dignity memorial vietnam wall Sanraku Finds JAPANESE/SUSHI Every neighborhood in S an Francisco has a smattering of restaurants bo

You ll score big points with your pre-teens or teenagers at this rock n roll themed boutique dignity memorial vietnam wall hotel. Staffed by creative types wearing studded leather belts or hipster outfits, this may be the zaniest pr operty in the color ful Kimpton chain. The fantastical lobby decor is rivaled only by the groovy tunes spun by the hotel staff, and suites have been designed by the likes of Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, and Woody Harrelson. The eco-friendly hotel uses biodegradable cleaning pr oducts, r ecycles as much paper as possible, and even serves organic coffee. That coffee is served with biscotti lobby- side in the morning, dignity memorial vietnam wall while in the ev enings a DJ often provides music to accompany the daily free wine and beer hour. FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS

Sanraku Finds JAPANESE/SUSHI Every neighborhood in S an Francisco has a smattering of restaurants boasting artistic, exciting, or just plain cheap sushi. That is all well and good, but raw fish is raw fish. It should be fresh and prepared dignity memorial vietnam wall by sushi chefs who kno w what they re doing. Although it s tough to mess up a California r oll, it s equally hard to ser ve a tr uly delicious slice of maguro (tuna) sashimi, and S anraku succeeds in doing just that. The simple decor and casual atmosphere belie the truly fresh and well-prepared sushi. S ome people may wonder what a sushi joint is doing in a family guide, but at least in these par ts children dignity memorial vietnam wall are well acquainted with sushi. My family and I are regulars here. While Dad and I sip sake, the kids enjo y steamed edamame (soybeans), avocado and California r olls, and cooked shrimp sushi. S anraku is moderately priced, but ordering a la carte could edge the bill into the expensiv e category. For more dollar-conscious options, consider the combination dinners, such as sushi and sashimi, sushi and tempura, or sushi and teriyaki beef , which come with steamed rice, a house salad, and fresh fruit.

city. Even before renowned Bay Area chef Alice Waters gave birth to California cuisine, San Francisco took adv antage of its access to fresh seafood, local produce, and ethnic influences to foster a thriving dining scene. dignity memorial vietnam wall To the north, east, and south are dozens of small family farms, many organic, which supply city r estaurants. In addition, the melting pot of immigrants has added serious depth to the epicur ean offerings. Great Mexican food abounds in the Mission, and you ll find Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai r estaurants everywhere. Although North Beach has its share of I talian r estaurants, y ou can also find S panish, I ndian, and G reek cuisine very close by.

jack harter helicopter MODERATE The Laurel Inn Value One of the fe w hotels in the neighborhood, the Laur el Inn is terrifi

5 Building 563 Rutger St. (in the P residio, just inside the L ombard Gate). & 415/885-1888. w ww.presidio socialclub.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations jack harter helicopter recommended. jack harter helicopter Main courses $18 $23 dinner, $10 $16 brunch. V, MC, AE. Dinner Sun Thurs 5:30 9:30pm; F ri Sat 5:30 10:30pm; brunch Sat Sun 10am 2pm. Muni: No. 43-Masonic bus to Lombard and Lyon sts. Walk through Lombard Gate into Presidio; restaurant uphill to the left.

MODERATE jack harter helicopter The Laurel Inn Value One of the fe w hotels in the neighborhood, the Laur el Inn is terrific and a good v alue. It s ideal for large families, since 18 units hav e kitchenettes. D on t be dismay ed b y the motor lodge exterior. jack harter helicopter I nside, it s polished and sleek. Configured with either jack harter helicopter two double beds or a king-siz e bed and a sofa bed, many of the warm and inviting guest rooms interconnect as well. All the rooms are spacious enough to accommodate a crib , and some hav e panoramic city vie ws. For $10 per day, you can make use of the Jewish Community Center s health club across the street; you ll find a state-of-the-art fitness facility, large indoor pools, and plush locker r ooms.

sightseeing in nj it rubs shoulders with Telegraph Hill to the east and R ussian H ill to the w est. Columbus A venue,

Russian H ill Circled b y B roadway, Polk, Chestnut, and Taylor streets, this hill was named for the Russian fur traders r umored to be buried her e in the 1820s. The P olk S treet section of the neighborhood has become F renchified of late and sports some tr s chic antiques shops, cafes, and a brasserie. H yde Street provides upside access to the wiggly part of Lombard Street (the Powell- Hyde cable car takes y ou right ther e), and M acondry Lane, immor talized in Armistead Maupin s Tales of the C ity, is tucked between Leavenworth and Taylor just north of Green Street. Your kids may be ex cited to kno w that the ice cream shop at the corner of H yde and Union str eets is the original S wensen s Creamery. I t s a v ery r esidential sightseeing in nj ar ea, with no real accommodations options.

it rubs shoulders with Telegraph Hill to the east and R ussian H ill to the w est. Columbus A venue, the main ar tery, cuts thr ough at an angle, br ushing up against Washington S quare P ark, the village squar e. O nce populated b y the Italian immigrants fr om G enoa and Sicily who founded the ar ea s fishing industry, North Beach is slo wly giving way to Chinato wn at least on its southern edge, as Chinese shops cr eep up Stockton Street past Broadway.

names on the vietnam memorial If the kids hav e woken up early and ar e ready to go, head to this popular r esidential str eet lin

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

VERY EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE names on the vietnam memorial Grand Cafe FRENCH The restaurant certainly lives up to its name in terms of decor and style: from the soaring ceilings, massive columns, and wall-sized murals that depict turn-of-the-20th-century Paris to the fine food, this brasserie is abuzz with energy and activity. Located next to the H otel M onaco and close to the theaters ar ound U nion Square, tourists and locals gravitate to the stunning dining r oom for California-inspired French dishes prepared in an open kitchen with a theatrical flair. Typically French names on the vietnam memorial appetizers include foie gras or escargot, while entrees may include a seafood stew bouillabaisse, or boeuf bourguignon. The Grand Cafe s coveted banana cr eam pie continues to grace the menu, even as chefs come and go.

Warning: Around Fisherman s Wharf and elsewhere, you may see manned booths with signs proclaiming themselves tourist information centers. names on the vietnam memorial These booths are operated by organizations such as the Fisherman s Wharf Merchants Association or by tour companies, boat lines, or other attractions, and, as such, ar e not the best sour ce of unbiased advice. For that, you should phone or visit the Visitor Information Center mentioned above.

The newest addition to S an Francisco s collection of luxur y hotels, the S t. Regis is decidedly sleek and modern, although the liberal use of rich ex otic woods such as arrestingly beautiful slabs of Mozambican hardwood for the guest room doors and exquisite Polynesian-inspired artwork using Australian lacewood in each guest r oom keep the place feeling warm and w elcoming. The hotel also boasts $3.5 million wor th of art pieces, which could be like a free museum tour for your kids throughout the hotel s common area. The limestone and marble bathr ooms with deep-soaking names on the vietnam memorial tubs and separate showers featuring dual shower heads are divine, and many r ooms have lovely views of Yerba Buena Gardens. names on the vietnam memorial For families, a good configuration could be the king r oom with an interconnecting double-double room. As an extra luxur y, the St. Regis s Rem de spa, sure to become a destination in itself , customizes names on the vietnam memorial each treatment to the client in ques tion.

old town trolley alexandria U.K. Citizens U.K. citiz ens r eturning fr om a non-EU country have a customs allowance of: 200 ciga

Muni str eetcars r un undergr ound ex clusively fr om Van N ess A venue to the Embarcadero and mostly abo veground in the outlying neighborhoods, fr om 6am until 1am. Five lines (J, K, L, M, and N) make identical stops belo w Market old town trolley alexandria Street, including Van Ness Avenue, Civic Center, Powell and M ontgomery str eets, and the Embarcadero. Past Van Ness Avenue the routes v eer in differ ent dir ections. The N-Judah services the Haight-Ashbury area and parallels Golden Gate Park on its way down J udah S treet to the ocean. A t the Embarcadero, this line also trav els to AT&T Park by way of King Street near the Cal Train station. The J-Church line passes near M ission D olores and the Castr o on its way to N oe Valley and points south. The L-Taraval travels through the S unset District within walking distance of the San Francisco Zoo.

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

kentucky vietnam veterans memorial Expect cr owds ar ound F isherman s Wharf and on the F-M arket str eetcars. Book Alcatraz Island tic

Expect cr owds ar ound F isherman s Wharf and on the F-M arket str eetcars. Book Alcatraz Island tickets at least 1 week ahead of time and, after 9am, expect to wait in long lines to boar d the P owell Street cable cars. Fortunately, because San Francisco sees fe wer conv entions in the summer, you may actually get better hotel rates at the business-oriented hotels downtown (although kentucky vietnam veterans memorial not at F isherman s Wharf).

RESERVATION SER VICES S an Francisco kentucky vietnam veterans memorial R eservations ( & 800/677-1570 kentucky vietnam veterans memorial or 510/628-4450; www.hotelres.com) is a Bay Area company with a local call center. This no-fee service has access to hundreds of Bay Area hotels, a w ell designed kentucky vietnam veterans memorial web- site, and accurate descriptions. O nline resources for ex cellent rates include www. placestostay.com and www.hotels.com. kentucky vietnam veterans memorial

capital hill tours Fog City Diner AMERICAN A S an F rancisco institution immor talized in a Visa commercial, the Fog Ci

CALIFORNIA/MEDITERRANEAN For nearly thr ee decades, Z uni Cafe has ser ved Mediterranean-infused California cuisine in this spacious, sunny , location. The white washed walls and two-stor y-high south-facing windo ws combine with odd angles, capital hill tours heavy wood, and exposed brick to giv e a casual, air y feel to the place. The eclectic, inventive, and always delicious cuisine fr om famed chef-o wner Judy Rodgers (which can also be found in her fabulous 500-plus page cookbook) changes regularly, but her signature roast chicken with bread salad is always on the otherwise very short menu. It s no wonder capital hill tours this place still draws a cr owd after all these y ears. Although ther e is no children s menu, the kitchen is always happy to whip up a special concoction. Whatever capital hill tours you do get for the kids, make sur e it comes with the shoestring potatoes. 1685 Market St. (btw. Gough and Franklin sts.). &415/552-2522. www.zunicafe.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reser vations r ecommended. M ain c ourses $10 $19 lunch, $14 $39 dinner. AE, MC, V. Tues Sat 11:30am midnight; Sun 11am 11pm. Muni: F-Market streetcar to Gough St.

351 Geary St. (btw. Powell and Mason sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/843-4343 or 415/781-7800. Fax 415/781-0216. capital hill tours w ww.handlery.com. 377 units. $199 $289 double; $349 $759 suit e. K ids under 14 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $10; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $44; oversized vehicles $50. Amenities: Restaurant; pool; sauna; concierge; barbershop; gift shop; room service (7am 10pm); babysitting (arranged through concierge); laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, dataport (in club rooms), high-speed capital hill tours wireless capital hill tours access capital hill tours ($9.95/day), coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.

Fog City Diner AMERICAN capital hill tours A S an F rancisco institution capital hill tours immor talized capital hill tours in a Visa commercial, the Fog City Diner has quite a few things going for it: terrific capital hill tours location, fun metallic exterior, sleek wood interior, festive capital hill tours atmosphere, and great outdoor capital hill tours area. Because it s located near Levi s Plaza, kids can climb around the fountain on the opposite side of Battery Street or run around in the minipar k next door. In fair weather, the outdoor seating lets you enjoy the bay views and green space. As for the food, the children are sure to be satisfied. The kids menu features all the usual far e (hot dogs, grilled cheese, buttered noodles, three cheese quesadilla, kids sundaes) and comes complete with a pack of crayons. The grown-up menu, on the other hand, tries a little too hard. Although it s nice that they ve branched out fr om more common diner far e, some of the mor e inventive creations such as mu shu pork burritos filled with stir-fried veggies are not always as tasty as appear. capital hill tours You re best off sticking to the mor e basic items such as burgers or a Cobb sandwich.

nys capitol building address 144 Memphis Minnie s BARBECUE If you ve got a hankering for a tender piece of slow- cooked meat, hea

p. 118. Closer in tone to an E nglish village teashop is Lovejoy s Tea Room (1351 Church St.; & 415/648-5895), nys capitol building address often filled with ladies having a t te- t te and little girls practicing to be big girls. See p. 148. Best O utdoor D ining: The v ery best outdoor dining area belongs to the Park Chalet (1000 G reat Hwy.; & 415/ 386-8439), which opens onto an expansive garden at the western edge of Golden nys capitol building address G ate P ark. I n fact, with glass walls and a glass ceiling, the whole restaurant nys capitol building address feels like you re outdoors. See 15

144 Memphis Minnie s BARBECUE If you ve got a hankering for a tender piece of slow- cooked meat, head straight to M emphis Minnie s. The owner smokes his brisket for 12 hours and adds his o wn spice rub for kick and flav or. Other options are finger-lickinggood ribs and succulent pulled por k. The protocol is simple: stand in line and choose your meat and two sides, such as sw eet potato or corn muffin, and hav e a seat at one of the tables lined up against the bright y ellow and r ed wall. Look ar ound at the playful decor, which includes plastic pigs, black-and-white co w-print ceiling fans, pinned up trucker hats, and pithy sayings like Never Trust a Skinny Cook. You can also read the favorable newspaper nys capitol building address clippings about Minnie s under glass at each table. nys capitol building address O nce your meal is ready, choose from one of the thr ee sauces at your table: red Texan, North Carolina vinegar, and South Carolina yellow mustard. Fortunately, each table has a full r oll of paper towels on it as well. All the meat is delicious, and most of the sides, with the exception of the overly dry corn muffins, are tasty, too.

2 New Montgomery St. (at Market St.), San Francisco, CA 94105. &800/325-3589 or 415/512-1111. Fax 415/243-8062. w ww.sfpalace.com. 552 units , including 34 suit es. $529 $589 double; fr om $775 suit e. Kids under 17 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $50; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $48, oversized vehicles nys capitol building address $53. Amenities: 3 restaurants (2 w/kids menus); bar; pool; spa/exercise room; concierge; courtesy car; business center; room service; massage; nys capitol building address babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV, DVD (on request), dataport, high-speed Internet access, fridge, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player (in some rooms).

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, especially the concierge, who will provide you with discount nys capitol building address coupons for whar f attractions. Look for r oom deals on the H yatt w ebsite, but don t expect attractive weekend rates. Weekends nys capitol building address here see high occupancy.

washington dc monuments map The most popular trav eler s checks ar e offered b y American E xpress (& 800/ 221-7282 for car dhol

The vividly designed rooms and bathrooms are larger than those at the Serrano down the block; the doubles her e are just spacious washington dc monuments map enough for a crib. Suites come with a v ery large bathroom, sofa bed in the living r oom, a VCR, and two televisions.

MODERATE The Laurel Inn Value One of the fe w hotels in the neighborhood, the Laur el Inn is terrific and a good v alue. It s ideal for large families, since 18 units hav e kitchenettes. D on t be dismay ed b y the motor lodge exterior. I nside, it s polished and sleek. Configured washington dc monuments map with either two double beds or a king-siz e bed and a sofa bed, many of the warm and inviting guest rooms interconnect as well. All the rooms are spacious enough to accommodate a crib , and some hav e panoramic city vie ws. For $10 per day, you can make use of the Jewish Community Center s health club across the street; you ll find a state-of-the-art fitness facility, large indoor pools, and plush locker r ooms.

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

memorial day in washington dc Consult a pharmacist for minor health matters your hotel can dir ect you to the closest dr ugstore.

Persons), 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049 ( & 888/687-2277; www.aarp. org), get discounts on hotels, air fares, and car rentals. AARP offers members a wide range of benefits, including AARP The Magazine and a monthly ne wsletter. Anyone memorial day in washington dc over 50 can join.

Please be advised that trav el information is subject to change at any time and this is especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot memorial day in washington dc be held r esponsible for the experiences of r eaders while trav eling. Your safety is impor tant to us, ho wever, so w e encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. memorial day in washington dc Keep a close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets memorial day in washington dc of thieves and pickpockets.

Consult a pharmacist for minor health matters your hotel can dir ect you to the closest dr ugstore. Walgreen memorial day in washington dc s has thr ee locations with 24-hour pharmacies: 3201 Divisadero S t. at Lombar d S treet in the Marina District (& 415/931-6415); 498 Castro S t. at 18th S treet in N oe Valley memorial day in washington dc (& 415/861-6276); and 1189 P otrero Ave. at 24th Street (&415/647-0368). If

your kids don t need you to swim with them, you can work out on the poolside cardio equipment at the Hotel Nikko, at 222 Mason St. (&800/248-3308 or 415/394-1111). If you d prefer to take it easy, the lounge chairs and J apanese hot tub , all under an attractiv e glass ceiling, ar e a r elaxing alternativ e. S ee

jack harter helicopters But perhaps you want something more traditional, and you ve reached the end of the alley. You re in

98 color-washed interior courtyard that triples as a parking complex, pool area, and complimentary breakfast bar. Double-doubles are fine for small families, but if you can, take advantage of the one- bedroom suites with pullout sofas in the living jack harter helicopters r ooms, or the sole F amily Suite complete jack harter helicopters with bunk beds, small-scale furnitur e, toys, and boar d games. The three so-called kitchenette units are actually bedrooms with a galley containing a counter , sink, fridge, and microwave (no stove). This was once an inexpensiv e 1960s motel, and the squar e footage hasn t changed jack harter helicopters along with the new paint. Rooms are smallish, bathrooms miniscule, ceilings lo w, and walls thin. I f y ou like the fr ee par king, swimming pool, and Marina location, this place is for y ou. If you want lots of space, think again.

All ground transportation at the airport is on one level. jack harter helicopters Bayporter Express (&877/ 467-1800; www.bayporter.com) jack harter helicopters is the best choice for a shuttle. I t picks up passengers fr om Terminal 1 at the center island and fr om Terminal 2 ar ound the corner fr om baggage claim. The far e to San Francisco is $26 for one person, $38 for two in the same par ty, and $7 for kids under 12. You need to make r eservations for the 45- to 90-minute driv e. Cabs will run $40 or more depending on traffic and take 30 to 40 minutes.

But perhaps you want something more traditional, and you ve reached the end of the alley. You re in luck. On the c orner at 374 Bush Str eet y ou ll find Sam s Grill (&415/421-0594), one of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco. Grab a cozy wooden booth and order charcoal-broiled fish, roasted chicken, or a simple pasta dish. Entrees range from $10.50 to $50. For more info, visit www. belden-place.com.

Children could easily be entertained here for an entire day. For a more tranquil visit, hang out on the Ghirardelli side, where kids can climb aboard the Hyde Street Pier boats, frolic at the Aquatic Park beach, and listen to music in the cour tyard of The Cannery. For a healthy dose of o ver-stimulation, walk east to see P IER 39 s sea lions, the A quarium of the Bay, and M us e M canique, and to catch the ferries for a bay cr uise. Two scenic public transportation options from Union Square are the Powell-Hyde cable car or the F-Market streetcar.

women in military service memorial CALIFORNIA When I ve got to run an errand downtown on a weekday, I try to do it around lunchtime so

If you re lucky enough to have a third day in San Francisco, then start it by heading back to Fisherman s Wharf for a tour of iconic Alcatraz Island. You ll also explore some of the most altered neighborhoods in the city, former industrial areas that now house a growing share of the city s cultural and culinar y highlights. Along the way , you ll find plenty of time for the kids to stretch their legs and run around.

CALIFORNIA When I ve got to run an errand women in military service memorial downtown on a weekday, I try to do it around lunchtime so that I can swing by Sellers Markets. At first glance, it s a sleek lunch spot for the Financial District worker bees. Then you notice that these are no ordinary sandwiches and salads. In fact, all the meats, cheeses, and breads at Sellers Markets come from artisans, as Jim and Deb Sellers like to call the local ranchers, farmers, and bakers who pr ovide the ingredients for such mouth-watering possibilities as the BBQ chicken sandwich made with fr ee-range pulled r otisserie chicken and melted smoked mozzar ella. You ll also find a gener ous selection of salads, fr om a Cobb salad with naturally raised pancetta to a sushi-grade ahi tuna salad. F or the kids, try one of the thin-crust pizzas or the ham and cheese baguette. Sellers Markets also serves breakfast, so if y ou re up and about early stop in for a br eakfast pizza or an egg a muffin, a fried egg on an artisan E nglish muffin with additional toppings like N iman Ranch bacon or locally made goat cheese women in military service memorial and spinach. 388 M arket St. (at P ine and F ront sts.) & 415/956-3825. 595 M arket St. (at 2nd and M arket sts.) & 415/227-9850. www.sellersmarkets.com. No r eservations. Br eakfast main c ourses $4.25 $5.95. Lunch main courses $6.95 $12. AE, DISC, MC, V. 388 Market St.: Mon Thurs 7:30am 3pm. Muni: 1, 31, 38 bus, streetcar to Embarcadero Station; 595 M arket St.: Mon Thurs 7:30am 7:30pm; Fri 7:30am 3pm. 1, 31, 38 bus, streetcar to Montgomery Station.

vietnam vetrans memorial 30 traveling with a bab y, an easy-to-fold umbrella stroller will be the most practical piece of equ

Picnicking by the water may be an even better idea. Go to the Ferry Building (p. 161) on the Embar cadero 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 vietnam vetrans memorial v egetarian sandwiches vietnam vetrans memorial 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.

Hotel Del S ol Once upon a time, the D el Sol was a modest motel with the good fortune to be located in Cow Hollow, away from noisy Lombard Street. Then the clever hospitality company, Joie de Vivre, came along. Many gallons of bright yellow, green, and blue paint later, a star was born. She s even got the swimming vietnam vetrans memorial pool, hammocks, and palm trees to pr ove it. M ost of the all-nonsmoking guest r ooms and suites surr ound a tiled,

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 vietnam vetrans memorial 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.

lorena estrada When you study a map of the city, it appears as if it s an easy walk along Hayes, Oak, Fell, Page, o

In addition to a 775-seat theater , art galleries, and a 5-acre garden, you ll also find a children s playground, an antique carousel, and other family-friendly attractions here. I f y ou hav e time, pop into Z eum, where the kids can make their o wn claymation- style film clips or create their own cartoon character. If you want some downtime, have the kids play at the playground or enjoy the fountain dedicated to M artin Luther King, Jr., while you savor the interesting architectural vantage points offered in this urban oasis.

When you study a map of the city, it appears as if it s an easy walk along Hayes, Oak, Fell, Page, or Haight streets from the Civic Center to Golden Gate Park. Appearances are deceiving. You ll encounter a number of hills along this r oute, which takes you through areas that are somewhat blighted, noisy with traffic, rough in spots, and unattractive. Save your legs for the park and get there on a bus or streetcar.

viet nam war memorial during w eekdays when ev eryone else is at work. On the weekends, folks from the surrounding ar eas

during w eekdays when ev eryone else is at work. On the weekends, folks from the surrounding ar eas make their way into to wn for shopping and theater. San Francisco is a delight after Thanksgiving, as Union Square puts up a massiv e Christmas tr ee and surrounding stores dress themselves up in festive decorations. In November, Chinatown viet nam war memorial merchants hold a night market fair at Portsmouth S quare on S aturdays until 11pm, and shoppers hav e a field day finishing up their holiday shopping.

Hop in line t o or der cr eative sandwiches made with sustainable ing redients (even the PB&Js use or ganic peanut butt er), enticing salads , or health y hot dishes. Then grab a table outside t o enjoy lunch by the sculptur e gar den. The k ids can touch the sculptur es and ev en go inside of one as y ou sip y our post-lunch espresso.

2250 Chestnut St. (at Alma St., bt w. Scott and Pierce sts.). &415/474-4843. Pacific Heights: 2016 F ill- more St. (btw. California and Pine sts.) &415/474-1419. Highchairs, boosters. Main courses $7 $10. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon Fri 7am 11pm; Sat Sun 8am 11pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Scott St.

pool deck, wher e guests gather in the late afternoon for a r efreshing dip after a day of 79 shopping or sightseeing. Connecting rooms are available, as are rooms with two queen- size beds. Club Rooms also have sleeper sofas for added value, and rollaways are only $10. The Daily Grill, the hotel s on-site restaurant serving American comfort food, is o verpriced. Since you ll be right downtown, you can find better food close by.

pictures of the capitol building The Richmond D istrict The largely residential Richmond D istrict r eaches from Arguello to the P ac

The Richmond D istrict The largely residential Richmond D istrict r eaches from Arguello to the P acific on the northern edge of Golden Gate Park. It s a bit out of the way to base y ourself here, but there are some attractions that will appeal to visitors. The main drag, Geary Boulev ard, boasts all kinds of Asian, R ussian, and M iddle Eastern restaurants and gr oceries. Clement Street is the other Chinato wn, less dense but still filled with imports, small bakeries, and delicatessens. The California Palace of the Legion of H onor museum in Lincoln P ark, the Cliff House, pictures of the capitol building and Land s End all hav e Richmond District zip codes. pictures of the capitol building

Like the revamped Embarcadero, this section of town has undergone its own transformation since the early 1990s. O nce an industrial wasteland, S oMa is no w home to many top museums and galleries. The recently opened Contemporar y J ewish Museum (p. 179) is the ne west addition; others include the Museum of the African Diaspora (p. 180), the Car toon Ar t Museum (p. 179), and the SFMOMA, noted below. Moreover, the Yerba Buena Center, with its waterfalls, lawn, and playgrounds, provides a pleasant respite.

p. 150. A much smaller outdoor dining area next to a pleasant lawn can be found at Town s End (2 Townsend St.; &415/512-0749). See p. 123. Best Delivery: For basic I talian at terrific prices pictures of the capitol building deliv ered to y our hotel or home, Pasta Pomodoro (1875 U nion St. and other locations; & 415/7717900) is a v ery good thing. I ts salads and fresh vegetables really round out a meal. See p. 137. HOW TO FEEL LIKE A SAN FRANCISCO FAMILY

200 Jackson St. (at F ront St.). &415/981-0983. www.kokkari.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. M ain c ourses $14.50 $29 lunch, $18.50 $39 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. M on Fri 11:30am 2:30pm; Mon Thurs 5:30 10pm; Fri 5:30 11pm; Sat 5 11pm. Muni: No. 10-Townsend to Jackson St., and then walk 2 blocks east.

washington dc mall events The flower-bedecked Marina Motel blends into the surr ounding stucco and concrete structures, so be

The flower-bedecked Marina Motel blends into the surr ounding stucco and concrete structures, so be on the lookout for the cour tyard entrance between Broderick and Divisadero streets. This is a good option if y ou have a car, because the parking is off street in little garages washington dc mall events and it s free. The guest rooms, all of which face the courtyard, ar e easily the most charming in the neighborhood. They ve r ecently been redecorated with pine furniture, Italian tiles in the bathrooms, and attractive quilts, and every room has a refrigerator and coffeemaker. washington dc mall events In addition to double-doubles and family suites (two bedrooms with a shar ed bathroom), there are two units with fully stocked kitchens. Management s preference is to rent the kitchen units b y the week, so discuss your options with the reservations desk if you ll be staying for a shorter period. Chestnut Street shopping and dining is a shor t walk away. The Presidio s Lombard Gate entrance is also within walking distance, and y ou can take adv antage of the fr ee

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.

4 600 St ockton St. (at C alifornia St.), San F rancisco, CA 94108. &800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465. F ax 415/291-0288. washington dc mall events www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/san_francisco. 336 units. From $439 double; from $529 suite. Additional person $30. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $62. Pets under 10 lb. welcome. Amenities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; indoor pool; health club; c oncierge; courtesy car; business center; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level washington dc mall events rooms. In room: A/C, TV/DVD w/mo vies and games , datapor t, wir eless high-speed I nternet ac cess, minibar , fridge washington dc mall events , c offeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player, iPod dock.

capitol building tour 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 th

The easiest and best way to get cash away from home is fr om an A TM (automated teller machine), sometimes referred to as a cash machine, or cashpoint. The Cirrus (& 800/424-7787; www.mastercard. com) and PLUS (& 800/843-7587; www.visa.com) networ ks span the country; y ou can find them ev en in r emote regions. The back of your bank card shows which networ k y ou re on; y ou can then call or check online for A TM locations capitol building tour in San Francisco. You must kno w your personal identification number capitol building tour (P IN) and daily withdrawal limit befor e you depart.

82 775 Bush St. (btw. Powell and Mason sts.), San Francisco, CA 94108. &800/835-1118 or 415/392-3702. Fax 415/392-6202. w ww.goldengatehotel.com. 25 units , some w/shar ed bathr ooms. Rooms w/shar ed bath $105 double; rooms w/private bath $165 double/queen. Rates include continental breakfast. capitol building tour Futon $30; cribs free. AE, DC, MC, V. Self-parking $22. In room: TV, free wireless Internet access, hair dryer, iron (on request).

alike. O rder tickets w ell ahead of time; online is best, as you can print them out at home and head straight to the ferr y lineup at Pier 33. I recommend taking the first ferry of the day , at 9:30am, as the prison will be less cr owded when y ou arriv e. Bring sw eaters, comfor table shoes, and something to eat (or choose fr om the options some of them organic on the ferry), as ther e s no concession stand on the island. S ee p. 156. ( Note: If you were unable to r eserve Alcatraz tickets in time, take a 1-hour bay cr uise on the B lue & Gold Fleet. capitol building tour In addition to lo vely vistas of the city and an up-close look at the Golden G ate B ridge, capitol building tour an audio track imparts plenty of histor y and local city lore. See p. 185.)

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.

washington dc vietnam memorial space with other big chains such as the Gap, Subway, Ben & Jerry s, and the International 91 House o

This landmark hotel built in 1875, r ebuilt after the 1906 fir e, restored in 1991, r enovated again in 2003, and still honor ed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation is aptly named. The over-the-top decor, complete with burgundy carpeting, massive chandeliers, marble columns, and the spectacular glass-roofed Garden Court restaurant (made with 80,000 panes of glass), will make kids think they ve entered into an actual royal residence. Bedrooms, washington dc vietnam memorial though much less grand, are sizable, and even the standard doubles are large enough to accommodate a crib. Marble bathrooms and 14-foot ceilings add to the grandeur; washington dc vietnam memorial in-r oom refrigerators, 24-hour room service, and three restaurants, including the excellent Kyo-ya washington dc vietnam memorial (Japanese/sushi), add convenience. The Palace Spa contains an attractiv e indoor lap pool with a glass ceiling (childr en must be supervised by someone 16 or over). Fun Facts Stump the Tour Guide

With that spirit of disco very in mind, I ve listed a few dining options in this chapter that ar e not specifically designed for families but to which kids will certainly feel welcome. washington dc vietnam memorial I ve also included two restaurants for a night you may have a babysitter.

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 washington dc vietnam memorial 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.

women in military service for america memorial foundation MODERATE Kabuki Hotel Value Upon arrival, your kids will get some immediate cr osscultural edificati

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 women in military service for america memorial foundation guest rooms were all redone in 2007 and include top-quality linens, updated 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, 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.

Named for its address, B44 (44 Belden Place; &415/986-6287) is a Catalan- style bistro, serving nine kinds of paella, including meat, seafood, and vegetarian items at $17 to $21 each for lunch and $18 to $24 for dinner. Salads, small plates, and dishes such as r oasted women in military service for america memorial foundation salt c od or r oasted women in military service for america memorial foundation rabbit women in military service for america memorial foundation ar e also on the menu. The tasty food could be too challenging for less adventurous kids. Just next door, Plouf (40 Belden Place; &415/986-6491) offers women in military service for america memorial foundation mussels prepared seven different ways, as well as French-accented salads, sandwiches, fish, and meats. All lunch it ems are less than $20, with fish and chips or a sirloin bur ger being the most k id-friendly among them. Dinner entr ees range fr om $15 t o $26.

marian tours Parts of Van N ess A venue, fr om Civic 39 Center to Broadway Street, are grimy, and some medians ar

Betelnut ASIAN When you first approach Betelnut, you may ask yourself why you ve brought kids. The entire marian tours front of the restaurant opens out onto the sidewalk, where you ll find trendy 20- and 30-somethings sipping cocktails and nibbling on pan-Asian marian tours appetizers. Behind them lies a long bar and, off to the right, steps leading back to a dimly lit restaurant. But despite the boister ous, bar-like atmosphere, the restaurant is actually a very welcoming, low-key hangout that s become a neighborhood marian tours institution. Many local families bring their kids her e regularly. The kids don t seem to mind the dar k exterior, and the vibrant atmosphere (this is definitely a place for groups, not couples) will drown out any child whining about having spent the entir e day sightseeing. Kids all lo ve the chicken satays, but ask for the peanut sauce on the side, as it s mildly spicy. The Cecilia s minced marian tours chicken in lettuce cups and the S hanghai steamed chicken dumplings ar e also a hit with the kids. If the adults want something with a little more zing, try the five-spiced firecracker shrimp.

Parts of Van N ess A venue, fr om Civic 39 Center to Broadway Street, are grimy, and some medians ar e platforms for someone asking for money. S ixth and S eventh streets from Market Street east to Harrison Street are home to an assor tment of folks that aren t making a go of it in mainstream society; this is an ar ea to av oid anytime, day or night.

Wiley and the Wiley Publishing logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Frommer s is a trademark or registered trademark of Arthur Frommer. Used under license. All other trademarks marian tours are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associated with any pr oduct or vendor mentioned in this book.

washington monument in washington dc p. 80. If you want to do something silly with the kids, take them to the Tonga Room at the Fairmont

Japantown washington monument in washington dc and the Western A ddition Once upon a time, this neighborhood off G eary Boulev ard, betw een Webster and Laguna streets, housed one of the largest washington monument in washington dc concentrations of J apanese outside J apan. D uring World War II, when the city s J apanese washington monument in washington dc r esidents w ere interred in camps, the area became home to other settlers, some of them African Americans who w ere r ecruited to California to wor k in the shipyar ds. Today, Japantown houses washington monument in washington dc less than 4% of S an Francisco s J apanese population. S outh of G eary Boulev ard, which cut the neighborhood in two when it was widened in the 60s, the ar ea is pr edominately African American and residential. washington monument in washington dc

Parents trav eling without par tners will appreciate San Francisco s low-key, friendly disposition. Chances are hotel staff, washington monument in washington dc restaurant employees, and people on the str eet will be happy to assist y ou in a pinch. I t s good to keep a relaxed attitude when traveling with kids, but it s especially important when y ou re the one corralling the offspring. G o slo wly and don t tr y to do too much; sav or the br eak from the r outine and the oppor tunity to be in a ne w setting together.

The most popular trav eler s checks washington monument in washington dc 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

p. 80. If you want to do something silly with the kids, take them to the Tonga Room at the Fairmont H otel (950 Mason S t.; & 800/441-1414 or 415/772-5000) for appetizers and a mild tropical storm. See p. 94. Best Lobb y: I f the kids ar e into fair y tales, the Fairmont Hotel (950 Mason St.; & 800/441-1414 or 415/7725000) will leave them waiting for Princess Aurora to arrive. See p. 94. A close contender is the Palace Hotel (2 New Montgomery St., at Market St.; &415/ 546-5089); the ceiling of its historic Garden Court consists of 80,000 panes of glass. See p. 86. For the most stunning lobby in town, the truly opulent, washington monument in washington dc yet tasteful, Ar t D eco inspired Four Seasons (757 Market St.; &415/6333000) tops the list. See p. 86. Best If You Have a C ar: F or stays around U nion S quare, the Galleria Park H otel (191 S utter S t.; & 800/ 792-9639 or 415/781-3060) is built over a par king garage, so it won t take long to r etrieve y ours. Like all do wntown hotels, parking charges are nuts $30 per day is av erage so it s not economical to par k her e, just conv enient. See p. 72. O ne car per r oom gets fr ee indoor par king at the Cow Hollow M otor I nn & S uites (2190 Lombard S t.; & 415/921-5800). See p. 97. A spot for y our car also comes courtesy washington monument in washington dc of the Hotel Del Sol (3100 Webster S t.; & 877/433-5765 or 415/921-5520; p. 97) or the Marina Motel (2576 Lombard St.; &800/3466118 or 415/921-9406; p. 98). Best I f You B rought the D og: The Hotel Monaco (501 Geary St.; &800/ 214-4220 or 415/292-0100) has packages for pooches that riv al anything other hotels have for kids. I don t know if ther e s an underlying message ther e.

world war 2 memorials Best Hotel Food: The Grand Cafe and Petit Cafe in the Hotel Monaco (501 Geary S t.; & 800/214-4220 o

If y ou go for two inter connecting r ooms (r ooms ending in 04 and 05 a double- double and a room with king-size bed), this hotel ends up in the expensiv e category for a family of four. But the rooms with two queen-size beds, of which there are 25 in the hotel, are quite spacious and can comfor tably fit four people, with plenty of floor space

342 Grant Ave. (at Bush St.), San F rancisco, CA 94108. &800/800-1299 or 415/394-0500. Fax 415/3940555. w ww.hoteltriton.com. 140 units , including 7 suit es. $109 $149 double; suit es fr om $269. K ids under 12 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $13; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $38. Pets

Best Hotel Food: The Grand Cafe and Petit Cafe in the Hotel Monaco (501 Geary S t.; & 800/214-4220 or 415/292-0100) world war 2 memorials pr ovide first-class dining just an elev ator ride away. S ee p. 73. Cortez in the Hotel Adagio (550 Geary B lvd.; & 800/228-8830 or 415/775-5000) offers excellent cuisine, but while the ev ening tapas menu may be too sophisticated and pricey for a family meal, br eakfasts ar e w ell ex ecuted. See p. 79. Ponzu in the Serrano Hotel (405 Taylor S t.; & 866/ 289-6561 or 415/885-2500) has a great menu of pan-Asian cuisine. S ee p. 76. The best hotel restaurant for kids has to be Puccini & Pinetti, where kids can design their own pizzas. It s next to the Hotel AbRi (127 Ellis St.; &866/ 778-6169 or 415/392-8800). S ee p. 79. The Dining Room at the Ritz-C arlton (600 Stockton St.; & 800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465) is one of the most highly rated restaurants in town. See p. 96. If P rice I s N o O bject: F or extr eme luxury and pampering, top honors go to the St. Regis (125 3rd St.; & 415/ 284-4000). See p. 87. The Four Seasons (757 M arket S t.; & 415/6333000) is a close second. S ee p. 86. If you pr efer mor e traditional opulence, the Ritz-Carlton (600 S tockton S t.; & 800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465) provides world war 2 memorials a sumptuous hotel experience. See p. 96. If Price Is the Deal Breaker: The most charming budget option near U nion Square is the Golden world war 2 memorials Gate Hotel (775 Bush St.; &800/835-1118 or 415/3923702). Rooms are small but clean and HOW TO FEEL LIKE A SAN FRANCISCO FAMILY

white hours tours 63 P owell St. (bt w. Ellis and M arket sts). & 415/982-6168. P izza $3.50 $3.75 per slic e. AE, MC,

63 P owell St. (bt w. Ellis and M arket sts). & 415/982-6168. P izza $3.50 $3.75 per slic e. AE, MC, V accepted on orders over $30; otherwise, cash only. Mon Sat 10am 10pm; Sun 10am 8pm. Muni: Powell- Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car to Ellis St.

Haight-Ashbury Bordered on the west by Golden Gate Park, on the north by Fulton Street, on the east by Divisadero Street, and by Waller Street to the south, gritty Haight-Ashbury has never fully put the 1960s behind it. This isn t a complete bummer, by any means; the main drag, H aight Street, is filled with vintage clothes much of it on hangers and for sale as w ell as independently owned stores that y ou won t see in y our local indoor mall. The str eet is also action-packed, albeit with people looking for handouts, white hours tours but it s historic, man.

60 2 Exploratorium Your kids may well list this highly regarded science museum as their fav orite place in San F rancisco. This hands-on museum offers so many exhibits that y ou r eally should arrive right when it opens at 10am to have a full hour to enjo y just a fraction of them. I f y our kids ar e y oung, they ll find easy-to-understand exhibits at the light and optics ar ea at the r ear, while the biology displays on the mezzanine lev el will fascinate older kids. I f a toddler amongst y ou is o verwhelmed white hours tours b y all the activity, have a parent take him or her to the back play ar ea for a br eak, but don t linger there too long, as ther e is simply white hours tours so much to see. See p. 160.

533 Jackson St. (at Columbus Ave.). &415/693-0499. Reservations not accepted. Highchairs, boosters. Main courses $4 $10. MC, V. Mon Fri 11am 10pm; Sat noon 10pm. Muni: No. 15 bus to Jackson white hours tours St. Also at 690 Van Ness Ave. (at Turk St.) &415/775-1349.

jt tours That s not to suggest you shouldn t choose the Hotel Vitale if you can get a good deal. 93 For famil

That s not to suggest you shouldn t choose the Hotel Vitale if you can get a good deal. 93 For families, a good option could be one of the six Family Studio suites, which feature a larger room with a king-size bed and a pullout sofa, as well as a small dining table. A few of these suites have a curtain that parents can pull across the room to separate jt tours the sleeping little ones while the adults watch a mo vie in bed. U nfortunately, these suites don t offer views of the water. A possibility that does feature the Vitale s signature views is one of the seven interconnecting room configurations, pairing a king-siz e bed room with a spa shower, jt tours but no tub , with a r oom that has two twin beds as w ell as a bathtub. One word of caution: The Vitale is also home to the indoor-outdoor Americano Bar, which is packed with 20-somethings most nights of the w eek. The upshot is that the Vitale is in a v ery desirable location, offers fabulous vie ws, and boasts v ery ne w, w ell-decorated rooms. But because the family suites don t have the views and the Americano Bar is not quite a kid-friendly jt tours scene, I d try to get a good deal on r oom prices before booking.

If y ou plan a longer visit, consider bucking the hotel options altogether and lodge in a house or apar tment. Agencies offer furnished apar tments for stays as brief as 4 nights, and some I nternet sites offer home ex changes with families in other cities and countries. I ve listed some of these agencies and sites below.

graffiti tour nyc greatest concentration of hotels in every rate categor y, clothing stor es, galleries, and theaters.

555 C olumbus A ve. (bt w. Union and Gr een sts.). &415/362-7727. Reser vations not ac cepted. H igh-129 chairs. M ain c ourses $12 $17. MC, V. M on Sat 11:30am 9pm. Muni: P owell-Mason cable car or no. 30-Stockton bus to Union St.

greatest concentration of hotels in every rate categor y, clothing stor es, galleries, graffiti tour nyc and theaters. Equally plentiful in Union Square ar e r estaurants, although they cater mainly to tourists and businesspeople. (With a few notable exceptions, San Francisco s better graffiti tour nyc dining options, at

hyannis duck tours Fisherman s Wharf is on the water, of course, and that often means fog, or at least a cool breeze. S

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

Fisherman s Wharf is on the water, of course, and that often means fog, or at least a cool breeze. So bring sweaters. If you plan to take the ferry to Alcatraz, bring jackets as well. Schedule rest/play periods to help avoid meltdowns and consider packing snacks the food in this area can be crummy and expensive.

Like any big city , S an F rancisco doesn t come cheap. Hotels, food, and admission fees at attractions add up. Fortunately, as I list in chapter 6, y ou can find plenty of great food at reasonable prices if you know where to look, which is usually not in the most touristy hyannis duck tours neighborhoods. Like wise, with careful planning, hyannis duck tours you may be able to score a good deal on a hotel r oom. Lastly, San Francisco is such a beautiful city that you can do a fair amount of satisfying sightseeing without spending much money at all.

INEXPENSIVE Hostelling International hyannis duck tours San Francisco, Fisherman hyannis duck tours s Wharf This option is best for small, adventurous families. Beds here are bunked dorm-style, and bathrooms are down the hall. What sets this place apart from other hostels is its location in the middle of a national park at Fort Mason. Through the windows of this converted army barrack, trees frame a view of Alcatraz and the San Francisco Bay. Although most rooms are dorm style and hold 8 to 12 beds, a few rooms have only 3 or 4 beds. These smaller rooms have the best vistas and can be reserved for families. You ll find small lockers in lieu of closets, hyannis duck tours so bring locks. All guests have access to a full kitchen, complimentary continental breakfast, and a common area with a cozy fireplace. An on-site cafe serves lunch and dinner, hyannis duck tours and the friendly volunteers at the information hyannis duck tours desk can book tours. Although it s a great atmosphere, with interesting types of people fr om around the world, and y ou get free

concept tours 1000 Pine St. (at Taylor St.), San Francisco, CA 94123. &415/673-6080. Fax 415/673-6098. www.nobhill

1000 Pine St. (at Taylor St.), San Francisco, CA 94123. &415/673-6080. Fax 415/673-6098. www.nobhill inn.com. 21 units. $125 $195 double; $245 $275 suite. Rates include continental breakfast. No rollaways; cribs free. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking $30 $35/day in nearby garage. Amenities: Concierge. In room: TV, wireless Internet access, kitchenette in some, hair dryer, iron.

Juban Yakiniku House JAPANESE Although the grill-your-own concept may not have the dramatic appeal of a Benihana s, where the chef comes to your table and saut s while you watch, it s really more fun to take responsibility for your own dinner. At Juban, a gas grill embedded in the center of y our table quickly cooks thin slices of tender beef , chicken, short ribs, shrimp , and other items while y ou and y ours handle the cooking implements. The wait staff makes sur e the temperatur e is just so, but in any ev ent, it s pretty difficult concept tours to ruin your dinner. Smoke is relieved by special downdraft grills. Juban is big and modern, with wide tables to hold the v arious plates of raw and cooked food, and an accommodating staff. Yakiniku, or grilling, works well for children, who can pick and choose what they like and in r easonable quantities.

tourmobile twilight tour There s still plenty of M editerranean warmth, lots of pasta, and cafes galor e. Although no good fa

Bring a current, go vernment-issued photo ID such as a driver s license or passport. Keep your ID at the ready to show at check-in, the security checkpoint, and sometimes even the gate. Childr en under 18 do not need go vernment-issued photo IDs for domestic flights, but they do for international flights to most countries.

1075 California St. (at Taylor St.), San F rancisco, CA 94108. &800/227-4683 or 415/474-5400. Fax 415/ 474-6227. www.huntingtonhotel.com. 135 units. From $315 double; from $540 suite. Kids 5 and under stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $30; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $39. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; pool (16 and over only); spa/exercise room; concierge; courtesy car; room service (6am 11:30pm); massage; tourmobile twilight tour babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD w/movies, fax, wireless high-speed Internet access, kitchenettes available, hair dryer, safe, CD player (on request), iPod dock.

as shaking beef and lemon grass tofu, and the rav e reviews keep pouring in. Although B ill 123 Clinton did once dine with Chelsea at the Valencia Street location, this isn t necessarily a child-centered r estaurant. Although chances ar e the kids will like the spring r olls with peanut sauce or chicken claypot with caramel sauce as much as you will, you now have two alternatives to the crowds and the scene at the Slanted tourmobile twilight tour Door. Mid-day tourmobile twilight tour you can order to-go from the lunch counter, Out the Door, around tourmobile twilight tour the corner from the restaurant and enjoy it out back with bay vie ws or acr oss the r estaurant at the massiv e Vaillancourt fountain. Another Out the Door, adjacent to the Westfield San Francisco Centre food court, offers diners the choice to eat their food in an understated undergr ound restaurant.

There s still plenty of M editerranean warmth, lots of pasta, and cafes galor e. Although no good family accommodations exist in North Beach, it s a delightful spot to come to str oll, shop , and dine.

the vietnam wall facts CHAINS & FAST FOOD You don t find a lot of national chains or ev en fast-food restaurants in any but

76 Approval for environmental design, use of biodegradable cleaning pr oducts, and other eco-friendly touches. The major drawback is that the O rchard was originally envisioned as a business hotel, so r ooms are designed for two people. I f your party includes more than parents and an infant, you ll have to get interconnecting rooms or spring for one of the two-room suites, which hav e entertainment centers in both r ooms and can be had for just $100 more than the lowest-available rate on the standard room. Another option is to look into the Orchard Garden Hotel, listed above.

The 19th-floor 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.

(1) 1 liter of wine or har d liquor; (2) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars (but not from Cuba), or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco; and (3) $100 worth of gifts. These exemptions are 17 offered to trav elers who spend at least 72 hours in the U nited States and who hav e not claimed them within the pr eceding 6 months. It is forbidden to bring into the country foodstuffs (par ticularly fr uit, cooked meats, and canned goods) and plants (v egetables, seeds, tr opical plants, and the like). Foreign tourists may carry in or out up to $10,000 in U.S. or for eign currency with no formalities; larger sums must be declar ed to U.S. C ustoms on entering or leaving, which includes filing form CM 4790. For details regarding U.S. Customs and Bor der P rotection, consult your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or

CHAINS & FAST FOOD You don t find a lot of national the vietnam wall facts chains or ev en fast-food restaurants in any but the most touristed neighborhoods, such as Union Square and Fisherman s Wharf. F or the most par t you ll find S an Franciscans, with or without kids, pr efer chef-driv en r estaurants with unique identities. As for fast food, you can t do much better than a burrito, but I do understand that kids crav e pizzas or burgers once in a while. I nstead of pointing you to the near est McDonald s, however, I hav e done my best to offer alternatives including locally owned diners and regional chains of I talian restaurants, noodle bars, and pizza parlors.

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

Because many hotels in the city center are housed in older buildings, guest r ooms ar e often small and inter connecting r ooms ar e not an option. Small guest rooms also mean that it s har d to find tr uly budget options downtown, since r ooms ar en t big enough for a family of four meaning y ou d hav e to spring for a suite or two r ooms. I n the

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.

archives navy memorial BAKERY You used to hav e to get her e early to claim one of the outdoor tables on a sunny day, but a

BAKERY You used to hav e to get her e early to claim one of the outdoor tables on a sunny day, but as of this writing the Boulange de Polk is temporarily closed while it expands into the space next door. My guess is the new, larger establishment will still be packed. Indeed, this always-busy French bakery, which proudly uses organic flour in its delectable cr eations, is so popular that ev ery neighborhood seems to have a Boulange branch. Whichever location you visit, if it s the morning and you order a cappuccino and an almond croissant, or a chewy baguette with sweet butter and jam, you ll be transported to the Marais archives navy memorial in Paris. archives navy memorial at least until y our kids yelps yank you back to r eality. Lunch items include archives navy memorial smoked salmon quiche and tartines archives navy memorial (savory tarts) served with salad. Kids will enjo y the chocolate croissants for breakfast or the ham and cheese baguette for lunch. (The original Boulange was at 2325 Pine St. Now you can find the bakeries at 1000 Cole S t., 1909 U nion St., 2043 F illmore St., and 543 Columbus Ave. in North Beach.) 2300 Polk St. (at Gr een St.). &415/345-1107. www.baybread.com. Lunch items $3.25 $10. MC, V, AE. Daily 7am 7pm. Muni: No. 19-Polk to Green St., no. 41-Union, or no. 45-Union-Stockton archives navy memorial bus to Van Ness Ave. and Union St., and then walk 1 block south and 1 block east.

The itineraries in this chapter will help take the guesswor k out of ho w to spend y our time in S an F rancisco. I ve included the major sights that will interest both adults and kids, and arranged them in a manner that takes adv antage of S an

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 archives navy memorial will enjoy his or her meal at Dragon Well.

capital hill tours Getting around the city with y our children should be hassle-fr ee, for the most par t. The one exce

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 capital hill tours to cart around baby paraphernalia such as strollers and diaper bags, because capital hill tours it s difficult to get on and off buses when y our hands ar e full and the bus is crowded. 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 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.

Mario s Bohemian Cigar Store ITALIAN This corner storefront could truthfully be called Mario s Bohemian Shoebox, it s so small. Gone are the days when y ou could find a cigar on the premises, much less smoke one; instead, Mario s has been serving big, warm focaccia sandwiches filled with meatballs or br eaded chicken cutlets, pizzas, salad, and drinks for more than 20 years. capital hill tours Grab a seat at the funky wooden counter and watch the waitress efficiently fill the drink or ders while the cook pr epares the food in a miniature oven. Kids will lo ve the Torani Italian syrups used to make sodas. You can also get the sandwiches to go, to enjoy them in Washington Park across capital hill tours the street.

200 Jackson St. (at F ront St.). &415/981-0983. www.kokkari.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. M ain c ourses $14.50 $29 lunch, $18.50 $39 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. M on Fri 11:30am 2:30pm; Mon Thurs 5:30 10pm; Fri 5:30 11pm; Sat 5 11pm. Muni: No. 10-Townsend to Jackson capital hill tours St., and then walk 2 blocks east.

vietnam war memorial list of names The duty-fr ee allo wance in Australia is A$900 or, for those under 18, A$450. Citizens can bring in

38 your child has asthma or any medical condition that requires medication, and there s a chance y ou ll r equire vietnam war memorial list of names extra inhalers, an EpiPen, or whatever, make sure you bring along a pr escription fr om y our pediatrician. I f y our child accidentally swallo ws something scar y, call the S tate P oison Control hot line, available 24 hours a day, at & 800/876-4766. Along with important medications, pack an emergency pair of glasses or contact lenses. I list hospitals and emergency numbers in the F ast Facts section of chapter 4. If you suffer from a chronic illness, consult y our doctor befor e y our depar ture. Pack prescription medications in y our carry-on luggage, and carr y them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels otherwise they won t make it thr ough airport security. Visitors from outside the U.S. should carry generic names of pr escription drugs. F or U.S. trav elers, most r eliable health-care plans pr ovide co verage if y ou get sick away fr om home. F oreign visitors may have to pay medical costs upfr ont and be reimbursed later.

The easiest and best way to get cash away from home is fr om an A TM (automated teller machine), sometimes referred to as a cash machine, or cashpoint. The Cirrus (& 800/424-7787; www.mastercard. com) and PLUS (& 800/843-7587; www.visa.com) vietnam war memorial list of names networ ks span the country; y ou can find them ev en in r emote regions. The back of your bank card shows which networ k y ou re on; y ou can then call or check online for A TM locations in San Francisco. You must kno w your personal identification number (P IN) and daily withdrawal limit befor e you depart.

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, and 2.25 liters 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.

When you study a map of the city, it appears as if it s an easy walk along Hayes, Oak, Fell, Page, or Haight streets from the Civic Center to Golden vietnam war memorial list of names Gate Park. Appearances are deceiving. You ll encounter a number of hills along this r oute, which takes you through areas that are somewhat blighted, noisy with traffic, rough in spots, and unattractive. Save your legs for the park and get there on a bus or streetcar.

nys capitol building address Chinatown H oliday I nn acr oss fr om P ortsmouth S quare on K earny S treet. R emind everyone to us

Chinatown H oliday I nn acr oss fr om P ortsmouth S quare on K earny S treet. R emind everyone to use the toilet after lunch if you are eating at a restaurant. Nursing moms can feel free to feed their babies on a park bench here or anywhere in town, really. Just throw a blanket over your shoulder and chest for a little priv acy.

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

nc capitol building 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 nc capitol building 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.

Set the gr ound rules. nc capitol building Bef ore ent ering a r estaurant, r emind k ids that y ou are going t o a special plac e and that a f ew key rules apply , such as inside voices and good manners. Bring entertainment. Crayons, markers, paper, stickers, and so on, will give your children something to do while awaiting their food. If the kids are old enough, bring post cards for them t o write. Try word games. I Spy is a good one. Another word game involves one person naming something in a cat egory, such as f ood. The nex t person names a w ord in the same cat egory that star ts with the last lett er of the previous word (for example, orange, eggplant, tomato, onion.). Remember the v alue of c onversation. Talk with y our k ids about what you did during the da y or what y ou ha ve planned f or the nex t one. That will help pass the time and enc ourage restaurant-appropriate nc capitol building behavior. Decide who s on duty. Decide ahead of time which adult will ha ve t o interrupt his or her meal , should a child ac t up. Take turns at each meal. Use time -outs. I f y our normally polit e child ac ts up , immediat ely and quietly take him or her outside. This will a void embarrassment, and will be a lesson to the child. You shouldn t have to do this mor e than a f ew times before your child gets the message. Make exceptions. Your child ma y normally drink milk with dinner. Permit him or her t o ha ve a Shirley Temple (7Up and g renadine with a cherr y). This will make dinner out seem special. Use rewards and briber y. Tell k ids that if they beha ve w ell and eat their dinner, they ll get a bo wl of vanilla ic e cream for dessert. Be fle xible. I f the k ids ar e tir ed, sk ip the appetiz ers or or der f ood that is quick to prepare. If they ve reached their limit, ha ve one parent take them outside nc capitol building to stretch their legs or look f or a desser t spot while the other parent pays the bill. Slow do wn. Before dinner, take them back t o the hot el for a nap t o rest up or t o a pla yground t o let loose some pent-up ener gy. Eat early. I f y ou plan t o eat at a mor e elegant r estaurant or if it s the weekend, arriv e early , bef ore the r estaurant gets full. (Plan a post-dinner walk or ac tivity, such as seeing the sea lions at F isherman s Wharf in summer or the Union S quare Christmas tr ee in wint er.) Do lunch. Some of the cit y s finer restaurants are open for lunch. Why not make lunch y our special meal of the da y? The ambienc e ma y be mor e kid-friendly, the prices lower, and your children better behaved. Then you can all ha ve pizza for dinner, and you won t feel you ve missed out. Relax. San Franciscans are very friendly, and most restaurants are delighted to have children come dine with them.

seattle ducks tour North Beach Landfill came betw een the waves and North Beach more than 100 years ago, just one of ma

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 seattle ducks tour and Grant to Taylor streets,

AUGUST Nihonmachi Street Fair, a celebration of the B ay Ar ea s div erse Asian and Pacific American communities, occurs on 1 Saturday and Sunday each August in J apantown, on P ost S treet betw een Laguna and F illmore str eets. Asian- American artisans show their creations, and the F ood Fest features the cooking of Asia and the P acific I slands. A children s ar ea includes games and the opportunity to learn traditional ar ts and crafts. Call & 415/771-9861 or visit www.nihonmachistreetfair.org.

women s vietnam memorial Unfortunately, the hotel is located at the south end of M ason Street, on one of the grittier blocks

Unfortunately, the hotel is located women s vietnam memorial at the south end of M ason Street, on one of the grittier blocks women s vietnam memorial around Union Square, and I might feel uncomfor table returning late in the evening (although a security guar d is on duty o vernight and the r eception desk is staffed 24 hr.). Even 1 block north is an improvement, so just use caution and consider taking a cab if you re out late.

Fares on buses and str eetcars are $1.50 for adults and 50 for childr en 5 to 17, seniors 65 and o ver, and disabled individuals. Kids under 5 ride fr ee. Exact change is required. When you enter the front door and drop your fare into the far e box, the driver will hand you a paper transfer, valid for up to 90 minutes of rides in any direction. Turnstiles inside the undergr ound Muni stations accept only coins; change machines are located on the walls next to the BAR T ticket dispensers. women s vietnam memorial Note: F ares are higher for cable cars, the C ultureBus

Now walk or take the P residio-Go shuttle to Richar dson A venue and F rancisco Street. There, transfer to the no. 28-19th Avenue bus. Take it to the corner of F ulton Street and 19th Avenue; then walk east to the de Young Museum (p. 179). Many areas of this terrific museum, including the main lobb y, to wer, and sculptur e garden, are free to visitors. You may want to go first to the cafe for a quick lunch (see Take a B reak below). Then head up to the Tower, which affor ds gr eat vie ws of northwest S an F rancisco and the P acific Ocean, vistas y ou won t hav e seen fr om Coit Tower. From there, you ll also get a bird s ey e vie w of the astounding living grass roof the California A cademy of Sciences, your next stop on the tour.

After the bustle of F isherman s Wharf, you ll enjoy the serene city views from atop Telegraph H ill, named for a semaphor e installed there in 1850 to aler t residents of ships arriv als, and cr owned b y a strange obelisk called Coit Tower. The trek may be too much for little legs. Fortunately, the no. 39-Coit bus takes y ou from the corner women s vietnam memorial of Stockton and Beach streets right up to Coit Tower. Inside the to wer, check out murals celebrating women s vietnam memorial the r ural and urban wor king class, painted by students of Diego Rivera, then splurge on an elevator ride to the top. Afterwards, walk or bus back do wn to Washington Park. See p. 183.

wwii memorial facts For desser t, it s har d t o pass up the divine pastries at Miette (Shop #10; &415/837-0330 ). E ven

For desser t, it s har d t o pass up the divine pastries at Miette (Shop #10; &415/837-0330 ). E ven har der t o r esist ar e the luscious fr ozen tr eats nex t door at Ciao Bella Gelato (Shop #8; &415/834-9330), with inspired flavors like cinnamon oatmeal cookie or key lime with graham cracker swirl.

134 One taste of the delectable offerings, and you may decide meat is overrated. Start with baked goat cheese with grilled br ead and golden beets, and follo w it with risotto with snap, snow, and English peas, or y ellow vegetable curry with cashew jasmine rice. F or dessert, how about a warm fr uit cobbler with buttermilk ice cr eam? Vegan appetizers, entrees, and desser ts like egg-fr ee, dair y-free chocolate mousse ar e also av ailable. Most nights ar e a la car te, but on S aturday night a $49 four-course wwii memorial facts prix-fix e dinner is served. Some folks gripe that meatless far e should be less expensiv e, but I feel G reens prices are in line with vegetarian options at any upscale restaurant. If you can t get a table at lunchtime, pick up sandwiches fr om the G reens to G o takeout counter and hav e a picnic overlooking the bay.

The British tradition of high t ea is quite different from afternoon tea. High tea was a hearty meal eaten by the working class around the kitchen table, wwii memorial facts which often featured high-back chairs hence the name. Afternoon tea is a more delicate affair with guests perched on the end of cushioned chairs and sett ees, and with the lady of the house pla ying Mother, a term of endearment bestowed on the person in charge of pouring the tea.

chelsea market tour If you must stay in F isherman s Wharf and your kids really want a pool, the Hyatt is the best choic

p. 150. A much smaller outdoor dining area next to a pleasant lawn can be found at Town s End (2 Townsend St.; &415/512-0749). See p. 123. Best Delivery: For basic I talian at terrific prices deliv ered to y our hotel or home, Pasta Pomodoro (1875 U nion St. and other locations; & 415/7717900) is a v ery good thing. I ts salads and fresh vegetables really round out a meal. See p. 137. HOW TO FEEL LIKE A SAN FRANCISCO FAMILY

If you must stay in F isherman s Wharf and your kids really want a pool, the Hyatt is the best choice; it ranks a good notch above the other big hotel chains in the neighborhood. Its outdoor pool sits in a protected courtyard away from the str eet with an inviting spa, attractiv e chaises and tables, and a nearb y indoor shower. The guest rooms and bathrooms, already designed with families in mind, w ere fully renovated in 2006. The new color combination of rich chocolate brown set against bright white and ice blue is nicely understated. Connecting r ooms and double-doubles are available, and complimentary rollaways are available upon request. In-room coffee- makers are available, but the most practical amenities may be the coin-operated washer/ dryers on every floor. 4

world war 2 memorial facts Best All-Ar ound F amily H otels: The Argonaut (495 J efferson S t.; & 866/ beer and popcorn for tho

Best All-Ar ound F amily H otels: world war 2 memorial facts The Argonaut (495 J efferson S t.; & 866/ beer and popcorn for those 7 and up. Kids staying in their o wn rooms get a 415-0704 or 415/563-0800) is my hands-down fav orite in this categor y. specially stocked minibar , and bathrobes ar e supplied in siz es to fit the It s a charming world war 2 memorial facts hotel in a family-friendly neck of the woods. S everal kid-friendly whole family. world war 2 memorial facts The concierge world war 2 memorial facts will also send up other family items fr om attractions ar e either next door or less than a block away: grassy Victorian cribs to boar d games on r equest. See p. 86. O lder kids will appr eciate the Park, the Aquatic Park beach, the Hyde Street P ier, the cable car turnar ound, gaming suites in J apantown s Hotel Tomo (1800 S utter S t.; & 877/738and The Cannery. The whimsical lobby and its adjacent N ational M aritime 7477 or 415/921-4000), which hav e the latest S ony P layStation, Wii, and Visitors Center will appeal to kids as well. The double queen r ooms are well a 6-foot L CD pr ojection scr een. S ee p. 99. suited to families, and the in-house Best Suites: TheHotel Beresford Arms restaurant serves kids meals in a beach (701 P ost S t.; & 800/533-6533 or pail. What mor e could y ou want? S ee p. 89. The warm and friendly Serrano 415/673-2600) has 60 J acuzzi suites, half of which have full kitchens and half Hotel (405 Taylor S t.; & 866/2896561 or 415/885-2500) gives kids a toy of which hav e kitchenettes. world war 2 memorial facts The guest rooms and bathr ooms also offer plenty upon check-in, offers kid-siz ed animal print robes for use during their stay, and of floor space and all beds ar e queen beds. S ee p. 82. I n J apantown, the has a game librar y av ailable to guests. See p. 76. The Handlery Union Square Hotel Kabuki (1625 Post St.; & 800/ 533-4567 or 415/922-3200) has fam( 351 G eary S t.; & 800/843-4343 or 415/781-7800) also gets my v ote, ily suites world war 2 memorial facts for the price of one-r oom junior suites, but with shoji screens world war 2 memorial facts that mainly for its outdoor, heated pool. See p. 78. separate the kids in their o wn ar ea, complete with J apanese futons on Best Amenities for Kids: The St. Regis (125 3rd St.; & 415/284-4000) offers tatami mats. S ee p. 99. The homey suites at the Cow H ollow Motor I nn kids their own bathrobes, toys from the SFMOMA gift shop, cookies with their & Suites (2190 Lombard St.; & 415/ 921-5800) contain two bathr ooms, name on them, and special items in the minibar provided par ents call the two bedr ooms, and a kitchen and must be booked far in adv ance. F or concierge befor ehand. S ee p. 87. The Four Seasons (757 Market St.; &415/ value and space, these offer the sweetest suite deal in town. See p. 97. 633-3000) supplies cookies and milk on arrival for kids 6 and under and root Best Indoor Pool: You have to supervise your kids at every hotel pool, but if

Since y ou visit ed the F erry Building and saw ho w seriously San F ranciscans take their food, you might as w ell visit one of the first r estaurants in t own dev oted t o delicious, unc omplicated c ooking using local, seasonal ing redients (p. 132). F or a more casual dinner , tr y the off erings at Frjtz, which include world war 2 memorial facts crisp y Belg ian fries , salads, and crepes (p. 133).

their hats will find plenty of options in San Francisco. In addition to several internationally recognized hotel chains, the city boasts an outstanding collection of smaller hotels in ev ery price categor y. Companies like Joie de Vivre Hospitality and Kimpton hotels hav e transformed a number of historic buildings (and ev en some lo wly motels) into luxurious world war 2 memorial facts boutique inns, delightful world war 2 memorial facts mid-priced hotels, and inexpensive, but festive, family accommodations.

national wwii memorial space with other big chains such as the Gap, Subway, Ben & Jerry s, and the International 91 House o

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 national wwii memorial the lobby). At least the guest rooms and bathrooms national wwii memorial are a decent size and, of course, you ve got the bay vistas to remind you that you are, in fact, in San Francisco.

parsley. For finicky eaters, the kitchen can fix up a plate of butter ed orzo pasta. The traditional spinach and cheese pastr y spanakopita is a hit with my kids and it s a great way to get them to eat their spinach.

3 When Nature Calls: The ladies lounge at N eiman Marcus has one of the better bathrooms in to wn and is the best indoor place to nurse y our baby. Macy s also has sev eral restrooms. national wwii memorial The big hotels are also great for bathroom breaks.

visitor center washington dc antine station. 1906 On April 18 at 5:12am, a major ear thquake r ocks San F rancisco and starts mor

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, 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.

antine station. visitor center washington dc 1906 On April 18 at 5:12am, a major ear thquake r ocks San F rancisco and starts more than 50 fir es, which burn unc ontrollably for 3 days. Two-thirds of the cit y is destr oyed, 250,000 people ar e lef t homeless , and mor e than 675 are dead or missing.

Juban Yakiniku House JAPANESE Although the grill-your-own concept may not have the dramatic appeal of a Benihana s, where the chef comes to your table and saut s while you watch, it s really more fun to take responsibility for your own dinner. At Juban, a gas grill embedded in the center of y our table quickly cooks thin slices of tender beef , chicken, short ribs, shrimp , and other items while y ou and y ours handle the cooking implements. The wait staff makes sur e the temperatur e is just so, but in any ev ent, it s pretty difficult to ruin your dinner. Smoke is relieved visitor center washington dc by special downdraft grills. Juban is big and modern, with wide tables to hold the v arious visitor center washington dc plates of raw and cooked food, and an accommodating staff. Yakiniku, or grilling, works well for children, who can pick and choose what they like and in r easonable quantities.

cuzco to lake titicaca JULY As the largest fr ee jazz festiv al on the west coast, stretching over 8 blocks, the Fillmore S

56 it s quite manageable all attractions ar e located within 2 squar e miles. I ve av oided overly ambitious suggestions in order to factor in slower walkers, emergency potty breaks, and the tough time you may have tearing the kids away from PIER 39. This itinerary will keep your family moving from one colorful place to the next, giving your children little time to complain of boredom. Indeed, with the crookedest street cuzco to lake titicaca in the world, antique ships, and noisy sea lions, chances are your kids will want to keep going even when you re tuckered out. Just in case, I ve noted plenty of playgrounds cuzco to lake titicaca and grassy areas where everyone can take a break.

JULY As the largest fr ee jazz festiv al on the west coast, stretching over 8 blocks, the Fillmore S treet J azz F estival draws more than 90,000 visitors o ver the July 4 w eekend. You can listen to music performed on sev eral stages, vie w ar t

In December, some hotels, such as the Ritz-Carlton, hold childr en s holiday teas, and an outdoor ice skating rink opens at the E mbarcadero Center. The S an F rancisco Ballet dusts off The Nutcracker and

veitnam memorial North of Union Square, a short walk up Grant Street, is the entrance to Chinatown. The draw here for

North of Union Square, a short walk up Grant Street, is the entrance to Chinatown. The draw here for you and yours is the sights and sounds veitnam memorial of a community that is steeped in local history but which pr eserves veitnam memorial its unique for eign culture. Possible stops include the playgrounds at St. Mary s Square or Portsmouth Square, the Chinese Cultural Center, the Canton Bazaar, the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company, and lunch.

HAMBURGERS In a setting r eminiscent of a 50s-era TV sitcom, with vinyl-covered chairs and vintage Formica patterns on the tables, y ou can enjoy a really good burger. They re made with naturally raised, hormone-free Niman Ranch beef and served on a bun that has enough personality to handle veitnam memorial a juicy hand-formed patty. The only alternatives to a hamburger or cheeseburger ar e a hot dog, fr ee-range chicken breast sandwich, or v eggie burger, all ser ved with crispy fries. Yummy milkshakes and root beer floats are made with San Francisco s Double Rainbow ice cream. Another location is in the Mission neighborhood. 5

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING CHINATOWN N Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St.Kearny St. Varennes St.Varennes St. Jasper Pl.Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl.Bannam Pl. TurkTurkMurphyMurphyLn.Ln. Cordelia St.Cordelia St. Cadell Pl.Cadell Pl. Sonoma St.Sonoma St. Margrave Pl.Margrave Pl. Fresno St.Fresno St. Gold St.Gold St. JackJackKerouac St.Kerouac St. Romolo Pl.Romolo Pl. Beckett veitnam memorial St.Beckett St. WentworthWentworthPl.Pl. Waverley Pl.Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl.Genoa Pl. Kearny St.Kearny St. Montgomery St.Montgomery St. Greenwich St.Greenwich St. Filbert St.Filbert St. Union St.Union St. Washington St.Washington St. Merchant veitnam memorial St.Merchant St. Commercial St.Commercial St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St.Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St.Vallejo St. BroadwayBroadwayMason St.Mason St. Powell St.Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St. Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave.Pacific Ave. Jackson St.Jackson St. Green St.Green St. TELEGRAPHTELEGRAPH HILLHILL NORTHNORTH BEACHBEACH CHINATOWNCHINATOWN TransamericaTransamericaPyramidPyramidWashingtonWashingtonSquareSquareTelegraph HillTelegraph Hill(Pioneer) veitnam memorial Park(Pioneer) ParkPortsmouthPortsmouthSquareSquareJoe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggioPlaygroundPlaygroundJACKSONJ A C K S O N SQUARES Q U A R E HISTORICH I S T O R I C DISTRICTD I S T R I C T CoitCoitTowerTower Filbert StepsFilbert StepsGreenwich StepsGreenwich StepsPowell-Hyde &Powell-Hyde & Powell-MasonPowell-MasonCable CarsCable CarsGrant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St. Varennes St. Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl. TurkMurphyLn. Cordelia St. Cadell Pl. Sonoma St. Margrave Pl. Romolo veitnam memorial Pl. Beckett veitnam memorial St. WentworthPl. Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl. Kearny St. Montgomery St. Mason St. Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St. TELEGRAPH HILLTunnel Filbert Steps Fresno St. Gold St. Jack Kerouac St. Greenwich St. Filbert St. Union St. Washington St. Merchant veitnam memorial St. Commercial St. Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St. Broadway. Columbus Ave. Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave. Jackson St. Green St. NORTH BEACH CHINATOWN Transamerica veitnam memorial Pyramid Washington Square Telegraph Hill (Pioneer) Park Portsmouth Square Joe DiMaggio Playground JACKSON SQUARE HISTORIC veitnam memorial DISTRICT Coit Tower Greenwich Steps Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable Cars 52 1 7 8 10 11 1413 12 4 6 15 3 9 16 Bocadillos 15 Gelato Classico 8 Great Eastern Restaurant 13 Hunan Home s Restaurant 12 Il Pollaio 3 Joe DiMaggio s Italian Chophouse 7 Lichee Garden 9 L Osteria del Forno 4 Mario s Bohemian veitnam memorial Cigar Store 5 Molinari 11 Naan-N-Curry 14 Pasta Pomodoro 2 R&G Lounge 16 Rose Pistola 6 Trattoria Contadina 1 Victoria Pastry Co. 10 100 yds 100 m 0 0 Cable car Stairway N Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St.Kearny St. Varennes St.Varennes St. Jasper Pl.Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl.Bannam Pl. TurkTurkMurphyMurphyLn.Ln. Cordelia St.Cordelia St. Cadell Pl.Cadell Pl. Sonoma St.Sonoma St. Margrave Pl.Margrave Pl. Fresno St.Fresno St. Gold St.Gold St. JackJackKerouac St.Kerouac veitnam memorial St. Romolo Pl.Romolo Pl. Beckett St.Beckett St. WentworthWentworthPl.Pl. Waverley veitnam memorial Pl.Waverley veitnam memorial Pl. Genoa Pl.Genoa Pl. Kearny St.Kearny veitnam memorial St. Montgomery St.Montgomery St. Greenwich St.Greenwich St. Filbert St.Filbert St. Union St.Union St. Washington St.Washington St. Merchant St.Merchant St. Commercial St.Commercial St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St.Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St.Vallejo veitnam memorial St. BroadwayBroadwayMason St.Mason St. Powell St.Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St. Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave.Pacific Ave. Jackson St.Jackson St. Green St.Green St. TELEGRAPHTELEGRAPH HILLHILL NORTHNORTH BEACHBEACH CHINATOWNCHINATOWN TransamericaTransamericaPyramidPyramidWashingtonWashingtonSquareSquareTelegraph HillTelegraph Hill(Pioneer) Park(Pioneer) ParkPortsmouthPortsmouthSquareSquareJoe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggioPlaygroundPlaygroundJACKSONJ A C K S O N SQUARES Q U A R E HISTORICH I S T O R I C DISTRICTD I S T R I C T CoitCoitTowerTower Filbert StepsFilbert StepsGreenwich StepsGreenwich StepsPowell-Hyde &Powell-Hyde & Powell-MasonPowell-MasonCable CarsCable CarsGrant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St. Varennes St. Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl. TurkMurphyLn. Cordelia St. Cadell Pl. Sonoma St. Margrave Pl. Romolo Pl. Beckett St. WentworthPl. Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl. Kearny St. Montgomery St. Mason St. Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St. TELEGRAPH veitnam memorial HILLTunnel Filbert Steps Fresno St. Gold St. Jack Kerouac St. Greenwich St. Filbert St. Union St. Washington St. Merchant St. Commercial St. Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St. Broadway. Columbus Ave. Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave. Jackson St. Green St. NORTH BEACH CHINATOWN Transamerica Pyramid Washington Square Telegraph Hill (Pioneer) Park Portsmouth Square Joe DiMaggio Playground JACKSON SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT Coit Tower Greenwich Steps Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable Cars 52 1 7 8 10 11 1413 12 4 6 15 3 9 16 Bocadillos 15 Gelato Classico 8 Great Eastern Restaurant 13 Hunan Home s Restaurant 12 Il Pollaio 3 Joe DiMaggio s Italian Chophouse veitnam memorial 7 Lichee Garden 9 L Osteria del Forno 4 Mario s Bohemian Cigar Store 5 Molinari 11 Naan-N-Curry veitnam memorial 14 Pasta Pomodoro 2 R&G Lounge 16 Rose Pistola 6 Trattoria Contadina 1 Victoria Pastry Co. 10 100 yds 100 m 0 0 Cable car Stairway Dining Near Chinatown & North Beach 119