San Francisco Trip -need ideas

[anewmac]

Ok I have the 3rd off this yr and deceided to take the 6th off. So DH and I have thought why not take a mini vaca. He went years ago to visit his sister but didnt really explore the sites. Thought it would be a fun get away with the kids (10 and 6 both boys) BUT having never been.. Need some planning advice (isnt that what we all do best here LOL)

What are some places to see?
Places to eat?
Things to do?
anything I miss... OH ya where do you suggest we look for a hotel. We will probably be taking off either Thurs after work, Might even try and get off at 3pm instead of 5 to miss some traffic.

any website to point me in the right direction. thanks all!

 

[diznygirl]

Love love love this hotel:

http://www.monaco-sf.com/

We were lucky enough to stay there on business once. And the restaurant was fabulous.

 

[eduk8r26]

The kids will love the Exploratorium and the museums in Golden Gate Park. Walking around Fisherman's Wharf is fun, also the cable cars can't be missed.

 

[FireDancer]

Since you will be with kids this probably won't work for you but if I was heading to the San Francisco area the thing I would most want to do is bike the wine country. I did a week of cycling in Tuscany last year and loved it. I would head up to the Napa or Sonoma valley and rent a bike and spend the week touring the vineyards and area.

 

[Uuaww]

I can help you out with food as I grew up in San Francisco.

Clam Chowder/Chili in a bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf.
Dim Sum (Chinese) in Chinatown.


Berkeley has much better food imo. Oh and you should visit Alcatraz.

 

[shortbun]

Cable Car museum!!! Take a look at the Best Western Tuscan Inn near Fisherman's Wharf.

 

[MoniqueU]

Don't forget Pief 39

 

[NCRedding]

The exploratorium is great fun. Your kids might enjoy a tour of Alcatraz, although it might be scary for the younger one. If you want to do a tour of Alcatraz, you need to make a reservation in advance.

We stayed at an old motor lodge type place--Nob Hiil Motel or something. Nothing fancy at all, but it did have free parking and was reasonably priced. It was also located between two major streets with bus stops and a short walk from the cable cars. It was in a residential area with restaurants within walking distance.

We bought a city pass which gave us admission to several museums, etc and a cable car ride. It may also have included a bus pass, or we bought one separately.

Have fun.