cathyjp7

My wife has a work convention, so we are bringing the kids and her folks for a mini vacation. 3yo son loves trains and buses and such, so we will do lots of public transportation. Staying at Marriott Marquis downtown. No car, flying in for 5 days. Never been before. What to do with the kids, best/cheapest way to get around on public transport? Suggestions of what to do and not to do would be great? DO kids really like the Exploratorium?

Jeff801

San Francisco has wonderful public transportation, but it can be costly. There is a Muni (the nickname for the public transit) kiosk at the intersection of Powell and Market. There you can buy a pass for each of you which will easily pay for itself. Remember that a Cable Car fare is $5.00 each way for an adult and even one round trip for a family can be very costly.

I suspect your son would like the Cable Car Museum. Both Powell Street cable cars stop there.

NorCal_Jo

Yes - kids really do like the exploratorium. I found going for a while but we took my 9 year and 4 yr old nieces and grandma and everyone loved it. Had to drag the dad's away from certain exhibits and remind them that the kids had first priority!
I now have a 2 1/2 year old and no matter where I go she mostly seems to enjoy chasing pigeons/birds and picking up rocks so after you go to the exploratorium, you can go to the nearby beach/Crissy field where the kids can play and run around (not sure what time of year you are going but always bring layers). A beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge from there as well.
Muni is the cheapest way to get around. BART is fine to go up and down Market Street but doesn't go elsewhere within downtown SF.
My nieces/kids actually like walking (or being strolled) around Chinatown as they get to look at "weird things" (like peking duck in the windows and live frogs at the market) and all the shops are full of inexpensive little fun things like chinese fans, mini tea pots, and silk bags, etc for a 10 year old girl to buy on a small allowance! Also, there is a playground in Portsmouth square at the corner of Clay and Kearny that has equipment and is full of kids (and Chinese men playing chess or cards). Plus I've found that the chinese restaurants are always extremely kid friendly and if you go to a dim sum place, that would be a lot of fun for the 10 year old depending on her eating habits. You could take public transport or walk to Chinatown as I think Portsmouth square is only about 10 blocks from your hotel.

Fisherman's wharf/Pier 39 is undoubtedly touristy but my relatives young and old alway enjoy walking around and seeing the sea lions laying around on the piers, the views of the water, the street performers, aquarium, and the shops, etc. You could even take a boat ride either to Angel Island or Sausalito, etc or just a round trip ferry ride, etc since kids love boats.

hazel1

Do NOT, however, waste your time and money at the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39. The aquarium at the Academy of Sciences is so much better, and the museum also has a planetarium, 4-story rainforest, natural history museum and an IMAX theatre. It's in Golden Gate park and it's a great place for kids and adults alike. You can get there on the bus (tho I forget which route).

sf7307

The Exploratorium is fantastic, for kids and non-kids!