beckylj22

We will be in San Francisco for a few days towards the end of July. We are a family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids under the age of 10). We are looking for 2-3 restaurants to eat dinner. Preferably places that aren't too expensive and are family friendly. Bonus points if they have some sort of entertaining factor for the kids, but still good food. We would like 1 of them to have seafood. Thanks in advance!

sf7307

I think the reason no one has replied (me included) is because it's not really clear what you're looking for. Maybe there are chain restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf that would have something entertaining (?) but I can't think of a single one that would fit in that category. So, since that isn't available, what is second choice - kind of food? Where are you staying?

janisj

Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Cheesecake Factory on the top of Macy's Union Sq . . . Themes and LOTS of families. Fabulous food not so much.

Though some of the places at Fisherman's Wharf actually aren't too bad.

beckylj22

We really aren't wanting chains. I hate eating at places we can eat back home. One restaurant we would like good seafood especially crab legs. Anything that's by the water would be nice too. We like to try restaurants that locals love.

beckylj22

We are staying by the airport so it doesn't have to be close to there. The first day we will spend most of our time near Fisherman's warf. We are going to the exploratorium, then on a boat ride. But I heard the food there isn't that great. We plan to head to Ghirardelli Square for ice cream after dinner so if there is a good restaurant near there that would be great too. The second day we will be spending the afternoon at the California Academy of Science. The third day will just be some exploring Lombard St., Chinatown, etc.

NewbE

janisj, did you seriously just recommend the Cheesecake Factory??

DebitNM

Oh my - even bigger concern --

WHY are you staying by airport? I would venture a guess - to save $$ but if you are going to be going into SF on BART that is going to get expensive fast. 6 roundtrips for 2 adults and 4 kids may end up eating up your savings. It also means that if one of the kids need a rest or whatever, you aren't going to be able to "pop" back to the room for a nap or rest break. It means you will be stuck ALL day in the city. I know you didn't ask, but I would seriously rethink this idea.

rjw_lgb_ca

DEbitNM was reading my mind. Staying near SFO when your ONLY interests are in the City is just not a good idea.

First of all, you should have looked at a map and figured out that SFO is quite far from the City.

Second, what DebitNM said: Between the costs and the logistical nightmare of being stuck in the City with 4 kids, you won't really be able to enjoy your visit to San Francisco.

Yeah, you may not have asked, but we'll go ahead and tell you: Re-book your hotel. NOW. Somewhere in the City. I'm sure someone will have good suggestions for you (unfortunately I don't, as we always stay at the same B&B in the Castro, and it's a no-kids property).

beckylj22

The problem is we are a family of 6. I have found that finding a hotel that has rooms to accommodate a family of 6 in the city is very hard to do. The ones we found are way out of our price range. We are not worried about being stuck in the city. On past trips we have never gone back to the hotel to nap or rest.

DebitNM

The 1 way fare for adults is $8.95, so RT is $17.90x2 = $35.80 each day.Each day for adults

IF you could get a clipper card to get the lower kids rate, it would be $3.35 each way, RT 6.70 per child x4 = $26.80 [kids under 5 are free]

To get a clipper card, you have to do this ahead of time:
https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperW...ounts/youth.do

you can do it in person at select BART stations -
https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperW...ocations.do#SF

so you will need to take full fare ride with all over age 5 to get to one of those stations.

sf7307

I used to live in Burlingame, two exits south of the airport. If you decide to stay at the airport, I can highly recommend both Mingalaba (be prepared to wait, even at 6 p.m. on a random Tuesday, but they do take reservations) for Burmese-Chinese, and Copenhagen (Danish-American, with great burgers, and I love their chicken piccata). Also, Blue Line and Delfina pizza - very different - one is deep dish and the other is thin crust. All are on Burlingame Avenue in Burlingame. I've also heard that Rasa (on Park Road) is very good, but I haven't been there myself.

curiousgeo

I remember Scoma's as one of the better options at Fishermans Wharf though it's been a while since last there. Sodini's in North Beach on Green St. for family style Italian could work as may Tommy's Joynt on Geary.

janisj

>>janisj, did you seriously just recommend the Cheesecake Factory??

NewbE

I have reread the OP's posts and I see no mention of "themes".

sf7307

NewbE, she did mention "entertaining the kids", which is what many theme restaurants are set up to do (like Jekyll & Hyde in Manhattan - the singular worst restaurant visit of my life)

janisj

>>Bonus points if they have some sort of entertaining factor

janisj

But becky clarified that in subsequent posts . . .

And we are trying to actually help them -- not snark at each other . . .