San Francisco Family Vacation Ideas

Thrills, Chills and Twists are included in San Franciscoknows, you may just see find the nursery rhyme
Family Vacationscharacters living there too?
There's always something exciting waiting for thoseLombard Street is a must-see attraction that should be
who plan San Francisco family vacations. Althoughincluded on all San Francisco family vacations. If your
many people may not be aware this eclectic Californiakids don't know about this legendary "crooked street"
city is just as much fun for kids and teens as it is fordon't tell them. Let this be one of those special family
adults. Why not set your next vacation course for thismoments that you all experience together. A ride, or
city by the Bay?walk down this street to the Bay is well worth the time
San Francisco family vacations require some advanceand effort.
planning if you want to get to see all of the topBecome Science Explorers
attractions. To keep everyone happy you might wantHow about taking the kids to an area attraction where
to let each person choose 1 or 2 of the stops. ThenIQ scores can get a quick boost. Who knows, you
you can construct an itinerary that will get you aroundmay just spark your child's interest in space, math or
the town with the least amount of confusion andscience?
backtracking.The Exploratorium is located in San Francisco's Palace
Carless San Francisco Family Vacations are Bestof Fine Arts at 3601 Lyon Street at Marina Boulevard.
At least you don't have to worry about using a carYour kids do not have to know that they are being
while you are staying in San Francisco. Parking is nottaught physics, engineering, biology and chemistry. Just
something that you want to try and deal with becauselet them play and enjoy the vast array of high tech,
there are so few parking places available. Publicinteractive exhibits. Adults have just as much fun
parking lots charge $12+ per hour for one car and thatcreating electricity or cool tornadoes at this center
adds up quickly.where the rule is always "Do Touch" instead of "Don't
You can forget parking along the streets because thisTouch".
city is not designed for such activities and the cityThere is More than Fishing to Do at Pier 39
police love to enforce the laws regarding any and allSan Francisco family vacations should include at least
types of traffic violations. Yep, this includes any kind ofa quick tour of Pier 39 that sits on the waterfront.
illegal parking.Who doesn't want to have fun at a place where the
In fact you can get a hefty ticket for a parking violationcarousel is a Double -Decker? You can also try some
that you never knew existed. San Francisco familychocolate treats from the Fudge House or Chocolate
vacations are best enjoyed by leaving your car in theHeaven. Resident sea lions, puppet shows, a toy shop,
parking garage or parking lot provided by your hotel.arcade games a Virtual Reality Theatre are also part
Get around San Francisco with these Transportationof the Pier 39 experience.
OptionsMagic Ocean Music
So how do you travel about the Golden Gate city withTell the kids that the ocean is able to play melodies
your family and still have fun? Take a ride on the cableand songs on an organ, and they will probably not
cars that you have seen in movies and on TV shows.believe you. So why not show them it really is true?
These are lots of fun and very inexpensive, but theyMake sure to take your family to hear the Wave
are also notoriously inefficient. Still a cable car ride upOrgan located at the Marina Small Craft Harbor. Sit on
and down some of the city hills is a highpoint of mostthe Marina steps to listen to the music or climb out on
San Francisco family vacations.the rocks with the kids for a great family bonding
Walking is the most inexpensive way to get aroundexperience. The Wave Organ is designed so that the
the main streets of this California town. You probablyocean water that is crashing from the breakwater into
will not want to do this for hours on end though, due tothe Bay moves through a series of pipes to create
all of the steep hills that are involved. The MUNI andmusical sounds. The best time to go is definitely during
BART are two other low cost options.high tide.
The MUNI is actually the San Francisco MunicipalAdditional San Francisco Attractions
Railway and maps of the routes and stops areOther great stops to include in San Francisco family
available at the Visitor's Center as well as at hotelsvacations are trips to the Golden Gate Bridge and its
and shops. The BART is the Bay Area Rapid Travelaccompanying 3 mile long Park; The Bay Area
system that provides high speed travel on elevatedDiscovery Museum; Marine World/Africa USA and the
rails that are a great way to let your family have aSan Francisco Zoo. Chinatown and Alcatraz Island are
real bird's eye tour of the Bay area.two other iconic San Francisco adventures that your
A Mother Goose Momentfamily can share.
"There was a Crooked Man Who Had a CrookedNo matter what you choose to do on your getaway
House" is the first line of a familiar nursery rhyme thattrip, San Francisco family vacations are sure to create
is a childhood favorite. Now you can take your childrenmemories and moments that both parents and kids will
to see a Crooked Street that really exists. Whotreasure for a lifetime.