Monterey Aquarium, Pinnacles National Park (caves!), SF Lombard street and cable car rides, Santa Cruz - don't get bogged down by the boardwalk, not worth it in my opinion, Tahoe - Echo Lake
3. Definitely go to Big Sur- it’s amazing. Stop for lunch at The Restaurant at Big Sur River Inn to sit back and relax with your feet in the water. It’s a ways south but worth it! Maybe unpopular but I would skip Santa Cruz for it if time was an issue.
4. Back to SF- Check out Golden Gate Park. It’s huge and has a good playground.
5. North Beach is a cool area and walking distance from Pier 39 (which is very touristy)
6. Since I know you’re a basketball family. I would Skip the giants and check out a Valkyries game- unbelievable energy!!
Well said, Nate! We are traveling to DC this weekend and it will be my first trip. I have mixed emotions as this really *isnt* how I envisioned my first visit; however, the city belongs to us all and not a political party so we will enjoy the past and celebrate the future!
Nepenthe in Big Sur! A fun lunch for sure! If there’s any way you can get to Carmel, I can’t recommend it enough. Cutest, best, most adorable town of all time. Time it with the farmers market if you can!
After living in SF for a while I’d recommend the Ferry Building (sometimes known as the Embarcadero Ferry Bldg) and if you’re in SF on a Tues/Thurs/Fri be sure to go to the farmer’s market at the Ferry Bldg. rated in the top 10 worldwide, the Exploratorium (fantastic kids STEM museum), and the Disney Family Museum (in the Presidio).
For kiddos Chinatown (check out the "Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company"), Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero (check out the sea lions and thee most amazing science museum "The Exploratorium"). Ride a bike over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and the Discovery Museum (an amazing children's museum) and then take the ferry back to San Francisco. Its all so so so fun!
I love my beautiful California - I recommend traveling HWY 1 North. Picturesque coast line, less crowds and hippy-dippy vibes. Gualala is our favorite when we have a chance to leave the farm. Our ocean is always cold, so why not enjoy a crowd less beach and then head into the redwood forests (the Avenue of Giants or Armstrong State park).
I love hearing about your trips. Lake Tahoe is beautiful. I could be wrong but Stateline, NV has a “hidden gem” restaurant we loved for dinner: Chart House. Incredible views there!!
Big Sur - obviously trying to get a meal at the Post Ranch Inn would be a dream but maybe not with children. Big Sur Bakery is very cute and has beautiful gardens and a cute little shop to walk in nextdoor. Nepenthe also has gorgeous gorgeous views and kid-friendly. Highly recommend.
Lived in SF previously and brought my daughter back there! I highly highly recommend taking the ferry to Sausalito and going to Sam’s Anchor Cafe. So enjoyable and fun to get on the ferry! The parks are also a ton of fun. Presidio Tunnel Tops is new and very fun. Less kid-friendly but maybe for older kids is Lands End - just such gorgeous views. Also the California Academy of Sciences is great fun!!! Golden Gate Park is near - you can see the bison!
Do not miss Muir Woods. Absolutely breathtaking.
Monterey Aquarium, Pinnacles National Park (caves!), SF Lombard street and cable car rides, Santa Cruz - don't get bogged down by the boardwalk, not worth it in my opinion, Tahoe - Echo Lake
1. Bring layers
2. Don’t leave things in your car
3. Definitely go to Big Sur- it’s amazing. Stop for lunch at The Restaurant at Big Sur River Inn to sit back and relax with your feet in the water. It’s a ways south but worth it! Maybe unpopular but I would skip Santa Cruz for it if time was an issue.
4. Back to SF- Check out Golden Gate Park. It’s huge and has a good playground.
5. North Beach is a cool area and walking distance from Pier 39 (which is very touristy)
6. Since I know you’re a basketball family. I would Skip the giants and check out a Valkyries game- unbelievable energy!!
Thank you so much for writing all of this out for us! SO helpful!
Thank you for Nate's brilliant reminders of why our country is so beloved.
Fort Point Historical Site! It’s a fort under the Golden Gate Bridge & it’s epic. Lots of fun photo ops too. We loved it!
Also, if your family likes the Mrs Doubtfire movie, you can drive by/take a pic in front of the house from the movie.
Well said, Nate! We are traveling to DC this weekend and it will be my first trip. I have mixed emotions as this really *isnt* how I envisioned my first visit; however, the city belongs to us all and not a political party so we will enjoy the past and celebrate the future!
Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey/Pacific Grove are all gems. Such beauty, nature and ocean
Nepenthe in Big Sur! A fun lunch for sure! If there’s any way you can get to Carmel, I can’t recommend it enough. Cutest, best, most adorable town of all time. Time it with the farmers market if you can!
After living in SF for a while I’d recommend the Ferry Building (sometimes known as the Embarcadero Ferry Bldg) and if you’re in SF on a Tues/Thurs/Fri be sure to go to the farmer’s market at the Ferry Bldg. rated in the top 10 worldwide, the Exploratorium (fantastic kids STEM museum), and the Disney Family Museum (in the Presidio).
For kiddos Chinatown (check out the "Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company"), Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero (check out the sea lions and thee most amazing science museum "The Exploratorium"). Ride a bike over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and the Discovery Museum (an amazing children's museum) and then take the ferry back to San Francisco. Its all so so so fun!
you must must must got to carmel by the sea!! as well your kids would love monterey there’s an awesome aquarium and wildlife experiences for all ages
I love my beautiful California - I recommend traveling HWY 1 North. Picturesque coast line, less crowds and hippy-dippy vibes. Gualala is our favorite when we have a chance to leave the farm. Our ocean is always cold, so why not enjoy a crowd less beach and then head into the redwood forests (the Avenue of Giants or Armstrong State park).
I love hearing about your trips. Lake Tahoe is beautiful. I could be wrong but Stateline, NV has a “hidden gem” restaurant we loved for dinner: Chart House. Incredible views there!!
Big Sur - obviously trying to get a meal at the Post Ranch Inn would be a dream but maybe not with children. Big Sur Bakery is very cute and has beautiful gardens and a cute little shop to walk in nextdoor. Nepenthe also has gorgeous gorgeous views and kid-friendly. Highly recommend.
We are in the Bay Area now and currently on the Ferry from Oakland to SF and back. A great cheap little activity!
Lived in SF previously and brought my daughter back there! I highly highly recommend taking the ferry to Sausalito and going to Sam’s Anchor Cafe. So enjoyable and fun to get on the ferry! The parks are also a ton of fun. Presidio Tunnel Tops is new and very fun. Less kid-friendly but maybe for older kids is Lands End - just such gorgeous views. Also the California Academy of Sciences is great fun!!! Golden Gate Park is near - you can see the bison!