Inside: A lot 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 essentially the most of our time and packed quite a bit into just some days, experiencing each the power of town and the surprise of the shoreline. In case you’re planning a visit to San Francisco with teenagers, I hope our itinerary and journey suggestions 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 in the event you’re coming from the Jap 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 provide free breakfast however do present espresso and tea service within the mornings till 10am, plus objects you should purchase for gentle meals and snacks like yogurt parfaits, salads, and packaged snacks.
This resort was stuffed 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 resort 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 automobile journey. So we walked a couple 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 manner.
We have been amazed by the crazy-steep streets of 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, 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. Understanding the historical past and significance of the assorted 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 highway 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 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 good friend beneficial R & G Lounge.
After a pair hours of downtime on the resort (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 additional methods 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 standard magician, Jay Alexander, was out for the evening. However his substitute (Brad Barton, “Actuality Thief”) was terrific. This can be a tiny theater, and there’s a number of viewers participation. We’re STILL speaking in regards to the methods and may’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 Women Tour in a enjoyable, painted VW bus. Armando was pleasant and full of information 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 Women, and Palace of Advantageous 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 a very good 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 outdated time mechanical machines. We have been there on a Saturday, so it was fairly packed. Generally, I’d suggest avoiding the Fisherman’s Wharf space on the weekend in the event you don’t like crowds.
We walked again over to Ghirardelli Sq. for his or her well-known scorching 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 prematurely as a result of it recurrently sells outs. The ferry journey is about quarter-hour every manner.
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 case you’re going to San Francisco with teenagers, they’ll love this! Ask if the rangers are giving excursions as effectively. Ours was not, however I’ve heard that’s fascinating as effectively.
IF YOU GO: Give your self not less than 1.5 hours on the island. You’ll be able to decide which ferry you catch again, so verify the occasions to plan your journey. I’d heard combined issues in regards to 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 believe a nighttime tour could be tremendous spooky.
We walked again to our resort alongside the assorted 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. In truth, I ended up shopping for some cheese and crackers within the foyer and calling it dinner for me! I’m not massive on quick meals, however was glad that my teenager bought to lastly attempt the well-known burger chain.
Day 4: Drive To Massive Basin Redwoods State Park & Monterey
This was Easter Sunday and issues have been closed right here and there, so we bought 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 Massive Basin Redwoods State Park (we had to purchase a parking move prematurely). 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 fastidiously studying the park’s web site. Once we arrived, we discovered that nearly 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 well-liked a extra in depth expertise.
IF YOU GO: Till the park is reopened totally (which they mentioned will take a couple of years), take a day journey from San Francisco to Muir Woods as an alternative.
From Massive Basin, we bought 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 seems to be like a Victorian home, however the remainder is only a common resort. It’s not fancy, however our room was completely advantageous. My favourite function 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 favored that we might park our automobile within the resort storage and stroll to every part.
Drained and hungry, we walked right down to Cannery Row for dinner. The place we meant 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 bought a blister–pack bandages in the event you go!).
IF YOU GO: You’ll get moist! Become 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 Blissful Lady Kitchen Co., the place I ordered the quinoa and millet salad, a lemon power ball, and house-made Chai. (I discovered this place by studying an article about “Massive Little Lies” areas in Monterey.)
My guys needed 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 effectively value it. The aquarium solely homes species you’ll find within the Bay, which is quite a bit! 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’ll be able to go away and are available again in the event you get a hand stamp.
Subsequent we headed again to the resort to get the automobile and take a drive alongside Freeway 1 to Massive Sur. My teen was drained and didn’t wish to do that, nevertheless it ended up being one in all his favourite components 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 “Massive Little Lies” and a preferred vista cease. We drove to Massive Sur, then rotated and drove again.
IF YOU GO: Freeway 1 is a twisty-turny drive in locations. Fog abruptly 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 Massive Sur (we put our names in at one place with a tremendous 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 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: Resort Caza really had free bikes to make use of, however we didn’t have time. A good friend 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 correct there on Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Cartoon Artwork Museum: This was across the nook from our resort and could be good for teenagers concerned about artwork or who like to learn comics and graphic novels.
- Massive Bus Tour: Our associates 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 charge for coming into.
- The Exploratorium: Positioned at Pier 15, this science museum gives a reduction for teenagers 17 and underneath.
- 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’ll be able to e-book a day journey from town to see the majestic redwoods.
- Ghost Tour: I want we’d had time to do one in all these ghost excursions. Haunted San Francisco is effectively rated (not appropriate for youngsters underneath 13).
Questions About San Francisco With Teenagers
Did we really feel secure?
Sure. The information is stuffed proper now with dangerous information about cities generally, 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 in opposition to parking a rental automobile within the metropolis, since “smash-and-grabs” are frequent. So we walked, took the cable automobiles, or bought an Uber to get round.
Is it costly?
Sure. Meals and lodging have been each expensive. We tried to save cash by consuming simply two massive meals a day. We have been additionally in a position to make use of Southwest frequent flier miles to get a serious low cost on our airfare. Bu with our itinerary, it positively wasn’t a finances trip.
Are any faculties close by for excursions?
Sure. In case you’re visiting San Francisco with teenagers who’re eager 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 instructed by a number of folks to pack a lot hotter garments than we predict we’d want, and that was nice recommendation. San Francisco may 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 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 among the most costly components 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 in the event you do the kayak tour.
- Sun shades and hat
- Chargers for telephones, iPads, and laptops.
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