Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
216
Mission Cliffs
Ages 6 and up.
This indoor climbing center provides 14,000
feet of wall to conquer for those days when just getting up in the morning doesn't cut it.
If you sign up for the belay safety class (same-day r egistration at $28/person; only $20/
person if you are getting a day pass as w ell), you'll get a day pass and equipment r ental
thrown in. Mission Cliffs also has a workout area with regular fitness equipment. Phone
first to check on how busy the center is if you're arriving on a weekend. Kids love holding
birthday parties here.
2295 Harrison St. (at 19th St.).
&
415/550-0515.
www.touchstoneclimbing.com. Day pass $10 k ids 14
and under, $10 adults bef ore 3pm on w eekdays, $18 af ter 3pm and on w eekends. Mon-Fri 6:30am-
10pm; Sat-Sun 9am-7pm.
Peakadoodle Kids Club
All
ages.
This option is best for families staying
longer in S an Francisco, since membership is r equired. Non-members may come only
with a member, and their first visit is free; after that, it's $50 per visit. What members do
get is access to sev eral classes in music, bab y and kids' yoga, art, cooking, sports, dance,
science, baby signs, and so on for both kids and parents. There's a fitness center, cafe, and
quiet lounge for par ents who want some fr ee time while their little ones ar
e in class
(parents must stay on the pr emises during classes).
900 Nor th Point St. (bt w. Polk and Lark in sts. I n Ghirardelli S quare).
&
415/440-7335.
http://peek a
doodlekidsclub.com. Membership: $110/month. ($130 membership free, which may be waived for fami-
lies only staying a short time in San Francisco). Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm (Wed until 7pm); Sat 9:30am-4pm;
Sun closed for parties and events.
Planet Granite
Ages 6 and up.
Opened in 2008, this brand-new rock climb-
ing facility has already become a favored destination of our 7-year-old daughter (who also
is a big fan of Mission Cliffs, by the way). Located in an old hangar, the light-filled space
overlooking C rissy Field and the bay bey ond has two bouldering ar eas, a multi-sided
climbing wall, and a fitness zone. In order to use the facility, you must take belay lessons
(offered weekday evenings, except Wed, and throughout the day on w eekends for $34/
person) and pass the belay test. P arents must also sign a waiv er for kids. P lanet Granite
rents all equipment needed.
924 old M ason St. (near Crissy F ield Ave.).
&
415/550-0515.
http://planetgranite.com. Day pass: $18,
$10 kids 13 and under, $13 weekdays before 1pm and for students Mon-Fri before 5pm, $4 for shoes or
harness, $6 for shoes and harness . Basic rock climbing 4-week course: $110 members, $150 non-mem-
bers. Mon-Fri 6am-11pm; Sat 8am-8pm; Sun 8am-6pm.
8
3
BEACHCOMBING
Warm, sunny days along S an Francisco's coastline ar e rarities because the outer Rich-
mond and Sunset neighborhoods are often the last to escape the fog. B ut when the sun
does come out, the beaches ar e wonderful.
Be aware that the ocean is neither warm nor safe enough for swimming, and signs note
that waders and swimmers hav e died at S an Francisco beaches. F or one, unpr edictable
“sneaker” waves, giant waves that form when two or three normal-sized waves merge, can
suddenly sweep onto the shor e. Also, having sur fed at O cean Beach a fe w times (and
wondered what I've gotten myself into), I can attest to the incr edible strength of the rip
current. In fact, the last thing y ou should do is enter the water wher e you see sur fers
going in, since surfers usually look for a rip current that can carry them out with minimal
paddling. That current could sweep out even a strong swimmer, who, without a wetsuit,
would be quickly numbed by the extremely cold water.
