San francisco sightseeing with family
 

Hi,
We are 4 adults and 2 kids (2 and 4 yrs) planning to visit SFO for 2 days on 23rd and 24th this month.
We'd like to do the touristy stuff like -
Cable cars
Golden gate bridge
Twin peaks
Fisherman's wharf
Lombard street
GGRD
(Anything else you guys think we shouldnt miss?)
Any recommendations on accomodations would be very helpful. Since this is off season, we are looking for something around $200 per night. Accomodations with kitchen would be ideal, so if there's a rental area that would work great please let us know. Also, looking to drive as less as possible in the city - is this a fair expectation?

Thank you!!

definitely recommend you take the ferry across to sausalito.... then take it back again. beautiful ride and it's a commuter ferry, so quite inexpensive.

you will not need or want a car in san francisco... you can probably take 5 taxi rides just for the cost of parking at a hotel... and cable cars/ bus is easy.

the exploratorium is now at pier 15... but it's quite expensive (but children 3 and under are free...)

The Exploratorium is fun for kids and adults. The kids may enjoy the aquarium in Golden Gate Park.

www.calacademy.org

Do you need only 1 night accomodation? IF so, it is doubtful you will find a rental for a single night.

Even though it's winter, San Francisco has many conventions at this time of year and can be very busy and expensive. You are going to need 2 rooms for all those people and you should book someplace as soon as possible. $200 is pretty low for 2 rooms.

Check these out; Cow Hollow Suites has a room for $126 that has 2 double beds, you could use that for 2 adults and 2 kids, and then get another for the other 2 adults.

http://www.cowhollowsuites.com/sister_properties.html

While I like taking the ferry from San Francisco to Sausalito and back, inexpensive is not a word I'd use to describe the price ($10.75 per adult one-way).

Consider taking a walk across (or part-way across) the Golden Gate Bridge (or rent bikes and ride across).

You will need a car if you want to visit Twin Peaks. Unlike other cities (like NY), in San Francisco, it's just easier to get some places by car than by public transportation.

If you walk across the GG, bundle up....it's windy and cold! :)

>>If you walk across the GG, bundle up....it's windy and cold!<<

And wet too!! The Golden Gate is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. The Golden Gate Bridge is the bridge across the Golden Gate - liking SF with Marin Co. It will be closed to all traffic this weekend.

Also, SFO is the airport - not The City.

Stu Dudley

thank you all for your responses.

@Stu Dudley: Point noted about SFO :)

yes, the ferry is $10.75, but both kids are free. lots less than taking a tour... and you have a gorgeous view of everything you came to see. just one of many ideas.

One of our favorite spots is Fort Point - just below the Golden Gate Bridge on the SF side. It's a Civil War era fort, and on weekends (I think Friday too) they open it up for unguided tours, and also demonstrations (make-believe firing of cannons - the 4 YO will love it). It is actually part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area - so your tax dollars help keep it up. It's at the edge of the water, and if the surf is "up" there are usually surfers there. It is very popular with both locals and tourists.

A great morning would be to get to Crissy Field (also a part of GGNRA) and walk along the sidewalk next to sandy beach there. Perhaps have some coffee/etc at the Warming Hut along the way. Then keep walking to the Ft Point Wharf Pier. Go out on the pier and admire the fantastic views of the GG Bridge, Alcatraz, and back to downtown SF. Then keep going towards the Bridge (avoiding the crashing waves) to Ft Point. Explore the fort - especially the ramparts where you can get even better views of the Bay, the Bridge, and the Golden Gate (entrance to the Bay). We ALWAYS take out-of-town guests to Ft Point. Much more interesting than Fisherman's Wharf, IMO.

Stu Dudley

has anyone done the duck tour? recommend?

Crissy field sounds like an excellent idea! thank you

and have to say, such wonderful advice from you all. thank you! keep 'em coming :)

>>keep 'em coming<<


http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

Warning~if you look at Stu Dudley's list, it's gonna be impossible to narrow it down!! :)

thank you guys! yes I agree tenthumbs! its too good to overlook the recommendations and narrow it down!
So I found a rental place near Lincoln and Judah, do we still have to drive around in our car say to Fishermen's Wharf, cable car boarding etc or can we take the public transport? Is it convenient and quick? I cant seem to get much info from google maps

Judah and Lncoln Way? They don't intersect.

The N Judah line will get you to main tourist areas, but it will take a while.

That is pretty far west, out of the main tourist area. You are going to spend a lot of time going back and forth. Parking won't be cheap in tourist areas if you drive and it will still take a while, but with so many people, it may be cheaper than public transit.

http://www.sfmta.com/getting-around

You never answered if this was just for one night??

And did you check out the motels I listed? They are more convenient than the area you listed, although not exactly sure where you are staying.

"A rental place" ?? Is that an apartment or a hotel or what??

Sorry DebitNM - this is for 2 nights, its a rental apartment located at lincoln way and 22nd avenue. The motels you listed didnt have enough rooms for all of us on the dates we were looking at.

That is a pretty far out, residential avenue with not a lot of restaurant options.

Is there parking included as overnight street parking may be permit only??

How did you find this apartment? Many short term apartment rentals in SF are illegal.