to breakfast salads. Finish your meal off with their handmade pastries, such as their Turmeric Monkey Bread or Taco-Croissant.
La Boulangerie de San Francisco
La Boulangerie is a neighborhood bakery in Noe Valley that offers a variety of early morning or afternoon eats. Try the bakery’s classic viennoiserie, artisanal loaves of bread, sandwiches, or hand-made pastries. If you need a quick pick-me-up, order their fresh brewed coffee or specialty espresso drinks. Established back in 2015, La Boulangerie serves as a reincarnation of San Francisco’s most beloved French bakery.
Fresca
Fresca is a Peruvian restaurant in Noe Valley that offers a sanctuary for families and friends alike. Their home-style Peruvian dishes are blended with a California twist to create a truly unique dining experience. Utilizing a variety of locally grown and sourced vegetables, fruits, seafood, and meats, Fresca’s commitment to honest food can be felt with every bite. Plus, your children will love the restaurant’s lively atmosphere.
Wink SF
Wink SF is an eclectic mix of books, toys, accessories, and home decor. Walk around this whimsical shop to find truly unique items that you cannot find elsewhere. Your children will love the shop’s diverse inventory of toys, while you will enjoy their large selection of housewares and jewelry. Wink SF shoppers typically remark on how well-curated the store is in terms of finding products.
Noe Valley Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, Noe Valley hosts a farmers’ market located on 24th Street between Vicksburg and Sanchez. The Noe Valley Farmers Market is without a doubt one of the best destinations in all of San Francisco for produce. The friendly vendors are always happy to offer recommendations on the best ways to prepare their products. Additionally, the wide walkways make it easy to navigate a stroller through. If you’re looking for a memorable family outing, look no further than the Noe Valley Farmers Market.
Noe Valley Courts and Playground
Spend the day outside at the Noe Valley Courts and Playground. Serving as a tiny oasis of outdoor fun in the heart of Noe Valley, this cute neighborhood park offers a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s an oasis for both moms and nannies and consists of a basketball and tennis court, a picnic area, restrooms, and a playground. Your children will enjoy swinging on the swings or sliding down the slide while you keep your eye on them from the benches situated around the playground. You can also toss a Frisbee around the small nearby grassy area. The Noe Valley Courts provide a chance to spend the day with your family outside in the beautiful San Francisco sunshine.
Lovejoy’s Tea Room
Located on Church Street in Noe Valley, Lovejoy’s Tea Room is a quirky, kid-friendly tea room serving up an assortment of delicious tea varieties and scones. Served in mismatched china, choose from a number of tea varieties, including black teas, green teas, and herbal teas. Opt for their “Bottomless Pot ‘o Tea” to sample as many varieties as you’d like. Lovejoy’s tea service is served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is truly a unique experience that will delight people of all ages, whether they enjoy tea or not.
Omnivore Books on Food
Serving as the Bay Area’s only culinary bookshop, Omnivore Books on Food is a cozy shop located on Cesar Chavez Street in Noe Valley. Specializing in both new and used cookbooks, shoppers can find recipes from established artisan chefs and local cooks. Since Omnivore Books only sells cookbooks, stopping by offers families a double whammy of activities. Not only can you and your family pick out a new book of recipes, but you’ll also be able to take those recipes home and try them in the kitchen for the first time.
Get help shopping for Noe Valley real estate
Noe Valley is an excellent place to raise a family. With plenty of family-friendly activities, you and your family can create some truly memorable experiences. From walking along 24th Street to stopping by the many restaurants and shops in the neighborhood, there is no shortage of things to do in the area. The market is highly competitive, so it’s best to partner with a qualified real estate professional to find your dream home.
Dan Mclean has helped numerous clients find the Bay Area house of their dreams. Using his knowledge of the area, Dan knows what it takes to find good deals on housing. If you’re ready to tour Noe Valley luxury homes, contact him today.
*Header photo courtesy of Freepik
