There are many websites with tips on where to take children in San Francisco. All agree that San Francisco is a top travel destination for both adults and children.
We took our children to San Francisco and planning for grandchildren becomes easy.
Again, there are some don’ts. Forget Alcatraz for younger children. Don’t forget to carry an umbrella. Don’t forget that the weather will change on you and also have a sweatshirt or jacket with you. It is cooler than you think. You might want to explore “microclimates” and what they mean with grandchildren interested in science.
According to Wikipedia, “a microclimate is the climate of a small area that is different from the area around it. It may be warmer or colder, wetter or drier, or more or less prone to frosts. Microclimates may be quite small – a protected courtyard next to a building, for example, that is warmer than an exposed field nearby.” You will experience this in northern California!
Places to stay must now include looking at www.airbnb.com. San Francisco is an expensive city and a place to use reward points for hotel stays if possible.
Here are the top San Francisco experiences our children loved as children:
Number 1: Take the Kids on a Cable Car Ride
“Take a ride on one of the city’s iconic cable cars (www.sfcablecar.com); it’s an undeniably magical feeling riding up and down the city’s steep hills along with the ringing bells. A favorite route is the Powell-Hyde Line, which connects the Financial District to Aquatic Park. Along the way, grandchildren will be thrilled to see “the barn” (the operational powerhouse), as well as Lombard Street’s famously crooked section. The last stop, everyone will be happy to learn, is a skip away from Ghirardelli Square, where you’ll get what we’ll bet is the best hot-fudge sundae you’ve ever had.”
“It’s not often you can see a National Landmark and take a ride at the same time, but that’s exactly what you can do on a San Francisco cable car. They’re an old-fashioned mode of transportation kept alive by the public’s enthusiasm for the experience.”
“The turnaround at Bay and Taylor, just up from Fisherman’s Wharf, usually has the shortest lines, but also the least-interesting surroundings to wait in. If you’re also going to take a walk on Lombard Street (the “crookedest” street), take the Powell-Hyde line and get off at Lombard. It will save you a long walk up a steep hill.”
“The favorite line is the Powell/Hyde line that runs from Union Square to the western side of Fisherman’s Wharf. It has some of the best views in addition to an amazing ride down one of
the steepest streets in the city .”
Number 2: Check Out Crookedest – aka Lombard – Street
“Lombard Street is billed as the “crookedest street,” so how could grandchildren resist seeing it? They’ll get a kick out of driving down it, squealing in mock fear at every turn, and there are plenty in this short, one-block long stretch of street.”
“Almost as much fun as driving on Lombard is walking down it (or up), watching all the goings-on. During spring and summer, you can capture photos like the one above with all the pink flowers in bloom.” Number 3: Check Out Chinatown
“San Francisco’s Chinatown (www.sanfranciscochinatown.com), home to the largest Chinese community outside of Asia, is a treasure trove of stimulating sights, smells, and sounds. Short of flying your family east, this is the best way to immerse grandchildren in another culture and imbue them with a worldliness that extends well past San Francisco’s city lines.”
“It’s colorful and energetic and if you haven’t been there before, it looks a bit exotic. Chinatown is also full of shops selling all kinds of cool things like chirping crickets, kites and fortune cookies. The proactive parent or grandparent can make sure the grandchildren learn a little about Chinese culture along the way, too.”
“San Francisco Chinatown is the largest Chinese community on the West Coast, and the second largest in the United States, surpassed only by New York City.”
“Chinatown is best mid-day when all the shops are open and streets are busy. It gets quiet very soon after dark.”
“San Francisco Chinatown is about eight blocks long and has two long main streets, Grant Avenue and Stockton Street.”
“This is a good place for grandchildren to buy themselves a souvenir and they’ll love watching that goofy contraption at the fortune cookie factory make the little treats (and eating the bag of them you buy while there).” Go to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory at 6 Ross Alley, San Francisco, CA 94108. “When you step in, you will be confronted with barrels of fortune cookies of all shapes and sizes. Within a few paces of the entrance you can see fortune cookies being made right in front of you. First, the thin circular cookie is pulled off a hot press. Then, a fortune is placed on one side of the hot, flat dough. Next, each soft, hot cookie is shaped over a steel rod into the shape of a fortune cookie. This process must be done very quickly, otherwise the cookie will harden before it has the right fortune cookie shape. When you are inside the factory, you will be amazed at how quickly the fortune cookies are made. Come experience the fortune cookie factory and taste freshly made fortune cookies.”
Number 4: Pier 39
“Though the attraction’s shops, eateries, and performers are interesting enough, the greatest audience builds for the lively marine creatures which have owned the K dock since the early 1990s. After taking in their endlessly amusing antics, visit the nearby Aquarium of the Bay, which recreates the San Francisco Bay’s unique underwater habitats and presents touch tanks for grandchildren who want to feel a stingray.” “If your grandchildren would like to take home something with San Francisco written all over it, Pier 39’s souvenir and specialty shops will tempt them to spend (or ask you to). There’s also a double-decker Venetian carousel in the center of the complex, frequent free performances that kids love on the stage near the end of the pier and the Aquarium of the
Bay, a unique, walk-through underwater attraction. On the west side of the complex, you’ll find where the California sea lions hang out. “
At the pier is Aquarium of the Bay. “Explore the wonders of the Bay as you walk through 300-feet of crystal clear tunnels surrounded by sharks, eels, octopus and thousands of marine animals indigenous to its waters. It is an adventure of discovery and learning that brings you face-to-face with San Francisco’s fascinating marine life. Naturalists are on hand to answer questions and encourage exploration.”
“In addition to the Aquarium of the Bay, you will also find several other family friendly activities on Pier 39. You can ride the carousel or walk through the Mirror Maze. You can even go on a 7-D experience that includes a roller coaster type ride that moves in sync with the activities on the large, movie screen in front of you.”
Number 5: Fisherman’s Wharf, Iconic San Francisco
Yes, it is touristy, but “Fisherman’s Wharf is an iconic San Francisco sight, with colorful boats, street performers and lots of those goofy tourist attractions that many grandchildren love to visit.”
“Grandchildren with maritime interests can get them satisfied here, too. The Liberty ship Jeremiah O’Brien and the Pampanito submarine are open for tours, as is the Hyde Street Pier Maritime Museum.”
Go on a real submarine! Open for tours, “the USS Pampanito is one of two historic ships docked at Pier 45 in Fisherman’s Wharf. This WWII sub went on six missions. The intact vessel was slightly modified and is now a floating San Francisco museum.”
Right next to Pier 45 in Fishermans Wharf, you will find the Musee Mechanique,” located off the main street near Fisherman’s Grotto, its a collection of old-fashioned arcade games that somehow still hold appeal for youngsters used to the latest digital amusements. . . .This is a fun stop for anyone that loves antique music boxes or 80s video games such as PacMan. It’s free to enter, but does cost money to play. It’s the perfect grandchildren friendly stop.”
Number 6: Take a Boat Ride, Slow or Fast
The slow cruise is “the San Francisco Bay Cruise, a 60-minute trip around the bay. On this tour, you will ride under the Golden Gate Bridge, past Alcatraz Island and get some great views of the SF skyline. It’s a great activity for anyone visiting San Francisco for the first time.
Or
The fast paced rocket boat ride: “If you’ve already been on a bay cruise or are looking for an adventure on the water, then check out the Rocketboat rides. These fast paced, high energy boat rides take you on a 30-minute journey around the bay at speeds up to 55-mph. The tour runs from the late spring through late fall.”
Or
Search for Whales on a whale watching tour: “All year long, different species of whales migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean near San Francisco. Between June and November, you get the chance to see blue and humpback whales. On these whale watching adventures, you will also get the chance to see other animals such as dolphins, large turtles and sea birds.”
Or
Combine a land and sea tour with a Duck Boat Tour. They usually let all the children aboard take a turn driving: “Are you interested in a unique tour of San Francisco and the bay? The popular Duck Boat Tours allow you to visit both the land and the sea on one tour. Your journey starts with a ride around the historic neighborhoods in San Francisco. You will then splash into the SF Bay and take a ride around McCovey Cove near AT&T Park. This 90-minute tour is one you and your grandchildren will never forget!”
Number 7: Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and walk among some of the tallest trees in the world at Muir Woods.
You will see the Golden Gate Bridge but driving over it is wonderful for the grandchildren. Muir Woods is one of our family’s favorite places to visit. ”It’s amazing seeing the true size of these Coastal Redwood trees. It’s also the perfect place for grandchildren. You can stroll in the popular areas where you will find educational information about the trees. You can also head off the beaten path for a longer hike in the woods. Children under 15 get in free.”
Number 8: Cheer on the Giants at ATT Park
“There’s no better place to catch a baseball game by the bay than at the Giants’ newish AT&T Park. If the game and the panoramic views lose the grandchildrens’ interest, there’s also a speed-pitching cage, the Little Giants whiffle ballpark, and the Coca-cola super slide.”
“The 2012 World Series San Francisco Giants play more than 80 games at home each season. Not only can you catch the action on the field, but you will also find several family friendly activities within the park.”
We Boomer Grandmas have learned through experience. Planning a trip increases the joy of the trip. Here are some books for the children to acquaint them with San Francisco before they go. Then, reading them again and again keeps the trip alive longer.
The City by the Bay by Elisa Kleven and Tricia Brown
“Charming tour of San Francisco neighborhoods, plus fun facts about the city. Intricate collage illustrations – look for a dog, a cat and a baby in every scene. (Picture book)”.
Larry Gets Lost in San Francisco by John Skewes and Michael Mullin
“Take a trip around San Francisco with Pete and his dog, Larry. After Larry takes a wrong turn on Lombard Street, he runs up Coit Tower, down to Fisherman’s Wharf, past the stone lions in Chinatown, through Golden Gate Park, all the way to the ocean at Seal Rock. (Picture book)”
The Golden Gate Bridge by Jeffrey Zuehlke
“Read about the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world – how it was built, how the bridge works, and what is the exact color of the bridge. (Picture book)”
Exploring Chinatown by Carol Stepanchuk and Leland Wong
“A cultural tour of San Francisco’s Chinatown. This is a wonderful background for what you’ll see – herb shops with unique aromas, stationery stores and calligraphy, the Tin How temple, art galleries with brush paintings, New Year’s parades, festivals and dragon lore. (Picture book)” .
Humphrey The Lost Whale by Wendy Tokuda and Richard Hall
“True story of Humphrey, a humpback whale, who made a wrong turn and wandered into San Francisco Bay. When Humphrey swims up the Sacramento River, he’s in big trouble, but there’s a plan to save him. (Picture book)”.
This is San Francisco by M. Sasek
“Take a trip through San Francisco – drive down crooked Lombard St., panoramic views from Telegraph Hill, boats and crabs at Fisherman’s Wharf, tasty food in Chinatown, boating in Golden Gate park. Whimsical retro illustrations, this is a classic! (Picture book)”.
Continue building family memories by visiting wonderful cities together with
Joy,
Mema
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