Hi everyone

Family of four (2 adults 2 kids 17 and 16) spending Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in SF in early July. We'll arrive in the early evening on the Thursday at the end of 2 weeks in California, and will fly home early Sunday morning. We have never been to San Francisco before but can see from all the posts here on Fodors and in the guidebooks that its a fab place to be.

Could you please give us some help to plan our short amount of time wisely?
We all love wandering through cities, biking, visiting restaurants, people watching etc. We are staying in a hotel near Union Square.

Thanks in advance

So you really have 2 days: Friday and Saturday, right?

I recommend Golden Gate Park and the museums/gardens within for Friday.

Ferry Building/Farmer's Market on Saturday morning.

I'll leave it to the SF experts for more suggestions. Here's a good place to start too: http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...ure_30003.html

OP doesn't mention museums, so that may not be tops on the list. Alcatraz is a very interesting outing, go in the evening if you can; but a day tour is good too. You need to reserve that NOW.

There are lots of free walking tours given by SF Public Library that cover a vast array of interest.

Chinatown, Haight Ashbury, The Earthquake etc

http://www.sfcityguides.org/index.html

Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Take the ferry to Sausalito and you can people watch, eat and wander the quaint town.

Rent a car for one day and drive to Muir Wood on Friday, drive up the coast a way. Check out Stintson Beach, have lunch and go to the beach.

A one day car rental can be done easily. Pick up a car at Dollar on O'Farrell St, near Union Sq. Get it first thing in morning, head over the Golden Gate and up to Muir. Do all that you want, maybe stop in Sausalito on the way back. Return the car before Dollar closes and it will cost you under $30 most likely. You don't want to keep it over night, as it will cost $$$$ to park it at hotel, only to return it first thing Sat.

Deb

I would start with the Academy of Science inside GG park on Fri am. I would get there well before they open. I was there last Sept and again in March. See my reports as to 'how to' do the museum. You will all have a great time (world class aquarium, etc). With the planetarium show and everything else, you can spend a good part of the day in this museum alone. You can have lunch there. The King Tut exhibit begins at the end of the month at the De Young museum (5 minute walk from the Sci Acad), but you need timed tix and frankly, even if tix were available, that could be too much for one day. I guess it depends on your family's interests. After the Sci Academy, walk over to the Japanese Tea Garden. It is quite beautiful and relaxing.

The Ferry bldg is a great idea for Sat am. Your children may like getting breakfast outside from the many vendors. Of course you should see Lombard St, take cable cars and visit Coit Tower. Avoid the Wharf area - it is quite tacky and you have little time to waste. If you don't live where there is a 'chinatown,' then walk through, have a dim sum lunch.

If you have a car, take the drive across GG bridge and drive up to the lookout. Again, click on my name for my reports, but more importantly, click on Stu Dudley (Mr SF) for detailed info on the whole city and surrounding areas.

Here are some of my ideas

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049

Stu Dudley
off to France in 45 mins

Stu, have a great trip (sorry for the OT post). Will you be gone for months?

Hi elaine58yoga!

I think something kids (and adults!) might enjoy is Ghiradelli Square, the gocars, and, alcatraz. Alcatraz offers evening tours as well which the kids might find pretty neat. Id consider making alcatraz tour resverations sooner than later just to be sure you dont miss it! Oh, and I simply must suggest my fav restaurant in SF, Greens!

Finally, if time allows and you dont mind a mini road trip, I think the 17 mile drive is really, really super cool. Maybe make a long day out of it and see cannery row also.

http://www.ghirardellisq.com/ghirardellisq/
http://www.buysanfranciscotours.com/...r_rentals.html
http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz/
http://www.greensrestaurant.com/
http://www.pebblebeach.com/page.asp?...=_17_Mile_Home

Have a fabulous time!

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory store is still there, but most of Ghirardelli Sq. is in the process of being converted to luxury condominiums.

bookmarking.