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NorCal vacation tips (1 Viewer)

moleculo

moleculo

Footballguy
planning a SF/North California vacation this summer.  Looking for things to do.  8-10 days total.  Me, my wife, and 2 daughters, ages 9 and 11. 

General plan is to fly in and out of SFO.  We'd like to spend 3-4 days in San Francisco, and then a few days in the Redwoods.  I know there is plenty of stuff to so in the bay area - what else is worth seeing north of SF besides a bunch of really big trees?  Will there be enough to keep the kids entertained? 

any tips on places to stay?  Things to see, things to avoid?

 
Try and go as late in the summer as you can.  The North Coast the to get fogged in in June/July.  September would be ideal if you could pull it off that late.

 
if you are heading north, you might want to check out muir woods/stinson beach/rodeo beach.  Sausalito is cute and a nice stop for lunch. do you guys want to hit any wineries/breweries?

in the city: alcatraz, pier 39, fisherman's wharf, ghirardelli sq, golden gate park (japanese tea garden, aquarium, de young museum, stow lake, botanical gardens), north beach, china town, ocean beach/cliff house.

south: Monterrey, carmel, santa cruz, big sur

 
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Short Corner said:
Try and go as late in the summer as you can.  The North Coast the to get fogged in in June/July.  September would be ideal if you could pull it off that late.
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good to know.  We are looking at late July.  Not sure if we can do September.

 
Drunken knight said:
if you are heading north, you might want to check out muir woods/stinson beach/rodeo beach.  Sausalito is cute and a nice stop for lunch. do you guys want to hit any wineries/breweries?

in the city: alcatraz, pier 39, wisherman's wharf, ghirardelli sq, golden gate park (japanese tea garden, aquarium, de young museum, stow lake, botanical gardens), north beach, china town, ocean beach/cliff house.

south: Monterrey, carmel, santa cruz, big sur
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I am always up for breweries, but my kids tend to get bored.

 
When you do Fisherman's Wharf be sure to check out Musee Mechanique, which is an old time arcade with the old mechanical game machines.  Your kids will like it, especially if they can get in a peek at the mechanical peep show while you aren't looking.

Also near Pier 39 is the Exploratorium which is a hands on science/maker museum.  Super cool.  

Alcatraz is a must but book it way ahead of time. It tends to fill up.  

Muir Woods and Stinson Beach are cool spots north of SF.  Further north is wine country which will be beautiful in late summer but not quite as kid friendly.  

 
moleculo said:
No idea, really.  We have never traveled to that part of the country.
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It's a matter of proximity. Muir Woods is just outside of San Francisco (it's the backdrop for much of the Planet of the Apes). You can do it as a nice afternoon trip from the city.

Humboldt Redwood State Park is about a 4 hour drive North. This is where you find the trees that you can drive through. Very cool but far less to do around that area after you get over the whole tree thing.

 
some family friendly wineries and breweries

coppola

castello di amorosa- rebuilt italian castle

mantanzas creek- nice gardens; actually have nice wines

v. sattui- great deli

sterling- has a gondola

cline- also good wines

lagunitas

brewsters

hopmonk

the block

 
Chaka said:
It's a matter of proximity. Muir Woods is just outside of San Francisco (it's the backdrop for much of the Planet of the Apes). You can do it as a nice afternoon trip from the city.

Humboldt Redwood State Park is about a 4 hour drive North. This is where you find the trees that you can drive through. Very cool but far less to do around that area after you get over the whole tree thing.
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I think that's what we want to see.  I'm not sure if it's worth spending more than a couple days there.

 
Like I said; if you're into the whole camping/strolling through nature thing then a couple days is fine otherwise make it a day trip.

 
moleculo said:
What's good in Tahoe?
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Uhhh.... Lake Tahoe

One of the prettiest areas in the country with lots of outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, swimming, and biking.  If you aren't into all that there are casinos.

If you have 2-3 days I would recommend Yosemite if it's not too late to book a room or (tent)cabin.  There are sequoia groves in the park that could give your family its fix for big trees as well.

 
moleculo said:
I think that's what we want to see.  I'm not sure if it's worth spending more than a couple days there.
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Chaka is right. It's worth a day trip but I'm not sure more than that. A few days would seem a waste imo, especially if you're only in the area 10 days total. You could spend your time elsewhere seeing and doing other stuff. 

 
Scoresman said:
When you do Fisherman's Wharf be sure to check out Musee Mechanique, which is an old time arcade with the old mechanical game machines.  Your kids will like it, especially if they can get in a peek at the mechanical peep show while you aren't looking.

Also near Pier 39 is the Exploratorium which is a hands on science/maker museum.  Super cool.  

Alcatraz is a must but book it way ahead of time. It tends to fill up.  
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This is an excellent kid friendly day.  All three activities are within walking distance of each other.

If you want to tack on an additional thing, the ships at Hyde Street Pier or the SS Jeremiah O'Brien (WWII Liberty ship) are in the same general vicinity, as are the kitschy Wharf gift shops, wax museum, etc. 

There's also an In-N-Out Burger if you're a foreigner.

ETA:  The Filbert Street Steps are pretty cool.  They start from near the Exploratorium and go up to Coit Tower. 

 
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I'd check the city calendar for any major events you'd want to join or avoid. The tourist parts are always a big crowd but no need to go when it's even busier. I think there's a marathon or something in June/July/August time-frame. Can't recall exactly but it's somewhere in the summer and it gets packed.

 
As far as north of SF:  Healdsburg is beautiful as are the wineries on Dry Creek Road.  Russian River in Santa Rosa is a great brewery.  Not sure I've stayed in a better hotel than Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn with their hot spring pools.

Muir woods only takes a few hours 

 
Hilts said:
I'd check the city calendar for any major events you'd want to join or avoid. The tourist parts are always a big crowd but no need to go when it's even busier. I think there's a marathon or something in June/July/August time-frame. Can't recall exactly but it's somewhere in the summer and it gets packed.
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There are some Folsom St. Fair events in late July:

July 27: Hog Wild
July 28: Bay of Pigs
July 29: Up Your Alley
July 29: Rough

 
Up Your Alley® is only for real players – and not for the faint of heart – where leather daddies rule the streets of San Francisco’s South of Market district. Of course, if rubber, sportswear, biker gear, skinheads, punks, or any variety of built, hairy men turns you on, then we’ve got it. You won’t find a filthier event in the States. If you’re into it, there’s a scene for you. So, don’t get left out.

Located in front of the legendary Powerhouse bar, nearly 15,000 fellow leather men and fetish enthusiasts engage in BDSM play at over 50 adult vendor spaces! Spanking, punching, whips and floggers, bondage, domination and submission, creative watersports, toys and so much more are in full effect.
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Go to a Giants game if they are in town and you like baseball.  It's a nice stadium and has good food with many different choices. 

I would also put in another vote for Alcatraz.  Definitely worth it but you must book ahead of time. I was a bit skeptical but was very pleasantly surprised with how interesting it was.  We went during the day and it was great but I have also read that the night tour is very good as well. 

 
9 & 11 year olds would probably enjoy riding bikes across the Golden Gate bridge.  It's a pretty easy ride from the bike rental shops at Fisherman's Wharf with only a couple of moderate hills.  It's a much tougher ride if you rent bikes near Golden Gate Park and approach the bridge via Ocean Beach.

 
Eephus said:
9 & 11 year olds would probably enjoy riding bikes across the Golden Gate bridge.  It's a pretty easy ride from the bike rental shops at Fisherman's Wharf with only a couple of moderate hills.  It's a much tougher ride if you rent bikes near Golden Gate Park and approach the bridge via Ocean Beach.
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you said wharf again... gotta watch the banhammer!

 
the hop on hop off bus is really good in SF...starts at Union Square and you see everything in a few hours.

Most people walk across the golden gate and make a day out of that.

 
The coast going up to Oregon is beautiful.   The red woods around Ukiah are impressive.   Some great wineries.   But with kids you may be better off going to Santa Cruz and Montery Bay.  Great Boardwalk, breches, aquarium, rides.   Shark move is to avoid the Great Whites.  

 
tjnc09 said:
Are there any new hotels near Ghirardelli Square/Pier 39?  
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There's no room there for new construction and residents voted for waterfront height restrictions a few years ago.  The existing properties get rebranded now and again.

If you want a 21st century building, Union Square is the only place you'll find them.

 
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