Hi all. I am planning to take my son to San Fran mid March, 3 days, for dad and son trip to take in a surprise Warriors game for him in Oakland as well as some sight seeing (Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge) I am looking for any suggestions , tips where to stay, Oakland vs San Fran , and where to take him and keep him occupied aside from what I have mentioned above. Thanks in advance.
Check out the 15 other threads with similar titles. Also, don't call it San Fran.
Do not call it "Frisco", either.
If you like Snoopy, the Charles Sculz Museum (closed on Tuesdays) is in Santa Rosa, about a 40 minute drive from San Francisco. Sculz was a huge hockey fan and bought a rink there...and built his office (now the museum) right next door.
Before they 'shut it down', you could drive on Lombard street. It is quite the experience, but it is a long line to get up there.
The usual Pier 39 and Fisherman's Warf area is a tourist favourite and worth a few hours. Alcatraz leaves from there, go there in the morning and hang out at the Piers in the afternoon. After that, maybe drive west to Seal Rock for a nice sunset and dinner at Lookout Cafe. There is a giant camera there, a large camera obscura set up, maybe good for the 9 year old.
The Exploritorium is a good learning joint for all ages.
Obviously Alcatraz. Biking over the bridge and taking a ferry back is a good way to spend half a day. Also, be sure to ride on the trams and especially the cable cars which were the most fun I ever had on public transportation. If the cable car lines are too long walk up the hill for a few stops but beware the hills are steep and you need to be in reasonable shape.
There is great seafood and you have to get chowder in a sour dough bread bowl. Also, In-N-Out Burger of course and Chinatown has some pretty good Chinese food.
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The masses of humanity have always had to surf.
Rent a couple bikes and bike through Golden Gate Park, ending up at Ocean Beach. Check out the Japanese Tea Garden and the Academy of Sciences in there. I did that for an afternoon once at it was awesome.