Hello, planning a trip to San Francisco and Yosemite and wanted some ideas of things to do and places to go. Already have lodging, will be staying in San Francisco from July 19-23 and will travel from there. Have 3 senior citizens, 3 adults and 4 kids (7,5,2 and 1 1/2 yrs.) Need things that aren't too strenuous. (No hiking but long walks without too many hills are okay). So far my thoughts are Fisherman's Wharf, Roaring Camp in Felton-(steam train through Redwoods), Golden Gate Park. As for Yosemite, it will be a day trip and I think we'll just do the open air tram. Anyone know how I can get reservations for this? Any and all help would be appreciated. Any tips on where the locals eat? Good food & reasonable prices. thanks again. Sandrak

From SF to Yosemite for a day trip will require at least 8 hours in a vehichle driving there and back and that's if you don't hit any commute traffic. If you do go, then I recommend leaving VERY early in the morning and plan on getting back VERY late.

Utahtea

You really should try to spend the night in/near Yosemite instead of doing just a day trip--you'll be spending so much time going to and from that little will be left for seeing that marvelous park.

Hi Sandrak,

I am just back from a long weekend in San Francisco from NYC. Sorry looks like you are getting my trip report.

I have to tell you the one thing that made me jump up and answer your post. Fisherman's wharf was the first place I visited and an ABSOLUTE waste of time without kids. Drop the seniors at the palace hotel for tea or the ferry building Saturday morning for shopping and snacking while you escort the kids to fisherman's wharf. Don't force Fisherman's wharf on your seniors if you love them, a lot of walking in not very pleasing surroundings. Ferry building, there are still crowds but not pointless shops and junk the way the wharf is. I just think about my own mother and how quickly she gets tired not fair to take her to a place like fisherman's wharf and have her waste her limited energy. So funny, I just got off the phone with a friend (I returned from SF last night), she said she did the same thing I did first day in San Francisco. ...ran down to Fisherman's wharf and found it to be the worst part of the trip, we were laughing about this. The seals on wharf 39 are the only interesting part of the trip. There is also a maritime historical complex. I would rather check out the Palace of fine arts (largest Asian collection in U.S). Although, I did not make it to either.

Golden Gate Park is also far more interesting. There is a free, tour guided shuttle around the park so your seniors can hop on off at different attractions in the park (every 15minutes). Our guide Natalie was an exceptional guide. I went to the conservatory of flowers, Japanese Tea garden (with option to sip authentic Japanese tea in lovely surroundings (cheap)). There is also a redwood grove, buffalo enclosure, Windmill, botanical garden. The shuttle takes you all the way to the beach chalet with an option for lunch but see suggestion below.

Where are you coming from?

If you drive out to Ocean beach and take the road about 1/4 a mile up the hill you can have a gorgeous breakfast/ lunch/dinner OCEANSIDE and stunning oceanside at that for very reasonable prices. The place is called Loui's(sp).What a find!!! Two eggs any style $2.95 and you will be taken away by the panoramic view. Take a 10-20 minute walk around Louie?s on well-smoothed dirt trails and you have LOVELY views of the GG Bridge, city, PACIFIC. Cliff house (closed for restoration) and Beach chalet (architectural landmark)don't have as good a view and they are much more expensive.

Curious to hear where you are staying in SF. I hated the financial district but I am not a family. I liked the Castro and Haight areas. Haight is right near the park and that area from the park to the ocean was my favorite, but I loved the Greenwich village atmosphere of the Castro and how close it was to Mission Mexican. That was a treat for this East Coast gal! Also if there is a family appropriate movie at the Castro theatre that would be great for everyone from your seniors to your kids. Great old (early 20th century) theatre where every productions begins with someone playing and organ that rises up out of a pit. I went just for this!!!

Get a zagats San Francisco, it really helped tremendously. Best Taco's burritos they hit the mark with LaTaqueria, but remember I really was seeking out good Mexican if you are coming from a part of the country where Mexican is varied this might not be your choice.

Saulsilito might be a nice trade for Fisherman's wharf, not a carnival atmosphere but my neice at 9 enjoyed (different trip with out me)it and you can't miss the Lappert's ice cream 35% butterfat most ice cream is 17%. Lovely boat ride over, everyone will enjoy this.

I also enjoyed the view from Twin Peaks (panoramic views of the GG, SF and the pacific. I took the bus, not sure how well that would work with your seniors. I think there is some hilly walking from bus drop off to visitor center. yeah, not a good idea with seniors but if you are renting a car, get up here!

In and out burger, better than McDonald's for the family, probably cheaper.

I too would advise against a day trip to Yosemite. I don't know where you are from, but that's like going on a day trip to DC from NYC. Perhaps, in your planning you are underestimating the distance? I would recommend at least two days for Yosemite at a minimum.

In SF, Fisherman's wharf, like Sarah said, it a total tourist trap. I avoid it like the plague, but if you've never been it might be worth an hour or two.

However, I would recommend that do a tour of Alcatraz, which has a very interesting history and allows you to enjoy a ferry ride on the bay. I recommend getting the audio tour to get the most our of your visit. I would also recommend that you buy tickets online now as you will definitely not be able to buy tickets the day of or the day before the day you want to go, especially in the summer months. I would get tickets now or at least 3 weeks before you want to go. Dress in layers!!

Golden Gate Park is also great and FLAT(!). A fun thing for kids to do is go row boating on Stow Lake or look at the buffalos.

A lot of the charm of SF is just walking the neighborhoods and seeing the different flavor and styles of each.

Museums to visit - THe Asian Art Museum, SF MOMA, and the Legion of HOnor if you can get out there.

Happy planning!

There are also remote control toy boat and sail boat raises in morning and afternoon repectively on silver lake inside golden gate park...Another kids activity.

Yeah I skipped the opportunity to do Yosemeti also, could not fathom it with that 6 hour plan ride at the beginning and end of my trip. I can imagine thought that it might be quite a topper for your seniors. I think I would ask them how they felt about the drive.

Alcatraz, Beach Blanket Babylon, and the Breakfast Lemon Souffle Pancackes with Raspberry sauce and fresh Raspberries (1 feeds 2) at the Stanford Court Hotel.
M