San Francisco Kid Friendly Restaurants
 

We'll be spending about a week in San Francisco at the beginning of April along with our son, daughter-in-law and 2 year old grandson and would appreciate any recommendations for restaurants with good food where children are welcome. We'll be staying in the area of Fisherman's Wharf, but plan to do a lot of sightseeing so I'm not sure if where we stay is really important. Also does anyone know whether strollers are allowed on the Alcatraz/Angel Island Tour? We've always had great suggestions and help from all of you and look forward to your responses. Thank you in advance.

Try some restaurants in Chinatown.

Thanks, Underhill. Any in particular?

A few years back we brought our daughter, then about 8 to SF. She was a very picky eater. Lori's Diner had a kids menu plus our daughter's favorite: grilled cheese. Also good for kids was the Rainforest Cafe and Scoma's in the Wharf area since both had grilled cheese sandwiches.

Have a great trip.

MY

Thank you, Michelle. We'll look into these.

We've taken our kids, at various ages, to all sorts of places in San Francisco. Like many tourist-oriented places, restaurants seem to be more accustomed (within reason) to having child tourists as customers as well.

We've taken them to Yank Sing for dim sum, seafood places near (but not at) the Wharf, and several Italian places in North Beach. On the latter, we would just make sure it was a restaurant on the louder side. We like Rose Pistola, but have eaten at others with the kids as well.

Thank you, Lexma90 for the great suggestions. We'll definitely try some of these restaurants.
Can anyone recommend a seafood restaurant? Thanks again.

On the Wharf, Lori's Diner in Ghirardelli Square is a wondreful suggestion. While there, try the Chocolate Factory as well. If there are enough kids, order the EARTHQUAKE - biggest ice cream pile that the Chocolate Factory has! The kids will love it! (Mebbe the adults too :) )

Rainforest Cafe is a great suggestion as well. They have a volcano dessert which is every child's delight!

Still at the wharf, visit the Maritime Museum, it's free. Lots to interest everyone in the family.

If you are really into the nautical theme, stay at the Argonaut Hotel at the Wharf.

While in Chinatown, try the New Asia Garden for dim sum. All the noise and goings on (seating for 1000) will keep the kid busy.

Drive past Crissy Field and park at Fort Point. Walk around. lots again to keep everyone in the family happy. Look for the Warming Hut, then go along the pier. It's one of my favorite views of San Francisco. I once saw a couple of buys catch a shark right there on the pier!

Have fun! :)

Thanks so much for the terrific suggestions. I'm sure we'll have a ball! We're also going to a Giants/Braves game and plan on doing a tour of the ball park. Really looking forward to our first time in San Francisco. Thanks.

It's been a long time, but I remember a place off Chestnut that was kid friendly. Parma? Also, Izzy's Steakhouse off Chestnut was kid friendly in that it was very loud. But then, I moved with my 2-year-old six years ago!

Check out the region of SOMA around 3rd/4th and Mission/Howard. The Metreon has a good upscale food court area on the first floor with Pizza, asian noodles, mexican food, sandwiches -- good mix for kids and adults. While the Metreon has movie theater and arcade, it also has the "Where the Wild Things Are" attraction on the top floor and is a part of the Yerba Buena Center with a great park area with lovely water sculptures/fountains. The interactive Zeum might be a little old for your grandson, but he might enjoy the vintage Carosel there. There's also a Chevy's nearby, which is very kid friendly. And you'll also find in this area SFMOMA (w/ a nice cafe), an aquarium, Yerba Buena Arts center, the Cartoon Museum, and MoAD, Museum of the African Diaspora. If you're starting from Fisherman's Wharf, you can either take the Cable Car over the hill or take the F Train around Embarcadero and up Market to Union Square. Also in this area are a Max's Diner(3rd not too far from SFMOMA) and a Mel's Diner (Mission btwn 4th and 5th) -- both of these you'll also find in other parts of the city.

I can't help you with this question even though I've taken my children & nephews to San Fran. I went w/ my in-laws who are very nice people but we ate breakfast at the Holiday Inn (good view) and by late afternoon, they were ready to go. We left all the amazing food that San Francisco has to offer to eat at the Chili's just off the highway on the way back to my sister-in-laws house. Chili's!?!?!? Arghhhhhh!!!!....but I'm not bitter. Perplexed, confused...but not bitter. :-)

Thank you sfamylou and venturegirl for the wonderful advice on where to go and what to do. Sounds like there is so much to do and see in the time we will have.
ajcolorado-I am sorry that you didn't get to go to any of the restaurants as you would have liked. I hope that at least the weather was good when you were there.
We leave next Tuesday and the weather doesn't look too good at the end of the week. We could deal with cloudy and a little rain, but hope it isn't pouring. Just have to keep our fingers crossed! Either way, we'll be on vacation and not at work so how can we lose?
Thanks again.