Need a Trip Idea?

Rediscover 8 years of the best IgoUgo trips in our Top-Rated Journals Archive.

San Francisco

"City by the Bay" for families

View from Lombardy StreetMore Photos

by millsy99

A travel journal

Last Updated: July 30, 2002

Journal Usefulness Rating 3 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
12
Reviews
23
Photos

Some not-to-be missed sites in one of the most beautiful cities in the world

View from Lombardy Street
Don't miss Fisherman's Wharf and the Exploratorium. If you have your car, be sure and drive down the 'crookedest street in the world,' Lombard Street, and head over to Chinatown. Take a day trip to Sausalito, check out Alcatraz, and consider taking the kids to SF's great zoo. Leave money in your budget for some of San Francisco's wonderful (but expensive) restaurants!

Quick Tips:

Comfortable walking shoes are a must!! San Francisco can be expensive to stay and eat. Consider staying on the outskirts and driving into the heart of the city. The weather is usually quite cool and you may need sweatshirts and jeans even in July.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking can be tiring. Driving can be frustrating but may be the best solution. Taxis are available as well. Be sure and catch at least one cable car ride!

Casa Madrona

Hotel

This hotel is housed in a lovely Victorian mansion, with gorgeous views of the bay. We picked a "superior room" which featured a fireplaces. The furnishings were elegant and the service was great.

They also have cabins, suites and family-style rooms with kitchens. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it if you want a retreat from the hectic city. They have a brunch in the so-so restaurant here.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 26, 2002

Casa Madrona
801 Bridgeway San Francisco, California 94965
(415) 354-8308

Scoma's

Restaurant

Scoma's is a wonderful restaurant for a nice evening on the town. It has a romantic atmosphere with a great view! Scoma's can also accommodate children and families. They feature wonderful seafood and pasta, in addition to the usual salads, etc. My family always makes time for a trip to this lovely place, located in Fisherman's Wharf.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 20, 2002

Scoma's Restaurant
Pier 47 San Francisco, California 94133
(415) 771-4383

Far East Cafe

Restaurant

This restaurant is one of the better ones we sampled in Chinatown. They offer all the traditional specialites you would expect, in both the Cantonese and Szechuan styles. The Peking Duck is a specialty. Order several dishes and share! ~~ The restaurant has cozy booths and a great atmosphere. It seems like a very authentic experience, and the establishment was clean and comfortable. ~~ Our waiter pointed out a landmark church right across the street, which we also checked out.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 25, 2002

Far East Cafe
631 Grant Avenue San Francisco, California 94108
(415) 982-3245

Sea Lion Cafe

Restaurant

This restaurant is right next to the sea lions and you can watch them out of the window while you eat. Plus, there are wonderful views of the pier itself.

The Sea Lion Cafe has a pretty big menu, and they offer lots of sandwiches and salads. They have wonderful homemade potato chips here, fresh fish, and pasta meals. Try the crab cakes, with really quality crab and a somewhat spicy flavor. Also, the fish and chips were quite good.

This place is casual and most dishes are around the $8-$10 range. However, they also offer more expensive steak and lobster combos if you want to spend $30.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 26, 2002

Sea Lion Cafe
Pier 39, Building K San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 434-2260

Seven Seas

Restaurant

On the recommendation of a local, we grabbed a meal at this place which was right up the street from the hotel. However, we were pretty disappointed. The place is pretty rundown inside and the food was blah. They have the basic American food: hamburgers, pizza, etc. But unless you are in dire straits, head into the city for a real meal.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 26, 2002

Seven Seas Restaurant
682 Bridgeway (on the boardwalk) San Francisco, California 94965
(415) 332-1304

Jump on one of these outside the museum
If you have young children, especially boys (who seem to be fascinated by any type of machinery), this museum is an exciting way to spend a morning. The museum has many different models of cars on display, and also features the very first cable car from the 1870s. Older kids can find out how the cable car system works and how it came about in San Francisco. Hours are 10 to 6 (at least in summer) and it's free. You can get on a cable car at the museum, where the cars begin and end their routes.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 24, 2002

Cable Car Museum
1201 Mason St. San Francisco, California 94108
(415) 474 1887

One of the many bears on display
The SF Zoo has all the usual animals you would expect at a large zoo--monkeys, giraffes, hippos, elephants. They definitely have a large assortment of animals. The lion and gorilla sections are highlights. They also have nice sections for the Koalas. Obviously, you want comfortable shoes for this trip-- it's a large park.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 24, 2002

San Francisco Zoo
1 Zoo Road San Francisco, California
415/753-7080

Alcatraz

Activity

Alcatraz as seen from the city
"The Rock" aka Alcatraz Island is a must-see for any first-time visitor to the city. This most unusual prison has served to house all types of inmates, from Native Americans to the notorious Al Capone. ~~ The Blue and Gold Fleet sells tickets on Pier 41 and takes you to the island via ferry. They have several trips per day, and the tour takes about 2 and a half hours. You can rent audiotapes to enhance the tour. ~~ Wear comfortable shoes, as there is lots of walking, including hilly trails to get to the prison. The island is now a National Park, with a bird sanctuary and lighthouse. From this area, you can see great views of the city and the bridge if it's not too foggy. ~~ It costs about $13 for adults to take the trip. Buy your tickets early, because this is a popular attraction and you might not get your first choice of tour date/time.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 25, 2002

Alcatraz
Embarcadero and Powell Street San Francisco, California 94133
(415) 705-5555

Exploratorium

Activity

Where the museum is located
The Exploratorium is located near the Golden Gate Bridge, in the Palace of Fine Arts. ~~ This was a great experience for our family. It's very fun and hands-on for kids, who will also learn a lot. Your kids can blow huge bubbles, learn about (and feel) a tornado, work on brain teasers, and learn about optical illusions. ~~ The Tactile Dome is a completely dark area where you must rely on touching and no other senses to find your way through. It's a really unique experience to feel all the textures, while crawling and feeling your way through. ~~ This is a great outing for a Sunday when other things are closed. You can make a picnic and enjoy it on the grounds and take in the views, then tour the museum. Hours are 10 to 6.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 25, 2002

Exploratorium
3601 Lyon St San Francisco, California 94123
(415) 563-7337

Chinatown

Activity

One of the area
Chinatown can be frustrating to find in your car. You might want to take a cab to the area and start out in Ross Alley. This alley is decorated with colorful murals of life in Chinatown. ~~ The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is a fascinating way to start your visit. Learn how fortune cookies are made and get a free sample!! ~~ Chinatown has tons of quaint shops and wonderful architecture to enjoy. You can see the usual gift and souvenir stands, and also visit a traditional herbalist store, flower shops, Chinese churches and hospitals, etc. ~~ There are a plethora of wonderful restaurants in Chinatown. I recommend the Far East Cafe, which I have reviewed in a separate journal.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 25, 2002

Chinatown
Grant Avenue San Francisco, California

Pier 39

Activity

Beware of the mimes!
Pier 39 is a really hard area to put in a category. It has restaurants, shops, street performers, movie theaters, and more. My younger sister was once traumatized by a mime who decided she was his "volunteer" in a performance.

Kids will enjoy the old fashioned carousel and seeing the sea lions at the famous K Dock. (You can also check them out at the Sea Lion Cafe--see separate journal).

The area is wonderful for people-watching and just walking around, taking it all in. There are tons of t-shirt/souvenir shops, an aquarium, and street vendors. This is a great area to take pictures, with the backdrop of the Golden Gate bridge and the bay.

There is parking available in the Pier 39 garage (across from the entrance). Pier 39, slightly more family friendly than Fisherman's Wharf, is located 2 blocks east of the wharf.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by millsy99 on June 26, 2002

Pier 39
At the corner of Beach Street and The Embarcadero San Francisco, California 94133
(415) 981 7437

About the Writer

millsy99
millsy99
Knoxville, Tennessee

Travel Deals

$149+: Popular San Francisco hotel nr Union Sq.
$149 - Handlery Union Square Hotel
Up to $150 off: Dining at select Fairmont Hotels
$150 - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
$88: 3-star Club Quarters, San Francisco + Save 15% on Sunday, Book by 12/31/2008
$88 - Orbitz
All San Francisco Travel Deals

Subscribe to IgoUgo Deals Newsletters

Get our handpicked Top 10 Deals every Wednesday.