San Fransico

Quoting suthrngirl

We'll be coming to the S.F. area with a child(under age 10). What are some inexpensive kid friendly things to do and places to eat? Thanks Calcruizer (and others) for all the points of interest!

Check out:

Pier 39...stage at very end has jugglers, magicians, clowns, check schedule. Good family spots to eat there as pizza buffet at North Beach Restaurant and creamy clam chowder at Neptune's Palace.

Nearby, a walk, is Fisherman's Wharf along the Embarcadero, great for kids walking, seeing crabs, burger joint is pretty good.

Yerba Buena Garden, with kid entertainment, swings, places to run and hang out. Little nearby cafes good for kids, simple food.

SF Zoo...was just there again this past Sat. Newly designed African Savannah and check out the big cats, gorillas, little fun train and the Australian walkabout.

Academy of Science on Howard St. Was just there, huge colonies of ants, great for kids, a play room, educational but not overwhelming.

Near, is Sony Metreon complex with many videos for kids, activities, movies, stores, computers, gadgets, fun time for all ages, little places to get a sandwich, salad or Chinese food.

Golden Gate Park has Stow Lake with ducks, fish, island, boat rentals, good for walking and running.

More ???

garyrbeck

Garyrbeck has a great list--I'd just like to add a few items to it--two things in town and two just out of town.

The Boudin Bakery at Fisherman's wharf is interesting for kids--they make bread in front of your eyes in the shapes of lobsters, crabs, teddy bears, turtles, etc.

Kids love riding the cable cars up and down the steep streets--especially if they get to ring the bell. The lines to get on are pretty long though.

If you plan to go to Napa Valley, take a side trip to the city of Fairfield and visit the Jelly Belly (jellybeans) factory. They give lots of samples and have some fun stuff and the factory tour has been named the best in the USA. See www.jellybelly.com for details.

Lastly, there is a goat farm (Harley Farms) south of town near Pescadero. They give a tour on Saturdays where they have the kids and adults milk the goats, play with the baby goats and help make the goat cheese. It's a bit pricey though ($20 per person for adults). But I went there during the week, and they opened right up and let my niece play with all the baby goats and stuff for free. The goat cheese they sell there is the best, too. See their website (www.harleyfarms.com)for details.

Enjoy.

I've been to SF twice, hands down the coolest city in the world! Not really sure about places to stay for families, Iwas backpacking, but there are loads of hotels. Great food and bars and the best hostel in the world...The Green Tortoise!!

I dont know I really never found anything that special about SF, except for its surroundings. The people there are a little bit off(as in weird), its way too expensive, the architecture... just not my taste. But to each his own.

hey, SF is a great area of CA. I love Cali, and San Fran is beautiful, as many people have described...many wonderful outlying areas. my mom lived in marin County, this tiny little surf town called Stinson beach...it is breathtaking there...like another world.
there is this book called Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac that does a great job explaining how great the area is, it's kinda old (1920's ish?) but it's a great book, and it was cool to be able to read it and say "hey I've been there!!" for just about every town/city/place he mentions.
The forests and trees there are like none other that i have ever seen, like i said, a different world...

I cannot understand someone not liking SF. Maybe Des Moines would be a better choice!!!

If you need a couple ideas for dining, post me privately and I can give you a couple. 2 days ago we had dim sum which was possibly the best I had in the last 15 years and Th. we are off to my fave Japanese buffet, all you can eat. Lots besides sushi for those haters! And had a good burger and know some fine Italian food which is not priced out of the orb. Just like I do for my guide to dining in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Thing is here, as anywhere you visit, you need to know a few secrets/hideaways, but keep it a little quiet! LOL...

-snip-

[ Edit: sorry, no emails in the forum please. ]

I just moved back to the area since I was out here seven years ago. Gotta admit I loe it. Almost chilly right now in the middle of summer but it get a little warmer towards winter!?! I'm living in Oakland and a block away from the BART which is one of the best suvbways I've ever been on and so close to all the freeways. I found a place which is right off the maze (an intersection of all the major freeways coming through and about 3 miles from downtown SF and can hop the BART to anywhere in the Bay Area.

A very cosmopolitan city with everything to offer and not alot of the hectic city life. Incredible food and fabulous Cali -laidback attitude. Great nightlife and atmosphere. Check it out!

IC~

I sure agree. Oakland has a lot to offer, one being lower rents! And BART is quite a marvelous method to get around without a car. Be careful as they shut down later in the night and you can get stranded, so check the schedules.

Does this mean you are going to open a restaurant? Where will it be and what cuisine? I love dining and learning and creating recipes when I find time.

If architecture is not your thing, check out some of the super museums around [MOMA, Palace of Legion of Honor, Oakland Museum, soon de Young again]. Also, the Academy of Sciences on Howard St., for all ages. Was at our zoo recently and amazed at the fine improvements, at last!

Quoting garyrbeck

IC~

I sure agree. Oakland has a lot to offer, one being lower rents! And BART is quite a marvelous method to get around without a car. Be careful as they shut down later in the night and you can get stranded, so check the schedules.

Does this mean you are going to open a restaurant? Where will it be and what cuisine? I love dining and learning and creating recipes when I find time.

If architecture is not your thing, check out some of the super museums around [MOMA, Palace of Legion of Honor, Oakland Museum, soon de Young again]. Also, the Academy of Sciences on Howard St., for all ages. Was at our zoo recently and amazed at the fine improvements, at last!

My own restaurant, don't know. Maybe a coffe house or a bed and breakfast in Napa. Thanks for the thoughts on the area. I want to go down and check out the Universe Within goin on over at the Nob Hill Masonic Center. Its a whole exhibit of cadavers in various states of dissection - probably the best way to say it. Looks really interesting. A bunch of skeletons, of real people, in various states of dissection. All plasterized in some state.

I'm slowly getting to see more of San Fran and got to drive around a little bit the other day. THe weekends really suck coming back to Oakland at night. THey are doing construction on the Bay Bridge and it took me about 2 and a half hours to go a mile and a half Friday night coming back form a show!

Love it out here, though. No, right now I am doing catering. Not sure if you are into architecture but we just did a fundtion for SMWM in San Fran, an architectural firm. If you ever need to do some catering send me a PM.

You MUST go to the wharf, I know its quite touristy, but all the same it is a great place to go - I don't live in SF but I'm there most weekends and still find myself wanting to go to Pier 39. Check out the sea lions at the end of the pier, I love just sitting there and watching them...the mimes are great too, and keep an eye out for "the bush man", he's hilarious.