Inside: A number of issues to do in San Francisco with teenagers, plus our full Spring Break itinerary (together with a visit to Monterey).
We just lately took a Spring Break journey to San Francisco with our 14-year-old son, and it was implausible! We made probably the most of our time and packed lots into only a few days, experiencing each the vitality of town and the surprise of the shoreline. In the event you’re planning a visit to San Francisco with teenagers, I hope our itinerary and journey ideas will assist.
San Francisco With Teenagers Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San Francisco
We arrived in San Francisco at midnight. I don’t suggest this when you’re coming from the Jap time zone–we have been exhausted! We took an costly taxi journey to our lodge (about $75). If we’d arrived earlier within the day, we undoubtedly would’ve taken public transportation.
We checked into Lodge Caza. It’s situated in Fisherman’s Wharf, however across the block from the busiest vacationer space, so it was fairly quiet. They don’t supply free breakfast however do present espresso and tea service within the mornings till 10am, plus gadgets you should buy for mild meals and snacks like yogurt parfaits, salads, and packaged snacks.
This lodge was filled with households. It has a heated out of doors pool, and the foyer options an space with pool desk, arcade video games (the entrance desk provides the quarters without charge!), foosball, and board video games. Our room was snug, nevertheless it didn’t have a fridge–FYI, in case that’s vital to you.
Day 2: Chinatown Strolling Tour & Marrakech Magic Theater
We ate breakfast throughout the road from the lodge at a tiny place known as 8 A.M. Cafe that has a pleasant breakfast menu. We had the crepes, frittatas, and the “Napa Bagel” with brie, prosciutto, arugula, and fig glaze. There appeared to be a line out the door after about 9:30am, so go early. It opens at, after all, 8am!
A visit to San Francisco with teenagers wouldn’t be full with a cable automotive journey. So we walked a couple of blocks to catch the cable automotive on the Powell/Hyde line. Purchase day passes on the Muni Cellular app, which saves you a couple of dollars versus paying every means.
We have been amazed by the crazy-steep streets of town, and experiencing them by way of cable automotive was a (literal!) journey. We rode to the Bush Road cease then walked a pair blocks to the doorway of Chinatown, known as Dragon Gate.
We opted to do a self-guided strolling tour of Chinatown by way of Free Excursions By Foot, stopping in memento outlets, the Fortune Cookie Manufacturing facility for a pattern, and the Tin How Temple. This was a shock hit of the journey. Realizing the historical past and significance of the varied stops made an enormous distinction.
Then we caught the Powell/Mason line again and hopped off at Lombard Road to gawk on the well-known zig-zag highway and snap some photographs. We have been in a position to stroll again to the lodge from there.
IF YOU GO: Obtain the Chinatown strolling tour PDF or learn it in your telephone, it added a lot to our stroll. Additionally, analysis a spot to eat in Chinatown—we have been too full from breakfast, however a buddy beneficial R & G Lounge.
After a pair hours of downtime on the lodge (we have been nonetheless recovering from our journey the evening earlier than), we took an Uber to Marrakech Magic Theater in Union Sq.. It’s key to reach an hour earlier than to see the magician do further tips and to order meals and drinks. We had the hummus plate and rooster kebabs, each of which have been yummy.
To my preliminary disappointment, the same old magician, Jay Alexander, was out for the evening. However his substitute (Brad Barton, “Actuality Thief”) was terrific. It is a tiny theater, and there’s a number of viewers participation. We’re STILL speaking concerning the tips and might’t determine them out!
We took an Uber again to the lodge and went to mattress early.
Day 3: Driving Tour & Alcatraz
We purchased a yogurt within the foyer for our son, then have been picked up in entrance of our lodge by Armando from Painted Women Tour in a enjoyable, painted VW bus. Armando was pleasant and full of data and tales concerning the metropolis. He drove us across the metropolis, and we hopped out for photographs on the Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Women, and Palace of Wonderful Arts. This tour lasted two hours, which felt like simply the correct quantity of time to get a lay of the land.
Afterward, we walked to lunch at San Francisco Brewing Firm in Ghirardelli Sq. as a result of my husband is an enormous fan of craft beers. We had an excellent lunch of burgers and fish tacos.
Then we walked over to Musee Mecanique on the water. Admission is free however carry a number of payments to get quarters for the previous time mechanical machines. We have been there on a Saturday, so it was fairly packed. On the whole, I’d suggest avoiding the Fisherman’s Wharf space on the weekend when you don’t like crowds.
We walked again over to Ghirardelli Sq. for his or her well-known sizzling fudge sundaes and waited in an extended line. If I might do it over once more, I’d purchase only one sundae and all have a pair bites–they’re very costly and really massive.
After a pit cease on the lodge, we walked to Pier 33 to catch the ferry to Alcatraz. It’s vital to purchase these tickets prematurely as a result of it frequently sells outs. The ferry journey is about quarter-hour every means.
This jail as soon as housed inmates like Al Capone, and the audio tour, which incorporates narration and interviews from former guards and inmates, was terrific. In the event you’re going to San Francisco with teenagers, they’ll love this! Ask if the rangers are giving excursions as nicely. Ours was not, however I’ve heard that’s attention-grabbing as nicely.
IF YOU GO: Give your self not less than 1.5 hours on the island. You may decide which ferry you catch again, so verify the occasions to plan your journey. I’d heard combined issues concerning the day tour versus the evening tour. We opted to do a late-afternoon tour and agreed that we loved seeing it within the daylight. There’s one thing very haunting about Alcatraz, so I feel a nighttime tour can be tremendous spooky.
We walked again to our lodge alongside the varied piers and grabbed dinner at In-N-Out Burger. It was our first time having it–and don’t come at me, however we have been underwhelmed. The truth is, I ended up shopping for some cheese and crackers within the foyer and calling it dinner for me! I’m not huge on quick meals, however was glad that my teenager acquired to lastly attempt the well-known burger chain.
Day 4: Drive To Large Basin Redwoods State Park & Monterey
This was Easter Sunday and issues have been closed right here and there, so we acquired breakfast once more at 8 A.M. Cafe and took an Uber to Thrifty automotive rental (there have been different automotive rental locations inside strolling distance to the lodge which I didn’t notice once I booked it).
We did the 1.5 hour drive to Large Basin Redwoods State Park (we had to purchase a parking cross prematurely). It’s a fairly difficult, windy drive at occasions, which made me and my son a bit carsick.
Sadly, I made the error of not fastidiously studying the park’s web site. After we arrived, we realized that nearly the entire park is closed proper now as a result of fires and rainstorms. Just one small path was open, which we walked twice. We have been nonetheless in a position to see redwoods, however I’d’ve most popular a extra in depth expertise.
IF YOU GO: Till the park is reopened totally (which they stated will take a couple of years), take a day journey from San Francisco to Muir Woods as an alternative.
From Large Basin, we acquired on Freeway 1 for our drive to Monterey. We stopped in Santa Cruz and parked in a storage downtown so we might poke across the cute, funky downtown (there’s a boardwalk in Santa Cruz too however we didn’t go). We additionally additionally stopped for roadside strawberries and shaved ice alongside the best way.
Then we checked in to Victorian Inn. The foyer appears like a Victorian home, however the remainder is only a common lodge. It’s not fancy, however our room was completely high quality. My favourite function was the gasoline fire, which made our room really feel cozy.
I additionally like that that they had a free breakfast plus a free “wine and cheese” hour at 5pm with fruit, cheese, crackers, wine, and lemonade.
The draw back to the lodge: It was on a busy avenue and was a bit loud. However we favored that we might park our automotive within the lodge storage and stroll to every part.
Drained and hungry, we walked right down to Cannery Row for dinner. The place we supposed to go (Lalla Grill) was closed for Easter, so we ended up at an overpriced Italian restaurant which was simply okay.
Day 5: Kayak Tour & Monterey Bay Aquarium
After a (free!) breakfast on the lodge, we walked right down to Adventures By The Sea on Cannery Row for a guided, two-hour kayak tour. As a result of it was breezy that morning, the water was uneven, and it was strenuous at occasions. We noticed otters, sea lions, and harbor seals, which was an enormous spotlight. My husband and I actually loved this tour, however my son was so-so on it (and he acquired a blister–pack bandages when you go!).
IF YOU GO: You’ll get moist! Develop into their rain pants and coats and go barefoot. Put on sunscreen and a hat.
We walked again to the lodge for showers then headed about 10 minutes away on foot to Completely satisfied Woman Kitchen Co., the place I ordered the quinoa and millet salad, a lemon vitality ball, and house-made Chai. (I discovered this place by studying an article about “Large Little Lies” places in Monterey.)
My guys needed one thing meatier, so walked a few block away to Cafe Guarani, for empanadas and Yuca fries and sat of their cute little “secret backyard” out again.
Then we walked to Monterey Bay Aquarium (it’s a must to purchase tickets on-line earlier than getting into). It was fairly crowded however nicely value it. The aquarium solely homes species you could find within the Bay, which is lots! We have been in a position to see the entire museum in about two hours.
IF YOU GO: Purchase tickets for the aquarium on-line earlier than getting into. I learn that it’s much less crowded within the late afternoon, nevertheless it was nonetheless fairly packed. You may go away and are available again when you get a hand stamp.
Subsequent we headed again to the lodge to get the automotive and take a drive alongside Freeway 1 to Large Sur. My teen was drained and didn’t need to do that, nevertheless it ended up being certainly one of his favourite elements of the journey.
Alongside Freeway 1, we made stops at totally different vistas to marvel on the magnificence. We additionally stopped on the Bixby Bridge, one other location from “Large Little Lies” and a well-liked vista cease. We drove to Large Sur, then rotated and drove again.
IF YOU GO: Freeway 1 is a twisty-turny drive in locations. Fog all of a sudden moved in as we have been driving again, which made visibility iffy. So be sure you’re ready for that. I used to be glad we did many of the drive in daylight.
We couldn’t discover a dinner possibility alongside Freeway 1 in Large Sur (we put our names in at one place with a tremendous view however hopped again within the automotive after seeing the costs!).
We ended up in downtown Monterey at Medici for wood-fired-oven pizzas, wings, and salads. I want we had found this cute downtown space earlier. It’s lined with cafes, eating places, and outlets and strung with white lights.
Day 6: Breakfast & Depart to San Jose airport
We awoke, ate the lodge’s free breakfast, then hopped within the automotive for the drive to San Jose Airport (it was nearer to Monterey than driving again to San Francisco and our flights value the identical). Alongside the best way, we did a cease to see UC Santa Cruz only for enjoyable. Components of the drive alongside CA-17 have been additionally twisty-turny, FYI.
Abstract: Enjoyable Issues We Did in San Francisco With Our Teen
10 Extra Issues To Do in San Francisco With Teenagers
- Hire bikes: Lodge Caza truly had free bikes to make use of, however we didn’t have time. A buddy rented from Limitless Biking and rode from their location over the Golden Gate Bridge and again. I used to be nervous my concern of heights would make that trek disagreeable.
- Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum: Yeah, kinda tacky. However I’m guessing my teen would’ve gotten an enormous kick out of this place, which is correct there on Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Cartoon Artwork Museum: This was across the nook from our lodge and can be excellent for teenagers serious about artwork or who like to learn comics and graphic novels.
- Large Bus Tour: Our mates did this tour, and you’ll hop on and off alongside the route. Understand that the highest deck can get chilly, relying on the climate.
- Boudin Bakery: That is proper alongside the water at Fisherman’s Wharf, however we ran out of time to pop in for some well-known sourdough bread.
- Umbrella Alley: That is additionally across the nook from Lodge Caza and options interactive murals and avenue artwork. There’s a price for getting into.
- The Exploratorium: Situated at Pier 15, this science museum gives a reduction for teenagers 17 and beneath.
- Angel Island State Park: If we’d had an additional day, we’d’ve taken the ferry to this island for my history-buff child. Over time, this island has served as an immigration station, detention facility for German POWs, and missile base. It now gives mountaineering trails and self-guided excursions.
- Day journey to Muir Woods: You may ebook a day journey from town to see the majestic redwoods.
- Ghost Tour: I want we’d had time to do certainly one of these ghost excursions. Haunted San Francisco is nicely rated (not appropriate for kids beneath 13).
Questions About San Francisco With Teenagers
Did we really feel secure?
Sure. The information is stuffed proper now with dangerous information about cities on the whole, however we’re metropolis individuals–having lived in and visited cities our whole grownup lives. So we have been snug in San Francisco, particularly within the tourist-populated space of Fisherman’s Wharf.
We have been suggested towards parking a rental automotive within the metropolis, since “smash-and-grabs” are frequent. So we walked, took the cable vehicles, or acquired an Uber to get round.
Is it costly?
Sure. Meals and lodging have been each expensive. We tried to economize by consuming simply two huge meals a day. We have been additionally in a position to make use of Southwest frequent flier miles to get a significant low cost on our airfare. Bu with our itinerary, it undoubtedly wasn’t a finances trip.
Are any faculties close by for excursions?
Sure. In the event you’re visiting San Francisco with teenagers who’re fascinated with school, locations like San Francisco State College, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, and Stanford College are inside driving distance.
Objects to Pack for San Francisco
- Packable rain coat: I’ve this packable raincoat from LLBean that is available in common, petite, and plus sizes. One morning throughout our journey, there was a gentle moist mist within the air, which I don’t assume is uncommon for San Francisco. We additionally used our raincoats for our kayak tour in Monterey.
- Heat coats: We’d been advised by a number of individuals to pack a lot hotter garments than we expect we’d want, and that was nice recommendation. San Francisco could be chilly, even in the summertime. I wore a pullover fleece (this Columbia fleece, that is available in petite!) and splurged on this packable down coat from LLBean.
- Snug footwear: We walked a ton, not less than 15,000 steps a day. I alternated between trainers and Dansko clogs.
- Money: For tipping tour guides and getting quarters at Musee Mecanique.
- Snacks: Meals is likely one of the most costly elements of any household journey. I packed a small bag with some protein bars, clementines, and path combine (and since it was Easter. Cadbury Mini Eggs too!).
- Sunscreen: You’ll particularly want this when you do the kayak tour.
- Sun shades and hat
- Chargers for telephones, iPads, and laptops.
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