Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
161
describes each exhibit, and sev eral teens v olunteer as “explainers” to help out the most
science-challenged among us.
Even with the explainers' help, kids younger than 6 may not grasp the science behind
each of the 650-plus exhibits. B ut they'll still lo ve fiddling with a machine that makes
sand patterns with sound wav es, a camera that photographs y our shadow, or a massiv e
soap-bubble maker. My older kids can easily spend a day her e—more hours than I can
handle. Given the dim lighting and ev er-present crowds, this stimulating envir onment
could overwhelm some, even as it enthralls others. B ecause most exhibits ar e hands-on,
kids will be pushing, pulling, or doing whatev er it takes to hav e a go at some nifty con-
traption. If your little ones can't fend for themselv es, don't hesitate to tell big kids their
turn is up. They usually politely step aside.
You can take your toddler to the under-4s play ar ea for a break, but it seems a shame
to spend too much time ther e, since it just has blocks and other items y ou'd find at any
preschool. B etter to step outside to the
Palace of F ine Ar ts
grounds that house the
Exploratorium. The only r emaining str ucture left of the 1915 P anama-Pacific Exposi-
tion, the lovely domed Palace and its adjacent grass and pond ser ve as the backdr op for
many a w edding photo. Near the back of the museum is a cafe wher e you can pick up
items for a picnic outside, including peanut butter sandwiches, free-range chicken salads,
and hot dogs made from naturally raised beef. (An espresso stand at the entrance also sells
coffee, ice cr eam, and cookies.) O lder kids will r eally enjoy the
Tactile Dome,
where
participants crawl, slide, and slowly walk through the dome in complete darkness, feeling
their way along a variety of surfaces. Reservations are required in advance, and you must
buy a separate, pricey $17 ticket. P hone
&
415/561-0362
for times and tickets.
Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St. at Marina Blvd.
&
415/397-5673.
www.exploratorium.org. Admission
$14 adults; $11 seniors , students with ID , and youth 13-17; $9 childr en 4-12; free for children under 4.
Tactile Dome $17. F ree first Wed of ev ery month. Tues-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed on M ondays ex cept
Memorial, Labor, President's, and Martin Luther King, Jr. days. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Closed
Dec. 24 at 3pm. Muni: no. 30-Stockton bus.
Ferry Building Marketplace
All ages.
San Franciscans have a thing about
food—especially local, organic, and naturally raised food—so i's no surprise that a build-
ing devoted to gourmet fare should be considered a major attraction in its o wn right. It
helps, of course, that the historic 1898 building underwent a 4-year, multi-million-dollar
renovation (completed in 2003), and that it is located on the pictur esque Embarcadero,
with lovely views of the Bay Bridge and East Bay hills.
The best time to visit is early on Saturday morning, before half of San Francisco arrives
for its weekly shopping spree at the
Ferry Building Farmer's Market.
There you'll find
booths featuring organic fr uits and v egetables, ar tisan cheeses, naturally raised meats,
fresh bread, and so on. You could make a meal out of the free samples doled out by proud
farmers and cooks, but it 's worth holding back so that y ou can buy br eakfast from one
of the restaurant trailer cars in back. Purchase your scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms,
fresh tamales, and choriz o, or soft shell crab on sour dough, and enjo y it on a bayside
bench with a view of the ferries going to and fro. Kids will also enjoy the musicians who
come by on Saturday mornings to entertain shoppers and earn some change.
A smaller v ersion of the mar ket occurs on Tuesdays. Even on non-farmers ' market
days, the building 's scenic location, historic ar chitecture (including a 240-ft. clock
tower), and collection of upscale food shops—featuring ev erything fr om top-quality
olive oil and rar e-breed meat to ex otic funghi and handmade chocolates—make it w ell
worth a visit.
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