Best Summer Camps Near Me in San Francisco Bay Area

Updated for Summer 2025

This time of year, parents ask “What’s the best summer camp near me” to find a camp that will be engaging, safe and convenient for daily drop off and pick up. Going to different day camps over the summer can be exciting for everyone, but if you don’t consider the location, you may be spending more time in the car.

Here are some of the best summer camps you can find by area in San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay and East Bay.

Best Summer Camps with Many Locations in the San Francisco Bay Area

Camp Galileo

Camp Galileo engages kids in irresistibly fun hands-on STEAM-based projects and active games outdoors with friends. Supported by our dynamic staff, kids get inspired to turn big ideas into reality and make the world better. 24 locations in SF Bay Area, including San Francisco, Burlingame, Palo Alto, Fremont, Oakland and more!

NextGen Tech Learning – Coding & Tech School

NextGen Tech Learning is a leading Coding, Robotics, and Technology school for students in grades 2–12 in the San Francisco Bay Area. They offer in-person and online classes, plus camps, covering a wide range of courses—from Python, Java, and C++ to Robotics, Game Design, Web Development, Minecraft, VR, Drones, and more. Their mission is to turn today’s tech users into tomorrow’s tech creators, inspiring kids to code, create, and lead in the digital age.

Camp Integem

Ride a spaceship? Play with dragons? Visit Mars? Join Camp Integem: #1 AR Camp for ages 5-18. Learn Holographic AR Coding, AI, STEM, Game Design, Art, Fashion, Animation, 3D, Space/Nature Exploration, Design, Interactive Storytelling and more while having a lot of fun. Beginning to advanced levels. Small classes with patient instructors. 13 locations in the SF Bay Area, including San Francisco, Corte Madera, Walnut Creek, San Bruno and Cupertino.

GrowFit - Summer Camp

GrowFit

GrowFit Camp provides a safe place for children to learn and play. Our campers discover new passions, engage in a variety of sports and group games and learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. Our unique, age-appropriate games and challenges help children build self-confidence, develop relationships and have lots of fun! 7 locations near you, including Redwood City, Los Altos, Saratoga, San Jose, Berkeley, San Ramon, Walnut Creek.

Art School of San Francisco Bay

We teach classical art – in a modern way. Our classes are fun and effective, our methods creative, and our students’ results are spectacular! We help our students get a better connection with themselves, know what they want, and how to reach their goals. 3 locations in San Francisco, Mountain View and San Jose, CA

Best Summer Camps in San Francisco

Golden Gate Skateboarding summer Camp

Golden Gate Skateboarding

Join Golden Gate Skateboarding in San Francisco! Each day camp starts with skateboarding-specific stretching to improve performance and reduce injury, covers beginner-level skills, and more advanced tricks for kids that are ready. All skill levels are welcome!

SF Dragons Soccer Camp

As San Francisco’s premier youth soccer camp, SF Dragons Soccer Camp offers two programs to support the development of players in grades K-6. Teaching through a variety of fun and inventive drills that keep players engaged and learning no matter their skill level.

San Francisco Rock Project - Summer Camp

San Francisco Rock Project

The San Francisco Rock Project is a nonprofit school of rock for kids ages 7–17. Our week-long summer camps are open to new and returning students and offer a comprehensive experience. All skill levels are welcome, and our outstanding teachers foster expression, development, discipline, and fun.

Best Summer Camps in the SF Peninsula

The Curiosity Lab

The Curiosity Lab

Created and led by a former public elementary school teacher who has spent the last 25 years developing curriculum that immerses children in outdoor nature experiences. The Curiosity Lab is offering week-long nature based camps that provide amazing experiences along the magnificent San Mateo Coast in Woodside, CA.

Lemo U - Summer Camp

LEMO U

LEMO’s 43,000 square foot campus in Redwood City is a haven and training ground where students from all walks of life learn to push their limits and leave a greater mark on the world. Featuring FLEXZONE Summer Camp and Volleyball Summer Camps. If you work at Meta, this camp is very convenient to the Menlo Park campus.

Spartans Sports Camp - Summer Camp

Spartans Sports Camp

Spartans Sports Camp offers a wide variety of sports, performing arts, and academic enrichment camps for kids entering grades 1-9. Experienced staff ensures everyone has fun. Daily on-site swimming is offered for summer camps. The camp is run by Mountain View Los Altos High School coaches and student-athletes and all proceeds benefit the MVHS Athletic Department.

Midpen Media Center - Summer Camp

Midpen Media Center

The Media Center in Palo Alto gives youth the tools to tell their own stories and to become producers of media that informs, inspires, and empowers! We are a non-profit TV station that operates five TV channels in the midpeninsula. We put the people and issues of our community on TV and we provide low cost training to people in the areas of TV Studio Production, TV mobile Production Truck, Field Video Production, etc.

Bay Area Kids Camp - Summer Camp

Bay Area Kids Camp

Bay Area Kids Camp is a 100% mobile outdoor adventure camp that takes kids to different nature preserves to hike and explore. Each day we spend time hiking in the woods, climbing trees, and exploring tide pools, ponds, and creeks. On all of our adventures, we have seen everything from the smallest insects, banana slugs, and deer to watching whales spouting and birds of prey flying. Pick up locations in San Mateo, Portola Valley and Mountain View CA.

BrainVyne – LEGO® & Money Camps

Engage your Pre-K to 5th grader with fun and exciting adventure through play with LEGO®. Working with talented and caring instructors your kids will learn, explore, discover, and create all year long. Locations in Menlo Park and Palo Alto, CA.

Applied Computing - Summer Camp

Applied Computing Foundation

Applied Computing Foundation (in Belmont and Los Altos, CA).is an exciting place to intrigue and empower students and communities with coding. We are a bridge builder from the classroom to the real world, striving to provide an excellent learning experience and opportunities to create solutions to challenges in a collaborative & competitive setting.

DesignX - Summer Camp

DesignX

DesignX in Los Altos, CA offers one-of-a-kind programs in design to unleash and nurture creativity in kids ages 7-16yo.  Kids learn how to take their idea from concept to completion for Fashion, Textiles, Soft Toys, Wood Toys, Accessories and Architecture.

Mid-Pen Sports Powered By Hi-Five Sports - Summer Camp

Mid-Pen Sports Powered by Hi-Five

Hi-Five Sports in Atherton offers programming for children PreK-8th grade, including classes, leagues and of course, camps! Our experienced, patient, and passionate coaching staff will divide the campers into balanced teams that will then learn about and compete in a wide variety of sports including: basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, and more!

Pong Planet - Summer Camp

PongPlanet

PongPlanet in San Carlos CA is a full-time Table Tennis Club offering the highest quality courts, equipment, and instruction, along with a variety of programs for adults and juniors of all abilities. Camp activities will include one-on-one coaching, robot training, match practice, fun gameplay, and free play. Kids can live and breathe table tennis for up to 6 hours a day!

Golden Eagle Sports Camp - Summer Camp

Golden Eagle Summer Sports Camp

Golden Eagle Summer Sports Camp is a full-facility day camp providing a wide variety of activities for boys and girls ages 5 to 13 in Los Altos and Cupertino. Campers will develop skills in a variety of sports and games, learn to engage in good sportsmanship & friendly competition, and, most importantly, have fun.

Hummingbird Music School - Summer Camp

Hummingbird Music School

At Rock Band Camp in San Carlos, campers will be immersed in live music and performance, experiencing what it’s like to be in a rock band with fellow musicians and bandmates! Campers will together form a band, attend daily band rehearsals, participate in music workshops, and perform with their band in a live showcase at the end of the week.

Yes for Chess - Summer Camp

Yes for Chess

Yes For Chess was created in 2008 with the idea not just to teach chess, but to use chess to teach children critical thinking, and creative problem-solving in a fun environment. This concept was quickly embraced by schools and parents, which allowed us to teach thousands of students. This year’s chess summer camp is in Palo Alto, CA

Best South Bay Summer Camps

CD's Art Studio - Summer Camp

CD’s Art Studio

At CD’s Kids Art Studio in San Jose, CA, we do papier-mache animals, fused-glass art, mosaic stepping stones, landscape paintings, drawing, and much more! Kids can sign up for one or more days, or a full week. Come join CD and the rest of our friendly staff and have fun creating lots of art!

Compaspoint mentorship - summer camp

CompassPoint Mentorship

Our mission is to connect children and mentors using an educational framework designed to motivate children around the world to convert ideas into world-changing actions. We exercise hybrid online and hands-on education that spurs collaboration and critical thinking skills using curricula such as environmental science, engineering, applied arts, and physical education. Locations in San Jose and Milpitas.

Star Kids Academy - Summer Camp

Star Kids Academy

Our mission is to connect children and mentors using an educational framework designed to motivate children around the world to convert ideas into world-changing actions. We exercise hybrid online and hands-on education that spurs collaboration and critical thinking skills using curricula such as environmental science, engineering, applied arts and physical education. Summer camps in San Jose and Cupertino, CA.

futurebytes summer camp

Futurebytes

Futurebytes in Santa Clara, CA transforms young minds into innovators & makers by offering compendious coding curriculum for grades K-8, specialized in Robotics and Electronic circuits. Interactive learning and coding allows students to channel their creativity and helps them to create their own imaginary world.

Best East Bay Summer Camps

Cooking Round the World

Fun! Educational! Super delicious! Each week of camp Cooking Round the World offers a different theme. Recipes are either an interpretation of the theme or food mentioned within the theme. Other activities include subject- related games and stories, a cooking demonstration, and a trivia game. Cooking Camps held in Lafayette, Piedmont, and San Leandro CA.

Global Art Fremont - Summer Camp

Global Art Fremont, LLC

Art enhances creativity and is the building block of child development. Global Art Fremont trains the younger generation to be creative thinkers and to develop their problem-solving skills – allowing them to imagine, explore, discover, and learn different ways of thinking and doing things! Original projects are designed for each camp session — No repeat projects/templates from previous camps!

Applied Computing - Summer Camp

Applied Computing Foundation

Applied Computing Foundation is an exciting place to intrigue and empower students and communities with coding. We are a bridge builder from the classroom to the real world, striving to provide an excellent learning experience and opportunities to create solutions to challenges in a collaborative & competitive setting. Locations in Milpitas and Los Altos.

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Thanksgiving Break & Winter Break Camps in San Francisco

Updated for Winter 2024

Here in San Francisco, three weeks of school vacation are coming up — and you may be looking for a Thanksgiving Camp, or Winter Camp before the end of the year.

These holiday breaks are a great time to try something new like horseback riding or spend a little extra time on interests like cooking.

Thanksgiving Break Camps thanksgiving cooking camps

Find Thanksgiving Camps for the holiday break. Even though school may be out for one or more days, you’ll find plenty for kinds to do at camp during Thanksgiving Week.

See Thanksgiving Camps in San Francisco >

Winter Break Camps

Enroll in a camp during Winter Break to make the most of the winter school holiday. Many camps are available for single days so you can book just the days you need.

Winter Break Adventure Camp, San Francisco
Since 1971, Adventure Camp activities combine education, entertainment, and structure with spontaneity to create a well-balanced and fun program.

Manga Art Camp by Art School of SF Bay
San Francisco & San Jose
Come join fellow fans of comics and animated shows to take your drawing skills to the next level!

Winter Break Art Camp by Brushstrokes Studio
Berkeley
Camp offers diverse projects like pottery and painting, with guided activities and free crafting time. Dress for mess and outdoor fun.

See More Winter Break Camps in San Francisco >

Want more ideas? Check out all the camps available for kids over Thanksgiving Week and Winter Break.

Holiday Break Camps in San Francisco

See dates for other school holidays:

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Bay Area Camp Fairs in 2023

Attend a camp fair from home! Meet amazing camps in the Bay Area and hear about their plans for in-person summer camps in 2023. Mark your calendar for March 4-5, 2023!!

Register for the fair near you!

  • Thornton Junior High School Gym in Fremont for East Bay programs (Saturday, March 4 from 1:00-3:00)
  • Palo Alto High School for programs in Palo Alto or the Peninsula area (Sunday, March 5 from 11:00-2:00)

If you can’t make it to one of these fairs, check out ActivityHero for the latest summer camp schedules and reviews.

 

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San Francisco Peninsula Spring Break Camps – 2021

Spring Break is here! Looking for some last-minute coverage? Some of these camps offer one-day drop-in rates for the ultimate flexibility!

See more SF Bay Area Spring Break Camp Schedules >>

Aviation Camp, San Carlos – Spring Break Camps for Elementary and Middle School Students, starts in April.

Hiller_kidsAviation Camp is an immersive hands-on aerospace experience for campers entering Grades K-8.  All programs are held at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos.

Launch a mission to the cutting edge of aviation! Investigate the fastest, highest and biggest things in aerospace using realistic flight simulation, exploration of real aircraft, model aircraft construction and more

Cool Coyote Kids Camp, Mountain View – Spring Break Camps starting in April.

Camp is focused on exploring and playing in nature. The goal of this camp is to let children be children, letting them play in nature while learning about their surroundings and the balance in nature. Each day we take a small group of children and after meeting up for circle time in the morning, we head off to different local state parks, beaches, creeks and farms.

 

 

Kids Dojo, Palo Alto – Spring Break Camps starting in April.

Enjoy 5 days mountain biking and exploring trails. This is for those who want to learn mountain biking skills and is designed to teach basic riding skills, mechanics and very beginning racing skills in a fun, relaxed, and comfortable environment. We have enthusiastic, experienced instructors for our unique program dedicated exclusively to mountain biking. Your child will have the opportunity to be challenged, while they grow as a rider and we make sure they laugh and learn. Whatever their level, they will improve their cycling and self-confidence in a safe,fun environment. Each day we ride different trails and pump tracks and practice skills while learning trail etiquette and enjoying the outdoors. You can expect your child to be tired, dirty and hungry at the end of the day! Please be sure to make sure your child drinks plenty of water when they get home.

BrainVyne Lego Camps Palo Alto and Menlo Park in April.

biggerbrainCreate battery-powered LEGO® creations within a variety of themes – Space, Vehicles, Pokemon, Animals and Cities. Experiment with gears and wheels to create movement. Through hands-on building, students will learn how form and function come together in a great design.

 

 It’s Yoga Kids Spring Break Camp San Francisco

teentree
Spend time in practice, reflection and creative expression – inspiring self-connection and building friendships and community.  Yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation practices will flow alongside discussion, art projects and group games as we explore the many ways “yoga” can show up in our daily lives.

See SF Bay Area Spring Break Camps Schedules >>

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School Holiday Camps – Fall & Winter 2020

This year, there are so many school breaks that we don’t even have a name for many of them. Your school might be out for 1-5 days in October, plus a whole week of Thanksgiving, and 2-3 weeks for Winter Break.

For Columbus Day (or Indigenous Peoples Day) or October Break, you’ll find camps for basketball, art, programming, martial arts and more!

In November, most schools are off for Veterans Day on November 11. More and more schools now have the full week of school off for Thanksgiving. You’ll find camps that offer 1-4 day sessions.

And to end the year, your child can try out some new activities, like jewelry making, flight simulators, table tennis, cooking, and more over Winter Break.

To easily keep track of when your school is off, you’ll find school calendars for most SF Bay Area schools on the ActivityHero blog.

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School Break Camps in San Francisco Bay Area

Parents with school-age kids know firsthand that the school calendar is full of one day holidays as well as a several full weeks off. In fact, school is out 16 weeks a year so it is not a surprise that hardly a month goes by without some type of school break.

On the plus side, many holiday break camps have emerged in the San Francisco Bay Area to enrich and engage kids on their days off.

Here is the list of school holidays recognized by SFUSD and other school districts in the SF Bay Area, and where you can find school break camps during the days off.

Winter Break Camps
MLK Jr. Day Camps
President’s Day Camps
Spring Break Camps
Summer Camps
Fall Break Camps
Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day Camp
Veterans Day Camps
Thanksgiving Break Camps

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Thanksgiving Holiday Camps

Updated for Thanksgiving 2022

The countdown has begun and the Turkey time is almost here! Many Bay Area schools are out the whole week of Thanksgiving and you can find some fun camps for kids. Fear not though! We’ve got you covered with these Holiday Camps on-site in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Belmont, San Jose, Los Altos, and online!

Featured In-Person Thanksgiving Camp in San Francisco

Thanksgiving Cooking Camp with 4ft and Up Kitchen

Peninsula:

Aviation Camp at Hiller Aviation Museum (San Carlos)

Build-A-City In-Person LEGO Camp (Belmont)

South Bay:

CD’s Art Studio, San Joseturkey-soccer-ball
Coach Ken Soccer Academy Los Altos
Best in Class Education (Palo Alto)

San Francisco & Marin:

Horse Camp with Chaparral Ranch at Golden Gate Park (San Francisco)
Basketball and Sports Camps by Legarza Kids

See All Thanksgiving Camps

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Online Camps for Kids in SF Bay Area

Many families in the San Francisco area are not ready to have kids attend an in-person summer camp in 2020. But they also don’t want kids to sit at home with nothing to do. Online summer camps, with live instruction and a variety of topics, can keep kids engaged and learning over the summer from home. 

Online Art Camps

Art camps are available for all ages and are a great outlet for kids at home. Many online camps offer kits with the necessary materials for kids to use as they follow along in class.

Pacific Art League –  Various weeklong summer camps for ages 5-16, from Calligraphy to Digital Design to Birds, Bugs, and Butterflies!

CD’s Art Studio – Fun virtual painting camps for kids, an online painting party, and an online slime party. Packages of materials are sent via mail or can be picked up in San Jose, CA.

Art School of SF Bay – Online art summer camps via Zoom for various mediums and genres, including 20th Century studies, manga, and digital painting. 

Young Art – Virtual summer camps for K-6th grade students in both morning and afternoon. 

Online Coding Camps

Kids can be introduced to programming and other technological skills through coding their own games or applications! Coding camps may require software such as Scratch to be downloaded before the session. Coding skills become increasingly useful as our world shifts online.

CodingREV Kids – Coding fun challenges using drag and drop code. For ages 6-11 with no typing or coding experience needed. 

Digital Dragon – Creative coding with Swift for ages 14-18. Create an iPhone app while covering the basics of Apple Xcode, the Swift programming language, and mobile app design. 

RISU USA – One week camp for ages 8-13, learning coding in Python and algorithm development.

NR Computer Learning Center – An 8-day camp where students will learn to design and develop a website through lectures and hands-on activities.

Online Science Camps

Science camps are both educational and fun, with an endless amount of material to cover. Online science camps provide a great opportunity to experience fun projects and experiments from home. 

Camp EDMO – Camps for pre-K through 8th grade for all kinds of technology-based topics, including TinkerCAD 3D modeling, photography, Graphic Design, Minecraft, and Roblox. 

Camp Captivate (Science Smart Kids Inc.) – Kids learn about famous national parks from home using art and science kits. A fun virtual camp for ages 7-10.

Digital Media Academy Tech Camps – For ages 9-12, featuring 10 technology-based online courses for design, entrepreneurship, machine learning, journalism, and more. 

Online Academic Camps

Academic subjects like math and writing can be difficult to comprehend through only textbooks and Youtube videos. Live instructors at academic camps provide personalized instruction and help keep kids focused and engaged. 

Wizbots – Creative thinking and programming with Scratch. Students work through puzzles, and design and program their own puzzle game by the end of the week. 

Communication Academy – Offers writing courses for 8-14 year olds. Learn to express yourself through interactive activities and practice core writing skills in four-day camps. Topics vary by week. 

Mathletes – In Coach K’s Math Camp, kids will practice creative problem solving, playing games and solving puzzles, and building challenges focused on mathematics and geared towards middle schoolers. 

Summer Camp Online – Online SAT prep course for high schoolers. Two hours per day, Monday through Friday. 

Online Camps For Teens

Teenagers are already experts at navigating online resources. Online camps and academic programs can serve as a way to connect with peers and mentors to learn and grow while at home. 

Bottom of the Box, LLC – Teen resilience and leadership workshop. Gives teens the tools to exercise resilience, express themselves, and build confidence and perseverance. Skills can also help support the college application process. 

Inspirit AI, Inc. – An artificial intelligence pre-college program taught by Stanford graduate students. Students work on AI projects, learn about potential careers in AI, and help prepare for CS/AI college programs.

Math Enrichment Summer Program – Offers math and science courses for credit. Classes are taught by credentialed teachers and meet for four hours a day. Students receive UC/CSU/Private School/High School credit for these courses. 

Access online camps from across the country:

Kids may see fellow campers from all over the US or even the world. There’s a wide variety of online camps available, so be sure to take note of the time zone when registering for an online camp.

Beginning summer camp in the morning can help kids keep a steady daily routine over the summer and help prepare them for next school year. Morning summer camps will start the day with fun and education, leaving the rest of the day free for a second class or camp, physical activity, and free time. While kids have missed out on part of the school year, online summer camps are a reliable alternative for academic and enrichment programs in summer 2020. You’ll find schedules, details and reviews on ActivityHero.

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Free Family Events for Fall 2019

Though summer is ending, there are still plenty of opportunities for fun family outings and educational days for your kids. Take advantage of the many free events in the San Francisco area in the upcoming months!

National Park Free Entrance Days

MUWO-edu-program

Muir Woods National Monument

There are three entrance fee-free days for all National Parks in the upcoming months:

  • Sunday, August 25th – National Park Service Anniversary
  • Saturday, September 28th – National Public Lands Day
  • Monday, November 11th – Veterans Day

Parks in Northern California include Muir Woods, Redwood, Sequoia, and Yosemite. Set out on a weekend camping trip before the weather turns too cold, or take a nature-filled day trip for a short escape from the bustling city. Go for a hike and point out different plant and animal species along the way for a great combination of exercise and hands-on learning!

Check out more details about the entrance fee-free days, and mark “I’m Interested” to receive reminders and extra information about the event.

Museum Free Admission Day

This year, on Saturday, September 21st, museums and cultural institutions across the US are participating in the Smithsonian’s Free Museum Day.

43539075442_ba70d0a682_o.jpg

The Tech Interactive

Museums encourage your children to think critically and creatively about the contents of the exhibits and why they’re being displayed, and can also be a great source of inspiration if your child is interested in science, art, history, or any other subject. Do your kids have the misconception that museum trips are too long and boring? Read some tips about how to get them to love these educational institutions.

In the Bay Area, museums include the Bay Area Discovery Museum, The Tech Interactive, Museum of Craft & Design, and the New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU). Each reserved ticket allows for free admission for two people at one museum, so get yours soon!

 

More family-friendly free events are bound to pop up as the year goes on, so make sure to check back for updates!

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Over 1,000 Summer Camp Scholarships available to children in San Francisco

For the first time, families who struggle to make ends meet can apply for multiple summer camp scholarships with ActivityHero’s simple online registration. Over 1,000 scholarships are available at 50 summer camps for as little as $20. Participating camps include Celsius & Beyond, STEMful , Always Learning and Growing, Mariposa Kid’s Community Project, Girls Leading Girls and many more in and around the San Francisco bay area.

While some summer camps already offer financial aid, each has its own application process and deadline. ActivityHero’s scholarship program allows families to apply for multiple summer camps with one application, saving time and increasing the success of receiving a scholarship.

Families can apply for a scholarship at ActivityHero.com. Scholarships are available for children ages 5-17. Household income and family size will determine scholarship eligibility. Cash contributions from local families help more children attend summer camp.

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