Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
187
Peninsula. You'll end at S utro P ark, an 18-acr e par k atop a bluff o verlooking O cean
Beach and Seal Rocks. The cliff-side path narrows at times, so tell your kids to walk, not
run.
Eagle's Point (at El Camino del Mar near 32nd St.).
&
415/561-4323
(phone for Presidio Visitor's Center,
which provides info regarding Land's End). Muni: No. 38-Geary to Point Lobos.
Muir Woods
Named in honor of S ierra Club founder and conser vationist
John Muir, 553-acre Muir Woods is what's left locally of the r edwood forests that once
dominated the N orthern California coastline. Although not as immense as R edwood
National Forest farther north, this pocket of old-growth redwoods is magnificent, and a
range of trails here will suit hikers of all abilities.
Mill Valley.
&
415/388-2595.
www.nps.gov/muwo. Daily 8am-sunset. To get ther e, driv e o ver the
Golden Gate Bridge and take the Stinson Beach/Hwy. 1 exit west and follow the signs. Admission $5, free
for children 15 and under. Parking is limited so set out early on weekends or go during the week.
The Presidio
On the northern tip of San Francisco lies this former property of
the U.S. Army, now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Numerous trails
are contained in the 1,500-acre site, taking you through forests of eucalyptus and pine or
along the dramatic coastline. The E cology Trail star ts at the P residio O fficer's Club ,
where y ou can pick up trail maps and other information. I t takes y ou along an easy
2-mile hike by the park's largest redwood grove to Inspiration Point, where you'll find a
stellar Alcatraz view. The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail can be reached at
the Presidio Gate, at Funston and Lake streets. The moderate 3-mile trek passes Moun-
tain Lake and ends at the G olden Gate Bridge. For a shor ter route with the kids, head
east from Mountain Lake towards Julius Kahn Park. It's an easier walk with a delightful
playground at the end as a r eward.
Presidio Visitor Center, Presidio Officers' Club, Building 50, Moraga Ave.
&
415/561-4323.
www.presidio.
gov and www.nps.gov/prsf. Visitors' Center open daily 9am-5pm. Closed major holidays. Muni to Officer's
Club: 76-Marin Headlands or 43-Masonic bus, transfer at Lombard and Broderick sts. to 29-Sunset. Muni
to Presidio Gate: No. 1-California to Presidio Blvd., walk north on Funston St.
6
7
BEST GUIDED TOURS FOR THE FAMILY
All About Chinatown! Walking Tours
Ages 8 and up.
Owner Linda Lee has
been giving tours in Chinato wn for mor e than 2 decades. H aving grown up in China-
town, she offers an insider's look at this fascinating section of the city. Tours depart from
Old St. Mary's Cathedral and last 2 or 3 hours, depending on whether you stay for a dim
sum meal at the end. Linda Lee's little company has grown up, and you may find some-
one else guiding y ou thr ough Chinato wn's cr owded alleyways, but for tunately all the
tours offered are low-key and flexible. I f you have young kids with y ou, guides will be
happy to linger longer at the for tune cookie factor y and in the neighborhood play-
grounds, while keeping stops at temples to a minimum.
P.O. Box 640145, San Francisco, CA 94164.
&
415/982-8839.
www.allaboutchinatown.com. Daily 10am.
Walking tours take 2 hr.; 3 hr. w/lunch. Adults walk only $30, w/lunch $45; k ids 6-17 walk only $20, w/
lunch $35; under 6 free.
City Guides
Ages 10 and up.
There's hardly a section of the city that isn't covered
by a City G uides walking tour. Not all are going to be inter esting to kids, but log onto
the company's website and see if y ou and they can agr ee on one of the 1
1
/
2
- to 2-hour
