San Francisco Itinerary?

[tinker-belle]

Hi. I have a few days & partial days inJuly in San Francisco (first time there) & wondering if this will work--- and if not, how should I re-arrange it/what should I drop?

Friday I have about 3 hours beginning mid afternoon- thinking of going to industrial lights & magic (how long do I need for yoda & the lobby?), fort point & crissy beach.

I have the whole day Sunday until 5:30PM we have to be ready to board ferry to Alcatraz. We do have a car, but are open to using MUNI/cable cars. And Monday we have until 1pmsh.

Thinking about doing MUIR woods (not for too long- we have a 5 year old), lombard street, painted ladies, pier 39 & fisherman's wharf & wondering if I have a few hours anytime for exploratorium and/or twin peaks. (is twin peaks 'just' a hike & a view?) What about union square--- if I don't need to go 'into' the stores & shop- should we 'stop by' here? How long do we need & at what point in the itinerary?

Any advice on how to map it out/how to get there? I assume we should do fisherman's wharf/pier 39 same day as Alcatraz. Do we have enough time to do everything on the same day as alcatraz, with the exception of exploratorium? If yes, Is 3 hours 'enough' for the exploratorium on Monday morning? (we are 2 adults, and 3 boys- ages 17, 13 & 5). Thanks!

 

[usnuzuloose]

SF won't disappoint you, a lot to see and do. The shopping in Union square is not that far from the wharf but not to walk there. You also have Ghirardelli where you can get the Ice cream.. yummy. You also have Boudin's which is within walking distance. You can watch them make bread in different shapes. Kids will like that. They have a shop where you can purchase bread and different things. I love going in there..

In the Presidio you have Walt Disney Museum. It takes a little while for the tour but so worth it. Make sure to purchase your tickets for Alcatraz before you go as they will most likely be sold out if you try and purchase the same day.

There is a website called Travelzoo.com , I have used it a lot. Free to join just like groupon. But sometimes you can find discounts for stuff to do in SF. I have never been to muir woods. You can also go to the Ferry building which is going to the other end from Pier 39. They have all kinds of foods and fruits and little shops as well.

Hope this helps you a little bit.

 

[ILUVALASKA]

I was at the Exploratorium for five hours and did not have enough time! Muir Woods will take a long time due to traffic and parking. YOu can stroll a short way around the trees, but it will take time for the excursion.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I would definitely recommend the Disney Family Museum...something there for all ages.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hopefully this thread might provide you with some ideas. It contains all the things we've done around San Francisco over the last 10 - 12 years.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2451585



If you buy a MUNI pass, it will give you travel access on the trolley, the F-line and all MUNI buses and light rail.

• Fisherman's Wharf – I would catch the Trolley from Market Street and Powell Street. Where the Trolley lets you out at Fisherman's Wharf, you'll be able to walk to Ghiradelli and then across to the main section of FW. If you do catch the trolley, closer to the FW end, you'll find that there is stop for Lombard Street. Just be aware that if you get off, it may be difficult to get back on the trolley as they do fill up with tourists. If you are doing this early in the morning it should be okay. I have walked from Lombard Street to Fisherman's Wharf. I seem to recall thinking "Never again" at the time.
• Ferry Building - If you're at Fisherman's Wharf, catch the F-line tram and get off at the Ferry Building. Check which days the Farmer's Market is on and if you're there, I would visit when the market is on. It add a little more interest. You'll easily find the F-line tram if you're at Pier 39. It does terminate at Fisherman's Wharf, so just check out where it turns around and where you go to catch the tram for the return back to the city.
• Embarcadero - It's all of a 5 minute stroll across the road from the Ferry Building. The shopping is better in the downtown area!
• Union Square - From the Embarcadero or Ferry Building, you can catch the F-line and get off at Powell. Walk 2 blocks to get to Union Square. Alternatively, you can walk down Market from the Embarcadero to get to Powell or cut across at Post. It will take about 15-20 minutes walk from Embarcadero to get to Union Square.
• Chinatown - the gates to Chinatown at Grant/Bush are two blocks down and one block across from Union Square. You'll have lots of shops to look at along the way. I'd recommend that you check out the Fortune Cookie factory and see if that is something that your kids would find interesting or not. Seeking it out gives you the option to walk through the side alleys of Chinatown between Grant and Stockton Streets.
• North Beach - If you walk all the way down Grant Street and see all the shops in touristville Chinatown street, you will hit Columbus. If you hit Columbus, you're in North Beach. It is a bit of a walk; but my 7 year old and I did this once; with lots of stops in between.
• Alternatively, Stockton runs parallel to Grant. When you're ready, cut across to Stockton, look for the 30 or 45 Muni bus stop and catch the bus down Stockton. Get off at Washington Square and you're right at North Beach/Columbus. If you're at Washington Square, you'll see the church that everyone wants to go see. It's the Church of St Peter and St Paul and the one that Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio got married in. Depending on whether your kids want to or not, you could head up to Coit Tower from here and check out the view.
• Alamo Square. From Market Street, you can catch the 21 Muni bus. It will take you to the Alamo Square. Should be about a 20 minute trip.
• Haight Ashbury. The 6 or 71 down Market Street will get to you here. From memory, it will be 20 or 30 minutes.

The Disney Family Museum is great. I would recommend that you check with your kids to make sure if it will appeal to them.

Muir Woods takes a bit of time to get to and the road is pretty windy. If you do want to see redwoods and have time for a drive, take a look at the pictures I posted of Big Basin towards the end of that thread. Again, you'll need time to get out there.

 

[samserena]

Glad I found this thread! Getting super excited for our first time in San Fran

 

[tinker-belle]

Thank you soooo much!

 

[charmed59]

The Disney Family Museum is great, but a warning since you have a five year old, it is a museum, more like a natural history museum with lots of reading, some movie clips, a model of Disneyland, but not a huge amount of hands on exhibits. Some families are surprised its not more geared toward little ones. (When I was there they did not allow strollers. This was three years ago, and that might have changed.).

Also, the subject is Walt Disney, and his family. Not a ton of info about Disneyland or world, and no mention of movies that were made after his death, so don't expect a Toy Story exhibit for example.

It does have clips from his early Mickey shorts, and renderings from Snow White and other early animation, which is very cool. You do see all his oscars.