Inside: Numerous 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 improbable! We made probably the most of our time and packed lots into only a few days, experiencing each the vitality of the town and the marvel of the shoreline. If you happen to’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 for those who’re coming from the Japanese time zone–we have been exhausted! We took an costly taxi journey to our resort (about $75). If we’d arrived earlier within the day, we positively would’ve taken public transportation.
We checked into Resort Caza. It’s positioned 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 objects you should purchase for mild meals and snacks like yogurt parfaits, salads, and packaged snacks.
This resort was filled with households. It has a heated outside pool, and the foyer options an space with pool desk, arcade video games (the entrance desk provides the quarters for gratis!), 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 resort at a tiny place referred to 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 automobile journey. So we walked a number of blocks to catch the cable automobile on the Powell/Hyde line. Purchase day passes on the Muni Cell app, which saves you a couple of dollars versus paying every method.
We have been amazed by the crazy-steep streets of the town, and experiencing them by way of cable automobile was a (literal!) journey. We rode to the Bush Avenue cease then walked a pair blocks to the doorway of Chinatown, referred to 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 Avenue to gawk on the well-known zig-zag street and snap some photographs. We have been capable of stroll again to the resort from there.
IF YOU GO: Obtain the Chinatown strolling tour PDF or learn it in your cellphone, 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 resort (we have been nonetheless recovering from our journey the night time 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 methods and to order meals and drinks. We had the hummus plate and hen kebabs, each of which have been yummy.
To my preliminary disappointment, the standard magician, Jay Alexander, was out for the night time. However his alternative (Brad Barton, “Actuality Thief”) was terrific. It is a tiny theater, and there’s numerous viewers participation. We’re STILL speaking in regards to the methods and might’t determine them out!
We took an Uber again to the resort 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 resort by Armando from Painted Girls Tour in a enjoyable, painted VW bus. Armando was pleasant and full of data and tales in regards to the metropolis. He drove us across the metropolis, and we hopped out for photographs on the Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Girls, and Palace of Fantastic Arts. This tour lasted two hours, which felt like simply the correct amount 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 lunch of burgers and fish tacos.
Then we walked over to Musee Mecanique on the water. Admission is free however convey numerous payments to get quarters for the outdated time mechanical machines. We have been there on a Saturday, so it was fairly packed. Typically, I’d suggest avoiding the Fisherman’s Wharf space on the weekend for those who 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 resort, we walked to Pier 33 to catch the ferry to Alcatraz. It’s vital to purchase these tickets upfront as a result of it commonly sells outs. The ferry journey is about quarter-hour every method.
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. If you happen to’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 fascinating as nicely.
IF YOU GO: Give your self at the very least 1.5 hours on the island. You possibly can choose which ferry you catch again, so examine the occasions to plan your journey. I’d heard combined issues in regards to the day tour versus the night time 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 believe a nighttime tour can be tremendous spooky.
We walked again to our resort 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 large on quick meals, however was glad that my teenager received to lastly strive 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 received breakfast once more at 8 A.M. Cafe and took an Uber to Thrifty automobile rental (there have been different automobile rental locations inside strolling distance to the resort which I didn’t understand once I booked it).
We did the 1.5 hour drive to Large Basin Redwoods State Park (we had to purchase a parking cross upfront). It’s a fairly tough, windy drive at occasions, which made me and my son a bit carsick.
Sadly, I made the error of not rigorously studying the park’s web site. After we arrived, we discovered that just about all the park is closed proper now on account of fires and rainstorms. Just one small path was open, which we walked twice. We have been nonetheless capable of see redwoods, however I might’ve most popular a extra in depth expertise.
IF YOU GO: Till the park is reopened absolutely (which they stated will take a number of years), take a day journey from San Francisco to Muir Woods as a substitute.
From Large Basin, we received 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 way in which.
Then we checked in to Victorian Inn. The foyer appears like a Victorian home, however the remaining is only a common resort. It’s not fancy, however our room was completely nice. My favourite characteristic was the fuel fire, which made our room really feel cozy.
I additionally like that they’d a free breakfast plus a free “wine and cheese” hour at 5pm with fruit, cheese, crackers, wine, and lemonade.
The draw back to the resort: It was on a busy avenue and was a bit loud. However we appreciated that we might park our automobile within the resort storage and stroll to the whole lot.
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 resort, 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 received a blister–pack bandages for those who go!).
IF YOU GO: You’ll get moist! Grow to be their rain pants and coats and go barefoot. Put on sunscreen and a hat.
We walked again to the resort for showers then headed about 10 minutes away on foot to Pleased Lady 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 wished one thing meatier, so walked a couple of 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 (you need to purchase tickets on-line earlier than coming into). It was fairly crowded however nicely price it. The aquarium solely homes species you could find within the Bay, which is lots! We have been capable of see the entire museum in about two hours.
IF YOU GO: Purchase tickets for the aquarium on-line earlier than coming into. I learn that it’s much less crowded within the late afternoon, nevertheless it was nonetheless fairly packed. You possibly can go away and are available again for those who get a hand stamp.
Subsequent we headed again to the resort to get the automobile and take a drive alongside Freeway 1 to Large Sur. My teen was drained and didn’t wish to do that, nevertheless it ended up being one in every of his favourite elements of the journey.
Alongside Freeway 1, we made stops at completely different vistas to marvel on the magnificence. We additionally stopped on the Bixby Bridge, one other location from “Large Little Lies” and a preferred vista cease. We drove to Large Sur, then circled and drove again.
IF YOU GO: Freeway 1 is a twisty-turny drive in locations. Fog out of the blue moved in as we have been driving again, which made visibility iffy. So ensure you’re ready for that. I used to be glad we did a lot 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 an incredible view however hopped again within the automobile 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 wakened, ate the resort’s free breakfast, then hopped within the automobile for the drive to San Jose Airport (it was nearer to Monterey than driving again to San Francisco and our flights price the identical). Alongside the way in which, we did a cease to see UC Santa Cruz only for enjoyable. Elements 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
- Lease bikes: Resort 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 worry 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 true there on Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Cartoon Artwork Museum: This was across the nook from our resort and can be excellent for teenagers focused on artwork or who like to learn comics and graphic novels.
- Large Bus Tour: Our buddies did this tour, and you may hop on and off alongside the route. Take into account 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 Resort Caza and options interactive murals and avenue artwork. There’s a price for coming into.
- The Exploratorium: Situated at Pier 15, this science museum affords a reduction for youths 17 and beneath.
- Angel Island State Park: If we’d had an additional day, we might’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 affords mountain climbing trails and self-guided excursions.
- Day journey to Muir Woods: You possibly can ebook a day journey from the town to see the majestic redwoods.
- Ghost Tour: I want we’d had time to do one in every of these ghost excursions. Haunted San Francisco is nicely rated (not appropriate for youngsters beneath 13).
Questions About San Francisco With Teenagers
Did we really feel secure?
Sure. The information is crammed proper now with unhealthy information about cities usually, however we’re metropolis folks–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 automobile within the metropolis, since “smash-and-grabs” are widespread. So we walked, took the cable automobiles, or received an Uber to get round.
Is it costly?
Sure. Meals and lodging have been each dear. We tried to save cash by consuming simply two large 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 positively wasn’t a finances trip.
Are any schools close by for excursions?
Sure. If you happen to’re visiting San Francisco with teenagers who’re fascinated about 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 suppose is uncommon for San Francisco. We additionally used our raincoats for our kayak tour in Monterey.
- Heat coats: We’d been informed by a number of folks to pack a lot hotter garments than we predict 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.
- Comfy sneakers: We walked a ton, at the very least 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 without doubt one of the costliest 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 for those who do the kayak tour.
- Sun shades and hat
- Chargers for telephones, iPads, and laptops.
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