| laborlitigator |
Fellow MDXer's. . .
Since many of you are from the SF Bay area, I love your input. . . I'm debating on bringing the family (wife and 2 girls) out to visit the SF area during the last week of July.
First of all, are there enough "family" attractions for the entire week? If so, where are the places to go.
Secondly, are there attractions that are driveable for the Bay area?
My other option is to go to Cancun for the week but it might be too hot during July and we might just go in November.
Thanks everyone. |
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| ByeByeChrysler |
I've never been, but have been told it has an even bigger gay population than Toronto.
So, my advise, watch your behind, and don't bend over to pickup the soap.
:2: |
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| DaleB |
Within reasonable driving distance are Great America and Marine World if you like theme parks.
SF itself has many restuarants at reasonable prices and good food.
The SF Zoo is on the smallish side but easy to get to.
The Cliff House at the beach is great for breakfast (or dinner, etc.) and a wonderful view and a nice walk along the beach.
Golden Gate Park has a nice assortment of museums, Tea Gardens, and a first class aquarium. If you are big on Aquariums and willing to drive about 80 miles go the Monterey Bay Aquarium down Hiway 1 where you will see some spectacular ocean views.
Back in the city is the cruise out to Alcatraz Island, and a tour of the now disbanded prison.
Shopping and browsing around Fisherman's Wharf is always a big attraction. Very picturesque with lots of shops and restuarants. You can catch a cable car over the hills and sing Rice-a-Roni if that's your thing.
Or all the way across the bay to Angel Island or Sausilito.
Drive over to the Port of Oakland and enjoy a great meal at Kincaids.
There is so much more, I am sure others will chime in.. |
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| TheWorm |
There's plenty to do around here for a week. I'm sure you'll get tons of suggestions. One thing that'll save you some cargo/luggage room is that you won't need to bring your own picket signs for the protests -- you can get them at the event.
Before we get into the activities n such, let us know how old your kids are...and the sort of things you like to do. Cancun is a stare-at-the-sky vacation whereas SF would be far more event/outing-driven, I'd think... |
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| pmsmith66 |
laborlitigator...here's my two-cents on a one week trip to the Bay Area with kids.
1) Marine World is always fun for the kids. That's good for a full day or more if you're kids are really into that kind of stuff. It's across the Bay Bridge and then to the north 30 minutes or so.
2) Riding the cable cars around the city and seeing the various sites is great with kids. July will be fairly crowded with your fellow tourists but you'll still enjoy it. I'd say you could spend a day roaming the city this way and be in good shape.
3) Take the girls to Alcatraz island. Kids over 5 usually enjoy this. If yours are under 5, then I'd say just opt for a ferry ride out into the Bay across over to Tiburon. You'll get great views of the Golden Gate and also enjoy some "touristy stuff" on the Tiburon side of the Bay. This is good for 3/4 of a day.
4) The SF and Oakland zoos are pretty good. If your kids haven't spent much time at a zoo this is likely a decent idea. If they ARE used to zoos, I'd skip it.
5) If you're staying in the City, my oldest daughter loved riding BART trains around the town. Sound simple but she thought it was great. I realize yours may have done this in your area but we were a little surprised how much fun she thought it was.
6) There are many great things to see south of the City with places like Monterey/Carmel and the Santa Cruz areas. It's debatable whether kids will love it. Some do and some don't. But there's no doubt it's beautiful.
7) Would your girls enjoy a ball game? Pac Bell Park is beautiful.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. There is a good book you might want to grab from Amazon or whatever...it's called Around San Francisco with Kids...68 Great Things to do Together. It's by Fodor's. Good stuff in there.
Hope this helps.
Paul
By the way...I lived there for 15 years prior to coming here. |
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| zubinh |
Labor - I'll be in Cancun first week in july. Yes it gets to 90 degrees but it is very bearable since youll be at the beach most of the time.
If you go to cancun in November, the flights and especially hotels will cost you much more than in July. |
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| DaleB |
Day time weather should be excellent, but bring jackets for those bouts of fog, or to walk around in the evening.
As Mark Twain said, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." |
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| xcel |
Hi Laborlitigator:
___I have only been to the Bay area three times myself but one place my wife and I always visit is a restaurant called Moss Beach Distillery in Half Moon Bay. Not only are the ocean views during dinner excellent but the Clam Chowder is the best I have ever had and I don’t like Clam Chowder! It has some very interesting history to make up for the drive as another reason to visit.
___Another place I can’t keep away from is the local Fry’s somewhere near or along 101 near San Fran? If you are a computer nut, Fry’s is the place … You can usually beat the everyday prices via the Internet but their specials are untouchable and they have absolutely everything you can imagine in stock so you can look at it, touch it, and drool on it if that is your vice … or so it seems ;)
___And if you hate traffic, stay away from 101 or the other highway that gets you into downtown proper during rush-hour. The Kennedy Junction here in Chicago is just as nuts but I try to avoid that like the plague during the rush as well. Believe me, it can be a large pain for us outsiders.
___Finally, make sure you drive that goofy 1 block long winding road near downtown just to say you have. I can’t believe that anyone would live on hillsides as steep as they are. Just take a walk up and down even one of those blocks for your own idea of how crazy it seems.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| laborlitigator |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Before we get into the activities n such, let us know how old your kids are...and the sort of things you like to do. Cancun is a stare-at-the-sky vacation whereas SF would be far more event/outing-driven, I'd think...
Worm, kids are 8 and 2 |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
First of all, are there enough "family" attractions for the entire week? If so, where are the places to go.
You will find more than enough family attractions to spend a week or two.
If your family has never been to the Bay Area I would highly recommend it for a vacation destination.
Although I wound not want to live there (don't like big cities) it is a fantastic place to visit and vacation. |
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| laborlitigator |
| I love all the suggestions. . . I'm going to print out this thread and start planning. |
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| laborlitigator |
quote:
Originally posted by zubinh
Labor - I'll be in Cancun first week in july. Yes it gets to 90 degrees but it is very bearable since youll be at the beach most of the time.
If you go to cancun in November, the flights and especially hotels will cost you much more than in July.
Zubinh. . . we always travel the week before Thanksgiving. . . so rates are pretty reasonable and usually the locations are not crowded. ie. Disneyworld, Disneyland. . . |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
kids are 8 and 2
Difficult ages, there is NOTHING the 8 year old will like that will be 2 year old friendly. Go to Disneyland! |
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| mdefrances |
Labor, I lived in San Francisco and the Bay Area for 10 years. (When I was single and could afford it). I would suggest staying across the bay somewhere and commuting into the city by BART. The train ride is way cool and gets you right into the heart of the city. SF is a very walkable city -- although some of the hills are tough going. Chinatown, North Beach, Pier 39 and Ghiardelli Square are tourist favorites. You probably couldn't find a parking place anyway. Take your X over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin, Sausilito, Stinson Beach and the John Muir Redwoods and then on to the Napa Valley and Sonoma to see the grapes and maybe taste the wine. The drive is beautiful, but crowded in the summer. Enjoy one of the greatest cities in the USA.
Mark D |
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| edepa |
| I'm also a new york kid, laborlitigator, but I do love san fran, and am out there fairly often. It is a great place for a week, for sure. In town sights include fisherman's wharf, and get over to pier 39. Kind of touristy, but I love it every time I'm out that way. In golden gate park, there is a very unique museum called the "Exploratorium". It is a hands on kid oriented science museum, that adults love! The kids can try all sorts of science experiments, from magnetism to light emitting living cells. Alcatraz i'm sure is fun, although i pass it up. You could ferry or drive to sausalito, lovely artsy oriented town, with great views of san fran back across the harbor. On the sausalito side of golden gate, there is a fantastic viewing promontory, take a stop up there! Also take a ride along highway one, gorgeous ride on cliffs over the pacific, you will love it. And don't miss Muir woods, home of the tall redwoods, not the fat ones though. Still powerful place to see! You could go further north to wine country, but might not be much for the kids up there. In the city, don't pass up chinatown, for food fun and sights. I won't mention the obvious, like cable cars. YOu can also try Japantown, not as big as chinatown, but interesting in a way too. Going south, monterrey for cannery row and the aquarium is interesting. Make sure to take Seventeen Mile Drive and see Pebble Beach too if you are down there. The other end is in Carmel, a truly gorgeous town, worth a visit too. Clint Eastwood was mayor years back. His restaurant, maybe worth just a look see, is the Hogs Breath Inn, which is really in back and down some stairs, out of the way. Nice town for a stroll and beauty. Other somewhat lesser places along the coast there include Pacific Grove, worth a stop, but more so in the fall/winter when Monarch butterflies overwinter and breed there, by the THOUSANDS! Half moon bay is a nice quaint town too. If you havent' been to tahoe, it might be worth a couple of days of your week too. It is unbelievably gorgeous, winter or summer! But, it is several hours drive and best to have an overnight or two there. You can see the old railroad hugging the walls of the mountains along the highway, and plenty of signs to the famous Donner Pass. Might still have some snow there even in july, up on the ski slopes. IN san fran, some great italian food in North Beach area, not to mention chinese in china town. Any of the dives on fisherman's wharf are kind of fun too. If you want some evening entertainment, i've often gone to cobb's comedy club, once even caught a lucky drop in by robin williams who did a "quick hour". Well, I hope that helps. If you have any questions, let me know. Enjoy!:D |
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| TheWorm |
In addition to the outings mentioned above, The Exploratorium @ The Palace of Fine Arts would be enjoyable for all of you.
I'd also recommend the Bay Area (aka Children's) Discovery Museum in Marin. Everyone will be happy there. Do that in the AM then go to Stinson Beach or Sausalito, or just keep going north to Sonoma or Napa (though the kids might not enjoy that as much).
The aquarium @ Pier 39 would also be fun (has an underwater tunnel, etc), along with a day excursion down to Monterey/Carmel for the Monterey Bay Aquarium followed by 17mi drive and wandering aimlessly on the beach. Bring jackets to Monterey/Carmel: it could be 80, it could be 50 w/fog that time of year.
Marine World, in Vallejo, as already noted might be a good bet -- but you might be splitting up the 2yo and the 8yo after looking @ the dolphins/whales/animals as there are a number of rides. GO ON A WEEKDAY to Marine World.
ZEUM at Yerba Buena Gardens (downtown) is also a good bet. Close, quick (1 or 2 hrs will be plenty) and cheap.
Across the bay in Berzerkeley is Tilden Park. Steam trains, carousel, petting zoo. Lawrence Hall of Science is also up there. There's a small lake (Anza) w/a small beach and swimming. I personally wouldn't do the lake but the other stuff would be fun (and relaxing) for everyone.
quick edit: I see I'm the slowest typer in the thread. all good stuff here. now you'll need to extend your trip :) |
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| 02SSmdx |
Now that you've heard about the touristy stuff,
There's a lot of local events that visitors wouldn't normally hear about or think about like...
Baseball fan or not, you should go and check out Pac Bell err...i mean SBC...um...the place where the Giants play. It's a beautiful park and is acutally open for tours when the Giants are out of town.
There's also during the Summer on Sundays the Stern Grove Midsummer Music Festival which is from June 22 through August this year. A great free concert, but you have to get there early.
If you want to save a little bit of cash, all of the museums in San Francisco are Free on the 1st Wednesday of every month, so try to take advantage of that if you can.
There's tons o' stuff happening in the Bay Area, go here... http://www.sfvisitor.org/calendar/index.html for a general view of what's happening in the city when you come.
Cheaper hotels are generally outside of the city. For a family of 4, I recommend staying at an Embassey Suites if you can get a good rate. All the rooms are suites and include breakfast every morning and if you're around for it a cocktail hour in the afternoons.
Hope you have a great trip out here! If you have questions, send them through!
BTW...I'm not affiliated with any of the items I listed, well, ok...season ticket holder at Pac Bell and my wife used to work in the tourism industry in the area, but nothing more.:D
WL |
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| laborlitigator |
| Thank you. . . thank you. . . thank you. . . thank you. . . to all of your suggestions. |
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| thomas |
Go to the following webpage and select SF or San Jose
you will find many interested places.
BTW, from SF to LA, it is only 5 hours drive.
http://travelinfo.rd.com/travelinfo/ |
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| laborlitigator |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
One thing that'll save you some cargo/luggage room is that you won't need to bring your own picket signs for the protests -- you can get them at the event.
BTW Worm, do they still accept US dollars in SF or do I have to change over to Francs and/or the new Euro? |
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| 02SSmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
BTW Worm, do they still accept US dollars in SF or do I have to change over to Francs and/or the new Euro?
You can use the US Dollar in SF, but the value of the US dollar is about $0.85 to the SF Willie! :2: Just look at the gas and real estate prices and u'll see what i mean.
WL |
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| DaleB |
Almost forgot!! Discovery and Tech Museums in San Jose. Tech museum will reveal a lot of the magic of Silicon Valley for the last 3 decades....
If you are into Egyptology or mummies in general, the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose has interesting displays and a small planetarium.......Go to Original Joe's downtown SJ, ...sit and order a hamburger steak at the counter while you watch the cooks do their thing as you sip the house red in a jelly glass.....any Japanese rest. in Japantown at Jackson between 4th and 6th street...awwww...geez.. Im getting homesick... :( |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by N_Jay
Difficult ages, there is NOTHING the 8 year old will like that will be 2 year old friendly. Go to Disneyland!
Been to a good number of those places, and the rest sound good too.
I am changing my recommendation;
Leave the kids with a caretaker at Disneyland, and you and the wife explore the SF area (then you can take in wine country also! (Sonoma of course, Napa is for tourists) |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
BTW Worm, do they still accept US dollars in SF or do I have to change over to Francs and/or the new Euro?
Political favors and birkenstocks are worth more, but the USD is still accepted. |
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| laborlitigator |
| Any place I rent an X while we're there (seriously)? |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Political favors and birkenstocks are worth more, but the USD is still accepted.
:jester: |
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| greatscot |
| Wow, LL is coming out here? Why don't we have a Bay Area meet and have him and his family as the guests of honor? :2: |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by greatscot
Wow, LL is coming out here? Why don't we have a Bay Area meet and have him and his family as the guests of honor? :2:
Great idea! |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by greatscot
Wow, LL is coming out here? Why don't we have a Bay Area meet and have him and his family as the guests of honor? :2:
Sounds good. Maybe we can induct LL and family as honorary members of the Raider Nation! :2: :cool: :eek: |
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| laborlitigator |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxxxx
Sounds good. Maybe we can induct LL and family as honorary members of the Raider Nation! :2: :cool: :eek:
:2:
As long as I can wear my Giant blue underneath. |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
:2:
As long as I can wear my Giant blue underneath.
LOL... I just hope it doen't get too hot... you wouldn't want to take the Silver and Black off. :D |
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| Wazowski |
quote:
Originally posted by laborlitigator
Worm, kids are 8 and 2
I recommend Bon Fonte Gardens. It's down in Gilroy, which is about an hour and a half south of SF or about a half hour south of San Jose. My kids were about 2 and 4 when we took them there. It was perfect for the younger kids not yet ready for the bigger kid rides. Also had gorgeous gardens.
Cheers! |
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| Blueflame |
| Come on out. The only thing you cannot visit is Cliff House by Seal Rock. It is shut down for modeling, but you could do some great hiking around that area. Great view. If I remember correctly, the aquarium in Golden Gate Park and the zoo are free on the first Wed. of each month. Also, part of Golden Gate Park is close on Sunday and you could ride bike or roller blade thur most of the park and not worry about cars, except other bikers. Ride the cable car early and you don't have to fight the crowd. Bring a light jacket because of the weather could turn on you real fast. Fog. Other member already have given some real good suggestion, so come on out and have fun. |
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| laborlitigator |
4 years late but I'm finally visiting the Bay area. . . week of the 12th in August.
Should I stay in the city or in the surrounding area? |
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| laborlitigator |
Well, after a week of staying in SF, I have a few comments:
1. The weather is unpredictable. Temperatures in SF can be 15 degrees different from an area just a few miles away.
2. Generally, people are friendlier than I thought that they would be. Compared to NY, I guess anywhere is nicer.
3. I love the area and actually consider moving here if things were different.
We've got a few days left, so I'll let you know more but we've been almost everywhere - SF, Marin, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Napa/Sonoma. |
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