Inside: Numerous issues to do in San Francisco with teenagers, plus our full Spring Break itinerary (together with a visit to Monterey).
We 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 loads into only a few days, experiencing each the power of town and the marvel of the shoreline. When you’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 advocate this for those who’re coming from the Japanese time zone–we have been exhausted! We took an costly taxi journey to our lodge (about $75). If we’d arrived earlier within the day, we undoubtedly would’ve taken public transportation.
We checked into Resort Caza. It’s situated 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 gentle meals and snacks like yogurt parfaits, salads, and packaged snacks.
This lodge 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, but it surely didn’t have a fridge–FYI, in case that’s essential to you.
Day 2: Chinatown Strolling Tour & Marrakech Magic Theater
We ate breakfast throughout the road from the lodge 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 automotive journey. So we walked a number of blocks to catch the cable automotive on the Powell/Hyde line. Purchase day passes on the Muni Cellular app, which saves you a couple of dollars versus paying every approach.
We have been amazed by the crazy-steep streets of town, and experiencing them by way of cable automotive was a (literal!) journey. We rode to the Bush Road 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 retailers, 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 varied stops made an enormous distinction.
Then we caught the Powell/Mason line again and hopped off at Lombard Road to gawk on the well-known zig-zag highway and snap some photographs. We have been capable of stroll again to the lodge 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 pal beneficial R & G Lounge.
After a pair hours of downtime on the lodge (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 further tips 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 same old magician, Jay Alexander, was out for the evening. However his alternative (Brad Barton, “Actuality Thief”) was terrific. This can be a tiny theater, and there’s numerous viewers participation. We’re STILL speaking concerning the tips and might’t determine them out!
We took an Uber again to the lodge 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 lodge by Armando from Painted Women Tour in a enjoyable, painted VW bus. Armando was pleasant and full of data and tales concerning the metropolis. He drove us across the metropolis, and we hopped out for photographs on the Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Women, and Palace of Effective Arts. This tour lasted two hours, which felt like simply the correct quantity 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 superb 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 previous time mechanical machines. We have been there on a Saturday, so it was fairly packed. Basically, I’d advocate 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 scorching fudge sundaes and waited in an extended line. If I may 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 lodge, we walked to Pier 33 to catch the ferry to Alcatraz. It’s essential to purchase these tickets upfront as a result of it commonly sells outs. The ferry journey is about quarter-hour every approach.
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. When 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 at the least 1.5 hours on the island. You’ll be able to decide which ferry you catch again, so test the occasions to plan your journey. I’d heard blended issues concerning 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 feel a nighttime tour can be tremendous spooky.
We walked again to our lodge 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. 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 received to lastly attempt the well-known burger chain.
Day 4: Drive To Huge 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 automotive rental (there have been different automotive rental locations inside strolling distance to the lodge which I didn’t notice once I booked it).
We did the 1.5 hour drive to Huge Basin Redwoods State Park (we had to purchase a parking cross upfront). It’s a fairly difficult, 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 just about all the park is closed proper now because of fires and rainstorms. Just one small path was open, which we walked twice. We have been nonetheless capable of see redwoods, however I’d’ve most popular a extra intensive expertise.
IF YOU GO: Till the park is reopened totally (which they mentioned will take a number of years), take a day journey from San Francisco to Muir Woods as an alternative.
From Huge Basin, we received on Freeway 1 for our drive to Monterey. We stopped in Santa Cruz and parked in a storage downtown so we may 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 appears to be like like a Victorian home, however the remaining is only a common lodge. It’s not fancy, however our room was completely superb. My favourite characteristic was the gasoline fire, which made our room really feel cozy.
I additionally like that that they had a free breakfast plus a free “wine and cheese” hour at 5pm with fruit, cheese, crackers, wine, and lemonade.
The draw back to the lodge: It was on a busy avenue and was a bit loud. However we appreciated that we may park our automotive within the lodge storage and stroll to every little thing.
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 lodge, 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! Turn into their rain pants and coats and go barefoot. Put on sunscreen and a hat.
We walked again to the lodge for showers then headed about 10 minutes away on foot to Joyful Woman 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 “Huge Little Lies” areas in Monterey.)
My guys needed one thing meatier, so walked a few 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 must purchase tickets on-line earlier than getting into). It was fairly crowded however effectively value it. The aquarium solely homes species you will discover within the Bay, which is loads! 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 getting into. I learn that it’s much less crowded within the late afternoon, but it surely was nonetheless fairly packed. You’ll be able to go away and are available again for those who get a hand stamp.
Subsequent we headed again to the lodge to get the automotive and take a drive alongside Freeway 1 to Huge Sur. My teen was drained and didn’t wish to do that, but it surely ended up being considered one of 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 “Huge Little Lies” and a well-liked vista cease. We drove to Huge 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 to’re ready for that. I used to be glad we did a lot of the drive in daylight.
We couldn’t discover a dinner choice alongside Freeway 1 in Huge Sur (we put our names in at one place with a tremendous view however hopped again within the automotive 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 retailers and strung with white lights.
Day 6: Breakfast & Depart to San Jose airport
We wakened, ate the lodge’s free breakfast, then hopped within the automotive 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 truly had free bikes to make use of, however we didn’t have time. A pal rented from Limitless Biking and rode from their location over the Golden Gate Bridge and again. I used to be nervous my concern 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 lodge and can be good for teenagers thinking about artwork or who like to learn comics and graphic novels.
- Huge Bus Tour: Our associates did this tour, and you may hop on and off alongside the route. Understand 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 getting into.
- The Exploratorium: Situated at Pier 15, this science museum presents a reduction for teenagers 17 and below.
- 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 presents climbing trails and self-guided excursions.
- Day journey to Muir Woods: You’ll be able to guide a day journey from town to see the majestic redwoods.
- Ghost Tour: I want we’d had time to do considered one of these ghost excursions. Haunted San Francisco is effectively rated (not appropriate for youngsters below 13).
Questions About San Francisco With Teenagers
Did we really feel protected?
Sure. The information is crammed proper now with unhealthy information about cities basically, however we’re metropolis individuals–having lived in and visited cities our complete 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 automotive 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 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 undoubtedly wasn’t a finances trip.
Are any schools close by for excursions?
Sure. When you’re visiting San Francisco with teenagers who’re enthusiastic about faculty, locations like San Francisco State College, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, and Stanford College are inside driving distance.
Gadgets 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 individuals 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.
- Snug footwear: We walked a ton, at the 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 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 for those who do the kayak tour.
- Sun shades and hat
- Chargers for telephones, iPads, and laptops.
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