three monuments in washington dc 100 touches that make this a definite cut above the usual, utilitarian Best Western. Better yet, roo

POOLS Some kids will be happy anywhere y ou take them as long as ther e s a pool. But given San Francisco real estate prices, few hotels devote precious space to swimming facilities, and most pools that do exist ar e petite. Almost all the S an Francisco hotels with pools ar e listed in this chapter.

Although few obvious children s attractions exist in what is first and foremost a shopping paradise, Union Square is the psychological heart of the city and may be used as a launching pad for other ex cursions. three monuments in washington dc Kids may find the cr owds, clanging cable cars, and big buildings three monuments in washington dc exciting. Moreover, Union Square itself now hosts entertainment, both ad hoc and planned. I n the winter months, the plaza s enormous Christmas tr ee and M acy s holiday decorations are especially festive. Specifically, kid-friendly activities here include riding the glass elevator at the Westin St. Francis Hotel, greeting the beefeater-clad doorman at the Sir Francis Drake, three monuments in washington dc and visiting the Disney Store. Teens may enjoy checking out the Levi s and Diesel stores, three monuments in washington dc among other shops.

100 touches that make this a definite cut above the usual, utilitarian three monuments in washington dc Best Western. Better yet, rooms come with two queen-siz three monuments in washington dc e beds, as opposed to the cramped double-double configurations more common in the moderately priced hotels downtown. Four sets of rooms interconnect; two of these connect a room with a king-size three monuments in washington dc bed with a room that has two queen-size beds. Depending on your kids interests, the most attractive option of all may be of the gaming suites, which contain the latest S ony PlayStation, Wii, bean bag chairs, and a 6-foot LCD projection screen. If your kids are teens, let them play a couple rounds of video games while y ou shop for lo vely Japanese ceramics or a ne w kimono around the corner in the Japantown shops. Some rooms on higher floors have neighborhood views.

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

world war two memorial washington dc 500 Post St. (at M ason St.), San F rancisco, CA 94102. &800/605-6568 or 415/771-8600. F ax 415/3980

500 Post St. (at M ason St.), San F rancisco, CA 94102. &800/605-6568 or 415/771-8600. F ax 415/3980267. www.jwmarriottunionsquare.com. 337 units, including 8 suites, all non-smoking. $299 $499 double; from $670 suite. Kids under 12 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways at varying prices; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $42; oversized vehicles $48. Amenities: Restaurant; fitness c enter; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV, dataport, high-speed world war two memorial washington dc Internet access, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player.

As for the aw e-inspiring food, the man behind world war two memorial washington dc the master y is awar d-winning chef Hubert Keller, a native of the Alsace region world war two memorial washington dc of France now recognized world war two memorial washington dc as one of the best chefs in the world (and he has ser ved as a judge on TV s Top Chef). Keller s kitchen is firmly rooted in classic F rench cooking, but includes some playful touches inspir ed by his new country, such as tr uffle-infused popcorn and an amazing mini foie gras hamburger. Choose from a menu of three, four, or five courses and expect to be blown away by such offerings as sear ed Moroccan spiced sea scallops with pomegranate jus, cauliflower flan, and O setra caviar or v eal tournedos scented with foamy lobster bisque and veal essence. A v egetarian tasting menu, with options such as tr uffled white bean soup with green garlic fondue and wild mushrooms, is also available. The desserts and cheese selection are obscenely delicious, and the wine list includes sev eral hundred selections. (Although I ve noted this isn t a place for kids, I did once spot two pr e-teen boys dining with their parents; they were well behaved and seemed to enjoy the experience.)

grayline denver Foreign Cinema Finds CALIFORNIA/MEDITERRANEAN What sets this establishment apart from any other plac

Foreign Cinema Finds CALIFORNIA/MEDITERRANEAN What sets this establishment apart from any other place in the city is its outdoor courtyard with a large exposed-cement wall onto which ar e projected foreign films, many of them O scar winners. Heat lamps keep the place cozy, and, well, it s just an incredibly fun way to have a

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 of a community that is steeped in local history but which pr eserves 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.

524 Sutt er St. (near P owell St.), San F rancisco, CA 94102. & 800/919-9779 or 415/421-2865. F ax 415/398-6345. w ww.cartwrighthotel.com. grayline denver 114 units , including grayline denver 5 suit es. $109 $259 double; $199 $369 suite. Kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways (limited availability) $25; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40; self-parking $27. Pets welcome. Amenities: Bar; health club; room service (limited hours). In room: A/C (not all rooms), TV, free wireless Internet grayline denver access, coffeemakers, hair dryer, iron/ ironing board, CD player. grayline denver

I ve long wonder ed why any one would want to stay in F isherman grayline denver s Wharf. Upon seeing the Argonaut, which opened its doors in A ugust 2003, I not only stopped wondering, I wanted to check in immediately. It helps that the hotel is located on the wharf s more picturesque western end. The hotel building, originally built in 1907 and now property of the National grayline denver Park Service, is part of The Cannery, a historic structure that once housed the world s largest peach canning facility. The $40 million restoration to create this attractive new hotel left the red-brick walls, Douglas fir beams, and wood-plank floors beautifully intact. The overall decor, which pokes fun at traditional nautical themes, is fresh and appealing. It extends to the sizable guest rooms and bathrooms, which are hued in bright blue, white, and silver. Room configurations include two queens or one king, and a fe w king rooms also have a pullout sofa. Bay views are an option, as are interconnecting rooms and suites. Rooms have DVD and CD play ers, and if y ou pop down to the lobb y for the complimentary wine hour, your teens or tweens can take advantage of the two computers with free high-speed wireless Internet access there.

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

ZA Pizza Finds PIZZA On a tree-lined section of Hyde Street along the cable car route, this is a favorite neighborhood gathering spot. Families can hang out at the counter of this tiny establishment and watch a game on TV or take a seat at one of the fe w indoor and outdoor tables. The thin-cr ust pizzas, named after luminar y characters, include the Pesto Picasso, with roasted seattle ducks tour chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh pesto; and the Popeye the Greek, with spinach and feta cheese. We eat at ZA several times a year, but I kno w my family would pr efer to go ev en more often. Two salads ar e also on the menu, but the house salad wins out o ver the plain-tasting Caesar.

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

onondaga coach bus tours Unlike the Four Seasons and St. Regis, the oh-so-posh decor here is quite traditional. The secret fo

Unlike the Four Seasons and St. Regis, the oh-so-posh decor here is quite traditional. The secret for getting the most out of this hotel is to communicate your ev ery wish to r eservations, letting them kno w whether y ou re trav eling with the nanny, celebrating a special occasion, or accompanied by a child who just brought home a perfect report card. These folks are looking for a reason to spoil you. If your little boy is into action figures, let the concierges know and they ll gladly oblige with a super-hero onondaga coach bus tours welcome gift. Pets under 10 pounds are welcome and also entitled to customized onondaga coach bus tours amenities, such as doggie beds and bo wls. Rooms range from deluxe doubles to executive suites, which are larger than most one- bedroom apartments in San Francisco. A deluxe with two double beds will still hav e plenty of room for a crib or rollaway, but if you re sharing with your kids, ask for one of the Stockton Street rooms, which are a bit larger. onondaga coach bus tours A handful of connecting rooms are also available. An extra $100 per night will grant you access to the Club Lounge, which comes with a dedicated concierge and a constant parade of food, fr om an ample br eakfast to evening hors d oeuvres with fruit, snacks, and drinks. Although more expensive than the Mark Hopkins lounge, it may still be a worthwhile investment. Visits during the holidays are especially fun for kids the Ritz organiz es a kids Halloween tea in October, a teddy bear tea in D ecember, and other annual ev ents. During non-holiday times of y ear, kids can participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the hotel, with prizes awarded at the front desk.

CALIFORNIA/SEAFOOD Chef-owner Patricia Unterman, the author of the Food Lover s Guide to San Francisco, is pretty much the authority on the local culinar onondaga coach bus tours y scene so it s no surprise her r estaurant ser ves delicious, uncomplicated dishes that showcase local, in-season ingredients. The specialty here is very fresh fish: whatever s been caught that morning onondaga coach bus tours will be pr epared onondaga coach bus tours simply and with integrity and be accompanied with crisp , thin fries. All sauces ar e thoughtfully ser ved on the side. The non-fish selections, such as the grass-fed steak with mustard onondaga coach bus tours butter and balsamic onions, are equally flavorful. The atmosphere balances betw een informal and businesslike, with a clientele of politicians onondaga coach bus tours and pr ofessionals at lunch and ar tists and audiences eating a pr e-show dinner. At lunch, kids might enjoy eating at the bar; it s situated in the front and commands a view of many tables and the door, so they can keep tabs on what s going on. 320 Hayes St. (btw. Gough and Franklin sts.). &415/863-5545. www.hayesstreetgrill.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $16 $25 lunch; $22 $28 dinner ; $31 prix-fixe dinner. AE, DC, MC, V. M on Fri 11:30am 2pm lunch; M on Thurs 5 9pm; F ri 5 10pm; Sat 5:30 10pm; Sun 5 8:30pm; Sun Thurs after 7:30pm prix-fixe dinner. Muni: No. 21-Hayes bus to Franklin St. or any streetcar to Franklin St., and then walk nor th 3 blocks.

bedrooms ar e masculine in feel with black-trimmed woods and upholster y but the 89 hotel is o verdue for some fr esh fabrics on windo ws and beds. The double-doubles ar e really dual queens and big enough to shar e with the kids and still hav e space for y our luggage. There are no connecting rooms or suites suitable for a crowd, but the staff does its best to provide families with the largest rooms available.

See p. 73. A sister property, the Serrano Hotel (405 Taylor S t.; & 866/ 289-6561 or 415/885-2500), will walk your dog b y appointment and stocks gourmet onondaga coach bus tours pet food, tr eats, and comfy bedding. See p. 76. The Hotel Vitale (8 Mission S t.; & 888/890-8688 or 415/278-3700; p. 92) and the St. Regis (125 3rd St.; & 415/284-4000;

map of monuments in washington dc (p. 177) and travel to Monster Park. There is no simple way to handle strollers on either buses or s

Stern Grove Midsummer Music Festival is one of the great free events of the summer. All sor ts of per formances opera, Latin music, jazz are held Sunday afternoons at 2pm in S igmund Stern Grove at 19th A venue and S loat Boulevard. The venue is easily r eached on M-Oceanview map of monuments in washington dc or K-Ingleside Muni streetcars or the 27-Monterey bus. Bring a picnic and a blanket. Call & 415/ 252-6252 or visit www.sterngrove.org.

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

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

an interactive tour of ellis island followed by Stern Grove s summer Sun-53 day concerts or a hike at Fort Funston. If y ou happen to ta

ITALIAN/PIZZA This hopping Chestnut S treet locale quickly established itself in the B ay Area s dining scene. I t s named after the motor way that transv erses the Italian region of Campania, home to Naples. As one might expect, A16 s most acclaimed specialty is its wood-oven-fired Neapolitan pizza, which could blo w away your youngsters preconceptions of what pizza is all about. O rder a pizza marinara, with just tomato, or egano, garlic, and oliv e oil, and they ll be amaz ed that something without melted cheese could taste so good. Of course, there are mozzarella-topped pizzas as well. The rest of the menu is also impressive (and changes seasonally). Dishes like house-made fennel sausage with grilled br ead or wild salmon with basil, almonds, an interactive tour of ellis island and lemon ar e deliciously inspired by southern an interactive tour of ellis island Italian cuisine. For dessert, your options an interactive tour of ellis island might include ricotta almond mousse an interactive tour of ellis island or warm chocolate haz elnut cake. Although an interactive tour of ellis island the menu is mor e limited at lunch, it may be the best time to bring younger children. They ll enjoy watching the pizzas being made or drawing on the paper-co vered tables. The dinner scene is usually too noisy and grown-up for all but the hippest teenagers. MARINA/COW HOLLOW/PRESIDIO

welcome. an interactive tour of ellis island Amenities: Exercise room; concierge; business center; room service (limited hours); laundry 75 service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD and games, free wireless high-speed Internet access, an interactive tour of ellis island minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, CD player, iPod available.

Down the main hall to the left is Out the Door (next to Slanted Door, Shop #5; &415/321-3740), with a delectable Vietnamese take-away menu inspired by its famed sister restaurant Slanted Door (see below). Kids will love the spring an interactive tour of ellis island rolls, $8 for an order, and the chicken steamed buns at $3 apiece. Near Out the Door is Mistral Rotisserie P rovencal (Shop #41; &415/399-9751), an interactive tour of ellis island offering melt-in-your-mouth r oasted meats , hot soups , and sandwiches with hear ty plated meals at $6 t o $13. The Ferry Building an interactive tour of ellis island is also full of eat eries with table seating. I described the most k id-friendly of these, Taylor s Refresher (p. 125) and Mijita (p. 125), separately below.

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