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 probably the most of our time and packed lots into only a few days, experiencing each the vitality of the town and the surprise of the shoreline. Should 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 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 undoubtedly would’ve taken public transportation.
We checked into Lodge 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 gadgets you should purchase for mild meals and snacks like yogurt parfaits, salads, and packaged snacks.
This resort was filled 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 for gratis!), foosball, and board video games. Our room was comfy, 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 gave the impression to be a line out the door after about 9:30am, so go early. It opens at, in fact, 8am!
A visit to San Francisco with teenagers wouldn’t be full with a cable automotive journey. So we walked just a few blocks to catch the cable automotive on the Powell/Hyde line. Purchase day passes on the Muni Cell app, which saves you a couple of bucks versus paying every means.
We have been amazed by the crazy-steep streets of the town, and experiencing them through cable automotive 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 through 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 a giant distinction.
Then we caught the Powell/Mason line again and hopped off at Lombard Avenue to gawk on the well-known zig-zag street and snap some pictures. 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 buddy really useful R & G Lounge.
After a pair hours of downtime on the resort (we have been nonetheless recovering from our journey the night time 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 hen kebabs, each of which have been yummy.
To my preliminary disappointment, the same old magician, Jay Alexander, was out for the night time. However his substitute (Brad Barton, “Actuality Thief”) was terrific. It is a tiny theater, and there’s plenty of viewers participation. We’re STILL speaking concerning the tips 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 concerning the metropolis. He drove us across the metropolis, and we hopped out for pictures on the Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Women, and Palace of High-quality 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 a giant fan of craft beers. We had a great lunch of burgers and fish tacos.
Then we walked over to Musee Mecanique on the water. Admission is free however carry plenty of payments to get quarters for the previous time mechanical machines. We have been there on a Saturday, so it was fairly packed. On the whole, 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 sizzling fudge sundaes and waited in a protracted 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 resort, we walked to Pier 33 to catch the ferry to Alcatraz. It’s vital to purchase these tickets upfront as a result of it commonly sells outs. The ferry journey is about quarter-hour every means.
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. Should you’re going to San Francisco with teenagers, they’ll love this! Ask if the rangers are giving excursions as nicely. Ours was not, however I’ve heard that’s fascinating as nicely.
IF YOU GO: Give your self a minimum of 1.5 hours on the island. You’ll be able to choose which ferry you catch again, so test the instances to plan your journey. I’d heard blended issues concerning the day tour versus the night time 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 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 reality, I ended up shopping for some cheese and crackers within the foyer and calling it dinner for me! I’m not large on quick meals, however was glad that my teenager obtained to lastly strive the well-known burger chain.
Day 4: Drive To Large Basin Redwoods State Park & Monterey
This was Easter Sunday and issues have been closed right here and there, so we obtained 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 resort which I didn’t understand once I booked it).
We did the 1.5 hour drive to Large Basin Redwoods State Park (we had to purchase a parking move upfront). It’s a fairly tough, windy drive at instances, which made me and my son a bit carsick.
Sadly, I made the error of not rigorously studying the park’s web site. Once we arrived, we realized that nearly all the park is closed proper now as a result 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 well-liked a extra in depth expertise.
IF YOU GO: Till the park is reopened absolutely (which they mentioned will take just a few years), take a day journey from San Francisco to Muir Woods as a substitute.
From Large Basin, we obtained 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 way in which.
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 high-quality. My favourite function was the gasoline 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 preferred that we may park our automotive within the resort 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 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 instances. 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 obtained a blister–pack bandages in the event you go!).
IF YOU GO: You’ll get moist! Develop into 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 Pleased Lady Kitchen Co., the place I ordered the quinoa and millet salad, a lemon vitality ball, and house-made Chai. (I discovered this place by studying an article about “Large Little Lies” places in Monterey.)
My guys wished 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 nicely price it. The aquarium solely homes species yow will discover within the Bay, which is lots! 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, 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 automotive and take a drive alongside Freeway 1 to Large Sur. My teen was drained and didn’t wish to do that, nevertheless it ended up being one in every of his favourite elements 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 “Large Little Lies” and a well-liked vista cease. We drove to Large Sur, then circled and drove again.
IF YOU GO: Freeway 1 is a twisty-turny drive in locations. Fog out of the blue moved in as we have been driving again, which made visibility iffy. So ensure you’re ready for that. I used to be glad we did many of the drive in daylight.
We couldn’t discover a dinner choice alongside Freeway 1 in Large Sur (we put our names in at one place with an incredible 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 resort’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 way in which, 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: Lodge Caza truly had free bikes to make use of, however we didn’t have time. A buddy rented from Limitless Biking and rode from their location over the Golden Gate Bridge and again. I used to be frightened 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 a giant kick out of this place, which is true there on Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Cartoon Artwork Museum: This was across the nook from our resort and could be excellent for teenagers all for artwork or who like to learn comics and graphic novels.
- Large Bus Tour: Our associates did this tour, and you’ll hop on and off alongside the route. Remember 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 Lodge Caza and options interactive murals and avenue artwork. There’s a charge for getting into.
- The Exploratorium: Positioned at Pier 15, this science museum provides a reduction for youths 17 and below.
- Angel Island State Park: If we’d had an additional day, we might’ve taken the ferry to this island for my history-buff child. Through the years, this island has served as an immigration station, detention facility for German POWs, and missile base. It now provides mountain climbing trails and self-guided excursions.
- Day journey to Muir Woods: You’ll be able to e-book a day journey from the town to see the majestic redwoods.
- Ghost Tour: I want we’d had time to do one in every of these ghost excursions. Haunted San Francisco is nicely rated (not appropriate for kids below 13).
Questions About San Francisco With Teenagers
Did we really feel secure?
Sure. The information is stuffed proper now with dangerous information about cities basically, however we’re metropolis individuals–having lived in and visited cities our total grownup lives. So we have been comfy 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 frequent. So we walked, took the cable automobiles, or obtained 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 large meals a day. We have been additionally ready 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 price range trip.
Are any faculties close by for excursions?
Sure. Should you’re visiting San Francisco with teenagers who’re occupied with 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 gradual moist mist within the air, which I don’t assume 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 might 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, a minimum of 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 without doubt one of the costliest elements 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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