Family Attractions in San Francisco
October 27th, 2008
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photo credit: fogonthedowns)
If you go to San Francisco, you will want to travel across the biggest icon of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge. Other locations and things to see and do when planning a trip itinerary are cable cars, Alcatraz Island, China Town and all of the Victorian gingerbread architecture. Of course, you’ll have a meal at one of the award winning restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf. Any of us older folks who grew up in the 60’s will want to stop by the Haight-Ashbury district to reminisce. These will all be at the top of the list. However, there is so much more for your family to do and see in this city on the bay.
Aquarium of the Bay will be the talk of your trip mostly because of the 300 feet of clear tunnel, “Aquarium Adventure,” where your children will marvel at the amazing sea life that comes directly from the San Francisco Bay. Keep a look out for the Monkey-faced Eel, Bat Rays and Rockfish When they find out they will be able to actually touch small sharks and stingrays, it will be all you can do to contain them. They offer a family entrance price which gives this destination a gold star for the budget.
Fisherman’s Wharf is a destination all on it’s own with a marketplace of over 100 shops, 14 restaurants and many hotels with direct views of the bay. Wharf icons, the sea lions, are always present and fun to watch. After enjoying the many activities, stop by one of the fresh seafood restaurant and order the famous Dungeness Crab.
Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker offers free tours of their factory with a request for you to be a chocolate tester. This will both be an educational trip as well as just plain fun and delicious. They do request that children be 10-years-old or more and all must wear closed toe shoes, so no flip-flops.
Cow Palace is the famous host to many concerts, tradeshows, exhibits, sporting events and conventions. When you are considering family entertainment, the Cow Palace is an excellent place to start. They offer entertainment such as the Monster Truck Show, Rod and Custom Motorcycle Show and the Golden Gate Kennel Dog Show. If you are visiting in late November to mid December you may enjoy the Great Dickens Christmas Fair held on four consecutive weekends.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum has been a Fisherman’s Wharf landmark for 40 years. It hosts eleven complete galleries displaying the odd, the unusual and the down right weird in life. See Robert Ripley’s pranks of nature such as the two headed calf or the display of a complete cable care made of nothing but matchsticks. They all fit into the different galleries entitled: Strange People and Odd Animals, Weird and Wacky Art, Tribal Artifacts, The Orient, Witches, Vampires, Ghosts and Graveyards and Modern Wonders.
San Francisco Zoo features over 1,000 different animals including exotic and endangered species. Their Grizzly Gulch houses two Grizzly Bears. Visit the African Savanna habitat the Gorilla Preserve, Koala Crossing, Penguin Island, Lemur Forest as well as the Australian Walk About with red kangaroos and emus. If you have small children, the Children’s Zoo has a separate entrance so you can start in an age appropriate area.
Submarine USS Pampanito has been restored to near perfection. The World War II submarine offers tours that will allow visitors to imagine themselves living in the closed quarters without any natural light. The sea vessel housed 80 met for weeks, sometimes longer, during the war. It is now considered a National Historic Landmark. The submarine is open daily for visitors at a minimal fee. A great history lesson for kids.
San Francisco Botanical Garden Society in Golden Gate Park lets you walk through rainforests as though you were in Central America, New Zealand and the Mediterranean. It’s just the beautiful calm you need after several days of wild fun. The botanical garden is always changing, offering new things while keeping the ever present appearance. Open every day, admission is free although they do accept donations.
Riptide Arcade at Pier 39 is an overload of video games, prize games and virtual reality experiences. The 10,000 square feet of computerized fun includes games such as NBA Blitz, Crazy Taxi, Daytona Twin, Harley Davidson Deluxe, Lost World Deluxe and many, many more. Or try your hand at some old fashioned Wheel of Fortune or Hoops. The whole family will find a day full of fun here.
Carnival San Francisco is a celebration of ethnic differences through a festival held Memorial Day weekend. Don’t miss the parade on Sunday. If you don’t already know how to dance the Salsa, Samba, Tango, Merengue, Hip-Hop, Calipso, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, or the Cumbia, learn all the steps during the festival. Enjoy the traditional ethnic food, crafts, art and entertainment. See the special events and services in the health, drum and soccer pavilions.
Presidio of San Francisco, a former military base, is a world of fun in the form of a national park and recreational destination. For the purist at heart it offers miles of hiking and walking trails among historic and architectural treasures. Of course, every family member will delight in the natural surroundings by the bay. If you are visiting San Francisco during the Christmas season, don’t miss the tree lighting ceremony. Open daily, year round, there is no entrance fee and most activities are also free of charge.
Family Fun in San Francisco
Perhaps the real gem of San Francisco is it’s multicultural life. It is as if all the counties of the world truly are gathered together in the melting pot of this city. Certainly you can find any ethnic food as well as good old fashioned American food here. Entertainment of many lands can also be found here. The town truly caters to the visitor’s every want and need. When anyone in California says they are going to “the city” it is instantly known they are speaking of San Francisco. Depending on flight itineraries and prices, San Francisco is easily accessible from either SFO, Oakland or San Jose airports.
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Categories: Family Fun
