Suggestions for entertaining 13 y.o. nephew visiting San Francisco?
 

Our 13 year old nephew is coming for the weekend next month and we are wondering how to best entertain him. We are somewhat tired of Alcatraz, he does not like gardens or in nature things. All suggestions welcome.

Well, the Exploratorium is a possibility. A Giant's game? The Pirate Store at 826 Valencia? http://www.826valencia.org/store/

Have you been to the new Science Museum? Is he too old for swan shaped paddle boats? Stow lake has boat and bike rentals.

Also, I've heard (here on Fodor's) that the movie tour of SF is good, and that the segway tour is fun.

Our kids liked Fort Point and the National Maritime Historic Site. Also (even though you are tired of it) Alcatraz

I still think Alcatraz is a good pick, if he hasn't been before.

Buy a kite and fly it in the park by the bay.

Take a boat tour of the bay.

How about the zoo?

Ride cable cars all over the place. Do they still have the neon signs of Carol Doda, with the blinking red niples?
Maybe not a good idea.

Yes, at that age Alcatraz is usually a big hit for a boy! I understand your being tired of "doing" Alcatraz, but think of it as your gift to him.

Chinatown usually is a big hit also.

A walk across the Golden Gate Bridge would no doubt be enjoyed unless he is a young fellow that is use to sitting in from of his computer day and night.

And at least one Cable Car ride.

Giants game another good thought, if he is into sports and most boys that age seem to be.

Do you know what type of food he likes? If not you can ask him when he arrives. Going to eating establishments will occupy some of his time.

Over the decades I have lost track of how many young fellows at that age that I have had in SF and inspite of their various interest I have always found they have all (with one exception) loved SF!

I hope you have a good time time with your nephew and make some beautiful memories for all of you!

Does he like history? If so, you can tour the USS Hornet at Alameda (important aircraft carrier in Pacific battles of WWII, also I believe it was the carrier that picked up the astronauts after they returned from the moon), or tour FDR's private yacht, which is moored in Oakland.

What about renting bikes and touring Golden Gate Park?

Although I would usually always think a zoo would be a good option, we took our son to the San Francisco zoo when he was 12 but it depressed him - he's already been to zoos in Seattle, Honolulu, Washington DC, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, and to us, San Francisco's zoo didn't compare, many of the cages seemed very small and the general atmosphere not as well-kept as the others we've been to. (Just our two cents.)

Also if the Giants aren't in town, even a tour of their stadium is fun! You get to go behind the scenes, and it's a lovely ball park.

What about the Duck Tour?

Is he interested in electronics? Is Intel museum still opened? It's somewhere close to San Jose.

Thanks for all the ideas--it looks like our weekend will be well-filled.

What is the duck tour?

Did you see the ugly old creatures, a cross between a bus and a boat? This is duck tour. They go on land, then in water.

http://www.bayquackers.com/

Please get his input. Send him this link to the Fodor's San Francisco Tour guide.

http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...san-francisco/

Ask him for, say, four things he would like to see or do, either from the guide or out of his head. Of course you have the final say. He will respect you for not treating him like a baby.

Has anyone been to the Oakland zoo?

The morning guys on KNBR have - they were talking about it just this morning.

Is he into to music? Most teens love a trip to Amoeba Music on Haight. They have tons of music to browse no matter what his taste is. Plus he might even think you are cool after taking taking him there, just kidding. Haight St. will have it's own attractions, mainly people watching or a trip to Ben & Jerry's.

WALK across the Golden Gate Bridge also tour Ft. Point below the bridge. Definitely Haight Street. Someone already suggested a tour of Giants' ballpark - you can get the tour info from Giants' website. Academy of Sciences in GG Park. Skateboard park in South Beach or somewhere along Embarcadero. Tour the Balcutha - the old sailing schooner at the Wharf. Bay Model at USGS in Sausalito. Hike along the Marin headlands above 101 and Sausalito (where the windsurfers go)- the views are awesome at any age. Football game at UC Berkeley/49'ers/Raiders.