When I mentioned to many of my friends that we were spending spring break in San Francisco, I was met with quizzical, curious gazes and statements like these: “Oh, well, now that’s interesting. Let me know how it goes.” Okay. Sure.
We started with a relatively painless plane ride to sunny CA. My son was lucky enough to snag the window seat, so he took a photo of the clouds.
Flying with school aged kids is really not bad at all. You’re past the baby stage, when you’re wondering whether you’ll get evil stares from judgmental, intolerant passengers if your baby makes so much as a peep. You’re also past that toddler/little kid stage where you need to have snacks, beverages, toys and books ready to go to entertain the little people and you have to worry about bathroom breaks. I’m happy to say that, by this age, they can entertain themselves (especially with today’s cool technology gadgets and in-flight movies). They downloaded very different selections (DS - football highlights, DD - Suite Life of Zack & Cody episodes) but so what? Whatever makes ‘em happy. Here’s a view of DS’s tray table:
(DS took this photo, too). It shows his mini Munny that he created during the flight as well as a few other items that kept him busy.
DD, meanwhile, was fascinated by her soda can:
Upon arrival, you’d think I’d be most interested in this:
But what really got my attention was the food. It’s so darn good in California. They have things like this
and this.
Mmmmm…I can taste it right now. It’s one of the best reasons to visit that state.
You can also find interesting things to buy, like this bag made out of seatbelts from a 1950s Buick
(okay, sure, you can get it online, too, but I didn’t know it existed until I saw it in CA).
For your techy, playful side, they also have cool places like Zeum (an arts and technology museum), The Tech (museum of innovation) and Exploratorium (a hands-on science museum). At Zeum, the kids made a claymation movie, where they made clay characters then used one of the museum’s existing sets, cameras and computer programs to create a short movie. The Zeum folks give you a DVD of your movie to take home, too! You can also record your own CD (using a teleprompter and microphone) or appear in a toothpaste commercial (which also records to a DVD for you to take with you, with a suggested donation of $5). It’s a nonprofit museum in the middle of San Francisco that’s worth an afternoon of your time.
We were disappointed by a place that our (apparently outdated) guidebook referred to as “heaven for tweens” called Metreon which is basically just a building that houses a movie theater, restaurants and an arcade. Don’t bother.
If your kids like computers, I recommend a 40 minute drive to an out of the way place called The Tech, which is in San Jose/Silicon Valley. The Tech is another science/technology kind of place. You can do funky things like take a picture of your head then play with the image on a computer, making it look as if it were made out of brick, concrete, wire, and more. Fascinating! Other activities included designing a bicycle, creating a computer roller coaster (and then going for a simulated ride on it!), experiencing a simulated earthquake and reading from a teleprompter to record (what sort of seems like) a speech on the floor of Congress.
Superimpose your face into a floating spacesuit.
Back in San Francisco, Exploratorium was a blast, particularly their new exhibit called The Mind where older kids can manipulate all kinds of contraptions while learning more about perceptions, causal relationships and physics. My favorite was The Tactile Dome, which is basically a maze that you crawl through in complete blackness (it’d be quite scary for most little kids, so the museum sets a minimum age requirement of seven).
My whole family loved this adventure. It was definitely the highlight of this museum. Well, that’s if you don’t include the toilet drinking fountain.
Would you take a drink?
Kids of a certain age, though, will always be drawn to playgrounds. No matter where you go on vacation. Sure enough, DS’s face lit up like a CFL when he saw the playground near Zeum.
After spending a good chunk of time there, he concluded, “This is the best playground I’ve ever seen!”
So, even if your kids are just not interested in museums, you can take them to this playground and they’re sure to have a blast. It has that squishy rubber base that somehow makes it feel more cozy and safe. The slide is fast (good design, no doubt) but best utilized with long pants.
There you have it. A fantastic family vacation in San Francisco! And really, I have to say it was my favorite trip yet.
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Read this article for more great ideas regarding what to do with your kids while in San Francisco.
Written by SoapB
16 comments ↓
ooooh, I so want to get back to San Francisco. My oldest brother lives in Novato (just north in Marin County) and I haven’t been out to visit in almost 10 years. I often say that if I had to pick somewhere to go… if they kicked me out of Boston… I would head to San Fran in an instant.
The Exploratorium is aces and I can still taste the Deem Sum at http://www.yanksing.com/
Glad you had a great time. Thanks for bringing me back.
PG’s last blog post..Project 365 // Day 54
Looks like fun! I have never been to SF and sure would love to get out there for BlogHer in July. But, apparently, airlines actually expect you to PAY for your ticket.
Momo Fali’s last blog post..I Like The Way He Thinks
I have to say, we went to S.F. once in 1997 and I LOVED IT. I did all the touristy stuff with the kids (they were 2 and 5) while DH was at a conference during the day. We had a blast. What a great city!
Melisa’s last blog post..Trust Me, The Build-up Is Worth It.
Wow… that looks like you had the most wonderful time… Cool way to spend Spring Break.
Tara R.’s last blog post..I’m no angel
Ooooh… that sandwich was from Piperade!! I know those fries!!
Next time, hit the penguin feeding at the California Academy of Sciences, too. It’s riveting!!
You’re making me homesick.
Deb (Missives From Suburbia)’s last blog post..Suburban Housewife Tip #1
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YES! You’re right! Our little guy is fairly picky, so we put that little sandwich together for him (but ended up snagging most of the Parma b/c he focused on the fries). Fantastic spot! I’m not a bit surprised you go back every time you’re there. Thanks again for sharing this lovely gem.
Great review! SF is in the top 3 places I want to visit in the US. I know so many people such as yourselves who have been there and loved it.
Soon… soon I say!
Jeff’s last blog post..Hybrid
Those are awesome pictures, SoapyB! I wish you had come just a liiitle bit further south. Next time you’ve gotta do that and let me know! And I really wish I did not see those food pics. I am HUNGRY now!!!
BusyDad’s last blog post..So Who Snuck into My House…
Ok, wow. First the can of pop was cool. Then that piece of pie was HUUUUUGE, then the toilet drinking fountain! That would do amazing things to get me over my fear of toilets. Don’t you think? Having to drink from one? lol! Looks fun, you’ve convinced me to add it to my list of spots to go some day.
Sister Sassy’s last blog post..So, Who the Heck Are We? Our 100th Post.
Looks like you had a great time. Had I known sooner I would have given you an even longer laundry list of cool things to do. I used to live in the area and never got to see everything there was. It was amazing.
The Exploratorium was definitely a favorite, second only to the best Chinatown - ever.
Ditto on the Dim Sum at Yank Sing PG. Pricy, but well worth it.
I’m glad you and your family had fun.
Mike’s last blog post..Scar tissue
Your trip looked wonderful! But I’ve got a toilet thing so I couldn’t read beyond that pic (I hate seeing under the rim. It’s totally a phobia.) Luckily, it looks like the post was almost done at that point so I didn’t miss too much!
Deb’s last blog post..Final Answer
Yikes! So sorry, Deb! You’re right, the post was almost done at that point. I made the photo smaller — trying to be sensitive to you and anyone else who might have a similar phobia.
Thanks for letting me know!
Awesome pix…I love San Francisco!
And thanks for taking pictures of the food. You’re a girl after my own heart
hi the gal formally know as bmg mommy
… he he.
wooah, that toilet fountain! not sure what i would do, but it sure is a wild idea that someone thought that up.
great night, kathleen
so grateful to be mormon’s last blog post..the eyes are the window to the soul
Looks like a great trip. Hope you have a terrific time!
Great name!!! Love it. Your vacation looks like you had a fabulous time. So that is what a vacation looks like. I just spent soring break with a sick teen and I got a sinus infection myself. Your vacay looks like the better way to go.
JaniceNW’s last blog post..Just Another Sinus Infection
Your vacay pictures are wonderful! My s/o’s mother lives in SF. She is Vietnamese. Hopefully we can visit her soon. She came to TN last year.
We have Wonderworks in Gatlinburg, TN. (Smoky Mtns.)
On our Fall Break, we took the girls there and they had a blast. Looks like some of the same type of attractions and displays. I have both daughters in the astronaut suit! LOL Blackmail, Blackmail!! (11 & 13)
The building is literally upside down from the outside. It is so cool.
Glad I found your post!
Chrissy
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