If you are a high school student looking to make the most of your summer break, participating in summer programs can be a valuable opportunity to explore different fields in depth. These experiences provide many significant advantages. They enhance your college applications, help you develop practical skills in specific areas, and connect you with professionals in the field. Depending on the program type, you might also get to earn a stipend.
Why should you spend your summer in San Francisco?
San Francisco serves as a center of innovation across various sectors, including technology, nonprofit organizations, environmental conservation, arts, healthcare, and civic engagement, offering exceptional access to leading organizations and professionals. Many summer programs in San Francisco offer a variety of opportunities, from STEM-focused internships at prominent research institutions to creative endeavors in media and arts. Whether you’re developing coding skills, engaging in scientific research, pursuing public service, or exploring entrepreneurship, there are options suitable for a wide range of interests.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 summer programs in San Francisco for high school students.
You can also check out these guides on 15 Physics Internships for High School Students in California and 15 Humanities Programs for High School Students in California.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in San Francisco
1. Project Pull
Location: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $23.00/hour
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors, or college-bound freshmen living in San Francisco; Must have a minimum 2.75 GPA
During the Project Pull program, you will gain paid work experience within the San Francisco city government while contributing to meaningful public utility projects. You will develop professional work habits, communication skills, and gain insight into how public agencies operate and serve communities. The program provides exposure to environmental sustainability initiatives and infrastructure projects that impact the San Francisco Bay Area. You will also work alongside experienced professionals who will mentor you through real-world assignments and problem-solving scenarios.
2. SF YouthWorks
Location: Multiple city department locations in San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $19.18/hour
Dates: June 16 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: 11th-12th graders and graduating 12th graders living in San Francisco
As part of the SF YouthWorks program, you will get to work in paid internships across various San Francisco city departments, including the Public Utilities Commission, Public Library, and San Francisco International Airport. This program combines paid job-readiness workshops, professional training, and real-world internship placements where you’ll contribute to city operations. You will develop essential workplace skills, including communication, collaboration, and professionalism, while earning an hourly wage alongside your academic responsibilities. The program provides mentorship from city employees and professionals who guide your career exploration and professional development. You will gain exposure to diverse career pathways in public-sector work, from administrative roles to specialized technical positions.
3. MYEEP (Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program)
Location: Multiple locations, including Buchanan YMCA, in San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $19.18/hour
Dates: 7 weeks from June – August
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Rising 9th-10th graders living in San Francisco
During MYEEP, you will participate in comprehensive workforce development training that prepares you for employment success through job readiness workshops and paid internship placements. The program teaches essential skills, including communication, time management, public speaking, career exploration, financial literacy, professionalism, and teamwork. During the school year, you’ll commit to eight hours per week of paid work combined with youth development activities, while summer offers more intensive placement opportunities. You will receive personalized guidance from program coordinators who support your transition to successful adulthood and help you understand connections between education and employment.
4. Program for the Investigation and Training in Careers in Health (PITCH)
Location: UCSF, San Francisco, CA
Stipend/Cost: None
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: January 5 – March 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th-11th graders with a minimum GPA of 2.5 residing in California
UCSF’s Program for the Investigation and Training in Careers in Health (PITCH) is a three-week residential summer program designed for first-generation and low-income high school students interested in careers in health and medicine. You’ll explore the broader healthcare landscape and gain a deeper understanding of how different fields within health and medicine connect and intersect. Working directly with UCSF mentors, you’ll investigate real health issues and present your findings at the PITCH Health Symposium, a professional research showcase hosted at the end of the program. Beyond the science, you’ll receive structured guidance on navigating college and planning your academic path after high school. The program combines hands-on research, mentorship from university professionals, and college preparation, offering you insights into what a future in healthcare or medicine could look like.
5. YELL (Youth Engaged in Library Leadership)
Location: San Francisco Public Library locations, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid a biweekly stipend + a $500 scholarship to the K2C or ScholarShare529 account
Dates: June 15 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: 11th-12th graders or recent graduates (ages 15-19)
As part of the YELL program, you will work as a library leader, supporting STEM and literacy initiatives while developing project-based programming for teen communities. This internship offers 10-20 hours of work per week, combined with weekly meetings, orientation, and specialized training focused on content creation, program development, and event execution. You will collaborate with professional librarians and alongside fellow teen interns to design and implement engaging programs that serve San Francisco’s diverse communities. The experience includes hands-on work in areas ranging from virtual content creation to in-person program facilitation, building both technical and interpersonal skills.
6. Exploratorium: High School Explainers
Location: The Exploratorium, Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid
Dates: Summer and school-year sessions available; Summer: typically, June – August
Application Deadline: Not mentioned; Opens in March
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15-18) for first-time Explainers; Students up to the age of 20 for returning Explainers
The High School Explainers is a competitive program with an acceptance rate of around 15%. As a participant, you will work as a science educator and public speaker, engaging museum visitors in interactive learning experiences while developing confidence in science communication. As an Explainer, you will become part of the Exploratorium team that makes science accessible and engaging for thousands of annual visitors from diverse backgrounds and age groups. You will receive professional training in science content, visitor engagement, and public speaking, developing skills valuable across countless careers.
7. SEP’s High School Intern Program
Location: UCSF San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $4,500
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January – February 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending an SFUSD school or an SF charter school
During the SEP High School Intern Program, you will conduct original biomedical research under the direct mentorship of a UCSF scientist, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge laboratory work. This rigorous program pairs you with a dedicated researcher who will guide your learning of scientific content, methodology, and research skills as you complete an independent research project. You will work in state-of-the-art UCSF laboratories investigating topics ranging from neuroscience to immunology, contributing to authentic scientific research rather than simulated exercises. The program is specifically designed to support low-income and first-generation college students, with funding available through multiple sources, including the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
8. Opportunities for All (OFA)
Location: Various organizations across the San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer program
Application Deadline: April 10; Rolling
Eligibility: Marginalized youth from all races and ethnicities between the ages of 13-24
As part of the OFA program, you will access paid employment, job training, and mentorship opportunities specifically designed for marginalized youth historically excluded from quality workforce development programs. OFA provides an interdisciplinary curriculum combining work-based learning with professional development, ensuring you gain both practical skills and theoretical understanding of labor markets and career pathways. You will work on meaningful projects through partnerships with community organizations and local businesses, contributing to your neighborhood while developing employability skills.
9. Wharton San Francisco, CA: Innovation and Startup Culture
Location: Wharton San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $8,959; Scholarships available
Dates: July 5 – 17; July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: January 28 (priority); March 18 (final)
Eligibility: 9th-11th graders
As part of the Innovation and Startup Culture program, you will immerse yourself in San Francisco’s dynamic startup ecosystem while learning innovation strategies from Wharton professors and industry leaders. This intensive two-week program blends entrepreneurial education with real-world startup exposure, including site visits to actual venture-backed companies and interactions with local entrepreneurs. You will develop and pitch original startup ideas in teams, learning business model development, market research, customer discovery, and venture evaluation frameworks. The program incorporates practical use of AI tools for ideation, collaboration, and communication, preparing you for modern entrepreneurial work. You will experience lectures, simulations, hands-on projects, and field visits that collectively provide authentic exposure to startup culture and innovation processes.
10. Academy of Art University’s Pre-College Art & Design Experience (PCADE)
Location: Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 15 – 24 (Mondays to Thursdays)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students below the age of 19
Academy of Art University’s Pre-College Art & Design Experience (PCADE) is a free program that offers an immersive introduction to college-level art and design education. You’ll explore a wide range of creative disciplines from architecture and fashion to animation, game design, filmmaking, photography, and fine art, all taught at a collegiate standard. The courses are structured to accommodate both students who are entirely new to art and design and those looking to sharpen existing skills, making it accessible regardless of your prior experience. Classes are held primarily on-site at the Academy of Art University campus in San Francisco, offering you direct exposure to professional studio environments.
11. BAVC Media: Climate Warriors
Location: BAVC, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Monetary incentive of $200 offered
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling; Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18 from San Francisco and across the Bay Area
During the Climate Warriors program, you’ll develop video and audio production skills while creating a short documentary film focused on environmental justice issues affecting your community. This four-week intensive program combines hands-on filmmaking training with a collaborative approach, teaching you how to convey compelling stories about the climate crisis through visual media. The program goes beyond filmmaking by connecting your documentary project to a social impact plan, helping you understand how media can be a tool for change. You’ll complete the course with both a finished short film and a comprehensive understanding of an environmental justice issue, plus the skills to communicate complex topics dynamically.
12. California Academy of Sciences: Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Year-round, including during the summer
Application Deadline: February 1 – April 1
Eligibility: 9th-10th graders at SFUSD schools; Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and a valid work permit
As part of the CiS intern program, you will work as a paid science educator and research assistant at one of the world’s most prestigious natural history museums. This program will allow you to gain hands-on experience supporting academy educational programs while assisting the academy scientists with authentic field and laboratory research. You will teach visitors about science, natural history, and environmental conservation while simultaneously conducting your own research projects alongside Academy professionals. You will participate in mentorship from Academy experts, leadership council opportunities, and professional development that prepares you for science careers.
13. Berkeley Lab Experiences in Research (EinR)
Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA; Hybrid and virtual options available
Stipend: $500/week
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 2 – March 23
Eligibility: Current 10th-12th graders (16+); Northern California residency preferred, and experience with independent work required
During the EinR program, you will work directly on cutting-edge science and engineering projects alongside Berkeley Lab professionals and researchers in fields, including experimental research, data science, administration, and science communication. It is a six-week paid internship that immerses you in authentic STEM work environments where you’ll contribute meaningfully to ongoing laboratory initiatives rather than participating in training exercises. You will work 30-35 hours per week, gaining serious workplace experience while developing professional relationships with scientists and engineers across multiple disciplines.
14. iCLEM (Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology)
Location: JBEI labs, Emeryville, CA
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: June 8 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors (16+) with an annual household income below $120,800 (family of 4) in Alameda/Contra Costa or $156,650 in San Francisco County; Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and have passed Algebra 1 and Biology
As part of the iCLEM program, you will conduct hands-on research in microbiology, biotechnology, and biofuels while working in state-of-the-art laboratories mentored by JBEI researchers and UC undergraduates. You will complete an original research project in a real laboratory setting, learning fundamental concepts in molecular biology, biochemistry, and synthetic biology through direct application rather than classroom instruction. The program includes structured college preparation support, including personal statement writing, college admissions guidance, and financial aid education. You will explore biotechnology careers through discussions with STEM professionals, company visits, and exposure to diverse educational pathways beyond four-year universities.
15. Girls Who Code: Pathways
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: 9th-12th girls and non-binary students
Girls Who Code Pathways is a free summer program designed for high school students who want to build practical computer science skills at their own pace. As a participant, you can choose from various curriculum tracks, like game design, data science, AI, cybersecurity, and web development, and complete hands-on projects over 6-7 weeks. The program takes place on Discord, where you will connect with peers, attend optional career panels, and participate in workshops tied to emerging technologies. Beyond the coursework, Pathways gives you direct access to professionals from major tech companies through corporate partner events and advisor-led sessions, helping you understand what real careers in tech can look like.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like biology, physics, mathematics, or humanities, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – Girls Who Code