I need advice on scheduling 5 days in SanFrancisco with 3 kids aged between 8 and 12. Can we do it all (except Muir woods?) without a rental car? All suggestions appreciated.

Hello walkblackdog, actually it is better to not have a car while in SF. Parking is so expensive and finding street parking is often difficult.

What type of activities do you and your children enjoy? SF is a wonderful place for children.

Exploratorium
Cable car ride
Alcatraz
Ferry boat ride
Fisherman's Wharf

walkblackdog--

We'll be in SF for a shorter time with same aged kids. We will only rent a car for one day (due to the high cost of parking). Have planned to use it to drive Lombard St., go over the Golden Gate bridge, go up into the Marin Headlands for a picnic, see Sausalito and return. We're going to Yosemite and Sequoia so probably won't bother going to the Muir Woods but I would think you could add that on to a day trip.

Lots of rental car offices in the Union Square area. We're using a Hertz Free Weekend Day certificate.

Dear crosner:

The coastal redwood in Muir woods is not the same tree as the redwoods in Yosemite/Sequoia. Coastal redwoods are a different species: sequoia sempervirens. The giant redwood is sequoia gigantea. You may want to see both just to compare.

Whatever you do, have a great trip.

MY

Well you haven't posted back walkblackdog so imagine you are busy but just wanted to say that most children always seem to enjoy going to ChinaTown.

Kids that age love Exploratorium, CableCar, Pier 39 Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, the Metreon, Golden Gate Park, Union Square and Chinatown. I love all those places too and I'm not a kid, LOL.

My niece and nephew loved the firetruck tour of San Francisco. Complete with coat and hat.

http://www.fireenginetours.com/

Also, if you and your kids like to bike, rent bikes. Go up Van Ness (take a peak at the top of Lombard St.) to Aquatic Park, make your way through the Presidio and across the Golden Gate Bridge and down to Sausalito. Lock the bikes, walk around, get a bite to eat and take the ferry back to SF. Depending on where you're staying, you might need to walk the bike back up the hills some. We took all our visitors on this tour when we lived there... we got rave reviews!

Also, get the audio tour of Alcatraz, it's worth it! If possible watch Escape from Alcatraz or the Rock before or after going.

Another nice (short) tour is on one of the old fishing boats based at Fisherman's Wharf. They'll take you around Alcrataz and close to the Golden Gate Bridge. These really are guys who used to fish, and are very knowledgeable about the area. If I remember correctly, the prices are very reasonable.

Have fun!

My 3 kids love all the things trippinkpj has mentioned. It is a great city with so much to do.

Not sure if this was mentioned, but if in the area don't miss the Cable Car Museum. Interesting for young and old and price is right (free).

Agree - you don't need a car in the city. We took our two kids for an 7 night (8 day) trip. What wasn't walkable was easily reached by bus, steetcar, or cable car.

Agree with the bike rental suggestion. Also good for exploring Golden Gate park and the Presidio.

Ditto the fire truck excursion. Took m y grand daughter and we loved it. We still sing that silly song 3 years later. She was 10 at the time. You actually go on anold fire truck and put on the gear (to keep you warm actually)and drive thru the city over the bridge to Sausalito, down to Fork Baker (?) under the bridge on Marin side and then back to the cannery where you started.

We will be in San Francisco in July with children the same ages. So far on our list of things to do are: Alcatraz, the Duck tour, and Ghiradelli square.