Friday, August 31, 2012

iwo jima memorial washington dc 1737 Post St. (in the Japan C enter). &415/563-1030. Highchairs. Reservations not accepted. 2 pieces





5 Pasta Pomodoro ITALIAN Families, and the good fr esh food, are responsible for making this locally owned chain so successful. The fare isn t going to have you phoning home in a rapture, but it s cheap, healthy, and you can make everyone happy here with a plate of lasagna for meat-eaters, a nice linguine primav era for the v egetarian, plain capellini for the refusnik, and some saut ed broccoli because you need your veggies. The best news is that Pasta Pomodoro also delivers. Should you be in a hotel without r oom service, don t stress about taking exhausted kids out once again: Those buttered noodles are just a phone call away. You can find other locations in the N orth Beach, iwo jima memorial washington dc Presidio Heights, Castro, and Sunset iwo jima memorial washington dc neighborhoods.

1737 Post St. (in the Japan C enter). &415/563-1030. Highchairs. Reservations not accepted. 2 pieces of sushi $2 $7, g ratuity not included. AE, MC, V. Daily 11:30am 10pm. Muni: No. 38-Geary bus t o the Japan Center at Webster St.

jt tours Successful touring with kids r equires preplanning or an extr emely mellow attitude, and preferably





After years of wrangling and millions of dollars in construction, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART; & 510/464-6000; www. bart.gov) extension to SFO is no w operational. The airport s BART station is located in the International Terminal. The AirTrain connects passengers jt tours to all terminals, the BART rail station, and the Rental Car Center. The BART train, which depar ts from the international terminal, takes about 30 minutes to r each downtown San Francisco and costs $4.95, making it b y far the most inexpensive way to r each the city. I m a huge fan of mass transit and would encourage you to use BART, but I have one caveat: If you re traveling with lots of luggage and not enough hands to manage it, take a cab. Otherwise, you may end up at the P owell Street BAR T station facing a 10-minute walk to y our hotel. jt tours (S an Francisco doesn t have huge numbers of taxis on its str eets like London jt tours or N ew York, so don t count on catching a cab.) I f y ou re also dealing with tired children, the journey from BART to your lodgings isn t going to make a wonderful jt tours start to the vacation.

The hotel is close to sev eral SoMa attractions, including the SFMOMA and Yerba 87 Buena Center, and the Montgomery Street Muni/BART station and F-Market streetcar stops are on the corner. At check-in, kids receive jt tours gift bags with cups and caps, as well as a list of kid-friendly sights and activities. Weekend specials can include rates w ell below the published jt tours rack rates.

Successful touring with kids r equires preplanning or an extr emely mellow attitude, and preferably both. (In fact, an extr emely mellow attitude is as impor tant as a warm jacket.) Deciding beforehand, even the night before, what you d like to do each day is much preferable to winging it. Otherwise, you re going to waste time debating whether to go to Fisherman s Wharf or the zoo or Chinatown and not be prepared for any of them. Above, I listed some suggested itineraries that should help y ou plan your time in San Francisco.

the vietnam veterans memorial wall Walking Tour 2: The Embarcadero Walking Tour 5: The Marina.203 v & Fisherman s Wharf.195 Walking Tou





Walking the vietnam veterans memorial wall Tour 2: The Embarcadero Walking Tour 5: The Marina.203 v & Fisherman s Wharf.195 Walking Tour 6: The Mission Walking Tour 3: South of Market.198 District.206 Walking Tour 4: Russian Hill to Telegraph Hill.201

If you have only 1 day to spend in S an Francisco, the B est in O ne D ay tour introduces y ou to the city s most enduringly popular highlights and giv es y ou a chance to take in its beloved views as well. Should you have more time, take the Best in Two D ays and B est in Three D ays tours on days 2 and 3.

veterans wall of honor 649 Jones St. (btw. Geary and Post sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/627-2396 or 415/929-8033. Fa





649 Jones St. (btw. Geary and Post sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/627-2396 or 415/929-8033. Fax 415/441-8033. www.halcyonsf.com. 25 units. $79 $129 double; $510 $590 w eekly. Minimum length of stay Oct Apr is 7 days. Kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways and cribs $10. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. S elf-parking $14 $16. Amenities: A ccess t o nearb y health club; c oncierge; t our desk ; laundr y facilities; free fax in lobb y. In room: TV (DVD player available for $10), kitchen, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.

However, if the kids ar e old enough to be 65 studying civic history or even architecture, I recommend hopping on a M arket Street streetcar and heading veterans wall of honor to the Civic Center , built in the grand Beaux Arts style following the devastating 1906 earthquake. Simply walking ar ound the impr essive buildings including veterans wall of honor the SF P ublic Library s main branch, the Asian Ar t Museum, and City Hall is enough. Your kids may be inter ested to kno w that the dome of City H all is taller than the U.S. Capitol building. Note: I f it s late in the day befor e y ou leav e S oMa, skip this stop. The Civic Center gets dodgy at night.

In addition to the prime shopping, you ll find sev eral choice veterans wall of honor attractions here, including the Exploratorium and the Palace of F ine Ar ts, the Marina Green, and Fort M ason, all of which have major kid appeal. I t s also in close proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio. A fair number of travelers end up staying in the M arina, especially those attached to automobiles, because the par king is either fr ee or at least r easonable. Most accommodations are in the motel range and line ever-busy Lombard veterans wall of honor Street, veterans wall of honor but there are some better-than-av erage places to sleep. Know where you re going if y ou venture out for the ev ening; sections of Lombard are dicey late at night.

wwii memorial in washington dc The duty-fr ee allo wance in Australia is A$900 or, for those under 18, A$450. Citizens can bring in





What could be so special about an old prison? P lenty. To begin with, the ferr y ride over to Alcatraz I sland gives you the chance to get out onto the bay and see how lovely San Francisco looks fr om the water. O f course, most kids enjo y a fun boat ride as w ell. The prison audio tour , updated in late 200, is better than ev er, giving you the eerie sense of what it was like for prisoners, guar ds, and ev en the guards families to liv e on a windsw ept rock in the middle of the bay. You ll hear about some of the nation s most famous criminals and death-defying escape attempts sur e to enthrall kids and adults

Eleven sur vivors of the orig inal quake att end the ev ent. 2008 The Castro Theatre hosts the w orld premiere of Milk, a film about San Francisco politician Har vey M ilk, starring S ean P enn, who wins an Oscar f or the r ole.

Please note: Bay Ar ea R apid Transit (BART; & 415/989-2278) is not M uni. Both systems shar e the same undergr ound stations wwii memorial in washington dc downtown, but the similarities end there. BART tickets are not valid on Muni and vice v ersa. The only M uni pass usable on BAR T is an adult $45 monthly F ast Pass, and only at cer tain BAR T stations. The sleek silv er-and-blue BAR T trains travel along the M arket S treet corridor , then make stops on M ission S treet (16th and 24th sts.), in G len Park, and south in Colma and the San Francisco International Airport. Other lines head to Berkeley, Oakland, and other East B ay cities. P urchase BART tickets from machines inside the stations. Fare to and fr om any point within San F rancisco is $1.50; outside the city , fares range up to $5.65. F or schedules and route information, call the number abo ve or log on to the w ebsite www.bart.gov.

The duty-fr ee allo wance in Australia is A$900 or, for those under 18, A$450. Citizens can bring in 250 cigar ettes or 250 grams of loose tobacco, wwii memorial in washington dc and 2.25 liters wwii memorial in washington dc of alcohol. I f y ou re r eturning with v aluables you alr eady o wn, such as for eign-made cameras, y ou should file form B263. A helpful brochure available from Australian consulates or C ustoms offices is Know Before You Go. For more information, call the Australian C ustoms S ervice at & 1300/363-263, or log on to www. customs.gov.au.

peru sacred valley One reliable agency that targets trav eling grandparents is Elderhostel (& 877/ 426-8056; www.elderh





One reliable agency that targets trav eling grandparents is Elderhostel (& 877/ 426-8056; www.elderhostel.org), which arranges peru sacred valley study programs for those aged 55 and over in the U.S. and in mor e than 80 countries around the world. Of particular interest ar e the I ntergenerational pr o- grams. Most courses last 5 to 7 days in the

space with other big chains such as the Gap, Subway, Ben & Jerry s, and the International 91 House of Pancakes (which is the closest breakfast spot, unless you buy a cup of java from the coffee cart inelegantly occupying the lobby). At least the guest rooms and bathrooms are a decent size and, of course, you ve got the bay vistas to remind you that you are, in fact, in San Francisco.

pictures of the capitol building 1476 Haight St. (at A shbury St.). & 415/865-0264. Main c ourses less than $10. MC, V. Sun Thurs 9:3





1476 Haight St. (at A shbury St.). & 415/865-0264. Main c ourses pictures of the capitol building less than $10. MC, V. Sun Thurs 9:30am 10pm; Fri Sat 9:30am 11pm. Muni: No. 6-Parnassus, no. 7-Haight, or no. 71-Haight-Noreiga bus to Ashbury St.

384 Hayes St. (bt w. Franklin and Gough sts.) &415/626-1211. Highchairs, boosters. Main items about $10. AE, V, MC. Mon Fri 8am 8pm; Sat 9am 8pm; Sun 9am 5pm. Muni: No. 12-Hayes bus to Gough St., or streetcar to Van Ness Station.

proworld peru No visit to S an Francisco would be complete without a ride on one of the cable cars. Three cable ca





No visit to S an Francisco would be complete without a ride on one of the cable cars. Three cable car r outes trav erse the downtown ar ea. The most scenic is the Powell-Hyde line, star ting off at P owell and Market and ending at the turnaround by Ghirardelli Square. Next is the Powell- Mason line, which also begins at P owell and M arket and then meanders thr ough North B each, ending proworld peru on the east side of Fisherman s Wharf. The third is the California Street line that leav es from Market and California, cr ests at N ob H ill, and ends abr uptly at Van N ess A venue. The queues to board the Powell Street cars at the turnar ounds, at either end, can be daunting; but if you don t board there, you may not get on. Tickets ar e $5 one-way (free for kids under 5 and only $1 befor e 7am and after 9pm), making those M uni passes look even better.

moms or dads out and about pushing strollers and buying the morning paper, or local urbanites popping into P eet s Coffee & Tea for a double latte before hopping on the bus downtown. If you have the time, head to The Grove (p. 136), grab a cup of joe and maybe some oatmeal for the kids, and enjoy the local scene. If you got a late start, or if the family linger ed over breakfast at your hotel, skip this stop and head straight to no. 2.

duck tours of boston 337 3rd St. (btw. Folsom and Harrison sts.). &415/512-1693. Boosters, highchairs. Reservations recom





109Dining Near Union Square & the Financial District MontgomerySt.Montgomery St. CosmoPl.CosmoPl. Shannon duck tours of boston St.Shannon St. GearySt.Geary St.GearySt.Geary St. MaidenLn.Maiden Ln. MarketSt.Market duck tours of boston St. MissionSt.Mission St. MinnaSt.Minna duck tours of boston St. C. MagninC. Magnin St.St. PostSt.Post St.Post St.Post St. Stockton St.Stockton St. SutterSt.Sutter St. Taylor St.Taylor St. O FarrellSt.OFarrell St. 3rdSt.3rd duck tours of boston St. 4thSt.4th St. 5thSt.5th duck tours of boston St. NewMontgomerySt.New Montgomery St. YerbaYerbaBuenaLaneBuenaLaneCaliforniaSt.California St. CommercialSt.Commercial St. CamptonPl.Campton Pl. Jones St.Jones St. Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Joice St.Joice St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Halleck St.Halleck St. California St.California St. Ellis St.Ellis St. Eddy St.Eddy St. Turk St.Turk St. Golden duck tours of boston Gate Ave. Pine St.Pine St. Pine St.Pine duck tours of boston St. Mason St.Mason St. Powell St.Powell St. Leavenworth St.Leavenworth St. Sansome St.Sansome St. Leidesdorff St.Leidesdorff St. MarketSt.Market St. Battery St.Battery St. Front St.Front St. Davis St.Davis St. 1st St.1st St. EckerEckerSt.St. 2ndSt.2nd St. FremontSt.Fremont St. HowardSt.Howard St. Folsom St.FolsomSt. NatomaSt.Natoma St. MinnaSt.Minna St. StevensonSt.Stevenson St. Stevenson duck tours of boston St.Stevenson St. JessieJessieSt.St. JessieSt.Jessie St. MissionSt.Mission St. Kearny St.Kearny St. Claude duck tours of boston Ln.Claude Ln.St. GeorgeSt. George AlleyAlley DashielDashiel HammettHammett St.St. Harlan Pl.Harlan Pl. BeldenBeldenPlacePlace Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable CarsPowell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable CarsCalifornia Cable CarCalifornia Cable CarUnionU n i o nSquareS q u a r e Stockton Street TunnelStockton Street Tunnel HuntingtonHuntingtonParkPark St. Mary sSt. Mary sSquareSquareYerba BuenaYerba BuenaGardensGardens SFMOMASFMOMA Museum of theMuseum of theAfrican DiasporaAfrican DiasporaContemporaryContemporaryJewish MuseumJewish MuseumMoscone duck tours of boston CenterMoscone CenterSouthSouth MetreonMetreonMoscone CenterMoscone CenterWestWest Embarcadero CenterE m b a r c a de r o C e n t e rTransbayTransbayTerminalTerminal GraceGraceCathedralCathedral CrockerCrockerGalleriaGalleria NOB HILLNOB HILL UNIONUNIONSQUARESQUARE TENDERLOINTENDERLOIN SOMASOMA BART/MuniBART/MuniMontgomery St.Montgomery St. StationStation BART/MuniBART/MuniPowell St. StationPowell St. Station BART/MuniBART/MuniEmbarcaderoEmbarcaderoStationStationWestfieldWestfieldSan FranciscoSan FranciscoCentreCentreFINANCIALFINANCIALDISTRICTDISTRICT Montgomery St. CosmoPl. Shannon St. GearySt.GearySt.GearySt. duck tours of boston MaidenLn. MarketSt. MissionSt. MinnaSt. C. Magnin St. PostSt.Post St. Stockton St. SutterSt. PostSt. SutterSt. Taylor St. O FarrellSt. 3rdSt. 4thSt. 5thSt. NewMontgomerySt. YerbaBuenaLaneCaliforniaSt. CommercialSt. CamptonPl. Jones St. Grant Ave. Joice St. Sacramento St. Sacramento St. Halleck St. California St. Ellis St. Eddy St. Turk St. Pine St. Pine St. Mason St. Powell St. Leavenworth St. Sansome St. Leidesdorff St. MarketSt. Battery St. Front St. Davis St. 1st St. EckerSt. 2ndSt. FremontSt. HowardSt. Folsom St. NatomaSt. MinnaSt. StevensonSt. Stevenson St. JessieSt. JessieSt. MissionSt. Kearny St. Claude Ln.St. George Alley Dashiel Hammett St. Harlan Pl. BeldenPlace Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable Cars California Cable Car UnionSquare Stockton Street Tunnel HuntingtonPark St. Mary sSquareYerba BuenaGardens SFMOMAMuseum of theAfrican DiasporaContemporaryJewish MuseumMoscone CenterSouth MetreonMoscone CenterWest duck tours of boston Embarcadero CenterTransbayTerminal GraceCathedral CrockerGalleria NOB HILL UNIONSQUARE FINANCIALDISTRICT TENDERLOIN SOMA BART/MuniMontgomery St. Station BART/MuniPowell St. Station MMMBART/MuniEmbarcaderoStation WestfieldSan FranciscoCentre 4 8 9 1110 13 12 14 1516 1718 20 24 19 22 23 21 2 3 1 5 7 6 A G Ferrari Foods 17 Beard Papa s 16 Belden Place 20Blondie s Pizza 11The Cellar at Macy s 9 Crocker Galleria 19Dottie duck tours of boston s True BlueCaf 6Fleur de Lys 3 Grand Caf 7 Laurel Court 1 Mel s Drive-in 14 Metreon 15 Millenium 5 Osha ThaiRestaurant 4 Out the Door 12 Palace Hotel 18Puccini & Pinetti 10 Sanraku 2Sears Fine Foods 8 Sellers Markets 24 Soup Freaks 23Specialty s Caf and Bakery 21 Tadich Grill 22Tonga Room at theFairmont Hotel 1Westfield San FranciscoCentre 12 wichcraft 13 MCalifornia Cable Car LinePowell-Mason andPowell-Hyde Cable Car LinesBART/MuniOne Way 100 yds100 m 00 N MontgomerySt.Montgomery St. CosmoPl.CosmoPl. Shannon St.Shannon St. GearySt.Geary St.GearySt.Geary St. MaidenLn.Maiden Ln. MarketSt.Market St. MissionSt.Mission St. MinnaSt.Minna St. C. MagninC. Magnin St.St. PostSt.Post St.Post St.Post duck tours of boston St. Stockton St.Stockton St. SutterSt.Sutter St. Taylor St.Taylor St. O FarrellSt.OFarrell St. 3rdSt.3rd St. 4thSt.4th St. 5thSt.5th St. NewMontgomerySt.New Montgomery St. YerbaYerbaBuenaLaneBuenaLaneCaliforniaSt.California St. CommercialSt.Commercial St. CamptonPl.Campton Pl. Jones St.Jones St. Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Joice St.Joice St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Halleck St.Halleck duck tours of boston St. California St.California St. Ellis St.Ellis St. Eddy St.Eddy duck tours of boston St. Turk St.Turk St. Golden Gate Ave. Pine St.Pine duck tours of boston St. Pine St.Pine St. Mason St.Mason St. Powell St.Powell St. Leavenworth duck tours of boston St.Leavenworth St. Sansome St.Sansome St. Leidesdorff St.Leidesdorff St. MarketSt.Market St. Battery St.Battery St. Front St.Front St. Davis St.Davis St. 1st St.1st St. EckerEckerSt.St. 2ndSt.2nd St. FremontSt.Fremont St. HowardSt.Howard St. Folsom St.FolsomSt. NatomaSt.Natoma St. MinnaSt.Minna St. StevensonSt.Stevenson St. Stevenson St.Stevenson St. JessieJessieSt.St. JessieSt.Jessie duck tours of boston St. MissionSt.Mission St. Kearny St.Kearny St. Claude Ln.Claude Ln.St. GeorgeSt. George AlleyAlley DashielDashiel HammettHammett St.St. Harlan Pl.Harlan Pl. BeldenBeldenPlacePlace Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable CarsPowell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable CarsCalifornia Cable CarCalifornia Cable CarUnionU n i o nSquareS q u a r e Stockton Street TunnelStockton Street Tunnel HuntingtonHuntingtonParkPark St. Mary sSt. Mary sSquareSquareYerba BuenaYerba BuenaGardensGardens SFMOMASFMOMA Museum of theMuseum of theAfrican DiasporaAfrican DiasporaContemporaryContemporaryJewish MuseumJewish MuseumMoscone CenterMoscone CenterSouthSouth MetreonMetreonMoscone CenterMoscone CenterWestWest Embarcadero CenterE m b a r c a de r o C e n t e rTransbayTransbayTerminalTerminal GraceGraceCathedralCathedral CrockerCrockerGalleriaGalleria NOB HILLNOB HILL UNIONUNIONSQUARESQUARE TENDERLOINTENDERLOIN SOMASOMA BART/MuniBART/MuniMontgomery St.Montgomery St. StationStation BART/MuniBART/MuniPowell St. StationPowell St. Station BART/MuniBART/MuniEmbarcaderoEmbarcaderoStationStationWestfieldWestfieldSan FranciscoSan FranciscoCentreCentreFINANCIALFINANCIALDISTRICTDISTRICT Montgomery St. CosmoPl. Shannon St. GearySt.GearySt.GearySt. MaidenLn. MarketSt. MissionSt. MinnaSt. C. Magnin St. PostSt.Post St. Stockton St. SutterSt. PostSt. SutterSt. Taylor St. O FarrellSt. 3rdSt. 4thSt. 5thSt. NewMontgomerySt. YerbaBuenaLaneCaliforniaSt. CommercialSt. CamptonPl. Jones St. Grant Ave. Joice St. Sacramento St. Sacramento St. Halleck St. California St. Ellis St. Eddy St. Turk St. Pine St. Pine St. Mason St. Powell St. Leavenworth St. Sansome St. Leidesdorff St. MarketSt. Battery St. Front St. Davis St. 1st St. EckerSt. 2ndSt. FremontSt. HowardSt. Folsom St. NatomaSt. MinnaSt. StevensonSt. duck tours of boston Stevenson St. JessieSt. JessieSt. MissionSt. Kearny St. Claude Ln.St. George Alley Dashiel Hammett St. Harlan Pl. BeldenPlace duck tours of boston Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable Cars California Cable Car UnionSquare Stockton Street Tunnel HuntingtonPark St. Mary sSquareYerba BuenaGardens SFMOMAMuseum of theAfrican DiasporaContemporaryJewish MuseumMoscone CenterSouth MetreonMoscone CenterWest Embarcadero CenterTransbayTerminal GraceCathedral CrockerGalleria NOB HILL UNIONSQUARE duck tours of boston FINANCIALDISTRICT TENDERLOIN SOMA BART/MuniMontgomery St. Station duck tours of boston BART/MuniPowell St. Station MMMBART/MuniEmbarcaderoStation WestfieldSan FranciscoCentre 4 8 9 1110 13 12 14 1516 1718 20 24 19 22 23 21 2 3 1 5 7 6 A G Ferrari Foods 17 Beard Papa s 16 Belden Place 20Blondie s Pizza 11The Cellar at Macy s 9 Crocker Galleria 19Dottie s True BlueCaf 6Fleur de Lys 3 Grand Caf 7 Laurel Court 1 Mel s Drive-in 14 Metreon 15 Millenium 5 Osha ThaiRestaurant 4 Out the Door 12 Palace Hotel 18Puccini & Pinetti duck tours of boston 10 Sanraku duck tours of boston 2Sears Fine Foods 8 Sellers Markets 24 Soup Freaks 23Specialty s Caf and Bakery 21 Tadich Grill 22Tonga duck tours of boston Room at theFairmont Hotel 1Westfield San FranciscoCentre 12 wichcraft 13 MCalifornia Cable Car LinePowell-Mason andPowell-Hyde Cable Car LinesBART/MuniOne Way 100 yds100 m 00 N FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING duck tours of boston

Laurel H eights and P residio Heights In this small, upscale r esidential neighborhood center ed ar ound California Street between Presidio duck tours of boston and Arguello str eets, one could get the impression that a bab y str oller is the price of admission. There ar e lots of them here, all filled with actual babies, and there are lots of stor es catering to young families in the Laur el Village Shopping Center and on S acramento Street just 1 block to the nor th. Come here to check out the delightful children s clothing stor es, to do some grown-up shopping for home furnishings and fancy shoes, or to gawk at the large homes in P residio Heights. Technically in the P residio, but bor dering Presidio H eights, is the J ulius Kahn Park, with a fabulous playgr ound and grassy fields. The one wor thwhile family hotel her e, the Laurel Inn, is gr eat for families who want to stay in a real neighborhood.

337 3rd St. (btw. Folsom and Harrison sts.). &415/512-1693. Boosters, highchairs. Reservations recommended. M ain c ourses $11 $26. AE, DISC, MC, V. M on Fri lunch 11:30am 2:30pm; duck tours of boston M on Thurs dinner 6 10pm, F ri Sat dinner 6 10:30pm. Muni: An y str eetcar duck tours of boston t o M ontgomery St. Station; no. 15-3r d, no. 30-Stockton, or no. 45-Union to Folsom St.

onondaga coach bus tours SUGGESTED ITINERARIES THE BEST OF SAN FRANCISCO IN 3 DAYS 101 101 101 80 Pier 19Pier 19Pier 17Pier 1





2355 Chestnut St. (btw. Scott and Divisadero sts.). &415/771-2216. www.a16sf.com. onondaga coach bus tours Highchairs, boosters. 135 Reservations r ecommended. M ain c ourses $6 $16 lunch, $10 $25 dinner. AE, DC, MC, V. Wed Fri lunch 11:30am 2:30pm; Sun Thurs dinner 5 10pm; Fri Sat 5 11pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Scott St.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES THE BEST OF SAN FRANCISCO IN 3 DAYS 101 101 101 80 Pier 19Pier 19Pier 17Pier 17Pier 15Pier 15Pier 9Pier 9Pier 7Pier 7Pier 3Pier 3Pier 1Pier 1Pier 30Pier 30Pier 32Pier 32Pier 38Pier 38Pier 40Pier 40PierPier Pier 35Pier 35Pier 31Pier 31 Pier 27Pier 27Pier 23Pier 23Pier 45Pier 45Hyde St.Hyde St. PierPierPier 43 Pier 43 Pier 43Pier 43Pier 41Pier 41Post St.Post onondaga coach bus tours St. McAllister St.McAllister St. HayesHayesSt.St. 9th St.9th St. 8th St.8th St. 10th St.10th onondaga coach bus tours St. 11th St.11th St. Howard St.Howard St. BrannanSt.Brannan St. Bryant St.Bryant St. Townsend St.Townsend St. King St.King St. 4th St.4th St. 5th St.5th St. 6th St.6th St. 7th St.7th St. Folsom St.Folsom St. 3rd St.3rd St. 2nd St.2nd St. Harrison St.Harrison St. Mission St.Mission St.Mission St.Mission St. 1st St.1st St. Fremont St.Fremont St. Beale St.Beale St. Main St.Main St. Spear St.Spear St. SteuartSt.Steuart St. Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St.Kearny St. Battery St.Battery St. Front St.Front St. Sansome St.Sansome St. Montgomery St.Montgomery St. Drumm St.Drumm St. EmbarcaderoEmbarcaderoNorth Point St.North Point St. Bay St.Bay St. Francisco St.Francisco St. Lombard St.Lombard St. Greenwich St.Greenwich onondaga coach bus tours St. Filbert St.Filbert St. Union St.Union St. Jefferson St.Jefferson St. Beach St.Beach St. Chestnut onondaga coach bus tours St.Chestnut St. Washington St.Washington St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay onondaga coach bus tours St. Van Ness Ave.Van Ness Ave.Van Ness Ave.Van Ness Ave. BroadwayBroadwayTunnelT u n n e l TunnelT u nn e l Taylor St.Taylor St. Mason St.Mason St. Polk St.Polk St. Larkin St.Larkin St. Hyde St.Hyde St.Hyde St.Hyde St. Leavenworth St.Leavenworth St. Sutter St.Sutter St. California St.California St. Pine St.Pine St. Bush St.Bush onondaga coach bus tours St. Powell St.Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St. Geary St.Geary St. O Farrell St.O Farrell St. Eddy St.Eddy St. Ellis St.Ellis St. Jones St.Jones St. Turk St.Turk St. Golden Gate Ave.Golden Gate Ave. Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave.Pacific Ave. Jackson St.Jackson St. Davis St.Davis St. Market St.Market St.Market St.Market St. Vallejo St.Vallejo St. Green St.Green St. EmbarcaderoEmbarccaderroSOMASOUTHSOUTH BEACHBEACH TENDERLOINTENDERLOINNOB HILLNOB HILLCHINATOWNCHINATOWNFINANCIALFINANCIALDISTRICTDISTRICTTELEGRAPHTELEGRAPHHILLHILLUNIONUNIONSQUARESQUARERUSSIANRUSSIANHILLHILLNRTHNORTHBEACHBEACHFISHERMAN S WHARFFISHERMAN S WHARFCIVIC CENTERCIVIC CENTERUnionUnionSquareSquareAquaticAquatic ParkParkWashingtonWashington SquareSquareJoe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggio PlaygroundPlaygroundSouthSouthParkParkMoscone CenterMoscone CenterMetreonMetreonSouthSouth BeachBeach MarinaMarina TransamericaTransamericaPyramidPyramidCoitCoitTowerTowerMunicipalMunicipal PierPier PIER 39PIER onondaga coach bus tours 39GhirardelliGhirardelliSquareSquareYerba BuenaYerba BuenaGardensGardens AT&TAT&TParkParkJustinJustinHermanHermanPlazaPlazaSanFranciscoBayBay BridgeBay BridgeFerryFerryBuildingBuilding Pier 19 Pier 17 Pier 15 Pier 9 Pier 7 Pier 3 Pier 1 Pier 30 Pier 32 Pier 38 Pier 40 Pier Pier 35 Pier 33 (Ferries toAlcatraz) Pier 31 Pier 27 Pier 23 Pier 45 Hyde St. Pier Pier 43 Pier 43 Pier 41 Post St. McAllister St. HayesSt. 9th St. 8th St. 10th St. 11th St. Howard St. BrannanSt. Bryant St. Townsend St. King St. 4th St. 4th St. 5th St. 6th St. 7th St. Folsom St. 3rd St. 2nd St. Harrison St. Mission St. Mission onondaga coach bus tours St. 1st St. Fremont St. Beale St. Main St. Spear St. SteuartSt. Grant Ave. Kearny St. Battery St. Front St. Sansome St. Montgomery St. Drumm St. EmbarcaderoNorth Point St. Bay St. Francisco St. Lombard St. Greenwich St. Filbert St. Union St. Jefferson St. Beach St. Chestnut St. Washington St. Sacramento St. Clay St. Van Ness Ave. Van Ness Ave. Broadway Tunnel Tunnel Taylor St. Mason St. Polk St. Larkin St. Hyde St.Hyde St. Leavenworth St. Sutter St. California St. Pine St. Bush St. Powell St. Stockton St. Geary St. O Farrell St. Eddy St. Ellis St. Jones St. Turk St. Golden Gate Ave. Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave. Jackson St. Davis St. Market St. Market St. Vallejo St. Green St. Embarcadero EmbarcaderonS O M A SOUTH BEACH TENDERLOIN onondaga coach bus tours NOB HILL CHINATOWN FINANCIAL DISTRICT TELEGRAPH HILL UNION SQUARE RUSSIAN HILL NORTH BEACH FISHERMAN S WHARF CIVIC CENTER Union Square Aquatic Park Washington Square Joe DiMaggio Playground South Park Moscone onondaga coach bus tours Center Metreon Ferry Building South Beach Marina onondaga coach bus tours Transamerica onondaga coach bus tours Pyramid Coit Tower Municipal Pier PIER 39 Ghirardelli Square Yerba Buena Gardens AT&T Park Justin Herman Plaza San Francisco onondaga coach bus tours Bay Bay Bridge onondaga coach bus tours To Alcatraz Island 41010 11113 5 1 2 7 9 8 6 4 10 11 Alcatraz Island F-Market Streetcar onondaga coach bus tours and the Embarcadero Promenade Ferry Building Taylor s Refresher AT&T Park SoMa San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) Yerba Buena Gardens and Center for the Arts Civic Center Caf Zuni Frjtz 4 3 5 1 2 10 11 7 8 9 6 California Cable Car Line Powell-Mason onondaga coach bus tours and Powell-Hyde Cable Car Lines F-Market Streetcar 1/4 mi 0.25 km 0 0 N 3

vietnam veterans memorial address What could be so special about an old prison? P lenty. To begin with, the ferr y ride over to Alcatr





What could be so special about an old prison? P lenty. To begin with, the ferr y ride over to Alcatraz vietnam veterans memorial address I sland gives you the chance to get out onto the bay and see how lovely San Francisco looks fr om the water. O f course, most kids enjo y a fun boat ride as w ell. The prison audio tour , updated vietnam veterans memorial address in late 200, is better than ev er, giving you the eerie sense of what it was like for prisoners, guar ds, and ev en the guards families to liv e on a windsw ept rock in the middle of the bay. You ll hear about some of the nation s most famous criminals and death-defying escape attempts sur e to enthrall kids and adults

For standard rooms, it s worth the long walk fr om the lobby to the Club R ooms on the O Farrell Street side, where rooms are larger and include a dr essing area, robes, and extra amenities. (There s a hotel entry on O Farrell St. as well.) Many of the Club Rooms, which aren t much more expensive than those in the historic section, o verlook the tiled

Getting around the city with y our children should be hassle-fr ee, for the most par t. The one exception is if it s necessary vietnam veterans memorial address to cart around vietnam veterans memorial address baby paraphernalia such as strollers and diaper bags, because it s difficult to get on and off buses when y our hands ar e full and the bus is crowded. vietnam veterans memorial address In this case, you ll want to plan your itinerary to decrease your dependence on public transportation and walk as much as possible, or take advantage of the wider entrances and exits on Muni streetcars. Again, for families with kids of any age, always vietnam veterans memorial address factor in extra time to get ar ound even if y ou are driving, since ther e s a good chance you ll either get lost or spend 20 minutes looking for parking. San Francisco buses are slow; in addition to the scheduled stops, there s traffic to deal with and the occasional breakdown. The streetcars are a little better time-wise, but can be cr owded. Remember, in a new destination, part of the pleasure really is in the journey itself. That s certainly the case in San Francisco.

pictures of vietnam memorial Cannery, with boats suspended from the ceiling, heavy wood columns wrapped in ship-131 ping rope, an





99 Yerba Buena Lane (at M ission St., bt w. 3rd and 4th sts.). &415/978-9972. Westfield San F rancisco Centre, 865 Market St. (at 5th St.) &415/978-9975. www.beardpapasf.com. Cream puffs $2.25 each or $22/dozen. AE, MC, V. Mon Sat 10am 8pm; Sun 10am 6:30pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton or no. 45-Union- Stockton pictures of vietnam memorial bus to Mission St.

Cannery, with boats suspended from the ceiling, heavy wood columns wrapped in ship-131 ping rope, and hand-painted posters depicting adv ertisements of long-gone canned fish and produce exporters. Outdoor seating in the lovely Cannery courtyard is also available. Kids meals, like fish sticks or hot dogs, ar e ser ved up with fr ench fries in blue beach buckets. Tip: Stick to the traditional cho wders, like the M anhattan or N ew England, which are tastier than the restaurant s much touted Dungeness corn and crab chowder.

18 volume); 2 liters of for tified wine, sparkling wine, or other liqueurs; and 300 of all other goods, including per fume and souvenirs. P eople under 17 cannot hav e the tobacco or alcohol pictures of vietnam memorial allo wance. F or more information, contact HM C ustoms & E xcise at & 0845/010-9000 (fr om outside the U.K., 020/8929-0152), or consult their website at www.hmce.gov.uk.

joe and jans bus tours When Nature Calls: The best public r estroom here is on the H yde Street Pier. Public bathrooms are





The Inn at Union Square This diminutive hotel primarily serves business travelers but is worth considering for its competitive rates and location just 1 block fr om Union Square. The bright and air y r ooms come mainly with king-siz e and queen-siz e beds, although there is one room with two double beds. There are no adjoining rooms, but the more spacious rooms can comfortably fit a rollaway, and suites with pullout sofa beds are also available. Every floor (except the second) has a separate joe and jans bus tours clubroom featuring complimentary breakfast in the mornings, wine and appetizers in the evenings, and hot tea and cookies after 8pm. The clubrooms also have fridges joe and jans bus tours for guests use. Gym passes are also available. Concierge services are available from the front desk. In all, the hotel s small size makes for an intimate feel and personaliz ed service, which must be why satisfied guests return again and again.

When Nature Calls: The best public r estroom here is on the H yde Street Pier. Public bathrooms are also located on the second floor of The Cannery, at Ghirardelli, and on PIER 39. Nursing moms will have to grab a blanket joe and jans bus tours and a bench. Try the courtyard at The Cannery or the east side of P IER 39.

3d tours The 19th-floor Top of the M ark r estaurant/bar offers a S unday br unch and keeps coloring books on





If the kids hav e woken up early and ar e ready to go, head to this popular r esidential str eet lined with r estaurants, shops, and cafes for a taste of S an Francisco city life. There s a good chance you ll see other

The 19th-floor 3d tours Top of the M ark r estaurant/bar offers a S unday br unch and keeps coloring books on hand for small guests who like to keep busy. It s been a landmark since 1939, and many non-guests make their way up to gawk at the vie w from the panoramic windows. With a prix-fixe gourmet dinner and dancing on w eekend evenings to a liv e orchestra, you needn t stray far fr om the kiddies to enjo y a lively night out on the town.

4 Hostelling In ternational S an F rancisco Downtown 3d tours For less than $30 per person, your family can experience dorm life in an old San Francisco style building right in the heart of Union Square. Occupying five sparsely decorated floors, rooms here are simple and clean. Each has two or three bunk beds with linens, a sink, a closet, and lockers (bring your own locks or buy some at the front desk). Although most private rooms share hallway bathrooms, a few have private facilities. Prices are per person in the dorm rooms and per double bed in the private room. Since kids under 12 are an additional $14 per night, the hostel option becomes less of a deal when y ou add more than one child. Among sev eral common r ooms is a large kitchen-style r oom with r efrigerator space, toasters, and a microwave, but no stoves or ranges.

A cable car ride is an attraction in itself. Created in 1973 as an alternative to horse- drawn carriages, which pr oved difficult and at times ev en dangerous on the city s steep hills, cable cars actually hav e no engines. I nstead, cables r unning underground on the cable car lines mo ve at a constant speed of 91/2 mph. The car s conductor, called a gripper, 3d tours controls 3d tours a lever that opens and closes a vise-like grip on the cable to either mo ve or stop. The Powell-Hyde line r uns up some of S an

vietnam wall location MODERATE Isobune JAPANESE/SUSHI If you want to introduce the kids to sushi, this could be a fun to p





Lichee Garden CHINESE This longtime, consistently good Cantonese restaurant is even a favorite among Chinatown residents. Lichee Garden s lengthy menu is filled with familiar items like egg foo young, sweet-and-sour pork, delicious wonton soup, and every other dish you remember from your childhood, assuming you weren t raised in China. The kitchen caters to those who can t make the leap from American broccoli to Chinese broccoli by offering both, but the menu includes more adventurous fare as well. The list of seafood showcases many scallop inventions, and live lobster and crab in season both highly recommended. The excellent dim sum makes a gr eat lunch option. Large and bright, the dining vietnam wall location r oom has seen many families for the nearly thr ee decades it s been open. Service is businesslike and y ou won t have to wait long for y our meal. It s technically located one block north of Chinatown proper, but nowadays this area is essentially an extension of Chinatown.

EXPENSIVE San Francisco Marriott I first checked out this hotel because vietnam wall location it has a pool, and as I stated at the beginning of this chapter , I intend to list as many hotels with pools as possible vietnam wall location provided they re wor th listing. When I walked vietnam wall location into the lobb y, I star ted to wonder. Serving guests in a whopping 1,498 r ooms (!), the lobb y of this confer enceoriented hotel is predictably frenetic and crowded at most times of the day. The escalator ride up from the lobby takes you to the mezzanine level, inside an ambitious four-story vietnam wall location

MODERATE Isobune JAPANESE/SUSHI If you want to introduce the kids to sushi, this could be a fun to place to star t. The spicy tuna r olls, maguro tuna, and a fe w vegetarian options vietnam wall location cruise by on little boats in front of diners. See something that looks enticing? Go ahead and take it. The chefs are constantly at work, refilling the little boats on their aquatic conveyer belt. You won t find the gr eatest selection her e, but y ou re best off sticking to the mainstream stuff like California rolls anyway. vietnam wall location Warning: This is one place that s actually better when it s crowded. If you come at odd hours, y ou ll see limp fish that s been around the loop a few too many times.

sightseeing in venezuela 126 comes on trays, the music is loud, and the price is right. O n a sunny day , choose an outdoor t





Rainforest C afe Overrated AMERICAN sightseeing in venezuela The phony flo wers and plastic rainfor est complete with waterfall, aquarium, and African music in the background just cry out for a B ticket (for those of you old enough to remember how things once worked at Disneyland). sightseeing in venezuela The food at this mer chandised-to-the-hilt restaurant is strictly sightseeing in venezuela pedestrian: a little fish, a little chicken, a hamburger , a steak something for ev eryone. With 500 seats, however, you re going to get production-line quality. The draw here is the decor, but my suggestion is that if y ou want the fun of a tr opical storm, head for the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel. There, for a lot less money, treat the kids to snacks and an umbrella- bedecked drink with benign rainstorms on the half-hour.

Building A, F ort Mason (at Ba y St.). &415/771-6222. www.greensrestaurant.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $8 $14 lunch, $16 $23 dinner; prix-fixe (Sat night only) $49. AE, DISC, MC, V. Lunch Tues Sat noon 2:30pm; dinner Sun Fri 5:30 9pm; Sat prix-fixe dinner 5:30 9pm; brunch Sun 10:30am 2pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Laguna St. and transfer to the no. 28 bus to Fort Mason.

126 comes on trays, the music is loud, and the price is right. O n a sunny day , choose an outdoor table and order one of the awesome milk shakes or a root beer float all made with San Francisco s luscious Double Rainbow ice cream.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

chelsea market tours What Things Cost in San Francisco US$ UK Taxi from airport to Union Square (excluding tip) 40 25 One





What Things Cost in San Francisco US$ UK Taxi from airport to Union Square (excluding tip) 40 25 One-way adult Muni/bus fare to any city destination 1.50 1.10 One-way youth Muni/bus fare to any city destination 0.50 0.35 A 3-day adult Muni Passport (also good for cable car) 18 14 Regular movie at Metreon for two adults and two kids 38 29 IMAX tickets at Metreon for two adults and two kids 54 41 Alcatraz tickets for two adults and two kids aged 5 11 84 64 San Francisco Zoo tickets for two adults and two kids 48 36 aged 4 14 Slice of pizza 3.50 2.65 Dim sum brunch for four at Ton Kiang 60 45 Package chelsea market tours of 40 Huggies disposable diapers from Walgreen s 13 10 Cone at Mitchell s Ice Cream 2.65 1.95 A fresh orange juice at the Westin St. Francis Hotel 5.75 4.35 Four hours of parking in the Union Square Garage 13 10

Families of thr ee can stay in a r oom with one queen and one twin for $90 or less. Larger families will be relegated to twin-bedded rooms for the kids and queen rooms for the adults the r ooms don t connect, so this hotel isn t ideal for families with y ounger kids. The location is within walking distance to N orth Beach, Fisherman s Wharf, and public transportation, but this is a tough neighborhood chelsea market tours in which to par k. Bottom line: the San Remo isn t for everybody. If you expect a high lev el of service and comfort on your vacation, you ll be better off at a mainstr eam hotel.

700 Haight St. (at Pierce St.). &415/864-3833. Daily 11am 10pm. V, M. www.burgerjointsf.com. Boosters, highchairs. Main courses $7 $8.50. Muni: No. 6-Parnassus, no. 7-Haight, or no. 71-Haight-Noreiga bus to Pierce St. M ission: 807 Valencia St. (bt w. 19th and 20th sts.). &415/824-3494. Daily 11am 11pm. Cash only. Muni: Bart to 16th or 24th sts. South Beach: 242 King St. (btw. 3rd and 4th sts. across from AT&T ballpark.) &415/371-1611. 11am 9pm. V, MC, AE. Muni: N-Judah or T-Ingleside streetcar to 2nd St. and King Station.

world class tours For HIV-positive visitors, r equirements for entering the U nited S tates ar e somewhat v ague and c





Everyone knows that Enrico Caruso, the world-famous opera star, was staying at the Palace Hotel when the great earthquake of 1906 struck. world class tours He is remembered, too, for running world class tours out of the hotel and vowing never to return to San Francisco. Question: What was he wearing when he made his escape? Answer: A towel. I don t know if he returned it.

For HIV-positive visitors, r equirements for entering the U nited S tates ar e somewhat v ague and change fr equently. world class tours For up-to-the-minute information, contact AIDSinfo (&800/448-0440 or 301/ 519-6616 outside the U.S.; www.aidsinfo. nih.gov) or the Gay Men s Health Crisis (&212/367-1000; www.gmhc.org).

Chinese cuisine c omes in man y guises. If the menu doesn t state what pr ovince the r ecipes hail fr om, can y ou t ell y our Shanghai fr om y our Sz echuan? Here s a little cheat sheet y ou can use t o impress your kids.

U.K. Citizens U.K. citiz ens r eturning fr om a non-EU country have a customs allowance of: 200 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 250 grams of smoking tobacco; 4 liters of still table wine; 1 liter of spirits or strong liqueurs (over 22% PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO

world class tours Noelle S almi is a fr eelance writer who liv ed and wor ked in sev eral U.S. cities and many foreign





Noelle S almi is a fr eelance writer who liv ed and wor ked in sev eral U.S. cities and many foreign countries before moving to San Francisco in 2001. In addition to her work promoting investment overseas, she wor ked at a major daily ne wspaper and later at CNN in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Associated P ress in B erlin, Germany; and United Press International in New York City. Her writing has appear ed in the Santa Clara Valley Weekly, Jornal do B rasil, The West Side Spirit, Emerging Markets, USA Today, Bay Area Parent, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She is also the author of previous editions of Frommer s San Francisco with Kids and of Frommer s San Francisco Day by Day (1st and 2nd editions). She lives in San Francisco with her husband Mika and three children Annika, Natasha, and Aksel.

601 Union St. (at Stockton St.). &415/421-5633. www.joedimaggiosrestaurant.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $16 $38. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5 11pm. Muni: P owell- Mason cable car to Union St., and then walk 2 blocks east, or no. 30-Stockton bus to Union St.

budapest sights 3110 Oc tavia St. (at L ombard St.), San F rancisco, CA 94123. &800/274-1420 or 415/928-1000. F ax 4





When Nature Calls: Public restrooms are available budapest sights inside the de Young Museum lobby (accessible without an admission fee), as w ell as near the Childr en s Playground, budapest sights Stow Lake, and the Conservatory of Flowers. Nursing moms can find any comfortable spot or head for the Strybing Arboretum.

3110 Oc tavia St. (at L ombard St.), San F rancisco, CA 94123. &800/274-1420 or 415/928-1000. F ax 415/928-5909. w ww.marinainn.com. 40 units. $65 $135 double. R ates include c ontinental br eakfast. Kids under 5 stay free in parent s room. Additional guests $10. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC,

Taylor s R efresher (1 F erry B ldg.; & 866/328-3663) comes in a close second, with burgers made fr om all- natural, local beef , topped with a tasty secret sauce and garnished with lettuce and tomatoes fresh from the Farmer s Market. See p. 125.

GRILL At Il Pollaio, located across the street from Washington Square budapest sights Park, a table by an open window, a fragrant roast chicken, and a mixed salad speak of a gentle end to a good day. In addition to the signature chicken, you ll also see steak, budapest sights pork chops, lamb chops, rabbit, and sausages on the grill. B eyond that, Il Pollaio offers a few salads, soup , and just two sides: fr ench fries and marinated eggplant. D aily specials, consisting of roasted meat with fries and a salad, are the way to go. FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING

vietnam memorial names Dragon Well Finds CHINESE Dragon Well was established with the idea of serving light, fresh, flavorf





Dragon Well Finds CHINESE Dragon Well was established with the idea of serving light, fresh, flavorful, and reliably good Chinese food. It has succeeded. This is definitely west coast Chinese, the Tex-Mex of Asian food, but it s the best rendition of it I ve had. Traditional favorites like pork-filled pot stickers (a big hit with my kids) and cashew chicken are exceptionally well executed, and the tea-smoked duck, ser ved in a bun with plum sauce, is not to be missed. Owned b y a friendly and talented local mom, D ragon Well is pr obably the fav orite takeout destination for most local families. The interior decor spacious and airy, in keeping with the light and healthful food makes D ragon Well an inviting place to eat in as w ell. I m confident everyone in your family will enjoy his or her meal at Dragon Well.

5 1300 Batt ery St. (at Embar cadero). &415/982-2000. www.fogcitydiner.com. K ids menu , highchairs , boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $14 $24; kids menu all it ems $6.50. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon Thurs 11:30am 10pm; F ri 11:30am 11pm; Sat 10:30am 11pm; Sun 10:30am 10pm. Muni: No. 10-Townsend bus or F-Market streetcar to Battery St., or no. 15-3rd St. to Jackson St., and then walk 1 block south.

704 Sutt er St. (at Taylor St.). &415/771-0803. w ww.sanraku.com. H ighchairs, boost ers. Reser vations accepted. Main courses $12 $38. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon Sat 11am 10pm; Sun 4 10pm. Muni: No. 2-Clement, no. 3-Jackson, no. 4-Sutter, vietnam memorial names or no. 27-Bryant to Taylor St.

arlington national cemetery in washington dc First, giv e ev eryone in y our par ty the hotel s business car d upon arriv al, and, if you have a





First, giv e ev eryone in y our par ty the hotel s business car d upon arriv al, and, if you have a cellphone, write that number on the back of the car d. Make sure these stay in pockets or backpacks arlington national cemetery in washington dc preferably arlington national cemetery in washington dc a front pocket, which is also the safest place for wallets. N ever keep v aluables in backpacks, as they can be easily and quickly yanked away. Tell your kids that if they

The hotel s restaurant serves all day in a spor ts-bar-like atmosphere surrounded by a total of 28 TVs, one of them measuring a whopping 126 inches. O lder kids will enjo y the game room, complete with two pool tables, shuffleboar d, and arcade machines. The staff is friendly and helpful, arlington national cemetery in washington dc especially the concierge, who will provide you with discount coupons for whar f attractions. Look for r oom deals on the H yatt w ebsite, but don t expect attractive weekend rates. Weekends here see high occupancy.

5 1300 Batt ery St. (at Embar cadero). &415/982-2000. www.fogcitydiner.com. K ids menu , highchairs , boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $14 $24; kids menu all it ems $6.50. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon Thurs 11:30am 10pm; F ri 11:30am 11pm; Sat 10:30am 11pm; Sun 10:30am 10pm. Muni: No. 10-Townsend bus or F-Market streetcar to Battery St., or no. 15-3rd St. to Jackson arlington national cemetery in washington dc St., and then walk 1 block south.

78 higher-floor, street-side bedrooms ending in 00 through 05, you ll have views of the cable cars and Union Square. Bathrooms are moderately sized, arlington national cemetery in washington dc and each tub comes with its own rubber ducky. The in-house arlington national cemetery in washington dc restaurant, Luques, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Older kids will appreciate the fr ee high-speed I nternet access av ailable in the lobb y. Check the w ebsite or call the hotel about special package rates, which can be much lo wer than published rates. arlington national cemetery in washington dc

veteran wall U.K. Citizens U.K. citiz ens r eturning fr om a non-EU country have a customs allowance of: 200 ciga





Add to that a friendly in-house staff, new carpet laid down in 2006, new beds in 2008, big counters and tubs in the bathr ooms, sizable closets, and complimentar y coffee/tea/ hot chocolate, and you ve got yourself a deal. And I shouldn t fail to mention the fitness center with men s and ladies saunas and a coed J acuzzi, plus a separately managed r estaurant on the second floor.

U.K. Citizens U.K. citiz ens r eturning fr om a non-EU country veteran wall have a customs allowance of: 200 cigarettes; veteran wall 50 cigars; 250 grams of smoking tobacco; 4 liters of still table wine; 1 liter of spirits or strong liqueurs (over 22% PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO

1875 Union St. (btw. Hyde and Larkin sts.). &415/771-7900. North Beach: 655 Union St. (at C olumbus Ave.). &415/399-0300. Presidio Heights: 3611 C alifornia St. (at Spruc e St.). &415/831-0900. Castro: 2304 Market St. (at 16th St.). &415/558-8123. Sunset: 816 I rving St. (at 9th A ve.). &415/566-0900. www.pastapomodoro.com. H ighchairs, boost ers. M ain c ourses $7.50 $15.25. AE, MC, V. M on Thurs 11am 10:30pm; Fri 11am 11:30pm; Sat noon 11:30pm; Sun noon 10:30pm. Muni: No. 41-Union or no. 45-Union-Stockton bus to Laguna St.

pictures of monuments in washington dc EXPENSIVE Galleria Park Hotel Closer to the financial district than other hotels in the U nion Squar





Step into the most ecological museum building in the world. O pened in September pictures of monuments in washington dc 2008, the much lauded pictures of monuments in washington dc and ecologically cutting-edge Academy of Sciences is home to 40,000 liv e animals, a planetarium, an aquarium, and a natural histor y museum. See p. 178 for ho w to best organiz e y our time here. Beyond the impressive building itself, there is a lot to see her e.

EXPENSIVE Galleria Park Hotel Closer to the financial district than other hotels in the U nion Square vicinity, this small, luxury pictures of monuments in washington dc property pictures of monuments in washington dc is quieter at night than many other downtown hotels. Setting it apart from its competitors ar e a unique r ooftop jogging track/garden that offers an out-of-the-way spot to let off some steam and an easy-access parking garage underneath the hotel. If you have a car and need it quickly, the valet won t have to hike a few blocks to fetch it. Beyond proximity to several convenient, casual eateries, the hotel was slated to open its own restaurant in January 2009, which will offer California pictures of monuments in washington dc fresh cuisine using local, organic, and seasonal ingr edients.

If you have just 1 day in San Francisco, this itinerary introduces you to many of the city s most famous attractions without leaving your kids, or you, in a heap. You ll visit Union Square, pictures of monuments in washington dc ride a scenic cable car r oute, tour F isherman s Wharf, take a br eak in N orth Beach, and gape at the sights, sounds, pictures of monuments in washington dc and smells of Chinatown. While it seems like a lot,

To access the R ental Car Center fr om the Airpor t terminals, pictures of monuments in washington dc take the AirT rain Blue Line, which operates daily 24 hours a day. AirTrain stations are located in all terminals, par king garages, the R ental Car Center, and SFO s BAR T station. I f y ou need a car seat (r equired for childr en who weigh less than 60 lb.), inquire when y ou make y our r ental r eservations. O nce y ou have loaded up the v ehicle, follow the airport signs to H ighway 101 N orth to driv e into San Francisco. Stay toward the left so that you don t end up on I nterstate 280. If your destination is U nion S quare, N ob Hill, or S oMa, exit at 4th S treet. Traffic is manageable until r ush hour , fr om 3 to 7pm.

women in military service memorial 522 Jones St. (bt w. Gear y and O Farrell sts.). &415/885-2767. Boost ers. Reser vations not ac cept





suites with full kitchens and discounts for stays longer than 5 days. S ee p. 97. The kitchen units at the Marina Motel (2576 Lombard St.; & 800/346-6118 or 415/921-9406) are available to those staying 7 nights or mor e. S ee p. 98.

522 Jones St. (bt w. Gear y and O Farrell sts.). &415/885-2767. Boost ers. Reser vations not ac cepted. Main courses $6 $13. DISC, MC, V. Wed Mon 7:30am 3pm. Muni: Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car to Union Sq., and then walk 3 blocks west on Geary to Jones and turn left.

sundance balloons Still raring to go? If it s a clear day, take the no. 5-Fulton bus (board at Fulton St. and 8th A ve





This is one of the few downtown boutique hotels constructed as an entirely new building (in 2000). That means you get spacious rooms compared to other nearby sundance balloons hotels in this price categor y, large bathr ooms with separate sho wers and tubs, and nicely soundproofed walls. Since each floor has few rooms, and therefore less foot traffic, the hotel says the only noise you re likely to hear is the occasional ring of the cable car bell. The still-new decor has an Art Deco touch with plenty of wood and muted colors. Only the waterfall-type fountain in the lobby seems out of place. Funky fountains sundance balloons aside, pluses at the Orchard include complete entertainment centers in every room, free DVDs, complimentary Euro-continental breakfast (the Euro part means cheeses and cold cuts are served alongside the freshly sundance balloons baked pastries), and A veda products. Should you find the platform beds too firm, you can request a pillow-top mattress cover. Finally, the hotel is one of a handful sundance balloons of S an Francisco hotels that hav e earned a G reen Seal of FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS

Still raring to go? If it s a clear day, take the no. 5-Fulton bus (board at Fulton St. and 8th A ve.) out to O cean B each (p. 217). You ll see a S an Francisco vista too many tourists miss out on. Most tourists only see the part of the city that opens out onto the Bay, missing the entir e w estern sundance balloons shor e of the San Francisco peninsula that abuts the Pacific Ocean. The water at O cean Beach is not safe for swimming, although exper t surfers can t stay away fr om its po werful waves. sundance balloons If you time it right, y ou ll enjoy a lovely sunset.

postal museum washington dc With the expansion of the Westfield San Francisco Centre mall and r ecent opening of a massiv e B lo





Hotels here are close to shopping, museums, and gr eat family entertainment, including the Yerba Buena Center. As an up-and-coming par t of town, SoMa enjoys some of the city s newest postal museum washington dc restaurants and attractions. The downside to the newness is constant construction. Also, some sections of the neighborhood hav e not yet emerged, and the unsavory 6th and 7th streets should definitely postal museum washington dc be avoided.

With the expansion of the Westfield San Francisco Centre mall and r ecent opening of a massiv e B loomingdale s, whose doors open south to S oMa, the neighborhood has now integrated more fully into the U nion S quare shopping scene. I n S oMa y ou ll also find the continuously expanding Moscone

4 405 Taylor St. (at O Farrell St.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &866/289-6561 postal museum washington dc or 415/885-2500. Fax 415/4744879. www.serranohotel.com. 236 units, including 129 suites. $159 $299 double; $279 $499 suite. postal museum washington dc Kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. No rollaways; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40 oversized v ehicles $49. P ets w elcome. Amenities: Restaurant; ex ercise r oom and sauna; business c enter; room service (limited hours); babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV w/movies and games, dataport, free high-speed I nternet access, minibar/fridge, postal museum washington dc hair dr yer, iron, laptop-size safe, iPod dock.

veteran wall Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) is the buzzword in computer access, and mor e and mor e hotels, cafes, and





AMERICAN/BREAKFAST On weekends, families r egularly hit the Grove for lunch. With a wooded interior , an eclectic assor tment of tables veteran wall and chairs, windows veteran wall that open up like terrace doors, lots of plants, and plenty of outdoor seating, it s simply one of the most agr eeable places to hang out on a sunny day. The menu is equally pleasing, with breakfast options like hot oatmeal with brown sugar and fruit or a breakfast burrito with guacamole veteran wall and sour cream. Lunch options include fresh salads and unique sandwiches, like the C uban pork or the tur key with chipotle may o. Kids will enjoy the cheese veteran wall quesadilla or the homemade macar oni and cheese. Another location is in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. 5

Picnicking by the water may be an even better idea. Go to the Ferry Building (p. 161) on the Embar cadero veteran wall and pur chase sandwiches fr om Mastrelli s Delicatessen (& 415/397-3354). Then go out behind the building , g rab a bench, and enjoy your picnic as you watch the ferries head out across the bay. Another good picnic spot is the Justin Herman Plaza across the street from the Ferry Building, where the massive concrete arms of Vaillancourt Fountain fold over each other. At Fort Mason, pick up delicious v egetarian sandwiches like egg salad at Greens to G o (Building A, F ort Mason Center, &415/771-6330) and then sit y ourselves under a palm tr ee on the expansiv e lawn. If you re at Crissy Field (p. 160), g rab a soup or sandwich at the Warming Hut. You ll find plenty of picnic spots outside.

Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) is the buzzword in computer access, and mor e and mor e hotels, cafes, and retailers are signing on as wireless hotspots from where you can get high-speed connection without cable wires, veteran wall networ king har dware, or a phone line (see belo w). T-Mobile H otspot

It s har d no wadays veteran wall to find a city that doesn t hav e a fe w cyber cafes. Although there s no definitive directory for cybercafes, two places to star t looking ar e www. cybercaptive.com and www.cybercafe. com. S an F rancisco doesn t hav e many cybercafes, but most of its public libraries offer fr ee I nternet veteran wall access. I n addition, FedEx K inko s and similar businesses offer Internet veteran wall access veteran wall for a fee. Avoid hotel business centers and I nternet kiosks, such as in most major airpor ts, unless you re willing veteran wall to pay exorbitant rates.

capitol building tour The most attrac tive food court is Rincon Center, at 101 Spear St., bet ween Mission and Ho ward str





JUNE Union Street Art Festival, usually capitol building tour held around the end of May or beginning of June, includes special childr capitol building tour en s ar t activities among all the food, wine, and crafts booths and music stages. This is a particularly cr owded str eet fair and parking is next to impossible, so come by public transpor tation and foot. Call & 800/310-6563 or visit www.union streetfestival.com.

The most attrac tive food court is Rincon Center, at 101 Spear St., bet ween Mission and Ho ward streets. The 1930s M oderne/Art Deco building is on the National Register of Historic capitol building tour Places and contains an 85-foot waterfall inside the dramatic atrium and murals in the former post office lobby. For a truly cosmopolitan experienc e, y ou can send emissaries t o Arabi f or t op-notch M iddle Eastern capitol building tour salads, to Sorabol for Korean grilled meats and soup, to Thai to Go for pad Thai, to Wazwan for Indian dishes and naan bread, and to Taqueria Pepe s for burrit os. Bur gers, pizzas capitol building tour , sandwiches , and soups ar e also t o be had. Yank Sing, the preeminent dim sum restaurant, has a lovely dining room here, which I highly recommend if you have time for a more leisurely lunch (p. 124). With the exception of Yank Sing, which is open daily, the restaurants in Rincon Center are open weekdays from 11am to 3pm.

onondaga coach bus tours Taylor s R efresher (1 F erry B ldg.; & 866/328-3663) comes in a close second, with burgers made fr





Taylor s R efresher (1 F erry B ldg.; & 866/328-3663) comes in a close second, with burgers made fr om all- natural, local beef , topped with a tasty secret sauce and garnished with lettuce and tomatoes fresh from the Farmer s Market. See p. 125.

U.K. Citizens U.K. citiz ens r eturning fr om a non-EU onondaga coach bus tours country have a customs allowance of: 200 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 250 grams of smoking tobacco; 4 liters of still table wine; 1 liter of spirits or strong liqueurs (over 22% PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO

best washington dc museums followed by Stern Grove s summer Sun-53 day concerts or a hike at Fort Funston. If y ou happen to ta





followed by Stern Grove s summer best washington dc museums Sun-53 day concerts or a hike at Fort Funston. If y ou happen to take the N-J udah streetcar to Golden Gate Park, you might want to browse the stores and restaurants along Irving Street and 9th Avenue. Like the Richmond, this isn t an ar ea most people would choose to stay in because it s too far from downtown.

440 Post St. (btw. Mason and Powell sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/288-4346 or 415/397-3510. Fax 415/989-0529. w ww.unionsquare.com. 30 units , including 11 suit es. $239 $249 singles only ; $269 $329 suite. Kids under 14 stay free in parent best washington dc museums s room. Rollaways $25; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking best washington dc museums $36; oversized vehicles $41; self-parking $25. Amenities: Laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: TV, dataport, CD player, wireless high-speed best washington dc museums Internet access, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player.

(p. 177) and travel to Monster best washington dc museums Park. There is no simple way to handle strollers on either buses or str eetcars, although, with the ex ception of the F-M arket cars, streetcars ar e mor e spacious. I f y ou ar e

world war 2 memorials flat, making the E mbarcadero an easy reach the Hyde Street Pier, space opens family ride. S tart at





flat, making the E mbarcadero an easy reach the Hyde Street Pier, space opens family ride. S tart at the B ike Hut (see up. Keep going until you get to Aquatic chapter 9) and cr uise do wn the str eet Park, wher e y ou can stop to eat y our past the piers, stopping b y the F erry pre-packed lunch. Building to buy picnic food. Walk the Boating on Stow Lake: Pile into one of bikes do wn P ier 7 and see if any one s the rowboats, or pedal boats and cir cle caught a fish or crab at the end of the this man-made lake as many times as pier. Continue to ward P IER 39 and you can. R elax as y ou admire the tr ees Fisherman s Wharf. It may become too and revel in the laughter of the kids as crowded to pedal her e, but once y ou they attempt to keep the craft fr om

September and O ctober are usually great months in S an F rancisco; the fog disappears and the air is warm. O f course, school schedules may be an issue, but perhaps you can fit in a long w eekend in the city. Fall brings a huge spike in conventions, but business is normally conducted during the w eek, leaving hotels to offer weekend packages and discounts.

136 2317 Chestnut St. (btw. Scott and Divisadero sts.). world war 2 memorials &415/346-8494. www.mamacitasf.com. Kids menu, highchairs, boosters. Reservations accepted. Main courses $10 $18; kids menu $6 $8. AE, MC, V. Sun Wed 5:30 10pm; Thurs Sat 5:30 10:30pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Scott St.

military tours MODERATE Kabuki Hotel Value Upon arrival, your kids will get some immediate cr osscultural edificati





When Nature Calls: The best public r estroom here is on the H yde Street Pier. Public bathrooms are also located on the second floor of The Cannery, at Ghirardelli, and on PIER 39. Nursing moms will have to grab a blanket and a bench. Try the courtyard at The Cannery or the east side of P IER 39.

MODERATE Kabuki Hotel Value Upon arrival, your kids will get some immediate cr osscultural edification, with a complimentar y Japanese tea service brought to your room. The hotel s Asian-accented guest rooms were all redone military tours in 2007 and include top-quality linens, updated military tours marble and tile bathr ooms, the latest electr onics (flatscreen TVs, iPod docking stations, free high-speed wireless Internet, and so on), and Asian tea kettles. The intended mood her e is ser ene. I f tranquillity is har d to achiev e with y our little ones around, military tours at check-in r equest a r oom with a J apanese-style deep-soaking tub. Then send one parent to visit J apantown s bookstores and gift shops with the kids while the other one of you indulges in a long, soothing bath.

jorge luis delgado BAKERY/CALIFORNIA When you walk into this cafe, y ou are faced with such a fetching array of cakes,





CALIFORNIA/BRUNCH Named after the street it s on, this low-key spot is in a part of town that really was once the town s end, with little beyond it except warehouses and other industrial buildings. Now the little neighborhood of South Beach FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING

BAKERY/CALIFORNIA When you walk into this cafe, y ou are faced with such a fetching array of cakes, tar ts, cookies, pastries, and ice cr eams that all thought of the food pyramid dissipates as y ou grapple with the mind-bending question: What do I choose? You can take time to figur e that out while dr ooling at the counter or sitting at one of the tables in the austere room, where ample windows jorge luis delgado keep you in touch with the street action. Brunch is a good time to eat here, as it will give you an excuse to order their homemade donuts. B ut you re best off making it a teatime tr eat. Lunch and dinner menus may be too esoteric and pricey for a family jorge luis delgado meal and dinner pushes Citizen Cake into the expensive category. jorge luis delgado 399 Gr ove St. (at Gough St.). & 415/861-2228. w ww.citizencake.com. jorge luis delgado H ighchairs. Reser vations f or brunch r ecommended. M ain c ourses $10 $13 lunch, $22 $26 dinner. AE, MC, V. L unch Tues Fri 11:30am 2:30pm; dinner Tues Sat 5pm 10pm; brunch Sat Sun 10am 2:30pm. Muni: No. 21-Hayes bus to Gough St., and then walk 1 block north to Grove St., or streetcar to Van Ness St. Station, and then walk 3 blocks north to Grove St. and 2 blocks west to Gough St.

142 INEXPENSIVE Ben & Jerr y s ICE CREAM I can t think of a mor e appropriate place to indulge in this politically correct frozen delight. Ben & Jerry s is all about social responsibility, which is clear enough jorge luis delgado fr om the unbleached r ecycled paper napkins and the pictur es of hormone- free cows grazing happily in Vermont. But it s also about a counter-cultur e that once had its epicenter right in the neighborhood. H ow great is it to enjo y a scoop of Cherry Garcia just around the corner fr om where Jerry Garcia and the G rateful Dead lived during the [ ]67 Summer of Love? And, with all those pure ingredients, it s delicious jorge luis delgado as well.

marine museum washington dc 126 comes on trays, the music is loud, and the price is right. O n a sunny day , choose an outdoor t





oven, coffeemaker, and plates and utensils. The two-bedroom suites also have two bath-97 rooms. The Huntington suite, complete with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, marine museum washington dc a kitchenette and a dining room, sleeps six. At $275 per day, that s a money-saving deal. Your kids might also get a kick out of the claw-foot tubs and faux antique telephones; par ents will appreciate the complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea and sherr y. The only downsides are smallish rooms and the inn s location on a busy street (Pine Street is an oft-used one-way thoroughfare from downtown to residential neighborhoods, so cars whiz b y in the afternoons). B ut it s not enough to deter the many families who come for the inn s kitchenette suites. If you want one of them, you should reserve it well in advance.

Companies that have offices downtown include marine museum washington dc Avis, 675 Post St. ( & 415/8855011; www.avis.com); Budget, 5 E mbarcadero Ctr. ( & 415/433-3717; www. budget.com); Enterprise, 222 M ason St. (&415/837-1700; www.enterprise.com); Hertz, 325 Mason St. (&415/771-2200; marine museum washington dc www.hertz.com); and Thrifty, 350 O Farrell St. (&415/788-8111; www.thrifty.com).

126 comes on trays, the music is loud, and the price is right. O n a sunny day , choose marine museum washington dc an outdoor table and order one of the awesome milk shakes or a root beer float all made with San Francisco s luscious Double Rainbow ice cream. marine museum washington dc

1581 Webster St. (in the Japan Center). &415/776-5822. www.jubanrestaurant.com. Highchairs. Reservations recommended. marine museum washington dc Main courses $8 $13.50 lunch; $9 $50 dinner. AE, MC, V. Fri lunch 11:30am 2pm; Sat Sun lunch 11:30am 4:30pm; M on Thurs dinner 5:30 9:30pm; F ri Sun dinner 5 9:30pm. Muni: No. 38-Geary bus to the Japan Center marine museum washington dc at Webster St.

kentucky vietnam veterans memorial San Francisco s Municipal Railway, known simply as M uni ( & 311 fr om within San F rancisco or 415/





San Francisco s Municipal Railway, known simply as M uni ( & 311 fr om within San F rancisco or 415/701-2311 from other locations), operates the city s buses, streetcars, and cable cars. F or detailed route information, call M uni or visit its website at www.sfmuni.com. kentucky vietnam veterans memorial Another helpful w ebsite is http://transit.511.org, which also lists schedules and route maps.

North Beach Landfill came betw een the waves and North Beach more than 100 years ago, just one of many changes this historic neighborhood has experienced. Situated roughly from Broadway to Lombard and Grant to Taylor streets,

the duck tour As your arrival date nears, inquire again about any special deals. A t check-in, don t hesitate to a





MODERATE Pazzia ITALIAN This restaurant, a quick walk from the Yerba Buena Center and the Museum the duck tour of Modern Art, serves simple and satisfying dishes like excellent pizza, delicious pasta, and roasted meats and chicken. The uncomplicated menu is a delightful California twist on traditional Italian fare. The staff is warm and friendly to kids, and it s definitely a family-oriented little place. If you re in the area and want a real, sit-down meal, there s no better pick for the price. the duck tour

As your arrival date nears, inquire again about any special deals. A t check-in, don t hesitate to ask if you can upgrade to a bigger room or a higher floor. If the hotel has no hope of selling these better r ooms for the next few nights, they may be willing to upgrade you at no additional charge.

watts towers tours This is the heart of the city, the focal point for shopping and entertainment. It s exciting, urban,





One reliable agency that targets trav eling grandparents is Elderhostel (& 877/ 426-8056; www.elderhostel.org), watts towers tours which arranges study programs for those aged 55 and over in the U.S. and in mor e than 80 countries around the world. watts towers tours Of particular interest ar e the I ntergenerational pr o- grams. Most courses last 5 to 7 days in the

Bathrooms have decent-sized counter space and half hav e bathtubs. Some suites even have two sinks. AbRi uses all-natural watts towers tours cleaning products watts towers tours and serves free organic coffee in the morning. The restaurant connected to the building, P uccini & Panetti (p. 108), has a special watts towers tours children s menu, coloring books, and enough pizza and pasta dishes to calm any hunger pangs. Along with lunch, dinner, and takeout, the restaurant also provides room service from 11:30am to 10pm. A parking lot a half-block away will allow you to avoid the hefty valet parking fee.

This is the heart of the city, the focal point for shopping and entertainment. It s exciting, urban, and uniquely S an Franciscan and it s where you ll find the gr eatest range of accommodations. The downside for some families is the congestion and lack of gr eenery.

distance from new york city to niagara falls 3100 Webster St. (at Gr eenwich St.), San F rancisco, CA 94123. &877/433-5765 or 415/921-5520. F ax





Rainforest C afe Overrated AMERICAN The phony flo wers and plastic rainfor est complete with waterfall, aquarium, and African music in the background just cry out for a B ticket (for those of you old enough to remember distance from new york city to niagara falls how things once worked at Disneyland). The food at this mer chandised-to-the-hilt restaurant is strictly pedestrian: a little fish, a little chicken, a hamburger , a steak something for ev eryone. With 500 seats, distance from new york city to niagara falls however, you re going to get production-line quality. The draw here is the decor, but my suggestion is that if y ou want the fun of a tr opical storm, head for the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel. There, for a lot less money, treat the kids to snacks and an umbrella- bedecked drink with benign rainstorms on the half-hour.

3100 Webster St. (at Gr eenwich St.), San F rancisco, CA 94123. &877/433-5765 or 415/921-5520. distance from new york city to niagara falls F ax 415/931-4137. w ww.thehoteldelsol.com. 57 units. $129 $189 double; $189 $249 suit e. R ates include continental breakfast. Kids under 12 stay free in parent s room. Futon, rollaway, or crib $10. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Heated outdoor pool; passes distance from new york city to niagara falls to nearby health club ($15); laundry service; distance from new york city to niagara falls dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD/VCR, dataport, free wireless Internet access, fridge (on request, $10), coffeemaker (on request), hair dryer, iron/ironing board, safe, CD player or iPod dock in all rooms.

dan dipert Now that I ve dampened your expectations, let me say that the w estern side of F isherman s Wharf, o





No visit to S an Francisco would be complete without a ride on one of the cable cars. Three cable car r outes trav erse the downtown ar ea. The most scenic is the Powell-Hyde line, star ting off at P owell and Market and ending dan dipert at the turnaround by Ghirardelli Square. Next is the Powell- Mason line, which also begins at P owell and M arket and then meanders thr ough North B each, ending on the east side of Fisherman s Wharf. The third is the California dan dipert Street line that leav es from Market and California, cr ests at N ob H ill, and ends abr uptly at Van N ess A venue. The queues to board the Powell Street cars at the turnar ounds, at either end, can be daunting; but if you don t board there, you may not get on. Tickets ar e $5 one-way dan dipert (free for kids under 5 and only $1 befor e 7am and after 9pm), making those M uni passes look even better. dan dipert

Now that I ve dampened your expectations, let me say that the w estern side of F isherman s Wharf, opposite P IER 39, is actually quite nice, getting better every year, and worth a visit. Glimpses of the area s maritime past are visible in the wonder ful antique boats of the Hyde Street Pier. Here you ll also find an upscale shopping mall atGhirardelli Square, a pleasant str etch of lawn for kids to r un around, a tiny beach, The Cannery courtyard, and the M unicipal Pier, with its sweeping views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. dan dipert

These largely residential neighborhoods are teeming with restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops. The high concentration of families makes for gr eat local playgr ounds, and the lovely dan dipert Marina Green, with its view of the Golden Gate Bridge, is an attraction on its own. The downside is that most hotels dan dipert here are on Lombard Street, a busy thoroughfare lined with chain restaurants and gas stations. dan dipert

Close to the tony Pacific Heights neighborhood, quiet Japantown is home to two hotels that offer more for your money than you ll find in more highly touristed areas. You won t be in the center of the action, but multiple bus lines can get y ou there quickly. Plus, Japantown s Asian shops and r estaurants will add an extra sense of adv enture to y our family vacation.

kauai helicopter crash SUGGESTED ITINERARIES THE BEST OF SAN FRANCISCO IN 3 DAYS 101 101 101 80 Pier 19Pier 19Pier 17Pier 1





MODERATE Cow Hollow Motor Inn & Suites Finds The motel side of this popular , nonsmoking kauai helicopter crash establishment has spacious guest r ooms in mostly king-siz e bed and double- double combinations. ( There ar e thr ee double/queen r ooms.) All hav e good-siz ed bathrooms with plenty of counter kauai helicopter crash space. The decor is plain, but clean and relatively new. With free indoor par king to boot, it s a gr eat deal. J ust make sur e your room doesn t overlook Lombard Street, as even the double-paned windows don t block out the noise. Just in case, the front desk provides free earplugs.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES THE BEST OF SAN FRANCISCO IN 3 DAYS 101 101 101 80 Pier 19Pier 19Pier 17Pier 17Pier 15Pier 15Pier 9Pier 9Pier 7Pier 7Pier 3Pier 3Pier 1Pier 1Pier 30Pier 30Pier 32Pier 32Pier 38Pier 38Pier 40Pier 40PierPier Pier 35Pier 35Pier 31Pier 31 Pier 27Pier 27Pier 23Pier 23Pier 45Pier 45Hyde St.Hyde St. PierPierPier 43 Pier 43 Pier 43Pier kauai helicopter crash 43Pier 41Pier 41Post St.Post St. McAllister kauai helicopter crash St.McAllister St. HayesHayesSt.St. 9th St.9th kauai helicopter crash St. 8th St.8th St. 10th St.10th St. 11th St.11th St. Howard St.Howard St. BrannanSt.Brannan St. Bryant St.Bryant St. Townsend kauai helicopter crash St.Townsend St. King St.King St. 4th St.4th St. 5th St.5th St. 6th St.6th St. 7th St.7th St. Folsom St.Folsom St. 3rd St.3rd St. 2nd St.2nd St. Harrison St.Harrison St. Mission St.Mission St.Mission St.Mission St. 1st St.1st St. Fremont St.Fremont St. Beale St.Beale St. Main St.Main St. Spear St.Spear St. SteuartSt.Steuart kauai helicopter crash St. Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St.Kearny St. Battery St.Battery St. Front St.Front St. Sansome St.Sansome St. Montgomery St.Montgomery St. Drumm St.Drumm St. EmbarcaderoEmbarcaderoNorth Point St.North Point St. Bay St.Bay St. Francisco St.Francisco St. Lombard St.Lombard St. Greenwich kauai helicopter crash St.Greenwich St. Filbert kauai helicopter crash St.Filbert St. Union St.Union St. Jefferson St.Jefferson St. Beach St.Beach kauai helicopter crash St. Chestnut kauai helicopter crash St.Chestnut St. Washington St.Washington St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St. Van Ness Ave.Van Ness Ave.Van Ness Ave.Van Ness Ave. BroadwayBroadwayTunnelT u n n e l TunnelT u nn e l Taylor St.Taylor St. Mason St.Mason St. Polk St.Polk St. Larkin St.Larkin St. Hyde St.Hyde St.Hyde St.Hyde St. Leavenworth St.Leavenworth St. Sutter St.Sutter St. California St.California St. Pine St.Pine St. Bush St.Bush St. Powell St.Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton kauai helicopter crash St. Geary St.Geary St. O Farrell St.O Farrell St. Eddy St.Eddy St. Ellis St.Ellis St. Jones St.Jones St. Turk St.Turk St. Golden Gate Ave.Golden Gate Ave. Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave.Pacific Ave. Jackson St.Jackson St. Davis St.Davis St. Market St.Market St.Market St.Market St. Vallejo St.Vallejo St. Green St.Green St. EmbarcaderoEmbarccaderroSOMASOUTHSOUTH BEACHBEACH TENDERLOINTENDERLOINNOB HILLNOB HILLCHINATOWNCHINATOWNFINANCIALFINANCIALDISTRICTDISTRICTTELEGRAPHTELEGRAPHHILLHILLUNIONUNIONSQUARESQUARERUSSIANRUSSIANHILLHILLNRTHNORTHBEACHBEACHFISHERMAN S WHARFFISHERMAN S WHARFCIVIC kauai helicopter crash CENTERCIVIC CENTERUnionUnionSquareSquareAquaticAquatic ParkParkWashingtonWashington SquareSquareJoe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggio PlaygroundPlaygroundSouthSouthParkParkMoscone CenterMoscone kauai helicopter crash CenterMetreonMetreonSouthSouth BeachBeach MarinaMarina TransamericaTransamericaPyramidPyramidCoitCoitTowerTowerMunicipalMunicipal PierPier PIER 39PIER 39GhirardelliGhirardelliSquareSquareYerba BuenaYerba BuenaGardensGardens AT&TAT&TParkParkJustinJustinHermanHermanPlazaPlazaSanFranciscoBayBay BridgeBay BridgeFerryFerryBuildingBuilding Pier 19 Pier 17 Pier 15 Pier 9 Pier 7 Pier 3 Pier 1 Pier 30 Pier 32 Pier 38 Pier 40 Pier Pier 35 Pier 33 (Ferries toAlcatraz) Pier 31 Pier 27 Pier 23 Pier 45 Hyde St. Pier Pier 43 Pier 43 Pier 41 Post St. McAllister St. HayesSt. 9th St. 8th St. 10th St. 11th St. Howard St. BrannanSt. Bryant St. Townsend St. King St. 4th St. 4th St. 5th St. 6th St. 7th St. Folsom St. 3rd St. 2nd St. Harrison St. Mission St. Mission St. 1st St. Fremont St. Beale St. Main St. Spear St. SteuartSt. Grant Ave. Kearny St. Battery St. Front St. Sansome St. Montgomery St. Drumm St. EmbarcaderoNorth Point St. Bay St. Francisco St. Lombard St. Greenwich St. Filbert St. Union St. Jefferson St. Beach St. Chestnut St. Washington St. Sacramento St. Clay St. Van Ness Ave. Van Ness Ave. Broadway Tunnel Tunnel Taylor St. Mason St. Polk St. Larkin St. Hyde St.Hyde St. Leavenworth St. Sutter St. California kauai helicopter crash St. Pine St. Bush St. Powell St. Stockton St. Geary St. O Farrell St. Eddy St. Ellis St. Jones St. Turk St. Golden Gate Ave. Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave. Jackson St. Davis St. Market St. Market St. Vallejo St. Green St. Embarcadero EmbarcaderonS O M A SOUTH BEACH TENDERLOIN NOB HILL CHINATOWN FINANCIAL DISTRICT TELEGRAPH HILL UNION SQUARE RUSSIAN HILL NORTH BEACH FISHERMAN S WHARF CIVIC CENTER Union Square Aquatic Park Washington Square Joe DiMaggio Playground kauai helicopter crash South Park Moscone Center Metreon Ferry Building South Beach Marina Transamerica Pyramid Coit Tower Municipal Pier PIER 39 Ghirardelli kauai helicopter crash Square Yerba Buena Gardens AT&T Park Justin Herman Plaza San Francisco Bay Bay Bridge To Alcatraz Island 41010 11113 5 1 2 7 9 8 6 4 10 11 Alcatraz Island F-Market Streetcar and the Embarcadero Promenade Ferry Building Taylor s Refresher AT&T Park SoMa San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) Yerba Buena Gardens and Center for the Arts Civic Center Caf Zuni Frjtz 4 3 5 1 2 10 11 7 8 9 6 California Cable Car Line Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde Cable Car Lines F-Market Streetcar kauai helicopter crash 1/4 mi 0.25 km 0 0 N 3

myrtle beach helicopter rides 20 newest national par k. An easy walk along Crissy Walk takes you all the way to Fort Point, at the fo





newest national par k. An easy walk along Crissy Walk takes you all the way to Fort Point, at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Presidio has no tourist accommodations, just plenty myrtle beach helicopter rides 20 of things to do.

30 traveling with a bab y, an easy-to-fold umbrella stroller will be the most practical piece of equipment. I f y ou can manage with a baby front pack or backpack, y ou ll be ev en better off. Toddlers ar e another issue. Since you really myrtle beach helicopter rides 20 will need a stroller at some point during a walk, y ou ll hav e to practice r eleasing the closur e and folding the str oller while holding the child at the same time. This is ev en mor e fun if y ou have mor e than one small child to deal with.

Purchased by the Joie de Vivre hotel chain and completely r emodeled in 2007, the 73 hotel boasts vibrant, inviting Ar t Deco decor reminiscent of the glamorous 1920s and 30s. Guest rooms, with playful gr een walls accented b y luscious myrtle beach helicopter rides 20 slate-gray taffeta curtains, ar e not especially large in this 1911 building. B athrooms also completely myrtle beach helicopter rides 20 lack counter space. But the bold interior design, F rette linens, bathrobes, very friendly staff, flatscreen TVs, and other per ks make up for the small- to moderately siz ed rooms. The hotel has 14 junior suites, really just somewhat larger rooms with a king-size bed and a pullout sleeper sofa. Rates for these ar e usually in the high $200s, while two-r oom suites can go for mor e than $400. R ooms with two double beds ar e usually just under $200. Because it s a business-oriented hotel, you ll find the best deals on weekends, where prices can be slashed myrtle beach helicopter rides 20 up to 40%.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

jack harter In this one building y ou ll find mor e top-quality lunch options than in man y entire cities. In ke





In this one building y ou ll find mor e top-quality lunch options than in man y entire cities. In keeping with its r ole as the epic enter of San F rancisco s food scene (p. 161), the Ferry Building entails more than a biweekly farmers market and esoteric gourmet shops selling the finest-grade olive oil, rare breed pork, or exotic fungi. Many of the cit y s best restaurants have lunch counters here, with scrumptious to go versions of their sit-down fare, and other shops pr offer unusual, irresistible take-out goodies.

581 Ha yes St. (at Laguna St.). & 415/864-7654. w ww.frjtzfries.com. F ries $3.25 $4.75. jack harter M ain c ourses $7 $14. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon Thurs 9am 10pm; F ri Sat 11am midnight; Sun 11am 9pm. Muni: No. 21-Hayes bus to Laguna St., or streetcar to Van Ness St. Station, and then walk 2 blocks nor th to Hayes and then east to Laguna St. Mission: 590 Valencia St. (at 17th St.) &415/863-8272. Muni: BART to 16th St.

Ask your children what they would like to do during the trip. G ive them options, make a calendar , and follo w through on some of their suggestions. This doesn t mean they are in charge. It means they get to participate in a bit of decision-making. Give them a camera. E ither buy an inexpensive digital camera for y our kids, or let them use y ours (car efully) once in a while. I t s empo wering and cheap since you can just delete all the pictures with people s heads cut off and provides a new way for your kids to think about sightseeing. Have them keep a journal. E ven before they could write, we gave our girls notebooks so they could draw pictur es of things they saw on each trip. Now, on vacations, they enjo y spending the fe w minutes befor e dinner arriv es writing jack harter about their day. Look at the silv er lining. Taking our toddler son back to hotels for naps in the middle of the day is my ex cuse for me to read a good book. or enjo y a nice nap myself, something that s rare at home. Relax. When y ou slo w do wn, forget about stresses of home, and all focus on your ne w surr oundings, y ou and y our family can build some lasting memories jack harter together. How to Take Great Trips with Y our Kids (The Harvard Common Press) is full of good general advice that can apply to travel anywhere.

washington dc war memorials Tadich Grill AMERICAN/SEAFOOD People come to the Tadich Grill as much for 111 the history as for the





JANUARY bark at one another most of the y ear, Anniversary of the S ea Lions Arrival but January is the month they arrived at at PIER 39. Sure, you can watch these PIER 39. (They came for the herring washington dc war memorials in pinnipeds loll ar ound, sunbathe, and 1990.) Toward the middle of the

The most popular trav eler s checks ar e offered b y American E xpress (& 800/ 221-7282 for car dholders this number exempts Amex gold and platinum car d- holders from the 1% fee.); Visa (& 800/ 732-1322) AAA members can obtain Visa checks for a $9.95 fee (for checks up

Tadich Grill AMERICAN/SEAFOOD People come to the Tadich Grill as much for 111 the history as for the food. Businesspeople and tourists alike appreciate the clubby, traditional feel of S an Francisco s oldest r estaurant, which star ted life in a differ ent location more than 150 years ago. The long bar, dark wood interior, and gruff waiters washington dc war memorials may seem intimidating to little ones, so settle the family into one of the many cozy booths to better enjoy the old-time feel. S tick to uncomplicated and traditional dishes, such as shrimp Louie, grilled fish of the day, clam chowder, or creamed spinach, and you will eat well. The Tadich washington dc war memorials doesn t take reservations, so be prepared to stand in line.

atlas tours 1 Ferry Bldg. #3 (at Embarcadero). &415/861-8032. www.slanteddoor.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reserva





1 Ferry Bldg. #3 (at Embarcadero). &415/861-8032. www.slanteddoor.com. Highchairs, atlas tours boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $11 $26 lunch, $16 $35 dinner. atlas tours AE, MC, V. Lunch daily 11am 2:30pm; afternoon tea 2:30 5:30pm; dinner 5:30 10pm. Muni: F-M arket streetcar.

of you can share a room pretty comfortably. Moreover, rooms are big enough to fit your 83 luggage and still leav e y ou space to walk. F inally, the bathr ooms may hav e outdated decor, but they are large enough to accommodate a fe w people trying to get their teeth brushed and hair combed at the same time. The 60 J acuzzi suites all featur e Jacuzzi atlas tours tubs, and half have full kitchens, while the other half have kitchenettes with no stove. All have refrigerators, which come stocked with minibar atlas tours items. There s also a small gr ocery store across the street for other items you may need. At breakfast time, you ll find coffee, pastries, and fresh fruit in the lobby, where you can also enjoy free Wi-Fi. Cats and dogs are welcome, atlas tours but usually only in the smoking r ooms.

San Francisco Crepe Cart Finds CREPES atlas tours A few of these cr epe carts are scattered about F isherman s Wharf, but this one is my fav orite due to its location in the charming, brick-lined atlas tours cour tyard of The Canner y, adjacent to a small outdoor stage. Order a ham and cheese or spinach and goat cheese cr epe, grab a table under the shade of a tree, and enjoy a quick, inexpensive meal accompanied by live music. Our kids love to listen to the jazz or folk musicians who play ther e r egularly. F or desser t, shar e a chocolate and banana or simple powdered sugar crepe.

VEGETARIAN The setting is so lo vely and the food so good at this vegetarian spot, even dedicated carnivores will enjoy it. Built by the San Francisco Zen Center in a conv erted warehouse, the r estaurant boasts v ery high ceilings and a wall of windows that frames a stunning view of a marina, the bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Come in the early evening, and you ll be rewarded with a glorious sunset as well.