🌱 Summer Camps Guide 2026
A curated list for San Francisco, the SF Peninsula, and the South Bay
Hi parents,
If spring or summer planning is starting to float around in your head — or sit heavily on your to-do list — this guide is here to help you get oriented without the overwhelm.
This is a well-curated starting point, organized by location and camp type, so you can quickly find options that work for your child’s age, interests, and your family’s schedule. It’s not meant to be exhaustive — think of it as a trusted short list you can return to.
To make this easier to scan, here’s a quick way to think about age fit as you browse:
Ages 3–5: Creative & Movement camps, Community (Parks & Rec) programs, shorter half-day options
Ages 6–8: STEM & Curiosity camps, nature-based programs, themed weekly camps
Ages 9–12+: Advanced STEM, theatre & performance camps, coding and robotics programs
If you’re planning for spring break, a handful of these camps also run shorter spring sessions — especially Galileo, Steve & Kate’s Camp, some Parks & Recreation programs, and museum-based camps. Details vary by location.
✨ Parent Pocket Guide Top Picks
These camps consistently come up in parent conversations for their programming quality, flexibility, or ability to work well for multiple ages. If you’re not sure where to start, begin here.
Galileo Camps
A reliable favorite for themed weekly STEAM camps, with locations across SF, the Peninsula, and the South Bay. Easy to mix and match weeks, with extended care and many neighborhood locations.
Steve & Kate’s Camp
The most flexible option on this list. No weekly commitment, kids choose their activities daily, and unused days are refunded — especially helpful for families with travel or changing plans.
Hidden Villa
A beloved Bay Area classic for kids who thrive outdoors. Farm life, hiking, and nature-based play in a setting that feels truly special.
Exploratorium Camp Explorations
Hands-on science and tinkering rooted in the Exploratorium’s playful, inquiry-driven approach. Best for kids who like open-ended projects and learning through experimentation rather than worksheets.
TechKnowHow
A strong pick for kids who love building, coding, and problem-solving. Structured weekly camps focused on robotics, engineering, and beginner-friendly coding, with locations across SF, the Peninsula, and the South Bay.
📍 San Francisco
🔬 STEM & Curiosity
Mad Science – San Francisco Camps
Hands-on science experiments with themed weekly sessions. Good fit for kids who like clear structure and big “wow” moments.
Ages 5–12 | $400–$550 per week
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Exploratorium Camp Explorations
Inquiry-based science and tinkering inspired by the museum’s exhibits. A great fit for curious kids who enjoy experimenting, building, and figuring out how things work.
Ages 7–12 | $550–$750 per week
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Bay Area Discovery Museum – Summer Camps
Play-based STEAM exploration across the museum’s playful, waterfront campus. Great for younger elementary kids who like to learn through movement and making.
Ages 3–8 | ~$620–$675 per week
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🧩 Flexible / Drop‑In
Steve & Kate’s Camp – San Francisco
Highly flexible, pay‑as‑you‑go camp where kids choose activities daily.
Ages 4–12 | ~$140 per day
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🏫 Community Camps
JCCSF Summer Camps
A wide range of themed camps from arts and sports to theater and outdoor adventures. Well-run, multi-age programs with extended care options in the heart of San Francisco.
Ages 5–13 | ~$650–$750 per week
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YMCA of San Francisco Camps
Community-centered camps with swimming, sports, and arts at YMCA locations across San Francisco.
Ages 4–12 | $300–$500 per week
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📍 SF Peninsula
🎨 Creative & Movement
West Coast Dance Conservatory – Dance Camps
Weekly dance camps that make it easy to plan around travel or mix with other camps.
Classes blend technique, creative movement, and performance elements.
Ages 3+ | $400–$700 per week
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Accel Gymnastics – Summer Camps
Structured, high-energy gymnastics camps with flexible weekly enrollment.
Days are fast-paced, with plenty of time on apparatus and skill progression.
Ages 3–12 | $350–$600 per week
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Evolution Tennis Camps
Skill‑based tennis instruction with half‑ and full‑day options. Registration begins in February.
Ages 5–14 | $300–$600 per week
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888 Table Tennis (Rollins Rd)
Half‑ and full‑day table tennis camps for a range of ages. A quieter, skill-focused environment that appeals to kids who enjoy precision and focus.
Ages 6–16 | $300–$650 per week
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Legarza Sports Camps
High-energy sports camps focused on confidence, teamwork, and skill-building.
Games and drills emphasize effort and growth over competition.
Ages 4–12 | $400–$650 per week
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🔬 STEM & Curiosity
Galileo Camps
Themed weekly camps blending STEM, art, and outdoor play. Easy to mix and match weeks. Projects change weekly, keeping the experience fresh even across multiple sessions.
Ages 4–11 | $650–$750 per week
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CuriOdyssey – Day Camps
Nature, animals, and science exploration in an outdoor museum setting. Campers spend much of the day outside, learning through observation and hands-on activities.
Ages 4–10 | $500–$700 per week
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Hiller Aviation Museum – Aviation & STEM Camps
Flight, engineering, and aviation-themed camps are hosted at the museum. A fun blend of history, mechanics, and hands-on building projects.
Ages 6–13 | $500–$750 per week
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TechKnowHow Camps
Coding, robotics, and engineering challenges in a classroom setting. Camps are structured and skill-focused, with clear projects and takeaways.
Ages 7–12 | $500–$700 per week
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🧩 Flexible / Drop‑In
Steve & Kate’s Camp – Peninsula Locations
Highly flexible, pay‑as‑you‑go camp option for shifting schedules.
Ages 4–12 | ~$140 per day
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🏫 Community Camps
Burlingame Parks & Recreation
A dependable option for shorter weeks and familiar community settings. Full 2026 camp details (ages, pricing, and schedules) are available in the Parks & Rec catalog, with registration opening in February.
Ages 3–12 | $150–$400 per week
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San Mateo Parks & Recreation
Affordable community camps with themed weeks, typically released later in the season. Summer 2026 details have not been published yet — check the Parks & Rec site for updates as registration opens.
Ages 4–12 | $150–$400 per week
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Redwood City Parks & Recreation
Arts, sports, and enrichment camps close to home. Summer 2026 details are typically released in late February or early March — check the Parks & Rec site for updates.
Ages vary | $150–$450 per week
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Camp Carey
A beloved traditional day camp with themed weekly sessions that blend creative play, outdoor time, and enrichment activities. Spots tend to fill quickly.
Ages: Rising K–5 (CIT options for older kids) | ~$650–$700 per week
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Avid4 Adventure
Outdoor adventure camps focused on biking, kayaking, hiking, and exploration, with a strong emphasis on independence and confidence. Most days are spent outside, rain or shine.
Ages 6–14 | ~$500–$800 per week
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Grupology
Creative, enrichment-focused camps with rotating themes are offered during school breaks and summer. Activities often blend art, movement, and collaborative projects in small-group settings.
Ages vary | ~$350–$600 per week
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Marvegos – Summer Art Camps
Studio-based art camps focused on drawing, painting, and mixed-media exploration, with locations in both San Mateo and the South Bay. Works well as a half-day option or paired with a morning camp.
Ages 6–12 | $250–$400 per week
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📍 South Bay
🎨 Creative & Movement
Palo Alto Children’s Theatre – Summer Camps
Performance-based camps where kids rehearse throughout the week and end with a short production. A strong option for kids who enjoy being on stage and working toward a shared goal.
Ages 4–13 | $600–$850 per week
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Tiffany’s Dance Academy – Summer Dance Camps
Dance camps offering ballet, jazz, hip hop, and creative movement in a supportive studio setting. A good option for kids who enjoy expressive movement while building technique and confidence.
Ages 4–12 | ~$400–$700 per week
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🔬 STEM & Curiosity
Hidden Villa – Summer Camps
Immersive outdoor camps focused on nature, farming, and ecology. While technically located in Los Altos Hills, it’s a popular choice for South Bay families seeking a nature‑forward camp experience.
Ages 4–13 | $450–$700 per week
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Destination Science Camps
Science‑themed camps with clear weekly topics and hands‑on experiments. A structured option that works well for kids who like predictable routines and focused projects. Registration begins in February.
Ages 5–12 | $400–$600 per week
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TechKnowHow Camps
Coding, robotics, and engineering challenges in a classroom setting. Camps are skill‑focused, with defined projects and clear takeaways.
Ages 7–12 | $500–$700 per week
Learn more
🧩 Flexible / Drop‑In
Steve & Kate’s Camp – South Bay Locations
Flexible camp option that works well around travel weeks and changing schedules. Kids choose activities daily, with no long‑term commitment required.
Ages 4–12 | ~$140 per day
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🏫 Community Camps
Palo Alto Parks & Recreation
Wide range of arts, sports, and enrichment camps offered across the city. Programs vary by location and tend to fill quickly once registration opens.
Ages vary | $150–$450 per week
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Mountain View Parks & Recreation
Community‑based camps with a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. A dependable option for families looking to fill multiple summer weeks close to home. Registration begins in March.
Ages vary | $150–$400 per week
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Sunnyvale Community Services Camps
City-run camps offering a mix of arts, sports, STEM, and recreation across Sunnyvale community centers and schools. Programs are organized by age group, with half-day and full-day options depending on the session.
Ages vary | $150–$400 per week
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Marvegos – Summer Art Camps
Studio-based art camps focused on drawing, painting, and mixed-media exploration, with locations in both San Mateo and the South Bay. Works well as a half-day option or paired with a morning camp.
Ages 6–12 | $250–$400 per week
Learn more
If this guide helped narrow things down, consider bookmarking it — many of these programs open registration over the next few weeks, and details tend to roll out gradually.
I’ll keep sharing local happenings in the weekly guides, and we’ll revisit camps again as summer gets closer.
If you know another parent who’s starting to think about summer camps, feel free to forward this along.