Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
62
(p. 173), one of the greatest urban parks in
America, has a lot more to offer—but that
will depend on how much energy the kids
have and ho w much daylight r emains. I f
the family is still raring to go, walk fr om
the Academy past the lo vely Rose G arden
and to ward the Conser vatory of F lowers
(p. 175), a stunning glass str ucture o ver-
looking a garden with thousands of flowers
out front. If it's still open, y ou'll enjoy the
Conservatory's collection of unusual and
in the opposite dir ection fr om the play-
ground—are the J apanese Tea G arden,
Botanical Gardens, and Stowe Lake.
9
Ocean Beach
Still raring to go? If it's a clear day, take the
no. 5-Fulton bus (board at Fulton St. and
8th A ve.) out to O cean B each (p . 217).
You'll see a S an Francisco vista too many
tourists miss out on. Most tourists only see
the part of the city that opens out onto the
Bay, missing the entir e w estern shor e of
the San Francisco peninsula that abuts the
Pacific Ocean. The water at O cean Beach
is not safe for swimming, although exper t
surfers can't stay away fr om its po werful
waves. If you time it right, y ou'll enjoy a
lovely sunset.
exotic plants. O r y ou could head straight
across JFK D rive to the Car ousel and the
Koret Children's Quarter, a very large, very
creative playgr ound wher e y ou can thank
the kids for their patience all day and let
them loose for a while. O ther lovely places
in the par k—located behind the de Young
5
THE BEST OF SAN FRANCISCO IN 3 DAYS
If you're lucky enough to have a third day in San Francisco, then start it by heading back
to Fisherman's Wharf for a tour of iconic Alcatraz Island. You'll also explore some of the
most altered neighborhoods in the city, former industrial areas that now house a growing
share of the city 's cultural and culinar y highlights. Along the way , you'll find plenty of
time for the kids to str etch their legs and run around.
3
alike. O rder tickets w ell ahead of time;
online is best, as you can print them out at
home and head straight to the ferr y line-
up at Pier 33. I recommend taking the first
ferry of the day , at 9:30am, as the prison
will be less cr owded when y ou arriv e.
Bring sw eaters, comfor table shoes, and
something to eat (or choose fr om the
options—some of them organic—on the
ferry), as ther e's no concession stand on
the island. S ee p. 156. (
Note:
If you were
unable to r eserve Alcatraz tickets in time,
take a 1-hour bay cr uise on the B lue &
Gold Fleet. In addition to lo vely vistas of
the city and an up-close look at the
Golden G ate B ridge, an audio track
F-Market streetcar to Pier 33 or no. 10-Townsend bus
from Sansome and Sacramento streets to the Embar-
cadero and Bay Street.
1
Alcatraz Island
What could be so special about an old
prison? P lenty. To begin with, the ferr y
ride over to Alcatraz I sland gives you the
chance to get out onto the bay and see
how lo vely S an Francisco looks fr om the
water. O f course, most kids enjo y a fun
boat ride as w ell. The prison audio tour ,
updated in late 200, is better than ev
er,
giving y ou the eerie sense of what it was
like for prisoners, guar ds, and ev en the
guards' families to liv e on a windsw ept
rock in the middle of the bay . You'll hear
about some of the nation 's most famous
criminals and death-defying escape
imparts plenty of histor y and local city
lore. See p. 185.)
attempts sur e to enthrall kids and adults
