San Francisco...how many days should we plan for?

[Weluv2cruise2007]

We're cruising to Hawaii out of SF in December and wondering whether we should allow for one full day pre-cruise to sightsee or two. We will be travelling with our 1.5 year old so not exactly sure what are some appropriate family "must see" sites or activities. Even though not much use for a toddler we'd love to go to Alcatraz, but other than that, not sure what's worth it. Is a day enough? To add an extra day would be an extra few hundred dollars easily so trying to decide if it's necessary. We are young, active and love being outside if that helps. Thanks.

[SadieN]

I'd do two.

[martincath]

Our first trip that included SF was a tour; we had two days in town. It wasn't even close to enough! Next time we came for five days - we could probably have fit all our scheduled activities into three really packed days, but wanted to have some flexibility and time to just wander through neighbourhoods, eat & drink at a leisurely pace.

 

Since you're coming all the way over from the east coast, and obviously can spend the extra time & money if you choose or you wouldn't be asking - do it, and if you can squeeze the time & money even further add a third day too;-)

 

As to what to do - there are several highly-rated kid-focused things in SF like the Exploratorium, Zeum, & Bay Area Discovery Museum. SF Zoo, Cable Cars, Golden Gate Park, ferry trips on the bay all seemed to entice families when we were there. Check out the 'Go San Francisco Card' & City Pass for which attractions are included - you may be able to save a significant sum.

[Bruin Steve]

I think Martincath gave you some good ideas...

 

Of course, depending on the age of your toddler, it's hard to pinpoint what the kid may or may not enjoy...and likely won't remember later other than showing photos...

 

How much time you spend really depends more on YOU--what you want to see and do...

 

Personally, I would opt for more than one day--maybe touring the City one day and taking a drive across the Golden Gate a second day to visit the giant redwoods at Muir Woods, the town of Sausalito and wineries in Napa/Sonoma (not really for the toddler, but you deserve some time as well). Also note that you can often see sea lions at Fishermans Wharf--and the toddler might get a thrill out of that...

 

Good luck...

[CruiserBruce]

I'd do two.

 

Agree totally... If you are only going to see SF. If you are going outside of SF, then any number of extra days can be added.

[Keith1010]

The more the days you can stay there the better.

 

At least two would be nice.

 

Be sure to visit the the pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf area. I think that is a perfect area for you to push a stroller and walk around with your child. We did it when our son was that age. There is a merry go round there and you could take your child on it.

 

Also take a tour of the city which you can pick up in various places including right outside of this pier area. It is on a bus that looks like a cable car. Again, easy for a small child and a lot of fun.

 

I would also visit the zoo and Golden Gate Park.

 

You can spend a lot of days in the city and not see it all. I would go at least two days.

 

Keith

[mahdnc]

We were vacationing in San Francisco this past week. I would definitely recommend two days (versus one day). If you are young, active and love being outside, you will be glad that you did.

[Northender]

We were vacationing in San Francisco this past week. I would definitely recommend two days (versus one day). If you are young, active and love being outside, you will be glad that you did.

 

Did you do most stuff on your own? We will be there for one full day and hoping that the hotel has some sort of tour services.

[mahdnc]

Adele,

 

Our kids, who went with us, are now 18 and 21 yrs old. So we did everything on our own during the 6 days that we were there--including an eye opening tour of Facebook's headquarters in Menlo Park, courtesy of our daughter's friend who works there.

 

There are a ton of tours (bus tours, bike tours, Segway tours, walking tours, GoCar tours, boat tours, winery tours) that you can take. We stayed at the Marriott (Union Square) and they had a very active concierge desk that can get you set up. I imagine many of the larger hotels have this service. The basic problem is trying to figure out which one you want to do!

 

By the way, we saw the Star Princess docked in San Francisco while we were there (on Tue Jun 3).

 

David

Edited June 8, 2014 by mahdnc