Not-to-be-missed in San Francisco

[***Tish***]

Hi. I'm new to the board. I used to lurk a bit at the old board, but I'm much more likely to visit frequently now with the updated new-fangled board! :D

We're taking a trip to see family in San Francisco soon & I'm wondering what are the great things that we must do that we might not think of ourselves. Or, heck, even the super-touristy stuff you've done that turned out to be great! Due to family obligations, we won't have a *ton* of free time, but we will have 2 free days, I think. We're planning on the Aquarium of the Bay for one.

Tish

*edited to say we're going to the Aquarium of the Bay, NOT Monterey Bay - turns out that's over 100 miles away! duh

[Amy loves Bud]

We loved the Go Car (http://www.gocartours.com/) tour. You can stop as often and for as long as you wish to check things out. It's really a blast!

We also enjoy great Italian food in North Beach, shopping is good in Cow Hollow, and the Fisherman's Wharf, though very touristy, is always a good time. Have fun!

[Michelle T]

We did the evening tour, which was great. But VERY chilly on the boat ride there and back.

We enjoyed walking around Fisherman's Wharf, as touristy as can be. We went into Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, a big hit with DS.

We did a "ghost" walking tour through the Pacific Heights neighborhoods, these are the really spectacular Victorian homes. The guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of SF and the homes, and it was extremely entertaining. Didn't see any ghosts, but learned a lot about SF and saw some beautiful Victorians.

San Francisco has the largest China Town outside China. You can have a VERY authentic Chinese meal there, which did not thrill DS, but was interesting. The menu actually offered "Assorted Pig Gut Soup". We did not order that.

Riding the cable cars is fun. Oh, do NOT miss the Exploratorium! The neatest hands-on, all science, great for kids, museum anywhere! We spent hours there, and loved every minute!

San Francisco is an absolutely beautiful city. I love visiting there.
Michelle T

[KarenNC]

We went last fall when my husband was there on business and stayed a week. Honestly, if I only had 2 days, I would put the Aquarium of the Bay pretty low on the priority scale if you have more regular access to another decent aquarium (and my daughter is a water/ocean junkie). We went and I was glad it was part of our citipass ticket. It was nice enough but very similar to many other aquaria. There are so many other things that are unique to San Francisco. It was very similar (on a smaller scale) to the Ripley Aquarium that we have been to at the beach here. It has the walk-through tunnel (the walkway was not turned on when we were there midweek in September) and a large touch pool.

Unfortunately, the renovated California Academy of Sciences complex won't open until Sept, and the temporary location of the Steinhart Aquarium closed in January. We were not able to make it there due to some unexpected changes in our schedule, and I have regretted that.

If you have a zoo or science museum membership, don't forget to check to see if any of the places you want to visit have a reciprocal membership so that you can get in free. The Exploratorium, for instance, is part of the ATSC network, IIRC.

Things we did (my daughter is 7):
Exploratorium --absolute must. Also, very close to that (within walking distance, about two or three blocks) is the beach at Crissy Field, just inside the bay. Much more protected than the Pacific beaches and highly recommended by the concierge at our hotel for anyone with younger children as there are not the concerns about the very strong currents, etc. My daughter loved it and I got some great photos of her on the beach with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background

Public transportation---we don't live in a city with a very effective public transportation system, so this was a lot of fun for her. Cable cars, subway, streetcars, buses---she really wanted to ride a "bendy bus" (one of the long ones that has the accordion-pleating in the middle). We rode one, but unfortunately it didn't go around any corners in the short distance we rode it.

Sea Lions at Pier 39 (very touristy area, but newer touristy than Fisherman's Wharf)--no charge to look at the sea lions, and there is a double decker carousel there if your kids might like that, mine did.

bay cruise, departs from just beside Pier 39. We did the Blue and Gold Fleet because it was part of the city pass. We didn't choose the Alcatraz option as we didn't think our daughter would be interested, but she show more interest as we rode pst than we had anticipated.

Tea in the Japanese Gardens in Golden Gate Park--very cool place.

The Asian Art Museum was fabulous, but my daughter did get pretty bored. There are two playgrounds right across the street from it, however, which helped. This would depend on the age/interests of your kids.

Walk through Chinatown. Just the experience of walking through, seeing the fish markets, hearing the language, etc was a great experience. We had taken a bus from the financial district to the Exploratorium, got off at the edge of Chinatown and walked the five blocks down to meet our transfer--very cool.

Japantown---not flashy or touristy, probably wouldn't include if you only have a couple of days

If you have time and access to a car, Muir Woods north of San Francisco are fabulous, but not accessible by public transportation other than on an organized tour. The drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to Half Moon Bay is also spectacular. We did both of those on our previous visit (several years before our daughter was born).

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

I've never been to SF, but I just wanted to chime in and say welcome to posting. Great picture of you and your dh at the top!

Barb

[Karin]

Have you been there before and done the touristy stuff? I'd say do Fisherman's Wharf, ride the cable cars (they still run, right? I haven't been there in years). The street they claim to be the crookedest street in the world used to be interesting. If they still do tours of Alcatraz, that's very educational and not something you can do just anywhere. I know they did them for a while, so we went when we were visiting then stopped, so we didn't when we lived there again, but it sounds like they're doing them again.

[***Tish***]

Thank you for all the tips & for the welcome.

It is our first time in SF, so I'm sure we'll find plenty (and then some) to do for the 2 free days we have. Thanks especially to KarenNC for the tip on teh aquarium vs. exploratorium! It all started with my misguided notion that we were going to the Monterey Bay aquarium, which *is* amazing, but entirely too far away to squeeze in on this trip!

We recently moved out West. We should be able to get to SF at least a few more times over the next few years, so we don't feel great pressure to "see it all" on this trip.

[CAMom]

We've been to SF twice in the past six months.

I highly recommend the book San Francisco with Kids (http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-San-Francisco-Kids/dp/0470080175/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205123773&sr=8-1)! That book was our Bible while we were there!

It tells you what to see, great places to stay, where to eat, where to stop and play if the kids need a break, etc. It will even tell you what streets to stay off of for safety reasons.

I checked it out at the library and carried it in my purse while there.

One of our favorite things we did was to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.:)

[***Tish***]

Thanks, CAMom! I hadn't even thought to look for a guide book. I'll have MIL (who is coming with us) look for that one. We live in a town with no large bookstore & we leave too soon for an Amazon order. Darnit! I'm always lookign for a good excuse to order from Amazon! ;)

[Jane in NC]

Tea in the Japanese Gardens in Golden Gate Park--very cool place.



This is my absolutely favorite thing to do in San Francisco. My aunt and uncle took us there when I was 7 and I have never forgotten it. Everytime I have returned to San Francisco, I make a point of having green tea and rice crackers at the Japanese Gardens.

Muir Woods is another favorite, but that is a drive outside of the city.

I concur with the Exploratorium for science kids (although The Tech in San Jose is even better!) Lunch and a stroll through in China Town. Karen in NC said it all.

May I come, too???

Jane

[***Tish***]

May I come, too???

Jane

LOL! Sure . . . just make your way to us here in St. George, UT & we'll throw you on top of the car! :p

Tish

[BMC]

walking Golden Gate Bridge (chilly and windy, but really awesome). Chowder in sourdough bread bowls (overpriced but it's DD's favorite soup and I like the bowl :)).

GOLDEN GATE PARK
[URL="http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/neighborhoods/ggpark.shtml"]
[URL="http://www.nps.gov/goga/"]

Tea in the gardens, koi, the deYoung museum...... wear your walking shoes!


COIT TOWER
[URL="http://www.inetours.com/Pages/SFNbrhds/Coit_Tower.html"]

The parking lot at the top of the hill is only accessible by Telegraph Hill Boulevard is usually backed up - there is bus service (39-Coit bus I think).

The Filbert Steps, lead to the top of the hill - a steep but doable climb - unless you need a stroller.

The view and the murals are worth a stair climb (or the wait to park).

CHINA TOWN
We found this link to be really helpful
[URL="http://www.sftravel.com/china.html"]

Wish we could join you. ;)
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[KarenNC]

Thank you for all the tips & for the welcome.

It is our first time in SF, so I'm sure we'll find plenty (and then some) to do for the 2 free days we have. Thanks especially to KarenNC for the tip on teh aquarium vs. exploratorium! It all started with my misguided notion that we were going to the Monterey Bay aquarium, which *is* amazing, but entirely too far away to squeeze in on this trip!

We recently moved out West. We should be able to get to SF at least a few more times over the next few years, so we don't feel great pressure to "see it all" on this trip.

I would definitely pass on the aquarium then, and wait for the California Academy of Sciences complex to open. It looks like it is going to be pretty spectacular.
http://www.calacademy.org/index.php14

Oh, and there are plenty of places at Pier 39 where you can get the chowder in the sourdough bread bowl, then you can take it and sit on the pier and watch the sea lions while you eat (they are on the left side of the complex IIRC and fun to watch). There's a parking garage across from Pier 39 (don't know how expensive it is) and you can catch the very old-fashioned streetcar right out front of Pier 39 that will take you up to the end of the cable car line at Fisherman's Wharf. http://www.pier39.com/ The shopping there is nothing really out of the ordinary and expensive (to my mind), though.

Here's the link to the public transportation system, so that you can preplan use of it if you like. We found it to be invaluable, as we were there for a week without a car. http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mhome/home50.htm