Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DIRECTORY
message, and discovering gold.
Admission is free, and also at
the Maritime Historical Park
(see
p83)
, a nautical treasure-house
of ship models and relics. Three
of the museum's restored
historic ships can be explored
at Hyde Street Pier.
Museums at Fisherman's
Wharf are designed to amuse,
mystify, horrify, and fascinate
youngsters. Sample the delights
of Ripley's Believe It Or Not!
(see
p82)
and the Wax Museum
(see
p82)
. Everyone can enjoy the
restored marshland, dunes,
and beach at Crissy Field in
the Presidio.
Babysitters
American Child Care
Services, Inc.
Te l
285-2300.
Wildlife
Josephine D Randall
Junior Museum
199 Museum Way.
Map
10 D2.
Te l
554-9600.
∑
randallmuseum.org
Six Flags Discovery
Kingdom
Marine World Parkway, Vallejo.
Te l
(707) 643-ORCA.
Children on the beach at Crissy Field
(see pp60-61)
Museums
Bay Area Discovery
Museum
557 East Fort Baker, Sausalito.
Te l
339-3900.
∑
badm.org
The Children's Creativity
Museum
221 4th St.
Map
5 C5.
Te l
820-3320.
Exploratorium
Pier 15.
Map
5 D2.
Te l
563-7337.
Outdoor Fun
Great America
Te l
(408) 988-1776.
Outdoor Fun
The most exciting way to take
children around town is on the
cable cars
(see pp284-5)
. For a
thrilling descent, ride the last
leg of the Powell-Hyde line to
Aquatic Park
(see pp174-5)
, then
take the nearby ferry to Alcatraz
Island
(see pp84-7)
.
In Golden Gate Park
(see
pp144-59)
there are riding
stables, bike trails, boating
lakes, a carousel in the Children's
Playground, and even a herd
of bison. In the South Bay,
Great America
is a theme
park with 100 acres (40 ha)
of rides and shows.
Indoor Fun
Slightly older children can
burn off their excess energy
at
Mission Cliffs
, an enormous
indoor rock-climbing gym.
For creative fun, try the
Exploratium for interesting,
hands-on exhibits. The
Children's Creativity Museum
is a must for kids of all ages.
AcroSports
is a huge acrobatic
arena that caters to both kids
and adults. Check out the
interactive Circus Workshop,
book a private lesson in
contortion or tumbling,
or simply catch a show.
Shopping
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Hillsdale Mall San Mateo.
Te l
(650) 577-8713.
Gamescape
333 Divisadero St.
Map
10 D1.
Te l
621-4263.
Indoor Fun
AcroSports
639 Frederick St.
Map
9 B2.
Te l
665-2276.
Mission Cliffs
2295 Harrison St.
Map
11 A4.
Te l
550-0515.
Eating Out
California Pizza Kitchen
53 3rd St.
Map
5 C5.
Te l
278-0443.
Rainforest Café
145 Jefferson St.
Map
5 A1.
Te l
440-5610.
Shopping
At
Build-A-Bear
shoppers make
and “adopt” their own huggable
bear. For an incredible selection
of games, head down to
Gamescape
, or watch chocolate
being made at the Ghirardelli
Chocolate Manufactory
(see
p83)
, and then buy delicious
candy to eat or to take home
as presents and souvenirs.
Eating Out
Fast food is available all over
the city, from take-out
dim
sum
in Chinatown to burgers
in Union Square. For those who
prefer a more relaxed meal,
most restaurants welcome
children and provide high
chairs and special menus for
them.
California Pizza Kitchen
serves tasty pizzas with unique
toppings,
sandwiches,
and salads.
Surrounded
by animated
wildlife and
other special
effects, eating
out at the
Rainforest
Café
is a
wonderful
experience.
Riding stables in Golden Gate Park
