San Francisco with an almost 13 year old.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 10:42 PM
#1
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San Francisco with an almost 13 year old.
I am taking my niece to San Francisco. As she reminds me, she is almost 13.
What would be the best area to stay in --Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf?
Any ideas of things to do other than shopping? What about fun places to eat?
What would be the best area to stay in --Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf?
Any ideas of things to do other than shopping? What about fun places to eat?
Jun 24th, 2005, 01:00 AM
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Bubba Gumps on Pier 39 is a fun place to eat, great food (i am picky) and great water views from every table.
At Pier 39 they also have an Aquarium, that is neat, you walk under a glass tunnel with the fish/sharks above and around you.
You can check out the sea lions which are always a favorite attraction and ride the cable car and then go over to Giradelli Square for an ice cream sundae and see them process the cocoa beans and make chocolate.
At Pier 39 they also have an Aquarium, that is neat, you walk under a glass tunnel with the fish/sharks above and around you.
You can check out the sea lions which are always a favorite attraction and ride the cable car and then go over to Giradelli Square for an ice cream sundae and see them process the cocoa beans and make chocolate.
Jun 24th, 2005, 05:05 AM
#3
We were just there in April with a 12 and a half year old girl and an 11 year old girl. We stayed at the Stanford Court on Nob hill.(we had marriott pts) It is a very nice hotel in a nice area. The cable cars were located at our corner.
Chinatown was their favorite place. We did the walking tour with Wok Wiz and had Dorothy and they loved her. There is so much history there. They also loved shoppping there because it was affordable.
They liked eating in North Beach the best. We took them to the sunday matinee of Beach Blanket Babylon. It is a very funny show. It is a little racy. We all had some laughs. I doubt it would be shocking to an almost 13 year old.
You can bike to Sausalito and take the boat back. We did not do this, but my husband and children wanted to.
Riding the cable cars were a definite favorite mode of transportation. They are slow...
As far as where to stay. Many here will probably be better equipped to handle that. There are quite a few homeless in the Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square area. Staying on Nob hill, we didn't have to encounter them in the evening hours arriving back at our hotel. Nob hill may be a safer area for two women traveling alone. (I am assuming you are an Aunt and not an Uncle
Have fun.
Chinatown was their favorite place. We did the walking tour with Wok Wiz and had Dorothy and they loved her. There is so much history there. They also loved shoppping there because it was affordable.
They liked eating in North Beach the best. We took them to the sunday matinee of Beach Blanket Babylon. It is a very funny show. It is a little racy. We all had some laughs. I doubt it would be shocking to an almost 13 year old.
You can bike to Sausalito and take the boat back. We did not do this, but my husband and children wanted to.
Riding the cable cars were a definite favorite mode of transportation. They are slow...
As far as where to stay. Many here will probably be better equipped to handle that. There are quite a few homeless in the Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square area. Staying on Nob hill, we didn't have to encounter them in the evening hours arriving back at our hotel. Nob hill may be a safer area for two women traveling alone. (I am assuming you are an Aunt and not an Uncle
Have fun.
Jun 24th, 2005, 05:19 AM
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Was there last summer with kids age 11,15, and 18. They enjoyed the Exploratorium - lots of hands on science stuff, the trip to Alcatraz, the view from Coit Tower, walkign Lombard Street, seeing the "Painted Ladies" in Alamo Square(kids got a kick out of seeing these because they recalled them from the opening scenes of the TV show Full House); Pfieffer Big Sur State Park....there is also a Rainforest Cafe down by the waterfront... if she has never been to one, she might find that different... have fun
Jun 24th, 2005, 05:15 PM
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Just returned from a 4 night stay in SF with my 13 year old daughter and 9 year old son. I would recommend staying near Union Square. We stayed at the Orchard Hotel and really liked it. Just two streets up from Union Square. Nice rooms, breakfast included (cold cereals, pastries, fruit, deli ham and cheese).
I would second the tip of the Wok Wiz tour of Chiinatown (thank you for the recommendation girlonthego, our kids really enjoyed it especially my daughter.) Definitely do Alcatraz and get the audioguide. It was excellent.
There is lots of shopping to do everywhere. We also went to a part of town on Union St. (not Union Square) called Cow Hollow. Lots of neat boutique shops. We ate at a great restaurant called Balboa Cafe nearby. Excellent salads and one of the best gourmet hamburgers I have ever had.
There is a street a few blocks down from our hotel called Belden Lane that has several restaurants in it. Italian, French, Spanish. We ate at Le Plouf (French) and had a very good meal. I liked that we didn't need a reservation.
I would second the tip of the Wok Wiz tour of Chiinatown (thank you for the recommendation girlonthego, our kids really enjoyed it especially my daughter.) Definitely do Alcatraz and get the audioguide. It was excellent.
There is lots of shopping to do everywhere. We also went to a part of town on Union St. (not Union Square) called Cow Hollow. Lots of neat boutique shops. We ate at a great restaurant called Balboa Cafe nearby. Excellent salads and one of the best gourmet hamburgers I have ever had.
There is a street a few blocks down from our hotel called Belden Lane that has several restaurants in it. Italian, French, Spanish. We ate at Le Plouf (French) and had a very good meal. I liked that we didn't need a reservation.
