San Francisco City Pass a good idea?
Jan 10th, 2003, 08:26 AM
#1
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San Francisco City Pass a good idea?
I am taking my grand daughter to SF for her 16th birthday. Would you recommend buying a city pass? It gets us into the Palace of the Legion of Honor, Aquarium, SFMOMA and Exploratorium. Also are there movie theaters near Union Square? Any recommendations for a 16 year old's first time in the city? I did do a search and got some helpful info but nothing about these topics. Thank you.
Jan 10th, 2003, 09:31 AM
#2
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There is a huge Sony enterntainment center one block off SFMOMA with regular and 3-D movies. Corner of Mission and 4th Street.
Pass is good if you're planning on visiting all these museums. In my opinion the museums listed are so different, for different ages and interests, I doubt I'd want to get it. Is your granddaughter interested in both fine art and contemporary painting? Isn't she a bit too old for Exploratorium? What Aquarium is included - on fish. wharf of Science museum in GG park? I wouldn't waste my time on pier 39 aquarium, the Golden Gate park museum has it plus much more, including Planetarium.
What are your granddaughter's interests?
Pass is good if you're planning on visiting all these museums. In my opinion the museums listed are so different, for different ages and interests, I doubt I'd want to get it. Is your granddaughter interested in both fine art and contemporary painting? Isn't she a bit too old for Exploratorium? What Aquarium is included - on fish. wharf of Science museum in GG park? I wouldn't waste my time on pier 39 aquarium, the Golden Gate park museum has it plus much more, including Planetarium.
What are your granddaughter's interests?
Jan 10th, 2003, 10:58 AM
#3
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hi there! i just got back from SF last week...anyhow, i've been to SF several times but have never gotten the pass, but then again, i'm more of the explore-on-my-own type.
Pier 39 is definitely a good stop for all ages (if you haven't already considered this):
1. It overlooks Alcatraz
2. It's a few blocks off of Ghirardelli Square (chocolate store, restaurant (there was a long line to the restaurant when i went so we ended up going to the cafe instead), and cafe>try their white hot cocoa) and shopping
...if this sounds like something you might do, check out their website and they can e-mail you a "pass" thing that gets you a special gift package and discounts
3. It's full of interesting street acts--I happened upon this man who was tied up with three chains and freed himself. The "feat" itself was okay but what was most enjoyable was his casual joking around and playing with the crowd
4. Clam chowder, fish n chips, lots of lil shops on the pier itself and across the street it's lined with little shops and Benetton, etc.
5. Across the street, there is a Wax Museum and a Ripley's Believe it or Not--I went to both a year or so ago and i loved it--we had a great time in there, lots of good, hilarious memories.
You walk at your own pace and cameras were allowed when we went. The wax museum has some especially great photo opportunities! I think the prices are $12 or so.
(*Note: i would prefer this over a movie--which is only a couple dollars cheaper--simply because sitting in a movie theatre can be done anywhere!)
another suggestion, the embarcadero--i don't know if they still have it now but they had an ice skating rink set up
one last suggestion, make sure you wear comfy shoes coz you'll be doing a lot of exploring! well, at least for me, although i had an idea of where i wanted to go, i always got sidetracked and discovered another part of the very interesting, lively, colorful town of San Francisco!
Have a great time!
Pier 39 is definitely a good stop for all ages (if you haven't already considered this):
1. It overlooks Alcatraz
2. It's a few blocks off of Ghirardelli Square (chocolate store, restaurant (there was a long line to the restaurant when i went so we ended up going to the cafe instead), and cafe>try their white hot cocoa) and shopping
...if this sounds like something you might do, check out their website and they can e-mail you a "pass" thing that gets you a special gift package and discounts
3. It's full of interesting street acts--I happened upon this man who was tied up with three chains and freed himself. The "feat" itself was okay but what was most enjoyable was his casual joking around and playing with the crowd
4. Clam chowder, fish n chips, lots of lil shops on the pier itself and across the street it's lined with little shops and Benetton, etc.
5. Across the street, there is a Wax Museum and a Ripley's Believe it or Not--I went to both a year or so ago and i loved it--we had a great time in there, lots of good, hilarious memories.
You walk at your own pace and cameras were allowed when we went. The wax museum has some especially great photo opportunities! I think the prices are $12 or so.
(*Note: i would prefer this over a movie--which is only a couple dollars cheaper--simply because sitting in a movie theatre can be done anywhere!)
another suggestion, the embarcadero--i don't know if they still have it now but they had an ice skating rink set up
one last suggestion, make sure you wear comfy shoes coz you'll be doing a lot of exploring! well, at least for me, although i had an idea of where i wanted to go, i always got sidetracked and discovered another part of the very interesting, lively, colorful town of San Francisco!
Have a great time!
Jan 10th, 2003, 11:00 AM
#4
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Posts: n/a
hi there! i just got back from SF last week...anyhow, i've been to SF several times but have never gotten the pass, but then again, i'm more of the explore-on-my-own type.
Pier 39 is definitely a good stop for all ages (if you haven't already considered this):
1. It overlooks Alcatraz
2. It's a few blocks off of Ghirardelli Square (chocolate store, restaurant (there was a long line to the restaurant when i went so we ended up going to the cafe instead), and cafe>try their white hot cocoa) and shopping
...if this sounds like something you might do, check out their website and they can e-mail you a "pass" thing that gets you a special gift package and discounts
3. It's full of interesting street acts--I happened upon this man who was tied up with three chains and freed himself. The "feat" itself was okay but what was most enjoyable was his casual joking around and playing with the crowd
4. Clam chowder, fish n chips, lots of lil shops on the pier itself plus the "aquarium of the pacific" (name?) and across the street it's lined with little shops and Benetton, etc.
5. Across the street, there is a Wax Museum and a Ripley's Believe it or Not--I went to both a year or so ago and i loved it--we had a great time in there, lots of good, hilarious memories.
You walk at your own pace and cameras were allowed when we went. The wax museum has some especially great photo opportunities! I think the prices are $12 or so.
(*Note: i would prefer this over a movie--which is only a couple dollars cheaper--simply because sitting in a movie theatre can be done anywhere!)
another suggestion, the embarcadero--i don't know if they still have it now but they had an ice skating rink set up
one last suggestion, make sure you wear comfy shoes coz you'll be doing a lot of exploring! well, at least for me, although i had an idea of where i wanted to go, i always got sidetracked and discovered another part of the very interesting, lively, colorful town of San Francisco!
Have a great time!
Pier 39 is definitely a good stop for all ages (if you haven't already considered this):
1. It overlooks Alcatraz
2. It's a few blocks off of Ghirardelli Square (chocolate store, restaurant (there was a long line to the restaurant when i went so we ended up going to the cafe instead), and cafe>try their white hot cocoa) and shopping
...if this sounds like something you might do, check out their website and they can e-mail you a "pass" thing that gets you a special gift package and discounts
3. It's full of interesting street acts--I happened upon this man who was tied up with three chains and freed himself. The "feat" itself was okay but what was most enjoyable was his casual joking around and playing with the crowd
4. Clam chowder, fish n chips, lots of lil shops on the pier itself plus the "aquarium of the pacific" (name?) and across the street it's lined with little shops and Benetton, etc.
5. Across the street, there is a Wax Museum and a Ripley's Believe it or Not--I went to both a year or so ago and i loved it--we had a great time in there, lots of good, hilarious memories.
You walk at your own pace and cameras were allowed when we went. The wax museum has some especially great photo opportunities! I think the prices are $12 or so.
(*Note: i would prefer this over a movie--which is only a couple dollars cheaper--simply because sitting in a movie theatre can be done anywhere!)
another suggestion, the embarcadero--i don't know if they still have it now but they had an ice skating rink set up
one last suggestion, make sure you wear comfy shoes coz you'll be doing a lot of exploring! well, at least for me, although i had an idea of where i wanted to go, i always got sidetracked and discovered another part of the very interesting, lively, colorful town of San Francisco!
Have a great time!
Jan 10th, 2003, 11:36 AM
#6
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If you plan to visit the places the pass covers, by all means get it! Also, keep in mind the pass also cover transportation - you can hop on and off the buses AND clable cars all you want for the duration of the pass. This really factors in when you think that to hop on a cable car it is an automatic $2, and a bus is $1. We bought a pass on our last visit and really saved some money.
Jan 10th, 2003, 01:10 PM
#7
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Just FYI: MUNI sells not only monthly fast passes, but weekly as well, $9 per week. www.sfmuni.com
Visitor's bureau www.sfvisitor.org sells passes for 1,3,7 days, no museums included.
Visitor's bureau www.sfvisitor.org sells passes for 1,3,7 days, no museums included.
Jan 10th, 2003, 01:55 PM
#8
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Thank you everyone for your suggestions. My grandaughter mostly likes to shop and see movies. I'm sure we'll do that but I'm trying to show her other things that are fun in a city like SF. I'm wondering if the Exploratorium might be oriented for younger children. She does like Art Museums so I think I'll check into the admission fees for all of these places and then see if we will save money by getting the pass. Thanks again.
Jan 10th, 2003, 02:13 PM
#9
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Well, I'm 27, and I love the Exploratorium. I wish they had adults-only days. However, it is true that it's geared more toward the average 12-year old, so a teenager might turn her nose up at it. You'll have to ask your granddaughter what she thinks.
For movies, in addition to the Metreon (the movie center at 4th/Mission, which also has restaurants, video games, etc.) there is the AMC Van Ness. It's on Van Ness, if you take the Calfornia St. cable car west, the last stop is at Van Ness. There is also the Embarcadero theater on Sacramento, as you head toward the bay from Union Square, but they show independent films, not blockbusters.
A 16-year old will find lots of fun shopping opportunities in Chinatown that will be different from her usual mall experiences.
For movies, in addition to the Metreon (the movie center at 4th/Mission, which also has restaurants, video games, etc.) there is the AMC Van Ness. It's on Van Ness, if you take the Calfornia St. cable car west, the last stop is at Van Ness. There is also the Embarcadero theater on Sacramento, as you head toward the bay from Union Square, but they show independent films, not blockbusters.
A 16-year old will find lots of fun shopping opportunities in Chinatown that will be different from her usual mall experiences.
Jan 10th, 2003, 02:35 PM
#10
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If your grand daughter likes art, do try to get to the Legion of Honor, it has a wonderful collection and just enough so you don't come out of there "glazed over" !
Also, if you're shopping in Union Square, you might want to take a break and have tea at Neiman-Marcus. It's served under the glass-domed rotunda that dates back to 1909 and was restored in 1981 when Neiman-Marcus renovated this building. Tea is about $10/person and includes sandwiches, scones, tarts, cookies, and cakes. It's a lot of fun and not "stuffy"
Also, if you're shopping in Union Square, you might want to take a break and have tea at Neiman-Marcus. It's served under the glass-domed rotunda that dates back to 1909 and was restored in 1981 when Neiman-Marcus renovated this building. Tea is about $10/person and includes sandwiches, scones, tarts, cookies, and cakes. It's a lot of fun and not "stuffy"
Jan 10th, 2003, 05:53 PM
#12
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most of the museums have free days too. I think Palace of the Legion of Honor is free on every Tuesday.
Tea is better at the Palace Hotel, but needs a reservation.
Your g-daughter will probably LOVE the new Lush store that just opened on Union Square.
Also, for teen age shopping, take her out to Haight St near Golden Gate park. The shopping at Pier 39 is more tourist tsochke oriented, and is expensive for what you get.
Tea is better at the Palace Hotel, but needs a reservation.
Your g-daughter will probably LOVE the new Lush store that just opened on Union Square.
Also, for teen age shopping, take her out to Haight St near Golden Gate park. The shopping at Pier 39 is more tourist tsochke oriented, and is expensive for what you get.
Jan 10th, 2003, 06:21 PM
#13
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The Palace Hotel also serves a wonderful breakfast in the Garden Court. If you like to tour, CityGuides offers a tour of this great historic property. If you want to check out the Palace, here is the website: http://www.sfpalace.com
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