Some might say that a trip to the Bay area will have you soaring to new heights with all of the gorgeousness around you. They’d be right. The Bay Area has a ton of places to connect with your inner child and let your cares fly away.

All of that soaring and flying gets even easier if you bring a kite with you. 

Go Buy a Kite

Photo courtesy of Douglas Muth

To get your adventure started, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a good kite that will take your imagination on a ride. You can find kites in several places around San Francisco as well as other Bay Area cities. 

You can make a quick trek to San Mateo and visit Talbot’s Toyland, a wonderful children’s shop that sells box kites, trick kites, novelty kites, and more. This family-run shop in the heart of town sells an abundance of kites for beginners and even the pros.

If you’re sticking to San Francisco, you can take a trek through Chinatown to Chinatown Kite Shop, where you’ll find some really rad kites including dragon kites here with super long tails. If you’re looking to be adventurous, you will not be disappointed with either of these places.

Once you’ve got your kites, there are a few places that you definitely want to check out that will give you a combination of open space for flying and sightseeing to do the city justice. 

Kite Hill

Photo courtesy of Kite Hill

Your first stop obviously has to be Kite Hill in The Castro. Yes, there is a place within city limits dedicated to flying kites. After your trek up Twin Peaks, make a little detour up to Kite Hill where you’ll find California poppies in the spring and great views of the city. Both Kite Hill and Twin Peaks are great for flying kites, although Kite Hill has a considerable amount more room to run around and catch the wind.

Ocean Beach

Kid playing with kite in front of Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Next up is Ocean Beach, which runs along Golden Gate Park, the Richmond District, and Sunset. This beautiful stretch of beach is a bit cooler in the spring and can be a bit foggy. However, the winds are ideal for kite flying. Take note that the nearby highway will often get stacked with sand, so you might end up having to walk if the road is closed. 

Sutro Baths

Sutro Baths in San Francisco, California

Close to the city but coupled with ocean views, caves, and even some ruins, the Sutro Baths near the Lands End area in Outer Richmond make a really pretty backdrop to the kite-flying experience. You can climb the ruins and sit on top of history, watching hikers pass by as you fly your kite. 

Fort Baker

Photo courtesy of Fort Baker

For views of the Golden Gate Bridge, cross over to Fort Baker in Sausalito and walk around the greenery. You might even meet some tourists or fishermen who can help you get your kite in the air. If you don’t want to be right by the bridge itself and prefer a distant view, take a hike further down to Crissy Field. 

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay, CA

If you’re really looking for gorgeous views and want to get away from the city, make your way down to Half Moon Bay. This oceanside city offers some cute shops to buy your kites, including Fog Town Toys. You might not have a view of Golden Gate, but the Pacific Ocean will help you and your kite soar to new heights. Plus, you won’t have to go all the way down to Santa Cruz to get those prime NorCal surfer vibes.