We will leave in a few days for a week in San Francisco. We have searched the internet for things to do and special deals. We bought a CityPass that will allow us to ride the cable cars, go to several museums and Alcatraz. Wanted to see if anyone had any personal recommendations of things to do, beaches or places to eat in San Francisco. We have a 13 year boy and a 9 year old boy.
We had a wonderful week in San Francisco. We stayed at the Radisson Hotel at Fishermans Wharf. It was great. We could look out at the Wharf and the bay and see Alcatraz from our balcony. The boys enjoyed the heated pool. We toured the Wharf, Alcatraz, Pier 39, the Aquarium of the Bay, Ghiradelli Square, Chinatown, Union Square and rode the Cable Cars (very difficult to get a ride, since they were SO crowded). We rented a car and drove over the Golden Gate Bridge, went to Muir Woods, had ice cream in Sausilito and played at a great playground in Golden Gate Park. The kids loved Alcatraz and especially the Exploratorium. We could have stayed there all day. My oldest son was really taken with the Palace of Fine Arts, which is not really a museum, but a fantasy facade with a swan filled lagoon that was created for the World's Fair in 1915(?). We also rented a car and drove to Monterey for one night. Although we loved it and the beaches in Carmel, it was not a good idea for only one night. The two hour drive took us 4 1/2 hours and we had to be back at SFO the next day to catch a flight! We hated to leave. We met many people traveling from Europe, since the exchange rate is in their favor. There was so much to see and do and we didn't get to do everything we wanted to do, but we had a great time. Thanks for all of your ideas and suggestions. They were very helpful.
Fisherman's Wharf is a must. There is a school of sea lions by the wharf, a nice enjoyable sight..not the smell, though!
We've taken the ferry to Angel Island and have enjoyed a picnic there overlooking the city. It's breath taking and a wonderful memory. Try it!
I used to live in San Francisco, and I loved it!
Don't forget to take a jacket/wind breaker!
Enjoy!
K.,
You are so lucky to be going to San Francisco. It is my favorite city in the United States. It is great fun to visit too. I took my husband in the fall of 2006 to all of my little haunts. It is also great to go with the kids so I will try to make my suggestions more kid centric. If you want some more adult suggestions please let me know.
I would suggest going to the bookstore and getting Streetwise San Francisco. This is a good walking map of the major attractions and where you can catch the trolleys.
Places of interest- Sausalito, Alcatraz, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombardy Street (the crookedest street in the world), Union Square, China Town, Ghiradelli Square, the Cannery, etc.
There is an area of town nicknamed the Tenderloin district. This area is not very safe for tourists and should be avoided. Broadway is a major street in this district. This is kind of the redlight district area of the city. You usually take a taxi through this area to get into town from the airport.
Sausalito is right across the bay and you can catch a ferry at the Ferry Building over there. It is a good place to spend the afternoon. When I was about your youngest's age, I bought the best kite I ever had.
Along the water at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 there used to be a Ripley's Believe it or Not that was always cool for that age. There was also a cool magic store at the end of the museum. I am not sure that these are still there since I didn't look this last visit- I am kind of past that sort of attraction and we didn't have any children with us on the last visit.
There is also the walruses or seals that sit along the piers near there. Extremely loud and a little smelly.
You can take a tour through Ghiradelli Square too. This is where they make Ghiradelli chocolate. There is a Grey Line depot too that will take you on a tour of the city and you can also take a tour to the Napa Valley if you don't rent a car.
Try Tadiches restaurant in the financial district of town- next to Chinatown and right down the hill from Nob Hill. This is the oldest restaurant in San Francisco and it really fun to sit at the counter. I would get there about 10:45 a.m. as they open at 11:00 I think and a line forms pretty quickly. Interesting experience.
Union Square has a huge Nike store on the square if your boys are into that too.
For a more adult dinner, the Slanted Door at the Ferry Building is a really good restaurant. French Laundry in Napa is also good but you have to make reservations months ahead. Your concierge might be able to secure a reservation though if that is of interest.
Good luck and have fun.
Most definitely if you don't do anything else you must drive north of the Golden Gate bridge to Marin county and Muir Woods. It is a breathtaking stroll through some of the most fascinating Redwoods you will ever see. The path will take you to the beach on the pacific coast. Have a camera handy for the many great picture opportunites.
By far SF is one of the best places to visit because there is SO much to do and see.
Enjoy!
My boys (7 and 11) have been to visit relatives in San Fransisco for the last two summers. They love most of the activities mentioned so far also! Alcatraz, Jelly Belly Factory, Monterey Bay Aquarium (their favorite!!!), Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory, the bay, Bubba Gump's Shrimp Factory restaurant (a bit overpriced but decent food), trolley rides, etc. Take a drive along Pebble Beach in conjunction with the Monterey Bay trip and stop in along the small beaches on the way, but don't plan on doing more than wading... the water is COLD! Have a fabulous trip!
Bike ride down the pier, over the GG Bridge into Sausalito. Then, take the ferry back. (The route was VERY easy. Most is flat or downhill. There was only one bad (short) hill that I just walked up.) You can also attach your bikes to the front of the city busses, take the bus to Golden Gate Park, and ride your bike around the park.
Muir Woods
Cable Car Museum
Golden Gate Park
Sea lions by the Pier 39
Exploratorium
That was one of my favorite trips. If I think of more, I will add on to this post. You will have a lot of fun!
Hi K....I've read all the posts so far and most are right on! The one thing I would emphasize is Muir Woods. It is a chance to see the giant redwoods right there close to SF instead of having to travel up to northern CA or elsewhere! It's awesome!! I took my 80 yr old mother for her 80th bday and she said it was the highlight of her life!!! Lots of trails to hike! One tip: there is a small parking lot which will most likely be full. If there are lots of cars parked on the road, (I once had to park about a mile away), keep circling the parking lot for awhile to see if you can snag a spot! Maybe you'll be lucky and get a spot right away!! TIP: It costs $5 to get back across the GGbridge! Or it did when I moved from CA.
Another must do eating spot is Scoma's on the wharf..it's kinda hidden, go hungry!!
You must do Alcatraz, but always buy your tickets early..contact your hotel!!! Rent the audio set, you get to hear the "inmates" talking, cell doors slamming, etc. Sometimes there will be a former inmate doing a book signing!
A good place in Chinatown to eat dim-sum is Yang Sing at 427 Battery. Be careful, the tab can rise quickly, cause everything is so good! Walk the main street in Chinatown, I think it's Stockton. You'll feel like you are in another country!
Monterey & Carmel are neat but it's about 1 1/2 hours drive, so it's not like it's down the street! Carmel has awesome beaches. I always take a blanket, some wine and cheese and sit and watch the sunset!! But again, it will be cool or even cold in the summer! Take jackets or sweatshirts & be able to layer. If you do 17-mile drive thro Pebble Beach, it cost around $7 to drive thro, but if you eat at one of the restaurants, take your receipt and they will refund it. You can eat right on the 18th green of the golf course!
I wish you had time to go to Yosemite!!! It is the most awesome place in the world! Plan another trip in early June and the waterfalls will be exploding!!
There are so many things to do! SF is a great walking city. Don't know where you are staying, but we once walked all the way from Union Sq to Ghirardelli Sq. Then caught the cable car back up. Take comfortable walking shoes!! Another neat thing to do is hike or drive up to Coit Tower, and OH you must drive up to Twin Peaks (if it's not foggy!) AWESOME views!!
Hope this helps!!! D. G. Oh ps,,,I've never been to the jelly belly factory, but it's in Fairfield, not right in SF...I personally would not take the time to do that, I'd rather go south to the Monterey area and do the beaches and aquarium!! Just fyi
If you like sea food Fisherman's Warf http://www.fishermanswharf.org/ and Pier 39 http://www.pier39.com/ are some good places to start. Ghirardelli Square has great sops and a chocolate store and you can watch them make the candy. http://www.ghirardellisq.com/ghirardellisq/index.htm
Chinatown is also a great place to eat if you like Chinese food. They have some great restaurants. http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/neighborhoods/chi...
Alcatraz is also great. I hope you have a great time just exploring.
Former California Girl
Go into Napa Valley and visit the wineries. There is a great little deli/winery about 1/2 way on the wine trip called V Sattui (sp). We got a bottle of wine, foods at the deli and had a picnic on their grounds. Lot of fun.
My husband's family live there and we visit at least once a year. Beware of the zoo...we happened to go a few days before the tigers attacked and killed those boys last year. They say they've changed everything since then. It was a nice zoo otherwise. Make sure and drive down the "crookedest street"...Lombard (I think). Make sure and eat at a Mel's Diner, they are all over the city and great for kids. Eat at The Cliff House...famous restaurant right on a cliff overlooking the ocean in an old home..really great food. If you get a mommy and daddy date...eat at Boulevard. The "it" restaurant. The museum is really nice--I can't remember the name...DeLay? it's De-something. Also, Golden Gate Park is awesome!! Your kids will love it. Plan on spending several hours just walking around it...similiar to NY's Centrl Park. They have a really great Botanical Gardens inside Golden Gate Park and kid always love it. Union Square area is great for shopping and you have to eat the Cheesecake Factory on the roof of the Macy's on Union Square. Go after dark and sit on the patio, it's the most spectacular view, you won't be disappointed! have a great time! be ready to spend alot of money..it's not cheap!!!
I'm from Cali and used to live 45 min North of San Fran. Pier 39 is pretty cool ... you're probably going to see it when you go to Alcatraz. But you definitely need to go to China Town. And there's a famous road (which for the life of me I can't remember right now) but it's steep and winds around a lot. California street is another VERY STEEP street. Be careful on those. There's so much it's much easier to park and walk and just take the trolley everywhere!
Have fun!
K.,
I am a stay at home grandmother of 10 wonderful grandchildren and a home based travel agent. I couldn't resist giving you some tips to my favortie city. Goldengate Park, Alcatraz your boys will love it but buy your tickets before you go they sell out fast. Hot Fudge Sundae at Garedelli Chocolate. Of course the cable cars. If you have a rent car for the day get out and go to Muir woods the redwood forest. This is a perfect time of year to go. Have fun.
N. Cox
They have an acquarium there that is pretty cool, lots of fish and sharks. Also, within a few hours drive is the Jelly Belly factory. We went there, and it was very cool. You actually got to watch them make the candy, and they had an awesome gift shop.
We are visiting the SFB area too!! My brother and sil live on Alameda Island in the bay. She has a whole itenarary listed for us. With several things listed from the other responses.
The museum is the de Young museum. My sil, Shannon, is the events planner at the museum, so we will be seeing that!
They got married in Half Moon Bay and say it is gorgeous. We are also going to the Aquaraium. Alcatraz, China Town, Lombard Street, Riding the trolley cars, Ghiradelli square, Fishermans Wharf, Pier 59 (whatever). The ocean is cold, very cold, so nothing but beach combing for us. There is also a minor league baseball team there, called the Giants. We are skipping that as we can see baseball here. We are going to Muir Woods. We might not get to go to Yosemite Park though. We are also driving to SanDiego for Legoland and seeing some friends down there, then coming back up through Hollywood and LA before we fly back home.
I suggested the passes to my sil and for us, she said they would not be worth it. so be careful with them and make sure you get your money's worth out of them. They also didn't fit into my budget.
I doubt we will see you there, so have a good time. We are leaving August 4th and returning August 15th. 10 days of fun filled travel.
Good luck,
L.
There are a lot of great suggestions here. I'm from the SF Bay Area, and on our recent trip to visit family in June, we visited Muir Woods, Half Moon Bay Beach (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531)- you can find great tide pools here or just enjoy the chilly ocean water- the kids won't mind the temperature! Another small, secluded beach in SF is China Beach. It has a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Many photographers take wedding portraits here- (http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casfmenu/p/beach_china.htm)
We also visited the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos (http://www.hiller.org/). You can print a coupon online for a discounted rate. They have flight simulators, which were fun to try. The Exploratorium is fascinating (& you may receive discounted admission w/ the CityPass)- http://www.exploratorium.edu/index.html
We also visited Monterey Bay Aquarium- a favorite of ours! It's spendy, but well worth it ( http://www.mbayaq.org/)
Another magnificent place is Yosemite Nat'l Park- a 4 hour drive from SF... but beautiful, if you have the time & a car. (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/directions.htm)
There's just so much to do... Have a wonderful trip!
