As summer rolls around, it is tempting to go on vacation and get out of the house for a while. With kids in tow, however, it’s never as easy as just picking up and going. If you’re planning your next destination, and San Francisco has made the short list, take a look at these ideas of where to take the kids.
See the Animals
The San Francisco Zoo offers an incredibly diverse amount of wildlife from all around the world, and there are zookeeper talks and feeding times all throughout the day. It is a great way to introduce your budding zoologist to new animals. Of course, if it’s too hot (or foggy), you can check out the Aquarium at the Bay at Pier 39 to learn about the sealife around the world — and in the bay itself!
Explore the City
Image via Flickr by jeffgunn
Want to get off your feet for a bit but still see the sights? The Hop On Hop Off tours are a great way to get around. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours allow you to get off at a destination you want to see and then hop back on the bus later to seamlessly continue your tour.
If you are looking for something a little more vintage, there are also three major cable car routes going throughout the city. No matter which route you choose, taking one of these cars is a great way to relax for a moment and let your little ones catch a quick nap before heading off to the next destination.
Going out to Eat
At the end of the day, all you want to do is sit down and eat. There are a huge variety of kid-friendly restaurants in San Francisco, but you can never go wrong with burgers or pizza. Roam offers a huge selection of burgers and allows you to build your own, ensuring even the pickiest eater gets what they want. They even have adult drinks on offer for the grown ups. They have locations throughout the city.
Another option is Gialina, which only has one central location, but they offer a wide variety of pizza and pasta for kids of all ages.
Staying the Night?
One of the hardest things about traveling with kids is finding a kid-friendly hotel. Sure, just about any hotel will take children, but do they have amenities that allow kids to relax alongside their parents and kid-friendly breakfasts? Mom and dad might like the fancy three-course breakfast with parfait and scrambled egg whites, but sometimes a child just wants their Cheerios. Thankfully, there are a lot of websites that make booking a hotel easy, meaning you don’t have to worry and can enjoy your vacation.
Whether you’re a pro at traveling with kids or this is your first time since having them, San Francisco is a great destination for families of all sizes and for children of all ages. With a city this big, it’s easy to find a little something for everyone.